Isn’t this also Ethan’s own realization? And it’s very likely that he has had many of the same thoughts himself!
Thinking carefully, her encounter with Ethan was two years ago when Ethan fled to Ximu Town as a refugee.
But what about before that?
Until today, no one knows his past, doesn’t know where he came from or why he fled. Whenever the inquisitive Rowena asks him, Ethan always cleverly evades the questions.
And now, Lindong completely understands.
So those perverse thoughts are destined not to be shared with others. Before fleeing to the Empire, he must have been wanted for some perverse actions, forcing him to hide his past!
This explains everything, explaining Ethan and Bazatous’s firm friendship. ɴᴇᴡ ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀʀᴇ ᴘᴜʙʟɪsʜᴇᴅ ᴏɴ 𝕟𝕠𝕧𝕖𝕝✦𝘧𝙞𝙧𝙚✦𝕟𝕖𝕥
The conversation that just happened was all his genuine expression.
Lindong took a deep breath, making a difficult decision.
"Do you have those works about octopus faces and tentacles, the kind suitable for beginners?"
Since Bazatous can do it, she can too.
—— I do, I have many collections!
Before Ethan could speak, Bazatous cheerfully responded.
The green-haired girl had already gotten ahead of everyone.
At some point, she had a book in her hands, looking down and reading it with great interest. Her bangs covered her eyes, but her raised lips drew a bloodthirsty smile, with a slightly sickly blush on her fair cheeks.
Occasionally, you could hear such sounds.
"These matters can be discussed after returning to the imperial capital."
Ethan always felt Lindong and the wind element seemed to have opened some strange switch; to avoid the topic from developing in an uncontrollable direction, Ethan steered the conversation back on track, "In this way, the test should be considered passed, right?"
More than just passed?
Practically a perfect score, if not for the lack of preparation, Bazatous decided they should really reward Ethan with a copy of "Bazatous Art Collection" as a token.
But it doesn’t matter, He can prepare it before Ethan and the others leave the Abyss and let the Nightmare deliver it to him.
Meanwhile, an intense regret occupied His heart.
Since descending into this world, He had never yearned for someone to become His god-chosen as much as now. Ethan met every condition, representing His ultimate imagination for a god-chosen, but Ethan does not need His power. He doesn’t need any gifts from the Old Gods.
This couldn’t help but make Bazatous recall the world’s original appearance.
Back then, a similar existence appeared to Ethan, but that person was not an art enthusiast and didn’t share much common language with Him.
"Old Ba, I want to inquire about something."
Ethan asked, "During the Courage Trial, I heard about the magic net. Someone mentioned it was created by the Elemental Shaper’s ancestor, who summoned you in some way."
Compared to the deceitful Sincaro, Ethan trusts Old Ba more.
There is nothing more direct or effective than asking the person involved.
But he wasn’t an art enthusiast, and there was hardly any deeper communication between them; everything adhered to official principles.
—— It requested me to bring ’evolution’ and ’death’ to this world.
In exchange, He could freely promote His art in this unfamiliar place.
"Where has that person gone now?"
Upon hearing this, the red-haired woman opposite revealed a strange expression.
—— Isn’t it always there?
—— It’s always been by your side.