CHAPTER 374: CHAPTER 197: I TOOK YOU AS A PET BEAST, BUT YOU WANT TO RIDE ME? (DOUBLE-LENGTH)

No matter how Augutina sought across the Western Continent, she could never find the slightest trace of him.

It was precisely because of this that Augutina’s feelings for that human boy became extremely complex.

On one hand, was the overwhelming longing that arose in her heart.

On the other hand, though knowing that he likely remained unaware and unintentional, she still harbored lingering resentment for his disappearance that lasted two Eras.

So much so that by the Fourth Epoch, when Augutina finally discovered his traces through the council’s outpost in the Empire Capital—

She knew well that Shiayar did not recognize her at all, and that she should not reveal herself... but in the end, she could not restrain herself, and descended into the Empire Capital, teasing the clueless boy a few times.

Watching the utterly unaware Shiayar, carefully confronting her in the Dark Night Garden, cautiously probing and speculating...

In Augutina’s heart, the resentment from being put on hold for two Eras dissipated quite a bit for the moment.

This included her constant endeavor to collect information about him, even recording many of Shiayar’s embarrassing childhood stories in that Prometheus-level file, which was rooted in the same rationale.

Much like an extreme fan who, out of love turned to hatred, went about collecting blackmail material on the other.

Buzzzz—

The faint tremor from afar interrupted the silent musings of the girl in the black dress.

Her expression tightened, reverting to the mysterious and inscrutable appearance of the Queen of the Night.

"Speak."

"Yes, Leader."

Within the transmission array, the respectful voice came from the head of the Dark Night Garden in the Empire Capital, a representative of the Dark Shadow Council.

"Lord Shiayar has visited the Dark Night Garden,"

"Following your previous instructions, I informed him that you are currently in seclusion, with whereabouts unknown, and as you instructed, granted him access to all inventory and intelligence archives at the highest Fire-Thief Level permission."

While speaking, the representative discreetly swallowed his saliva.

Most of the powerful figures on the Western Continent only knew that the Dark Shadow Council was wealthy.

But what scale of wealth it reached, there was no concrete concept.

As a manager of the Dark Shadow Council, previously promoted due to being the head of the Empire Capital outpost, it was only after entering the council’s upper ranks did he understand...

The background of the Dark Shadow Council, accumulated over a thousand years, continually amassing wealth under the lucrative identities of intelligence and arms dealers, was truly beyond fathomable depth.

To say the least, excluding the potent figures and inherited Sacred Relics with strategic reserves, purely based on the total wealth, the Dark Shadow Council would suffice to contend with the Empire, Holy Creed Kingdom, or the Princes’ Alliance, any of them alone.

If not for Augutina’s half-hearted interest solely in gathering intelligence and hoarding Gold Coins, with no inclination towards expanding power, the Dark Shadow Council could entirely establish its own nation, becoming the fourth pole of the Order Faction in the Western Continent.

This was power capable of shaking the whole Western Continent’s balance.

"However, Lord Shiayar seemed not to amass much wealth."

"He merely reviewed several Angel of Death-level intelligence files related to the First Era and took two Sacred Relics from the warehouse."

"Moreover... Lord Shiayar explicitly stated that these two Sacred Relics were only borrowed temporarily, with a promise to return them later. He also left Extraordinary resources equal to the Sacred Relics’ value as a leasing fee."

...

"Unwilling to take the Shadow Council’s resources for free, only willing to engage in transactions for acquisition..."

"Unwilling to owe me a favor?"

"Even though, the Dark Shadow Council itself was founded to find you..."

The whispered self-talk of the girl in black went unheard.

Yet on the surface, she soon calmly responded.

"Okay."

Augutina nodded gently.

"You’ve done well, that’s sufficient."

She lightly tapped her slender finger, seemingly intending to actively cut off the magical communication.

But suddenly, Augutina paused momentarily before severing the call.

"During this period, there shouldn’t be any women around him, should there?"

"Considering Lord Shiayar’s current rank and his multiple roles as the recently crowned Prince Consort of the new Empress and leader of the Swordbearers... coupled with your previous instructions, we dared not delve too deeply."

"Only through Lord Shiayar’s appearance at public events in the Empire Capital were we able to gather information."

"Presently... aside from the Gray-Silver Witch, the White Tower Master, and Queen Isadella, Lord Shiayar doesn’t seem to have attended public events with other female companions."

"Yes, and also the orphan from the Winter Flower Family, Enola Ingritt. Lord Shiayar visited the Dark Night Garden with her this time, you may have seen her on your prior visit, Leader."

Augutina’s movements stiffened, then she returned to normal.

"I understand. Just continue doing as I previously instructed."

On the other end of the magic communication, the person in charge hesitated for a moment, then slowly spoke.

"Leader... when Lord Shiayar came, he implied he wanted to meet you."

"Since you are so concerned about his news and aren’t actually in a closed-door retreat, why have me decline Lord Shiayar with that excuse..."

His words were interrupted by Augutina’s light laughter.

"Because if I meet him now."

"Then perhaps, I will lose to Silvia and to Isadella for the rest of my life..."

The magic communication was cut off.

The Silent Forest returned to pure emptiness.

And as Augutina put away the Whispering Crystal, she quietly gazed at the calm, untroubled little lake, her eyes concealed by the night, difficult to discern.

"Actually, is there ever a time I don’t want to meet him?"

"But——"

"There’s a difference between a trusted, intimate pet beast and a companion who walks hand-in-hand, sharing hardships and joys."

A faint crimson gold flowed through Augutina’s eyes.

She clearly understood Shiayar’s current mindset; he must be very conflicted about how to face her.

Is she still the intimate partner he once signed a contract with?

Or simply a friend and ally?

Perhaps, in Shiayar’s heart at this moment, she is not as easy to get along with as that obedient, lazy young dragon from before.

But, regardless of what Shiayar ultimately chooses, none of it is what Augutina desires.

No matter how intimate the relationship between the pet beast and the Beastmaster, lounging on Shiayar’s head to listen to stories and nap all day and night, in the end, they are just companions.

Shiayar’s use of the term ’borrow’ when he took those two Sacred Relics from the Dark Shadow Council, along with the rental fees he left behind, serves as solid evidence.

When he took things from the White Tower, why would he use terms like "temporarily borrow" and "will definitely return after"?

And Augutina, she doesn’t want to merely be friends, to be companions.

Instead, she wants more.

A thought stirred in her mind.

In the next moment, a small, rustic hourglass silently appeared in Augutina’s palm.

Delicate sands flowed through it, enshrouded in ancient mystery.

Sacred Relic "Hourglass of Time"

Previously, Augutina used this Sacred Relic to let her consciousness return to the twilight of the Third Era, meeting Shiayar in that City of Eternal Night.

And now.

With nearly a year having passed.

This Sacred Relic, which carries the Sands of Time, finally completed its recharge and regained its powerful mystery.

"Even if in your heart, perhaps I’ll never surpass the Lady of the Winter Flower Family, or your teacher."

"But as for Silvia and Isadella, I am still unwilling to just concede like this."

Augutina’s lips curled into a smile.

She knew clearly that the positions of Enola and Hathaway in Shiayar’s heart were already so solid as to be nearly unshakeable.

His heart already had places for too many people, leaving not much space.

And having realized his irresponsible tendency to attract attention everywhere, Shiayar now consciously avoided further entanglements, unwilling to get involved with others.

So, to move forward——

To carve out a place uniquely her own in Shiayar’s heart, already filled by others.

She had to make the first move.

"So, the First Era——"

"And, the Lost Island..."

"Right?"