Chapter 89
The s.h.i.+p waited for half a day for the partic.i.p.ants before it left with the Top 1000 cultivators .
The other partic.i.p.ants who were still alive were made to go in another s.h.i.+p that was practically as big as the previous s.h.i.+p .
The cultivators who didn't make it into the Top 1000 felt remorse as their dreams were shattered, especially for those who were close to the Top 1000th position .
But still, they held their heads high, not at all ashamed as they eventually managed to reach this position .
When they return to their clans or wander around the world, they would be recognized and praised no matter where they go . Only people with higher statuses would have the right to ignore them .
What did this mean? It meant that over 95% of the Grand Sea Continent's population would have to bow their heads to them . Their lives were practically smooth sailing right now unless they meet a higher mountain .
The s.h.i.+p sailed for another half a day before it finally arrived at the coast of Gote Island .
. . .
When a thousand cultivators got down the s.h.i.+p, they walked by the green meadows while they were greeted by many clans, organisations and families, which astonished them to a great extent .
Davis ignored them, his face incredibly cold . At this point, he would just walk past anyone who called out to him . Normally, he wouldn't mind chatting with some people, but a certain someone has been on his mind for an entire day now, and all he could think of was getting rid of that vermin .
Ellia followed him silently . She guessed the reason for his anger was her, but she had no idea that it was not because of her injury and incompetence, but because of a vermin who tried to take her life .
This silence that was from Davis was just too unsettling for her . She remembered how cheerful he was when he was with her .
Moreover, rather than affection, what she had for him were feelings of awe, admiration, respect and a hint of possessiveness . Furthermore, adding the way he took care of her during these two years, caused a huge impact on her mind . She couldn't take this silence as this just kept hurting her heart even more .
Just when they were all alone, she bit her lips and gathered the courage to raise a question, "Davis, please talk to me . . . " But unbeknownst to her, what came out of her mouth was not a question, but a plea .
Davis looked at her, his eyes wide .
Ellia froze, realizing the mistake in the words she had made .
Davis smiled . He slowly raised his palm to touch her right cheek while he brought his face closer to her, "Don't worry, I'll kill the guy who harmed you . " He whispered in her ears .
Ellia who was happy that Davis had returned back to normal, froze again . "What do you mean?"
"It was Emperor Tritor who attempted to murder you with a Spirit Beast Stage Magical Beast," Davis said solemnly .
Ellia's face paled, "How do you know? What makes you say that?"
Davis replied, "From what I've seen and heard, I could guess about more than 90% that he is the culprit . As for the specifics . . . " He then explained about the monitoring bugs, the strange bird and that Inverted Harmless Viper, which was popular in the Tritor Empire .
Ellia's face turned ghastly . She never even thought one day, that she would be targeted by an Emperor . Tears of fear had formed in her eyes, making those two pearls moist .
"Ellia, being with me has its benefits and risks . What you are facing now is one of the risks . For me, don't forget that you are always my friend, not a maid . As such, remember that you can have your freedom if you wish so . . . " Davis held her hands as he spoke, he made sure to set up a sound barrier with his soul from the start .
Although he said that, even he himself felt that he would feel depressed if she were to leave him one day .
Ellia looked at his eyes, which held a longingness to them . She thought that he unquestionably treated her like a genuine friend, so much that she started tearing up like a frail little girl .
'Really? Why? Why are you so good to me?' She really couldn't still understand why a prince like him would treat her like a genuine friend . She, a person of lower status, being treated like an equal by a person of a higher status honestly made her feel afraid . She couldn't help but imagine the future where she lost his favour and eventually face abandonment .
A certain conversation with Davis flashed through her mind . She wiped away her tears and made a determined face, "I want my freedom . "
Davis widened his eyes, his hands trembled . He looked at her, closed his eyes and said after he took a deep breath, "Then I grant you freedom, you have my word . " His heart felt like it had fallen into an abyss while he felt his breath go heavy .
He kept in mind that he was dealing with a child, it was no wonder she was scared of a powerful cultivator . But still, it pained his heart to see her leave him .
After all, she was with him for a period of two years .
Davis attributed all these events to the work of Emperor Tritor, so the hatred he had for him deepened .
"Do I have my freedom now?" Ellia curiously asked .
"Yes, you are free to leave anytime . If anyone has a problem with it, then they can take it with me!"
"Am I no longer your maid?" She continued .
Davis paused a moment before hiding his sadness, "Yes . "
"Good, let's go!" Ellia smiled, she had found her new-found resolve .
"Where?" Davis was astonished before realising, 'Shouldn't she return to the s.h.i.+p? Wait . . . On second thought, being with me is safe too . " He smiled wryly, thinking that she was using him as a s.h.i.+eld .
"Where? Hehe, now that I lost my servant status and am now a free person, all that I have left is a friend, and now I am following that friend of my own will, not bound by any servitude . " Ellia said and smiled resplendently as she thought, 'This way, I would be able to be his friend without any of those negative thoughts restricting me from being with him . '