The Seeker Of The Flames

They were both walking beside each other in the cavern as Ena was taking Adin's left arm in her hands, rubbing her head against his shoulder. They hadn't still reached the gate, which Adin had first come to destroy in his entrance.

—How did things end up like this? Why do I have to bring her with myself? Well, there's no doubt that she's gonna be useful, but she's just too much of a bother.

"Can you stop sticking yourself to me?" Adin asked, "It makes me uncomfortable when a pervert is taking my arm."

"But you see," Ena put a l.e.w.d smile on her face, "you're the one who's been n.a.k.e.d this whole time. So... doesn't that make you perverted?"

—Damn! Did I forget to wear something after that wizard girl mentioned it? It seems I've come to get used to it too much. But dressing every single time after getting n.a.k.e.d is too bothersome. Well, I'm simply too uncomfortable with this perverted woman, so I should wear something immediately from now on after my garments get destroyed.

"Oh... you're right. I didn't really notice it."

"I mean, I'm fine if master remains like this though..."

"Well, I'd not normally care, but since a woman is going to accompany me, I don't want to be called a pervert by people. So I will wear one of those knights' uniform at the gate later."

Ena's disappointed gesture showed her sadness. "It'd be a shame since I can't behold my master's s.e.xy body anymore."

"By the way," Adin coughed, trying to change the topic, "Are you sure you don't need any stuff to bring with yourself?"

"No, I don't! As long as I have my master, it's enough!"

—Huh? What? What's this romantic air I can feel? Disgusting! I have to change the subject fast.

"Anyways," he coughed again, this time harder to change the topic once again, "so... how old are you?"

Ena turned red as Adin asked that. She then scowled—rather in a cute way.

"Cruel! You're too cruel, master! Don't you know you shouldn't ask a girl about her age? What's important is that my heart's still young!" she complained in a whining tone.

"I see! I see! Sorry. My fault; I shouldn't have asked it in the first place."

"But since it's you asking," Ena smiled, producing a cute dimple on her left cheek, "I'm around ten thousand years old."

The number that Ena had revealed for her age would shock anyone. She had truly lived a long life. Even the average demons or elves wouldn't live for such a long time. The average age of normal demons was about two thousand years, most of the elves from two thousand years to three, and even an average angel couldn't live more than five thousand.

The highest possible age for humans didn't go higher than one thousand years, and that belonged to the most powerful wizards. Most of the normal humans would age less than a hundred years.

However, that didn't surprise Adin. No trace of any single change in his expression appeared through his cold face.

—She might be a half-angel or half-demon with strong blood. But that's just unimportant, I just need her prophecies and those visions.

Since he didn't plan to respond, Ena used the chance to ask a question.

"How about you, master? How many years have you lived?"

That question made Adin speechless. He stopped walking forward as a sudden surge of confusion and shock began striking his mind. His eyes widened to a great extent.

"How-many-years-I-have-lived?" he said in a weak, shaky voice.

Adin started contemplating. What Ena had asked stunned him so hard.

—Seriously... just for how many years I've been alive?

He couldn't remember. Adin had lost count of how many years he had lived.

"I-don't-know..."

—I don't know? I see... I can no longer remember how much I've been alive. I'd totally forgotten that. Funny... it's too funny. It's funny how this world never fails to keep me bored.

Ena could see the world's whole history in his empty eyes. Those were carrying all of the emotions, events, p.l.e.a.s.u.r.es, pains, failures, victories, lives, deaths, tortures, disasters, cruelties, crimes, and every single thing which had happened in the world.

Although she realized why the Demon King so much aches to die, she could never come even close to understand his feelings. After all, she hadn't lived enough time to forget her own age.

Adin was so bewildered and confused that he didn't hear Ena's shouts.

"Master! Can you hear me?" she shouted, shaking her hands before Adin's widened eyes. "Maaaaaasteeeeeer!"

"Heh? Oh... sorry! Did you say something?"

Ena put more force on holding Adin's arm, trying to sympathize with his feelings.

"Master... I will help you! I can't stand to see you so sad and depressed! I will help you to die, so there's no need to be worry! Master can rely on me!"

She didn't expect Adin to do anything in return, but a gentle smile appeared on his face as he saw Ena's worries. It was unexpected for her, having the chance to watch Adin's smile for the first time.

"The gate mustn't be far. All right, let's keep going on," Adin called her, "Ena!"

A strong passion rose within Ena's heart as she heard him saying her name for the first.

"Master! You're too kind—though I prefer your cruel part—oh, no no, I still love you! Master, you're the best!"

"And stop calling me by that! I'm not your master!" Adin exclaimed. "Also, don't rub your hands and head on my arm and shoulder!"

They continued to move ahead. After walking for a short time, a white glimmer of light could clearly be seen, coming from outside of the mountain through the broken gate. The dazzling surges of sunlight grew stronger as they got closer.

Adin could remember the scene. He had seen the Oracle's guards here, though right then there were only a few dead bodies on the ground.

—I see, apparently not all of them have remained alive. It's great since I need some clothes now... But as I see, there are no knights here. Well, archers also got some nice garments, so it's fine, I guess.