"Why is this happening?" Blaze asked calmly even though the situation looked grim.
"I interacted with the physical world," Aphrodite replied.
Blaze suddenly recalled what happened and what he felt amiss. "You chased the hawk?"
"And also touching you," She replied.
"Did touching me contribute to the disintegration of your soul as well?" Blaze raised his eyebrows, his breathing becoming ragged.
"Yeah. I'm not meant to interact with the physical world as long as I exist as a soul," Aphrodite clarified, not minding her body which is slowly becoming transparent as more time passes.
"I guess death isn't scary." Aphrodite gave a light smile that bore hidden bitterness.
"Can you stop yourself from disintegrating?" Blaze asked calmly.
"Yeah, but I've longed for death. So, why should I?" She replied nonchalantly.
Blaze's face contorted into a grimace, reflecting the turmoil within him. Initially indifferent, the weight of responsibility hit him hard as he realized that he played a part in Aphrodite's impending disintegration. The thought of her dying because of his actions was something he couldn't bear, and he wouldn't forgive himself if it came to pass.
"Then don't die," Blaze said calmly, managing to hold himself from yelling at her.
"You haven't lived for a thousand years without talking to anybody, so you wouldn't know how I feel. Besides you're forgetting your words about death?" Aphrodite asked with a smile.
"You're also forgetting my code of always repaying a favor," Blaze said calmly, not knowing how to stop a person from committing suicide. "You need to live so that I can repay you, or I won't be at peace."
"Then die after repayment," Aphrodite asked coldly.
'Oops! That didn't go as calculated,' Blaze thought, racking his brain.
An idea sparked in Blaze's mind, and he blurted out, "Alright, how about this? I need a secretary to document my journey of igniting and dismantling a colossal Empire. Sounds like an exciting adventure, right? You can be one of the key participants in this thrilling adventure. Isn't that cool? We can also talk more." He tried to accompany his words with a forced smile, attempting to replicate the look of a confident receptionist unveiling an intriguing package. However, his lack of experience in such matters only made him appear comical, eliciting a burst of loud laughter from Aphrodite.
Aphrodite's laughter echoed through the cave, filling the space with her joyous mirth. As she laughed, a remarkable transformation took place. Her ethereal form gradually solidified, becoming corporeal once again.
"You know nothing about convincing a person. The only thing in your head is a calculation on how to survive a battle," Aphrodite said while laughing hard. She held her stomach, making Blaze wonder if the stomach of a ghost had organs.
As Blaze witnessed Aphrodite's transformation, his expression twisted into one of anger and frustration. His voice laced with annoyance, he confronted her, "Were you playing a foolish prank all along?" The sense of betrayal and irritation was evident in his words, as he struggled to make sense of the situation and understand Aphrodite's motives.
"Nope. I... I wasn't," Aphrodite managed to stammer out between fits of laughter. She attempted to compose herself and speak coherently, but her intense amusement continued to impede her speech.
Blaze endured the sight of Aphrodite's uncontrollable laughter, his face contorting further with a sporadic twitch of his cheek. He waited patiently, his anticipation growing as he longed for the laughter to subside.
Finally, when Aphrodite's laughter tapered off, her breath still trembling, Blaze seized the opportunity to ask, "Are you finally done?"
"You know, when you asked me to be your secretary earlier, you looked genuinely cute and nice," Aphrodite remarked, her breath still unsteady from her laughter. "But that forced smile of yours turned you into an unintentional comedian. I can't remember the last time I laughed so hard. Life can be so unfair. You became funny without even trying. It's like you're wasting your talent," she continued, laughing again as she recalled Blaze's comical expression.
Blaze's face, once contorted with a range of emotions, finally settled into an expressionless mask. The frustration drained from his features, replaced by a neutral facade that masked his inner thoughts and feelings.
Aphrodite, now composed, waved her hands in the air as a gesture of apology. "I'm sorry, but I will accept the position of being your secretary," she said, her voice sincere.
"But I wasn't lying," she continued, her tone earnest. "If I interact with the physical world, my soul will be eroded by mana, gradually fading away."
Confusion flickered across Blaze's face as he processed her words. "Then why did you touch me?"
Aphrodite maintained a calm demeanor as she explained, her gaze fixed upon Blaze with an intensity that made him uneasy. It was as if she regarded him as a mere object, a doll to be observed and interacted with.
"It has been so long since I last touched anything. It was my final wish to experience the sensation of touching something interesting. And you, Blaze, seemed intriguing to touch," Aphrodite revealed, her voice carrying a trace of wistfulness.
Blaze, feeling a mix of frustration, couldn't help but berate her choice. "Truly foolish," he muttered under his breath before collecting himself. "I need some time to heal," he stated with determination. "We are going to see Caroline tonight." With that, he closed his eyes, seeking the solace of silence and rest to prepare for the upcoming encounter.
"Your decision to burn an Empire is more foolish," Aphrodite muttered before looking away.
Blaze pretended not to hear her.
—
In a dimly lit room, punctuated by muffled moans emanating from the background, a figure shrouded in dark clothing occupied a chair. The atmosphere was heavy with tension and an air of secrecy.
Caroline, her presence marked by a timid posture, stood before the cloaked individual, her head bowed in deference or perhaps submission. The nature of their interaction remained uncertain, obscured by the shadows that enveloped the room.
"Caroline, you're aware of the reason for my summons, aren't you?" The voice emerged from beneath the hooded figure, its tone thick and husky, veiling the speaker's identity. "I delved into the drawing on the scroll you provided, but I couldn't find anyone matching that face. Perhaps he remains hidden from public view, but surely you must possess some knowledge. My source informed me that you trespassed into his chambers in the early hours of the morning."
The room remained cloaked in darkness, intensifying the air of mystery and secrecy surrounding their conversation. Caroline stood before the figure, her head still lowered, her response yet to be revealed.
Caroline's voice trembled with unease as she responded, "Lord Ezra, I assure you, I have no connection to that man."
Lord Ezra's cold and unyielding tone cut through the room, leaving Caroline even more apprehensive. "Think carefully before you speak, Caroline. He may be intimidating, but I am scarier; I'm the devil. Don't offer me such feeble excuses. Consider this your final opportunity to cooperate. Tell me, where can I find him?" His words carried a chilling weight, causing a shiver to run down Caroline's spine.
Caroline's voice quivered as she replied, "I truly do not know his whereabouts. He keeps his location a secret."
"If that's the case, then you're of no use to me," Lord Ezra stated with an eerie calmness. "Remember, he killed one of my men. Should I inflict the same fate upon you since I cannot find him?"
Caroline clenched her teeth, summoning a surge of determination despite her fear. "No, because I possess valuable information," she forced out, her gaze still fixed on the ground.
"Pray that this information is indeed important, for if it disappoints me, you may find yourself in a far more agonizing predicament," Lord Ezra warned, his gloved hands toying with objects on the table, his actions exuding a sense of calculated menace.
Caroline's voice trembled as she conveyed her information. "He will be coming to Isle town."
Lord Ezra's impatience grew, and he demanded further details. "When? Don't tell me you don't know or it's uncertain, for that would render you utterly useless. I want him here tonight," he barked.
Caroline's fear intensified, but she mustered the courage to respond. "You're in luck, for I am a hundred percent certain that he will arrive tonight."
A glimmer of satisfaction flickered across Lord Ezra's face, but his tone remained cold and merciless. "If he fails to appear, consider yourself dead. Leave now. I shall transform Isle town into his burial ground. Nothing shall remain of him. How dare he lay a hand on my associate," he declared, his words laced with darkness, akin to the swirling smoke of a cigarette.
—
Blaze opened his eyes and saw Aphrodite looking at him.
"Secretary, have you found a safe route? I don't want to end up offending any beast. The bird is enough," Blaze spoke calmly without any expression.
"Yes, Boss. Follow me," Aphrodite replied with a light-hearted laugh, leading the way.
When Blaze saw the sky again, it was already dark. He exhaled, lucky to have survived. Suspecting the presence of a tracker, he discarded his uniform and used his ability to manipulate water from mana to cleanse his face and body. With Aphrodite as his guide, he proceeded cautiously.
Upon reaching their destination, Blaze contacted Caroline using his com amulet. "I'm close to Isle town. Bring a robe and cloak when coming to pick me up," he relayed succinctly.
Unbeknownst to Blaze, he was unknowingly walking into a carefully laid trap.