Chapter 25: The Elusive Tribe and a New Companion

Having initially believed Aldoran’s injuries would require an extended period of recovery before showing any improvement, Qing Yu found reality to be a harsh testament to the naivety of his assumptions.

In truth, Aldoran was able to rise from her bed and walk within a mere fortnight, and now, approximately a month later, her body had returned to its pristine, unblemished state, completely restored.

“Guest, are you truly departing today?” While Thrud meticulously saw to their luggage, Alice sought out Aldoran, who sat alone upon a tree trunk, her gaze fixed intently upon the depths of the dense forest.

“Indeed, my journey demands continuation; I cannot afford to squander any more precious time.”

“Are you truly not planning to remain here for a while longer?” Alice inquired, her eyes earnest as she looked at Aldoran. “You are our benefactor, and should you choose to extend your stay, we would undoubtedly offer you the finest hospitality.”

Aldoran, however, gracefully declined Alice’s generous offer.

“Thank you, but we truly must depart. However…” Reaching this point, Aldoran paused, a thought lingering.

“If you are genuinely keen to express your gratitude, might I impose upon you to answer a single question?”

“Please speak freely. I shall hold nothing back and tell you all that I know.”

“Do you happen to know of Mimir?” Aldoran, wasting no time, immediately posed the question that had been weighing on her mind, having received Alice’s assent.

Alice initially froze, a flicker of surprise crossing her features, before slowly shaking her head.

“I apologize, but no traveler by the name of Mimir has ever journeyed through our lands.”

“In that case, has anyone ever heard any legends concerning her?”

Alice, however, continued to shake her head.

“Again, I must apologize, for we have never heard any tales or legends about her. However, we have heard whispers that she is a deity.”

“I understand. Thank you immensely.”

Aldoran, true to her nature, betrayed no outward display of emotion; she merely offered a serene nod, then refrained from pursuing the matter further.

“However, I believe that if you maintain your current course and continue onward, you should eventually encounter a village of the Horus tribe. As custodians of ancient myths, they are likely to possess some knowledge,” Alice added, after a moment of contemplation, observing Aldoran, who was lost in thought.

“A village of the Horus tribe?” Aldoran lifted her head, her gaze meeting Alice’s.

The Horus tribe, whose movements were unpredictable and whose presence was exceedingly rare.

“Yes, a village of the Horus tribe,” Alice confirmed with a nod. “A settlement inhabited by the remarkably scarce Horus folk.”

As a race dedicated to preserving myths, the Horus tribe was an exceptionally rare sight in the Midgard. Comprised solely of women, they journeyed through the realm as bards, singing ancient myths and legends to every soul they encountered.

No one could ever discern their origins, nor could anyone predict their destinations. They manifested abruptly, only to vanish just as swiftly, their forms perpetually concealed by shrouds, unwilling to divulge anything further about themselves to outsiders. Indeed, every facet of their existence remained shrouded in an enigma.

“The Horus tribe…” Aldoran murmured, her voice thoughtful as she repeated the name.

“However, I have only ever encountered one of their kind myself,” Alice began, her memory stirring. “During my conversation with her, I came to understand that a Horus village exists somewhere to the west of our own tribe.” She recounted the details of her memory to Aldoran, bit by painstaking bit.

A subtle thread of doubt and uncertainty wove through Alice’s tone as well.

“Yet, according to the Horus individual I met, their village cannot be perceived by sight alone, nor can anyone sense their presence through magic.”

“Then, how precisely might one go about locating their village?”

Confronted with this question, Alice’s expression grew troubled. After a prolonged period of contemplation, she finally spoke, her voice laced with considerable uncertainty. “That particular Horus resident mentioned that only the ‘chosen ones’ are granted the opportunity to glimpse the true visage of their race.”

Aldoran lowered her head, deep in thought.

‘Chosen ones’…

Aldoran had no inkling of what Alice meant by these “chosen ones,” nor did she truly comprehend the nature of the Horus tribe itself. Her understanding of their legends amounted to little more than the tip of an iceberg, gleaned from the scattered whispers of common folk.

Consequently, regarding the search for the Horus tribe’s village, Aldoran could only proceed one step at a time. Should she chance upon it, that would indeed be a fortunate turn of events. If, however, she failed to locate it, she would simply have to concede that she was not among the so-called “chosen ones,” and then dedicate even more time to gathering information about Mimir.

“This is all the information I possess,” Alice stated, a hint of apology in her voice as her recollection concluded. “Beyond this, I am afraid I cannot offer any further details.”

“It is quite alright. This information is already exceptionally valuable to me, and I am deeply grateful for the intelligence you have provided.” Aldoran rose to her feet, offering a slight bow toward Alice.

“No, no, no, you overstate the matter, Guest,” Alice quickly demurred, waving her hands.

Following this, Alice hesitated for a moment, then, while carefully observing Aldoran’s expression, she began to speak.

“There is one more matter, concerning that child…”

“Are you referring to Liliya?”

“Exactly, about that child…” Alice appeared somewhat uneasy, gently scratching her head. “I have already spoken with her regarding her accompanying you on your journey. She expressed no objections whatsoever. Now, we merely await your stance on the matter.”

“…” Gazing into Alice’s eyes, her pupils subtly dilated with a mixture of anticipation and nervousness, Aldoran fell into a brief silence.

In truth, neither Alice nor Liliya were privy to the grim reality that the person they had so desperately awaited had already perished.

Within that small wooden hut, the man’s severed head lay discarded by Sleipnir, a testament to the horror. Fear, panic, and utter despair were the final, profound emotions etched upon that once melancholic face.

However, Aldoran had no intention of revealing this harrowing truth to either Alice or Liliya.

After all, possessing a glimmer of hope, a beacon of expectation, was often the very impetus required to press forward, was it not?

“If she is willing, then by all means, let her accompany us on our journey. I have no objections whatsoever.” Aldoran straightened her posture and extended a hand towards Alice.

Upon hearing these words, an uncontainable joy immediately blossomed across Alice’s face. She clasped Aldoran’s hand firmly, asking with an audible gasp of delight, “Is it truly possible?!”

“Indeed. Please summon her. Once Thrud has finished arranging our luggage, we shall depart.”

“There’s no need. I am already here.”

No sooner had Aldoran’s words faded than Liliya’s voice echoed from the dappled shadows of the treeline. The rhythmic beat of wings accompanied her descent, carrying her directly before Aldoran.

She had clearly taken special care to preen her feathers today; her pure white wings shimmered with a soft luminescence under the sunlight, beautifully complementing her striking golden eyes.

Her flaxen hair was neatly gathered into a high ponytail, conveying an impression of boundless energy and vitality.

Aldoran observed that Liliya had, for some reason, fastened a slightly rusted pocket watch to her waist today.

She recalled from Alice’s memories that the man, during his lifetime, had always worn a similar pocket watch clipped to his waist.

In stark contrast to that perpetually melancholic man, Liliya exuded an unflagging vitality, her boundless energy always seeking an outlet, as if she could move endlessly without ever succumbing to fatigue.

“Then, Liliya, is there anything else you might need to prepare?” Aldoran inquired, her gaze momentarily lingering on the pocket watch fastened to Liliya’s waist.

“There’s no need; I have already prepared everything,” Liliya replied, a brilliant smile blossoming across her face. Illuminated by the sunlight, it sparkled radiantly, as dazzling as a flawless piece of jade.

She was a child utterly unlike that man.

“In that case, we shall depart once Thrud has finished organizing the luggage,” Aldoran stated plainly.

“Aldoran, Aldoran!” Qing Yu suddenly materialized within the wooden hut directly opposite Aldoran, waving incessantly at her through the open window.

Aldoran offered him a slight nod, gesturing for him to proceed.

“Aldoran, Miss Thrud and I have finished preparing all the luggage! Do you have any final instructions for us?” Qing Yu called out loudly, simultaneously shifting his body slightly to allow Aldoran a view of the various-sized parcels stacked behind him.

Aldoran shook her head, then parted her lips, directing her words towards Qing Yu.

Suddenly, clear words echoed distinctly within Qing Yu’s mind.

‘There’s nothing else. If you are ready, then let us depart.’

“Alright! And what about Miss Liliya?” Qing Yu called out once more, addressing Liliya who stood beside Aldoran.

Liliya offered a nod in return, likewise gracing Qing Yu with a smile.

“Excellent! Then let’s prepare to set off!” Qing Yu exclaimed, his grin wide and radiant. “To Alastor we go!”