Ronan’s call came to an end, and a rustling sound emerged from the misty Moon Tree Forest, as several figures appeared before him.
These people were covered in glowing patterns made with Moon Tree Juice, blending seamlessly with the environment, almost indistinguishable to the naked eye.
The one in the lead approached with caution, uttering a native dialect similar to what Ronan had spoken earlier.
Ronan responded simply and refrained from speaking further.
Because that was all Ewaqu had taught him.
The natives drawn by Ronan’s call huddled together to whisper before quickly turning to leave, leaving only one of them to watch over him and Molli’er.
Ronan extended his spiritual power towards the departing natives, tracing it deep into the Moon Forest where it didn’t take long to discover a primitive tribe. Ordinary mortals came and went within the tribe, but a Rune Formation’s power enveloped the entire perimeter, most likely the handiwork of Ewaqu.
Out of politeness, Ronan did not approach rashly, but waited quietly where he stood.
The native who stayed was a sturdy young man with a dark complexion, perhaps attracted to Molli’er’s appearance, he kept stealing glances at her.
Even after noticing Molli’er’s injured feet, he carefully presented a Beast skin pouch he had untied from his waist.
Ronan glanced at it, realizing it contained some healing powders for external injuries. He did not stop the young native and nodded his head in simple thanks. On the other hand, Molli’er disdained the offered medicine, not giving it so much as a glance, leaving the young native to exhibit a mix of embarrassment and inferiority.
Before long, the departed natives returned, escorting a young girl dressed in a white wolf skin skirt.
The girl looked average, but her eyes were exceptionally bright. A glimpse of intelligence flashed between her brows, and she radiated the spiritual power of a Level 1 Wizard.
Approaching the pair, the girl in the wolf skin skirt performed a peculiar ceremony, then spoke in the common language of a Southern Wizard.
"The Saint has been waiting for you both for quite some time."
Without guessing, it was clear who the Saint, mentioned by the girl, was.
Ronan, taking Molli’er with him, followed the girl forward, and it wasn’t long before he saw Ewaqu himself in the heart of the native tribe deep within the Moon Forest.
Compared to his appearance at the Heramus Genius Seat Battle, Ewaqu’s attire was now far more wild and primitive.
He was clad only in a simple black wolf skin, his robust physique marked with vivid white totemic patterns.
"You didn’t tell me you brought someone else..."
Ewaqu’s first words upon seeing Ronan were a questioning of Molli’er’s presence.
And when he got a clear look at Molli’er, he was thoroughly shocked.
"We had some accidents..."
Ronan exchanged a look with Ewaqu, who immediately understood and arranged for someone to take Molli’er away. In his beast skin tent, as the tribal Saint, only the two of them remained.
Ronan briefly explained to Ewaqu how he encountered Molli’er halfway and the strange mutations happening to both of them.
"That’s quite unexpected..."
Ewaqu, after hearing Ronan’s story, expressed his amazement.
"I’ve heard legends of the Phoenix.
Legends say this ancient creature heals itself by devouring the souls of others upon injury. If anything goes amiss during this process, it may cause a backlash, burning out both its own and the other’s body and soul, leaving nothing but ashes— yet from those ashes, a new individual is born...
It’s not so much immortality but a unique form of bloodline continuation for the species...
Your current situation resembles what happens when a ’Nirvana’ fails, leading to a bidirectional soul distortion..."
"Is there a way to solve this?"
Ewaqu shook his head, "Unfortunately, there’s nothing I can do as of now..."
Ronan’s brow furrowed deeply. If even Ewaqu had no solution, he could think of no one else to turn to for help.
It couldn’t be that he would have to maintain this bizarre connection with Molli’er forever.
Even if he could accept it, it wasn’t likely that Molli’er would agree.
At present, they seemed without conflict, but that was because Molli’er didn’t have the power to resist, and their relationship was dominated by him.
Once the formidable family backing Molli’er came into the picture to undo the contract state binding them, then Ronan would certainly face death.
"I know what you’re worried about..."
However, as if Ewaqu could read his thoughts, he calmly spoke, "One thing you can be assured of, even if the state between you dissolves, Molli’er herself will have no intention of harming you."
Ronan narrowed his eyes in inquiry.
"Because your souls have been intertwined for some time now, even if someone were to separate you now, a part of the other’s soul will remain within each of you...
This lingering presence will allow you to see each other as the closest beings in this world for a long time— a closeness that surpasses even blood relations, rooted in the soul...
Ask yourself, Damien, aside from this symbiotic relationship, could you really bring yourself to harm her without hesitation?"
Ewaqu gaze fixed on Ronan, who was momentarily stunned.
As Ewaqu said, though he told himself ten times a day "the moment our connection ends, kill Molli’er to silence her," when it came down to the actual act... He truly couldn’t grasp his heart’s true answer.