Together On The Road

Chapter 129 — Together on the Road

By the time Aether returned to the settlement, evening had already settled over the forest. He had originally intended to spend only a short time there before continuing his investigation, but the moment he entered the settlement, he realized that his plans had changed. Aria, Lyra, Seris, Sylvara, Evelyn, and Elara were all waiting for him, and none of them looked particularly interested in letting him disappear into another dangerous region alone.

Aria was the first to approach. Her expression brightened when she saw him, though she quickly tried to hide it behind a slightly annoyed look. "You took longer than expected."

Aether smiled. "It was only a few hours."

"Those few hours were enough."

Lyra crossed her arms. "You have a habit of leaving and then coming back with another dangerous problem."

Sylvara laughed softly. "She's not wrong."

Evelyn glanced at Vaelira, who had been walking beside Aether. "And apparently another person has joined the problem."

Vaelira raised an eyebrow.

Aether shook his head. "She's not a problem."

"That's exactly what someone with a problem would say," Elara replied.

The group laughed, and even Vaelira couldn't stop a small smile from appearing.

The atmosphere was considerably more relaxed than it had been when Vaelira first arrived. The initial curiosity remained, but the others had already begun accepting her presence. There was no pointless hostility, because everyone understood that Vaelira had not forced herself into Aether's life. Their relationship had developed naturally through their shared investigation of Blackridge.

Seris stepped forward and looked Aether over carefully. "You fought again."

"I did."

"You have a small cut on your arm."

Aether glanced down.

"It's nothing."

Seris sighed. "You always say that."

She reached for his arm and examined the wound anyway. Her Moonlit Life Physique released a gentle pulse of life energy that closed the shallow cut.

Aether looked at her with amusement.

"You didn't need to."

"I know."

Her eyes softened.

"I wanted to."

Aether didn't argue.

He simply allowed her to finish.

Afterward, everyone gathered around the fire while Vaelira explained what they had discovered in the Blackridge facility. She told them about the records concerning her family's spatial relic, the research into Voidmoon Physique, and the references to ancient Origin pathways beneath the Frostveil Mountains.

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Aria listened carefully.

"So Blackridge is searching for something beneath the mountains?"

"Yes," Vaelira answered. "My family's research suggested that these pathways are connected to the natural flow of Origin Energy throughout the continent. Blackridge believes my Voidmoon Physique can help locate them."

Lyra looked toward Aether. "And naturally, you're interested."

"Of course."

Aether unfolded the map they had recovered.

Several locations were marked across the northern region. Most were minor Blackridge relay stations, but one location deep inside the Frostveil Mountains had been marked repeatedly.

"This is where they're concentrating their research."

Seris looked at the map.

"Then you're going there."

Aether nodded.

"I am."

Aria immediately spoke.

"We are."

Aether looked up.

There was no hesitation in her voice.

Lyra nodded beside her. "You didn't think we'd let you disappear alone again, did you?"

Sylvara smiled. "We're coming."

Evelyn gave a small shrug. "Someone needs to make sure you don't turn every investigation into a battlefield."

Elara raised her hand slightly. "I'm coming too."

Seris smiled.

"Of course."

Aether looked around the group.

For a moment, he considered telling them that the Frostveil Mountains were dangerous and that Blackridge might have powerful cultivators waiting there.

Then he stopped.

He knew these people.

They weren't helpless.

They had grown stronger alongside him.

More importantly, they had chosen to walk this path with him.

Aether wasn't going to treat them like fragile ornaments that had to remain safely behind while he handled everything himself.

"Then we're all going."

A smile spread across Aria's face.

"I knew you'd say that."

Vaelira watched the exchange quietly.

She had initially wondered whether Aether's companions would resent her presence. Instead, she found herself looking at something she hadn't expected.

They weren't simply people traveling with him.

They were his people.

And he was theirs.

The realization made something inside her chest tighten slightly.

She ignored the feeling.

For now.

That night, preparations began.

The journey to Frostveil wouldn't be short, and Aether didn't want to travel unprepared. Everyone gathered whatever supplies they needed while Seris prepared medicinal materials. Lyra checked the group's equipment, while Sylvara and Evelyn organized food and other necessities. Elara carefully stored several useful items, occasionally asking Aether whether they would be needed.

Vaelira watched the preparations with growing amusement.

"You travel like a small army."

Aether glanced at her.

"We're becoming one."

His shadow moved slightly.

Blackfang, Ironhide, and Grimhorn were hidden within it.

Vaelira smiled.

"I suppose that's true."

Aether then turned toward the others.

"Before we leave, I want everyone to understand something. Frostveil isn't going to be a simple trip. Blackridge knows we're investigating them now, and they may have already prepared defenses."

Aria nodded.

"We know."

"If anyone encounters an opponent you can't handle, don't force the fight."

Lyra raised an eyebrow.

"You're giving us orders now?"

"I'm giving everyone the information they need to survive."

She smiled.

"That's better."

Aether looked around the group.

"We stay together whenever possible."

This time, nobody objected.

Later that night, Aether stood outside beneath the stars.

He wasn't alone.

Aria approached first, followed by Seris and Lyra.

Aether glanced at them.

"What is it?"

Aria smiled.

"We wanted to make sure you weren't planning to leave before morning."

"I wasn't."

"Good."

She stood beside him.

For a moment, nobody spoke.

Then Seris said quietly, "You know, when you're gone, the settlement feels strangely empty."

Aether looked at her.

Lyra nodded.

"Even when we're busy, we're still waiting for you to return."

Aether remained silent for several seconds.

Then he said, "I know."

Aria smiled.

"You really do."

Aether looked at the three of them.

"I'll try not to disappear without telling you again."

"That's all we wanted."

Aria leaned against his shoulder.

Seris stood close on his other side.

Lyra remained nearby, smiling quietly.

Aether looked toward the northern horizon.

This time, he wouldn't be traveling alone.

Not just because they wanted to come.

Because he wanted them beside him.

The Frostveil Mountains were waiting.

Blackridge was waiting.

Whatever secrets were hidden beneath the mountains were waiting.

Aether had no idea what they would find.

But he knew one thing.

Whatever came next, they would face it together.