Yarra’s Adventure Notes
Chapter 431 - 57 - Memorial_1

Chapter 431: Chapter 57 - Memorial_1

Eyes met.

Flare’s pale green eyes resembled a tranquil pool of water. Within their crystal-clear pupils, Pannis’s reflection shimmered. Her all-seeing eyes seemed to pierce through his playful facade, glimpsing the hidden fatigue, pain, and hardship behind his mask. In that instant, Flare felt an unbearable pain in her heart, as if it were being gradually torn apart.

"They all told me that you were faring well, that you were happier than before when they saw you," Flare sighed softly, her feelings resonating with the wildflowers around her, their heads drooping in empathy. "Were they all lying to me, or did they simply not know you well enough? Can you truly consider this happiness?"

"Ha, indeed, I am happier than before," Pannis chuckled, "There is nothing more satisfying than realizing who I am and reliving past pains step by step."

"You...sigh." The glint of tears welled up in Flare’s eyes as she slowly walked towards Pannis. She gently touched the spot over his heart. A green glow emitted from her finger, falling on Pannis, cleansing the fatigue from his body and soul with the vigor of life. "Come back to the King’s Court with me. That’s where you belong."

"You know that can’t be," Pannis shook his head, gazed into Flare’s eyes, "I told you before, everything has changed, my... Queen."

"Why?" Flare took a deep breath, trying to control the trembling in her fingers, but her shaky voice betrayed the turmoil within her heart. "Yes, a hundred years ago, I could not rival her. I would not strive to. I only wished for your happiness. But now, Nellie is no longer with us. A hundred years have passed. How much longer do you intend to live in your memories?"

"I wronged her," Pannis replied with a bitter smile. "Maybe one day, after I’ve atoned for my sins, I will emerge from my memories. Ha, I’ve already begun that journey, don’t you see?"

"Fine," Flare gritted her teeth, "I will wait for you. I will wait until the day you emerge. Another hundred years? A thousand? Don’t think you can shake me off so easily. As long as I live, you won’t be able to."

"Why bother," Pannis sighed, "Why waste your endless life on me?"

"Trying to find another excuse, are you?" Flare leaned her face in close to his, their eyes locked, her breath filled with the sweet scent of daffodils, "It’s useless. I decided on you a hundred years ago. I would even share half of my life with you during the ceremony. By now, you should stop thinking that you can escape with such excuses."

"Ah, do as you please," Pannis rubbed his forehead, too tired to argue any longer. He sighed and stated, "Just remember, if one day you find you’ve wasted your time, don’t regret it."

"Tsk, tsk, tsk, you should be secretly delighted." "Yes, Flare’s comments have laid it all on the table and still, you refuse." "Even Sister Nellie’s soul would be angered by your response." "What a pathetic man." "Flare, if I were you, I would beat him up good." "And then give him a big kick." "That’s how this kind of man should be treated."

"Hey, you two," Pannis glared at the winged sisters who were using mischief to lighten the mood, voicing his discontent, "Stop fanning the flames."

"Hehe, it’s your fault for ignoring us while you chatted." "Yeah, yeah, you left us out in the cold." "And the little lion too, you ignored him as well." "This is a lady’s revenge, tremble in a lady’s wrath."

"Alright, you two ladies, stop causing trouble." Pannis ruffled the hair of the winged sisters, one on either side, "It’s getting late. Let’s talk business. This is his burial place?"

"Yes." Flare turned away briefly to wipe the corners of her eyes. When she turned back, she was back to normal, "The bearman Carl is buried right beneath us."

"Why here?" Pannis asked, puzzled, "Given his status and accomplishments, he was fully eligible to be buried in the revered grounds of the Ancestral Beastman Temple. How could he be buried in some unknown corner on his homeland?"

"Because he believed that he failed to bring the shaman Finche out alive, and because he thought it was a disgrace for a human woman to have sacrificed herself for the world. He was always ashamed of being hailed as a hero," Flare said in a mournful tone, "Therefore he asked Maya and Tiya to avoid marking his grave as he was too ashamed to face the spirits of his ancestors."

"Ah, that fool," Pannis managed a disheartened smile. He sat cross-legged on the ground, taking out a few sealed bottles of strong liquor he had previously obtained from a tribal chieftain. He opened a bottle and poured it onto the ground. Its robust aroma wafted around, reaching several yards around them, "Of course you couldn’t win against Nellie. When it comes to sacrifice, who could rival her speed? Nellie would always be the first."

"You understand this principle too," Flare stood solemnly behind Pannis, resting her hand on his shoulder, "Then why do you keep calling yourself a sinner?"

"I am different from Carl," Pannis shook his head, "It’s for other reasons. Don’t guess anymore. I am not ready to explain it yet."

"Believe what you want," Flare sighed once again, taking the wine bottle from Pannis and sprinkling a circle on the ground. She murmured, "We may have only met once, but during the most dangerous moments, we were comrades who entrusted our lives to each other. I am sorry that I couldn’t be here when you passed away. I hope your spirit can return to the hunting grounds of our ancestors, where your soul can run freely across the grasslands forever as a wolf."

A flurry of splashing sounds echoed around as several people raised bottles, pouting a cascade of wine over the ground. Even Dillie, the scorpion-tailed lion, gripped a bottle between her teeth and joined in the gesture. The place was soon filled with the heady scent of wine, hitting Flare and the winged sisters like a fog. They each took a few stumbling steps back, blinking furiously to clear their vision. Pannis, on the other hand, showed no reaction. Instead, he opened the last bottle, taking a long hearty gulp before speaking in fluent Beastman language, "My beastman brethren, my old friends, the last time we drank together, I promised you that once the undead issue is solved, we would reunite on the grasslands for yet another bout of heavy drinking. I didn’t expect to make you wait for over a century. But finally, I can face you old friends once again. From now on, I’ll visit often for a drink. I hope you don’t mind my tardy arrival."

With that, he swiftly discarded the empty bottle, patting the ground lightly, laced with the scent of alcohol. Standing tall, he affirmed, "Thank you for accompanying me tonight."

"Is it over?" asked Flare. "You didn’t just bring the Maya and Tiya sisters here to get directions, did you?"

"No, there are two things," Pannis shook his head and replied. "I actually wanted them to pass you a message. But since you’re here already, all the better. Listen up."

"The first matter I’ve already consulted the sisters on." Pannis explained, "Two months ago, I asked them to locate something for me — the Goblin Cipher Disk that Christo flaunted time and time again. They’ve found three of them."

"We are curious about this." "Suddenly, why did you get interested in that thing?" "It’s a set of seven and hard to complete."

"During my recent adventures, I found three of them," Pannis replied. "So I thought it could be a good idea to ask for your help. As for my sudden interest, well, I want to use it to save a person."

"That thing can save a person?" "Really?" "But that thing is just a data storage device."

"Christo and I once had a chance encounter and discussed this," Pannis explained. "This disk is probably related to a significant and highly confidential goblin relic. The medical technology of the goblins, which you must have heard about, far exceeds the current standards. Maybe we can find some unique medical apparatus from this relic to cure some incurable diseases."

"The person you want to save must be Vivian," Flare said. "I’ve seen her a few times when Antuin brought her back to the King’s Court for help, but none of us had a solution. She’s such a talented girl and it would be a shame to see her left untreated. If it is possible to cure her, that would be wonderful."

"It would be a good thing to save someone." "But the last part is with the Sea Race." "It’s said to be with them." "But we don’t deal with children." "So there’s no possibility." "The rest is up to you, Brother Kyle."

"I’ll take care of the Sea Race issue," Pannis said. "Now, let’s move on to the second matter."

"Why so serious?" Flare asked cautiously. "This must not be good news."

"You must be investigating," inquired Pannis. "About the cause of the return of the dead and the truth behind the increased undead activity over the past century."

"Yes, it has something to do with a cult," Flare said. "I remember asking Antuin to inform you about it."

"Yes, this cult calls themselves the Divine Servants. Most of them are ghouls with a few undead mages," Pannis said solemnly. "They might be plotting to reopen that door. We’ve disturbed one of their plans, but it’s unclear how significant the impact is or what the future holds."

"Is the information reliable?" The whole group tensed at this, even Dillie, who was lying on the ground, pricked up her ears attentively. Only those who had experienced that hellish war firsthand could appreciate the true scale of the terror behind that door.

"Aske has assumed his position as the Guildmaster of the Thieves’ Guild," Pannis reported. "He gathered the information, and I think it’s highly accurate."

"I see," Flare quickly adjusted her clothes, pulling a cloak over herself. "I will report this to the King’s Court straight away. This matter has top priority."

"We will also be returning immediately to arrange a tribal council." "Suddenly, I have an ominous feeling." "Me too."

"Thank you all," Pannis said. "And please try to tell Philax about this. Everyone should do their utmost."

"Oh, and Brother Kyle." "Your two comrades have been peeking." "Hehehe, take your time explaining." "Goodbye." (To be continued. If you like this work, please visit qidian.com to cast your recommendation and monthly ticket. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please read on m.qidian.com.)