Chapter 1301: Powerless

Adam soon left the safehouse.

After having learned about the hidden ruler, who was pulling the strings behind all that happened in Yen-Lu, he had a lot he needed to think about.

Similarly, the members of the Shadow Sect, after having learned a few things about the Cult of Bones and the implications their plans would have on this continent, had a lot they needed to discuss.

Walking aimlessly through the streets of the Outer Ring, Adam slipped into deep thought. The more he learned about his world, the more he realized how powerless he truly was. Especially now, given that he couldn’t even cast a spell.

The people who stood at the power hierarchy in this world were absolute monsters. After all, there was a reason why they stood at the top.

Lucian Acadia, the Cult Leader, the hidden ruler of Yen-Lu, and who knows, several other hidden powerhouses scattered throughout the world. They were all standing at the summit of arcana in Tron.

There was no luck or fluke that got them to where they were. No, it was pure skills.

And here he was, a cripple who couldn’t even cast a spell. Not to mention that he was already half mad.

Realizing the sheer gap between himself and those who stood at the top, Adam threw his head back and laughed out loud.

He laughed and laughed and laughed.

His laughter echoed all around, causing the passersby to steer away from him. Some looked at him in horror, others with disdain. But Adam did not care.

What am I even doing here?

He thought to himself.

Shaking his head despondently, he continued to walk. He didn’t know how he was going to enter the Middle Ring without a permit. So he simply wandered around the Outer Ring, planning to stay at some inn for the night.

Hopefully, Goro or Bai Xun can find me before that,

he thought.

He found a sake bar on the way and decided to spend some time there. He took a seat in one of the outer seating areas, then paid the steward to bring him some house sake.

Of course, he didn’t mutter any words. He simply offered the money, then pointed at a sake bottle a man was drinking from at the table beside him.

Back to playing the role of a dumb vagabond,

he thought to himself in ridicule.

As he poured sake into his cup, his expression turned solemn.

The existence of this hidden ruler changes a lot of things,

he wondered as he lifted his mask slightly and sipped from the cup.

If he and the Cult Leader are allies, then that means his strength is something that even the latter is wary of.

Or, it could also be that the hidden ruler is already under the Cult Leader’s control. I can’t be certain of that either. This possibility is less likely, though...

Damn it, it is hard to formulate plans with all these voices in my damn head!

He grunted in annoyance.

A moment later, a figure donning pristine white robes sat next to him.

"For the sake of this theory, let’s assume the hidden ruler is the Cult Leader’s ally," said the white-robed Adam with a faint smile.

"If that is the case, then you should already know why he’s chosen to ally with the Cult Leader, don’t you?"

Adam took another sip from the cup and nodded.

Yes,

he thought.

He wants to leave this world. For that, he needs the Cult Leader’s help.

The white-robed Adam nodded. "Though that might be the case," he began. "It remains to be seen whether the hidden ruler of Yen-Lu is privy to the knowledge about the devils of Nine Hells. We cannot be certain if he knows about the Cult Leader’s plan to sacrifice this world."

Adam slammed the sake cup on the table. He massaged his temples as he wondered,

Damn it, I really need to heal my soul.

I’m unable to think straight with my mind in ruin. But the only way to heal my soul is with the lotus, and what the lotus needs is time... a lot of time.

I must head to the Dark Valley as soon as I can.

"Well, it’s a good thing that the province of the Tsuitsui Clan lies in the west," said the white-robed Adam. "Besides, they can heal your body too, can’t they? A healthy body is equally as important as a healthy mind. And there’s also that matter of your insecurity."

Adam nodded.

Yeah, you’re right,

he thought.

"And maybe slow down with the alcohol, yeah?" The white-robed Adam scoffed. "You drink as if the lotus is still active inside of you."

Of course, Adam ignored that last statement.

He leaned back in his seat and raised his head. He extended his Sphere of Resonance upward, and all he could sense was a complex of tall buildings, overhead windows, and skybridges.

What a fascinating city,

he marveled.

Right at that moment, a group of men wearing black and red robes happened to pass by the sake bar.

If Adam were paying attention to them, he’d realize that the insignia emblazoned on these men’s robes signified that they were from the...

Arakuro Clan!

But, of course, Adam was lost in his own world, so he didn’t notice them. But one of those men from the Arakuro Clan noticed him.

He just so happened to notice him by a strange twist of... fate.

Takezo Arakuro glanced at Adam just as he was walking past the bar. The moment he saw Adam’s strange appearance, his eyes narrowed.

"A mask and bandages covering his body?" He mumbled. Unbeknownst to him, his footsteps had already slowed down.

"Oi, Takezo, what’s the matter?" One of the men with him called out to him. "Let’s go to that brothel already!"

Takezo, however, couldn’t hear his cousin’s words at all. His gaze was glued to Adam, who was casually drinking from his sake cup.

Mask, burn marks...

He thought to himself.

Is that why he’s wearing those bandages?

No, this... this has got to be a coincidence—

His thoughts came to an abrupt halt when his cousin patted his shoulder. "Oi, are you coming with us or not?"

Takezo snapped out of his daze, then turned back around. "Ah, yes. Let’s go."

The group from the Arakuro Clan set off once again. But only a few moments later, Takezo stopped in his footsteps once again.

No, this is too good to be a coincidence... right?

He couldn’t help but think that.

Takezo turned around with a solemn look on his face. He chose to confront the strange masked man right there.

Under his cousins’ strange and startled gaze, he walked towards the sake bar and approached Adam’s table.

Bam!

He slammed the table with his fist, then muttered in a cold voice:

"You are one suspicious-looking fellow, aren’t ya? How about taking off those bandages?"