While speaking, Silvia slightly smiled and tucked away a strand of chestnut hair that had fallen.
"Looking back now, it seems like a rather childish, even sowhat laughable reason," she said.
"My situation, how the world views , how could it be so easily improved?
"On the contrary, the stronger I beco, the more likely it is that people would wish for my death."
Her breath mingled with her words, turning into white mist in the cold air.
"But—"
"For the back then, young, naive, and less aware of the world’s ways."
"That elusive and unrealistic hope had already beco the only solace and lifeline in that little girl’s heart."
Her gaze fell upon Shiayar’s distinct profile. "The now would not harbor such childish thoughts.
"But still, in my heart, I continue to hold such a yearning.
"Not for the recognition of others, nor for those so-called flowers, glory, and applause...
"But because I want to be like my father and you, Brother Shiayar.
"To have the power to lend a hand to those in need, just like how you, Brother Shiayar, once saved .
"Since I have indeed committed sins due to my loss of control in the past, I shall atone by saving more people.
"If that creature inside rages again... then I can, without your help, knock out that being on the Bronze Crucifix by myself...
"Moreover—"
Silvia’s speech paused slightly.
A thin book rested by her side, a wandering poet’s travelogue, filled with illustrations of various places in the Western Continent.
"I still want to see the places recorded in this book.
"I want to see the Three Sages Snow Mountain in the Far North Land with my own eyes, to see if there’s an Elf King of ice and snow on the summit like the book says...
"I want to go to the giant dragon’s lair in the south, to see if those legendary evil dragons really do abduct the princesses of Human Kingdoms and then hoard shiny Gold Coins in their nests...
"I want to see if deep in the ocean there are rmaids who sing beautifully and like to allure unsuspecting sailors..."
Listening to Silvia’s words, Shiayar saw the glow of yearning flickering in the girl’s dark purple eyes.
He understood the origin of Silvia’s thoughts—
Because of her potential danger, the Brunestadt family had imposed severe house arrest asures on Silvia.
In her life thus far, the entire world she had access to was none other than the architectural complex of the Duke’s Manor, or rather, her own quiet courtyard.
Silvia was occasionally allowed to visit the Royal Capital, for example, when accompanying her father on his tours, but all under strict supervision.
The place she had secretly run away to, the Grant Coast a few miles from the Royal Capital, was the farthest she had ever traveled in her life, equivalent to the end of the world.
Her understanding of the world ca from the mountains of books and albums in her room...
That’s why she yearned to beco a Beastmaster, because in the adventure stories written by wandering poets, only the protagonists who were Beastmasters had the privilege to travel the continent and experience the wonders of the world.
"That’s kind of troubleso..." Shiayar muttered, sowhat vexed, as he stroked the little white ferret on his shoulder.
"For you, becoming a Beastmaster is not an easy task."
"I didn’t expect you to say that, Brother Shiayar... Logically, shouldn’t this be the ti for you to encourage ?" Silvia’s words held a hint of surprise but not much disappointnt. "And at that ti you even said that in the future I would beco a stronger Beastmaster than my father."
Her father had already told her about the anomaly of her Soul; even starting a Soul Pact was extrely difficult for her, let alone becoming a powerful Beastmaster.
She was just a bit surprised by Shiayar’s response.
"The situation then was different from now, anyone can give empty encouragents and promise pie in the sky... Like if a child runs around claiming he’ll beco the richest man in the world, I might just casually go along with it, saying yes, yes, yes," Shiayar said, looking into Silvia’s eyes, a rare note of conflict in his voice. "But the yearning you just expressed is definitely not false.
"Even if there is indeed a possibility in your future to beco a Legendary powerful pro, it doesn’t an that all those other risks don’t exist."
Indeed, the historical Silvia did beco Legendary five hundred years ago and was the one to establish the White Chalk Tower, the "Gray-Silver Witch"...
But who could guarantee that the girl before him would definitely follow the sa path as history?
Shiayar never believed in prophecies or destinies, and he couldn’t perceive the girl with sparkling eyes of longing before him as rely a projection of an "unchanging, already happened" history.
Although his initial intention was simply to complete a novice task to receive the reward, it was undeniable that after that winter night by the Grant Sea, Shiayar truly considered Silvia a friend.
"It’s easy to recklessly cheer on soone’s dreams, anyone can do that," Shiayar said, lying back on the grass in the courtyard and gazing at the Silver Moon in the night sky.
"But only those who are close to you will truly worry for you."
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