Chapter 692 - Perspective and Freedom
The “fertilizer” revealed an embarrassed smile and bowed to Dumartin. “Mister Dumartin, my name is An—”
Dumartin lifted a hand and interrupted Angor, “I’m not interested in your name, and I don’t remember allowing you to speak.”
A sharp blade suddenly materialized in the air and aimed at Angor’s neck, which caused his body to go stiff from fear.
Dumartin did not order the blade to attack Angor yet. The tension lasted for two minutes until Angor felt his calves going numb, and his composure was breaking down really fast.
Iron Granny frowned. When she put a hand on Angor’s arm, Angor felt a stream of gentle energy chasing his fear away.
He lost his balance when the pressure was suddenly lifted. Since he leaned on the cultivation chamber behind him in time, he did not fall on the floor.
“Satisfied, Dumartin?” Iron Granny said casually. “He suffered enough.”
But Angor didn’t wish to do so. It was so obvious that owing Dumartin was a bigger problem.
“Thank you for all the wise advice, Granny. I’m going to be frank with Miss Flora and my professor about this matter. As for the rest, I’ll let Balba decide for himself.”
…
While walking away from The Tributary, Angor glanced at Balba, who had been awfully quiet till now.
“Do you know what’s going on?”
Balba’s eyes had regained their clarity, but he looked extremely sad, which didn’t sit well on his wild look.
“Thanks for getting me out…” he said as he lowered his head. “You know, not long after I came to Brute Cavern, I saw a book in the Cloud Library. I read about the creed of the Supreme Cult. By that time, I already knew what would happen to me in the future. I’ve been working very hard to change my fate. But… it turns out that I can do nothing. I am nothing.”
“What are you going to do from now on?”
“You went through a lot of trouble until this point, am I right? Just… take me to Miss Flora. I don’t want to bother you any more than what has already happened.”
“There was no trouble in helping you. You saved my life before, remember?”
One’s available choices highly depended on their strength and perception. Angor would not risk himself just to assist Balba if he were still the helpless apprentice from several years ago. But right now, he was capable of providing help while avoiding danger, and he was determined to aid Balba as long as it was within his power.
“I know it was you who gave me that channeling method book. We are already even on that one,” Balba said as he looked up at Flora’s floating island—the Rockwell Venue. “I owe you too much… Take me to Miss Flora, please. Let’s end this here.”
“At times, we just don’t have many choices. But no matter what is going on, do not give up your life so easily. If you lose all hope, then fate will push you to your doom.” Angor tried to persuade Balba. “You still have a chance to live on. Do you really wish to abandon it?”
Balba’s body twitched.
“I… want to live. More than everyone!”
“Follow me then. Grasp your own fate so that I can still get some payment off you later.” Angor took out his Gondola and asked Balba to get on.
Grasp my fate… Is that even possible for me? Balba clenched his fists. After giving Flora’s island a final, determined look, he jumped onto Angor’s boat.