Chapter 881: Contradictions

It took a few moments for Anna to digest that information.

The Helene Godfrey she knew from her memory was a warm and gentle person who helped her find Adam.

Not for a moment did Anna feel that she could be a part of an evil cult.

How could someone so kind be like that?

Or perhaps… was that what Helene wanted the world to believe?

That she was a kind and gentle Headmistress who cared for children, but in fact, her true persona and motives were completely different.

“How… how did you arrive at that conclusion?” she asked.

Its not that she didn’t trust Adam, but she was truly curious of how we found out the truth behind the Headmistess of the Clover Academy.

Adam paused, his eyes flashing with hesitation.

Should I tell her about Hannes City? About the underground portal?

About the six portals scattered throughout the planet?

And the plane of existence they lead to…

No!

Adam’s face hardened, the hesitance in his eyes flashing with resolve.

That knowledge is too risky for her to know. It will put her in a lot of danger.

And considering that the Cult is in league with the devils… that’s all the more reason for me to never expose Anna to such knowledge.

“Adam?” the princess called out.

She paused for a moment before adding, “It’s fine if you don’t wish to speak about it. I… trust you.”

Adam turned to her, his eyes glistening with emotion. “Thank you,” he whispered.

Something about Anna’s words made him feel warm. It felt good that someone trusted him so deeply. It felt nice…

“Thank you for understanding,” he added.

Anna smiled, gently patting her little brother’s shoulder. She looked at him with concern and couldn’t help but ask, “So what are you going to do about Helene Godfrey? And this evil cult?”

“I don’t know,” said the raven-haired youth with a bitter smile. “I can’t bring myself to harm the Headmistress. She… used to be my role model when I was a kid. She’s also the old man’s good friend.”

He paused, taking a deep breath to calm down the swirling emotions in his heart. “I don’t know anymore. Was everything a lie? And if she had been secretly working for the Cult all this while, I can’t help but wonder just who else might be…

“If there are the cult’s spies within the secret order as well, then who can I trust? If that is so, then all the trials and tribulations that I have gone through in my life, were they all part of the Cult’s scheme? I… don’t know anymore.”

Behind the fame and the glory, Anna could see just how lonely and helpless her little brother had been all these years.

Has he been keeping all of this to himself for so long?

“You’ve been through a lot,” she said softly.

Adam’s lips quivered. “…Yeah.”

A long silence ensued before the princess asked, “This old man you speak of, is he Berger Glynhorn?”

“You know him?” Adam turned to her with slight surprise.

Anna nodded with complicated emotions. “Yes, but… it was Helene Godfrey who told me about him. And I didn’t get to meet him in Moon City.”

Adam revealed a warm smile. “Apart from you, he’s the only one I completely trust in this world.”

His eyes flickered with hope and optimism. “And he’ll be fine. I know he will.”

“Good.” Anna smiled warmly.

She knew Adam better than most. He took a long time to open up to others, yet deep down, he longed for companionship.

He was a man of contradictions.

Adam yearned to build bonds to fill the emptiness left behind by his parents’ deaths and a difficult childhood.

But at the same time, he feared forming connections, afraid they’d disappear, just like his parents did.

This was what Anna feared the most when she left twenty years ago. At the time, she couldn’t help but feel that her little brother would be unable to form deep bonds with others.

But now, all those worries seemed unnecessary.

She had never taken into account Adam’s natural charisma which drew people to him. Of course, he didn’t have it as a child, but it was something that he cultivated over the years.

All he needed was the courage to open up to others.

“You have come a long way, little Adam,” she said warmly as she ruffled his raven-hair.

Adam felt like a child again. In Anna’s company, he felt safe and happy. He chuckled lightly in response, seemingly embarrassed to form words.

Moments later, Anna’s expression turned solemn. “Tell me, how can I help?”

“Huh?” Adam turned to her, slightly surprised. “Help with what?”

“What else?” The crimson-haired princess rolled her eyes. “With the cult, of course.”

“What!” Adam exclaimed in shock. “Are you crazy?! Absolutely not! You can’t come anywhere near this mess!”

“Adam.” The princess’s eyes narrowed. “Are you looking down on me?”

The raven-haired youth involuntarily flinched.

Damn it, what is wrong with her? He thought.

Even while traveling through the Murky Mountains, he wouldn’t feel such fear while facing magical beasts and monsters.

But in front of Anna, it was different.

The countless times she had disciplined him during his childhood had left a faint scar of trauma etched in his heart.

He even believed that no matter how strong he grew in the future, he would still be a helpless little kid in front of this woman.

Adam cleared his throat, changing his tone. “Look, Anna, I know you’re strong and all, but this is out of your capabilities. The leader of this evil cult is a formidable Magus. I speculate he’s got to be at least at the peak of the Mana Core Rank!”

Anna’s eyes narrowed even further. “By that logic, this entire thing is beyond your capabilities, too.”

The raven-haired youth’s lips twitched. “I-I’m a little special…”

Anna intently stared at him, causing him to look away a moment later. In the end, she couldn’t help but shake her head and sigh. “Still as stubborn as ever.”

She paused for a moment before adding, “Fine, then. I’ll stay with you here. Or wherever you go, for that matter.”

Adam scratched his chin awkwardly. “You don’t have to do that, you know… I’m a grown-up now—”

“Shut up,” Anna muttered flatly.

“A-alright!” Adam involuntarily straightened his back.

Seeing him react the same way he used to decades ago, Anna smiled in amusement. “I was planning to come here and take you back to the Kingdom. But… you have vastly exceeded all of my expectations.”

“Europa, eh?” Adam smiled, his eyes flashing with curiosity and wonder. “I wanna go there someday…”

Anna smiled warmly. Then, she softly said, “I have a gift for you.”

The raven-haired youth turned to her and grinned.

“What a coincidence! I have one for you as well.”