The Crown Of The Nine Continents
Chapter 136: The Strange Spirit
Emerging from behind the trees were two spirit people who looked the same, but looked different in terms of age. One is a young woman who is seen in the age range of 20-25 years, and the other looks to be in the age range of 7-12 years.
Ren who was currently sitting resting was aware of their presence. After all before they appeared his mana perception had captured those two existences first. But because no waves of mana show hostility, Ren let it come closer.
One of the older ones spoke slowly as if asking for permission. "Excuse me, are we interrupting?"
If the question referred to work, Ren would probably reply no because his work had been completed a while ago. But if this question is addressed to him who is resting, then surely they are disturbing even a little.
"Uhm, maybe not, I happen to be resting. So, who are you guys? Is there some kind of business with me?"
Both faces are quite foreign. No, maybe Ren is a little familiar with the face of one of them, namely women aged 7-12 years. His appearance reminded Ren of the figure of the little boy he met when he accidentally entered the territory of the Shade of Spirits the first time.
"He was the one who cried that day, right?" thought Ren, trying to remember carefully.
As Ren thought the older woman was seen heaving a sigh of relief. He then bowed carefully, along with the smaller woman beside him.
"Thank you" he said.
"I don't remember doing something that deserves your thanks?"
There was no reason for her to thank him, so why did she thank him? Ren could not find a reasonable reason.
The woman shook her head slowly while smiling sweetly. "No, I thank you for accepting both of us kindly."
Hearing that, Ren's eyes examined well to see if there was any hidden intent. But a pure smile, natural gestures, and normal waves told her that she was telling the truth.
"I don't really understand. Let's change the course of this conversation to something more reasonable, you guys have business with me, right?"
It was impossible for two foreign women to come together just to say hello on purpose. Moreover, the place where Ren was currently was quite far from the Shade of Spirits. In other words, the two of them took a huge risk to get out of their own shade.
Instead of replying immediately, the woman seemed hesitant. This made Ren a little confused, why did the two people come if they were still hesitant in saying their business?
"There's no need to hesitate saying it, you're Arystina's family which means my family too."
Ren's words sounded quite naive, but it wasn't a big deal as long as it could dispel the woman's doubts.
"Mhm, I .. a little confused how to convey it." The woman glanced anxiously at Ren, and the little woman beside her in turns. Then with a stammered sentence, he spoke while feeling embarrassed. "J-If allowed, I will convey this in secret."
"What does it mean to be secret?"
Ren slightly thought, could it be that this woman would send an implied message using which wave? Or maybe he will write a written message in a letter?
Although later Ren's estimation was correct, he did not understand why the woman complicated something easy. Like, is it hard to speak directly? This place is safe, and there's no one but them here.
As the woman wanted to talk back, Ren stopped her using a hand gesture.
"Alright, do as you please." Ren did not have enough time for pleasantries, let alone thinking about something that was not important. The choice in giving permission is the right decision to save time.
But unexpectedly, the woman made a move leaving the little girl to step forward to approach Ren who was sitting. He thrust his head while closing his lips to Ren's ear and then said something startling.
After whispering, the woman quickly took a step back, and stood back beside the little girl while waiting for the response given. Seen on her sweet face, there was a hint of anxiety emanating out.
"What else is this, my goodness." Ren massaged his forehead while feeling astonished, as well as feeling strange. "I understand the situation but ...."
How could she ask Ren to be a father to the little girl next to her? It was a little unreasonable, and too suddenly, the reason given to him was too simple.
"What's the name of you two?"
The woman waited for a reply, but all she got was a question. With a little awkwardness and looking a little reluctant, he opened his voice quietly.
"Aah!" Ren finally remembered the name of the boy. She was indeed the little girl he had first met in this Shade of Spirits. Why then would a little girl who had cried out of fear for him now turn around and ask him to be a father?
Ren thought about and considered the matter, and ended up at one conclusion that there was nothing wrong with accepting it. Being an adoptive father does not mean you have to take care of it, right?
"Well, I don't have a problem with that. Your name is Laselta, isn't it?' asked Ren smiling kindly.
The little girl - Laselta, nodded excitedly. It seems that Enrielta was indeed serious about this request which was based on the wishes of Laselta himself.
"What a good name. From now on you can call me Father."
Although a little difficult because it is very embarrassing to say it, but Ren tried his hardest not to disappoint a child who was very enthusiastic in front of him.
"Dad ...?" laselta said, then hurried to hide behind her mother's body.
"Hahaha, he's so funny." Ren laughed offingly at Laselta's adorable demeanor."How old are you right now?" ask Ren back.
"S-One Hundred ...." Laselta was silent, seemingly embarrassed. Then Enrielta patiently continued his words. "Laselta was only 172 years old based on our calculations, but it shouldn't be much different from the outside world."
Ren's eyebrows twitched a little. "Ehm .. can be repeated?'
"Laselta has just turned 172 years old, which is why her attitude is still childish, I beg you to take it."
"Ah, I understand."
"Damn it, this joke is not funny at all. Rather than a child, isn't she like my great-grandmother?" ren said in his mind.
It is a pity that the word that has been spoken cannot be taken back. Perhaps, Ren would receive the award as the only father to have a child a century older than him.
Ren moved while eliminating all complaints that exist in him. He approached Enrielta and Laselta, then stopped right in front of them to equalize the position with the small body of Laselta.
"Come here, do you want to see that big thing up close?"
Ren refers to the newly completed aircraft. Enrielta was a little surprised, because from the beginning some of his attention was distracted by the existence of the foreign body.
"Ehm, Your Highness?" Enrielta was a little confused as to what to call it, but for now he used the title used by his queen, Arystina.
"What?" reply Ren who was waiting for Laselta approached him.
"Ah, please forget me just for talking." Enrielta soon realized that asking further was as disrespectful and presumptuous as asking. He also changed the target talk to Laselta who is still hiding. "Laselta, go. It's not good to ignore, A-Your father."
Laselta peeked, in fact he felt happy but was too embarrassed to show his happy attitude. Slowly he came out, then walked over to Ren with a restless expression.
"Well, give me your hand."
Although a little difficult but finally Laselta according. When Laselta touched Ren's hand using her small hand, a warm feeling enveloped Laselta which instantly dispelled the hesitation in her heart. Laselta smiled brightly as beautiful as the flower that had just bloomed. Seen in his smile, an unstoppable happiness.
But on the other hand, Ren felt a chill in Laselta. This coldness was not only created from body temperature, but also the feeling of desolation that Laselta might have felt all along.
"Could it be that all spirits feel the same way?"
Ren dispelled the question temporarily, there were things he had to do first.
With Laselta, and of course Enrielta, Ren invites them both to see the state of the plane both inside and outside the plane.
"After this I'll tell Arystina to get them all ready."