Aqua leaned closer. "What do you know about the world soul?"
Nicolas interlocked his fingers and leaned forward. "Oh, you heard of her? I assume my son told you I had talked with her before?"
Aqua nodded. "It is paramount for me to make contact with the world soul, you are my best lead."
Nicolas leaned back and groaned. "It's not that easy, Lady Aqua. As much as I would love to help you, it will be a lengthy and dangerous ordeal."
Aqua's expression turned stern, startling the old noble. "I have time, Sir Nicolas. Please tell me."
Nicolas sighed. "You are just like my son, that is for certain."
He pushed himself up and then approached one of the closed cabinets. He retrieved a small key from a locket he wore around his neck before quickly unlocking the door.
From there, he retrieved a small brown book before returning to his seat.
"All I can do is explain the steps I took. I am willing to escort you, but I do not think I can handle Vilas… tendencies toward men."
Aqua tilted her head while pulling the small journal toward her. "Tendencies?"
"Yes. I would prefer to leave that part of the journey undisclosed; you, as a woman, should have no problems passing through without being drained."
Drained? Aqua crossed her arms, her eyes scanning him from top to bottom, noticing his nervous look.
She let out a chuckle. "I do not need you to escort me, all I need to know is how to reach the world soul. I will be out of your hair after I know that."
His fingers tapped the wooden table, his eyes peering into her. "I will be honored, so the journal I gave you contains the steps I took. First, you must travel far east, toward the world tree."
Aqua nodded.
"The tree is surrounded by a forest even larger than Ebon Forest. You will need to make a deal with the protector spirit, and he will guide you toward the world tree."
Hmm, a nature's protector. Shouldn't be an issue, I still carry the Mark of the Sun God.
"The tree base is inhabited by Vilas. They are kind creatures, but do not think they are powerless," He said, a chuckle escaped his lips. "They are too kind to men if I am to be completely honest."
Aqua raised her brow. The way Nicolas spoke about the creatures made them seem hospitable, and perhaps more hospitable than a guest would wish. "What have they done to you?"
"Let's just say, I am lucky I do not have forty children by now."
Aqua's eyes widened, and she chuckled. "Ah."
Nicolas shook his head before continuing. "You will need to gain their trust, so that they will let you into the rootway of the world tree. And once you are inside, there will be one final step."
"I have written the exact ritual in the journal, it involves falling asleep and passing a trial."
Falling asleep? Aqua scratched her cheek, that was the first step she would have had an issue.
Perhaps a different way will open itself. She shook her head. "Thank you, Nicolas," She thanked him before putting the journal into her void storage, which made Nicolas sparkle.
"You can repay me by teaching me that storage magic you just did!"
I really should get used to these reactions. She chuckled. "Sure, you can join my class when I finish my duty."
Nicolas chuckled. "I am just jesting. I am so old that I will die before I learn something as advanced as that."
Aqua's lips stretched into a line.
"Don't look at me like that. I have lived a full life. It's duty of the old to make way for the new."
This man is so admirable. Aqua's expression relaxed, and a small smile formed. "I suppose."
"Excellent. Everything else you need is within that journal. I am sure you won't have any trouble with it."
"Thank you, sir Nicolas," She said.
"Do not mention it. Considering how much my son had praised you, I would be uncouth not to help such a fine young lady."
Aqua couldn't help but smile. "Then I should head out. Sooner I contact the World Soul, the better."
She stood up and headed toward the door.
"Wait! Why not stay a little longer and explore our estate? I would be honored to show you around."
Aqua shook her head. Despite wishing for the peace to last a little longer, it had to wait once the world was no longer in the sight of the beast. "I am sorry, but this duty is urgent."
Nicolas sighed in disappointment. "I see. Well, once you finish your duty, the Lux family will hold their doors open to you. Please visit this old man anytime."
Aqua smiled. "I will. I am curious about your research into Aether after all."
Nicolas approached and opened the door for Aqua. "The letters did mention the force we were studying was Aether. I would be honored if you would assist our researchers. Once your duty is completed, of course."
Aqua stepped out, and the door closed behind the duo. "I will be glad to."
Nicolas and Aqua made their way out of the manor and into the courtyard. The guards opened the way for them, escorting them to the gate.
As they made their way just outside the gate, Nicolas turned to her. "Lady Aqua, it has been an honor to meet you. I hope to see you again soon."
Aqua chuckled. "Likewise, and do not worry. This is not the last you saw of me."
"Good, also, would you like me to assign some guards for protection until you reach the forest?"
Aqua shook her head. "There is no need, they would just slow me down."
Nicolas side-eyed the pair of guards who escorted them out.
Two young elven men were clearly annoyed by the comment, yet they decided to keep it to themselves.
"I suppose. You did fly over here after all."
Nicolas put his hand on his breast and bowed. "I wish you luck on your quest."
Aqua smiled. "Thank you."
However, just as she was about to fly into the sky, she stopped and turned toward Nicolas.
I have to give him something for this information.
Her hand plunged into the void, and she retrieved a small golden bracelet. In the middle of it was a flawless onyx, surrounded by four sapphires.
She inspected it before handing it to Nicolas, who shrunk away for a moment before quickly adjusting himself and receiving the gift.
"What… is this, my lady?"
"You did say you wanted the storage spell? Well, that bracelet will allow you to access a limited void storage. It's far cry from my spell, but it is still better than carrying things everywhere."
Nicolas nodded, quickly putting the bracelet on his wrist.
He closed and open his fist, closely inspecting the item. He then channeled mana into the magical item, which quickly tore open the void above it.
His eyes threatened to pop out for a moment, then he pushed his hand inside and quickly pulled it away, gazing at Aqua.
"Avaros wasn't kidding, you were a genius. Are you sure you should give away such wonderful treasure?"
Aqua waved the comment away while turning away. "It's one of my early creations, it's nothing special."
Nicolas smiled. "I see… Safe journeys, Lady Aqua. May we meet again!"
Aqua's smile widened as she sprouted the blazing wings. She flew high into the air, focusing her gaze toward the east.
Her hand plunged into the void before retrieving the small journal. She then slowly flipped the pages, skimming its content. "Well, it should not be that difficult. I am so lucky that we found Avaros when we did."
She nodded and put the journal into the void.
The city of the Lux family stretched before her. While she wished to remain and explore, there were more important duties.
Her eyes glowed, scanning the city of stone and wood.
While it was not as advanced as Onost, it was still a beautiful and prosperous city that housed tens of thousands of souls.
"I will visit next time I visit for sure," She muttered, her gaze falling some miles away from the city.
Deep into the forest, she detected the presence of numerous beastmen.
While they alone weren't worth the attention, the presence they gathered around definitely was.
"A new pool…" She grumbled. In an instant, she had teleported above a small clearing.
A pool of rot was expanding, the beasts were throwing corpse after corpse of elves inside.
The scene made her blood boil. "No, they definitely are worth my attention."
Their feeding of the beast was an absolute sin that deserved death, not to mention the fact that they had used the elven corpses for it.
In the blink of an eye, a pillar of black flame descended upon the invading tribe. Consuming them and the pool of rot.
Not only are they invading my new home, but they are also committing a cardinal sin. Her fist clenched.
Once the world soul had been helped, she would deal with the war plaguing her home herself.