I Can Read People's Comments

Chapter 88 Power Balance

[Chapter 87 Comment]

[Xinhuan: Perhaps the reader comments is in conflict with the novel's premium chapter paywall system and has to be resolved first, Theo.]

[Broc_Jones: I'm curious to find out what plight this realm will throw at the group based on the bandits and the turmoil from the royal family.]

[Jonah_Schmitz: another reason for the lack of comments can be that the novel is relatively new and not a lot of people have picked it up yet/are still catching up]

"Hoh?" Theo fell into deep thought after reading the comments this time. "The author might be someone like me in the past, a person who is just trying to survive, so I'll definitely ask all of you to support him or her. But I'm not sure about this paywall system, so maybe you can elaborate about it? I mean, I don't know if the system itself is similar to the giant entertainment media or is it an individual creator? If it's the latter, maybe I should say, 'Like and subscribe or something' from time to time?"

Theo then moved to the next comment. "Yeah. I'm curious about the problem this mission entails. Though, I don't plan to hold back, I'm sure that's what all you want."

Last but not least, Theo replied to the third comment. "I don't know the system of the web novel itself, but considering you're the one talking about it, then it must be true. I guess I'll have to wait to see the progress before coming to another conclusion. Hopefully, I can see a lot of new faces since I'd like to talk to you all."

After replying to the comments, Theo's expression became serious as he walked toward the door, noticing the presence behind the door.

It turned out to be Aurora.

"Is there something wrong, Aurora?" Theo asked with a poker face as though he had expected her arrival.

"I want to talk about my uncle. How sure were you that my uncle would appear during our mission?"

Theo seemed to have expected the question, but he paused for a moment to rethink his answer. There was only one connection leading to the Mythical Realm, it was Aurora's previous kidnapping.

The author had been creating one problem after another, but he never added something outside of that mission because of one reason. There was simply no other connection he had with those worlds.

This time, however, it was different. If her uncle didn't appear here, the author would have created a situation where her uncle would have been arrested or even died.

But the fact that he managed to escape meant that the author was planning to have him appear in this mission. Although he couldn't imagine how he would show himself on this mission, he was definitely going to appear.

"Ninety-nine percent, he will appear," Theo answered. He left one percent just in case the author was going to take another path just to spite him. Of course, Theo could actually say one hundred percent since the author had to create it since he had created Theo to be unable to lie. But he wanted a bit more flexibility during his planning, which was the reason for his answer.

Hearing Theo's answer made Aurora's face become pale.

Aurora looked down for a moment before asking, "Do you mind if I enter the room? There is an important matter you need to know."

Theo looked around the corridor but found no one. Ultimately, he nodded since there was no witness.

When Aurora entered the room, Theo couldn't help but ask a light question to ease the atmosphere. "Are you using an excuse to use a toilet before coming here? You don't bring any guards with you."

"Haha, you jest. I have told Ansthor not to follow me." Aurora shook her head while taking a seat. Her head hung low, and her voice was a bit hoarse. "My uncle was… a great man. He had taken care of me since I was a child. He often visited me when I was alone. But…"

The atmosphere became gloomy as Aurora's face darkened. "Two years ago, he was struck by Madness."

"Madness?" Theo frowned.

"Yes. You should have gone to the Sword and Magic World and realized that the common enemy of that world is called Marei, right?" Aurora asked.

"Indeed."

"But in our world, we're facing Madness from the Dark Continent. In fact, if we're talking about it, the place where all the races are living right now is just a small continent surrounded by the dark continent. If not for the ocean that separates us, this place would be in chaos."

"And what is this madness? A creature?"

"No. Madness is the product of the Dark Continent. You could say that it's a part of the will of the Dark Continent. In the Dark Continent, living beings are fighting against each other. There is never a single peace in there."

"Is it like…" Theo had a hard time describing it. He just made a pointing gesture toward his ears and head as if telling her that it was taking control of the people through it.

"Yes, essentially. Still, the Madness from the Dark Continent continues spreading toward us. If not for the fact that there is a barrier that purifies that madness, this continent will too become a Dark Continent."

"Interesting. A barrier, huh?" Theo frowned, realizing the current situation.

"This barrier was made by our ancestors. There are a total of twelve races that created this barrier in the past, and maintaining it will require the direct lineage of those twelve races. And out of five princes and princesses in the Helvenia Kingdom, two are qualified to maintain that barrier."

"You are one of them."

"Yes. I'm sure that my uncle has been completely controlled by the madness and tried to kidnap or even kill me. If the Helvenia Kingdom lost the next generation of protectors, then this place will decline sooner or later. Of course, other countries are also protecting the heirs, but you should know that elves have a hard time producing. After five hundred years, five of us are born, and I'm the youngest."

"Is it because you're the youngest that he aims at you? But if you're that important, wouldn't your protection be strict?"

"Yes. That's why the royal family sent this ship to fetch us." Aurora nodded. "My parents actually thought about letting me stay on the other side for protection."

Theo couldn't help but agree since that was the original Theo actually did when becoming a teacher.

"I see. I get the gist of the situation." Theo pinched his chin while contemplating. "So, what do you want me to do?"

"I want…" Aurora took a deep breath. It was clear that she had a hard time to utter that request even though she believed that was the best outcome. After gathering her resolve for a few minutes, Aurora finally asked, "Please… kill my uncle."

Theo had expected something like this, but it would certainly bring huge trouble to him. After all, he would be killing a royal. The best-case scenario would be defeating him and handing him over to the authorities.

But Aurora continued, "If they got my uncle, he would definitely be experimented to understand the Madness itself. He had been nice to me, so at the very least, I wanted him to die respectfully."

'I see. So, this Madness doesn't affect someone who has died… Interesting.' Theo thought while saying, "You sure know the consequences of requesting something like that from me?"

"I… I'm sorry." Aurora bit her lips, realizing that it was too much to ask. She shook her head helplessly. "Sorry, please act like you've never heard any of it."

Theo fell into deep thought. "Spirit, Dark Continent, Madness… Are those three related in any way?"

"Eh?" Aurora was surprised by the question, but she still answered, "Yes. Madness can't affect the spirits. Even if they wander around the dark continent, they will be fine. In fact, people who have a high affinity for spirits have less chance of being affected by the Madness. There are a lot of spirit users who are fighting on the front line or even doing some small-scale expeditions to understand the Dark Continent."

"I see… I can understand the power balance of this world." Theo nodded in understanding. "So, the key is the spirit. Can you tell me more about spirits? What are they and how do you make a contract with them? And… is it possible for me to make a contract with them?"

"!!!" Aurora was stunned by the third question. It was a bold and unexpected question. Theo was an outsider to this world, so it was quite surprising that he actually wanted to make a contract with a spirit.

As someone from the royal family, she understood the implications and decided to explain, "This is going to be a bit long. But the spirits are an ethereal entity that has been protecting this world. You could say that in the beginning there is light and darkness. That light is the spirit and the darkness is the madness. The balance was broken and the world was plunged into darkness."

"So, the darkness manifests its power through madness while the light neutralizes that power through the spirits?"

"Yes."

"Doesn't that mean that your uncle can be saved by having the spirits purify him or something?" Theo asked.

"That's…" Aurora shook her head. "If it's only affected, then yes. But if you're already fallen and become completely controlled, it's too late."

"I see." Theo closed his eyes, knowing that this possibility had been ruled out.

Aurora continued, "As for how you form a contract with the spirit…"