Liam heard the elven ancestor speak with so much passion but he could smile in return. He was not hearing anything that he already did not know.
"Hmmm?" The elven ancestor paused, understanding Liam's reactions. "So someone had already sniffed you out? Who?"
This time Liam did not hesitate. He could tell that the elven ancestor was speaking with him earnestly. He already knew about his soul smithing so there was nothing left to hide. He decided to answer him.
Besides, he thought that it was about time to start collecting intel about the opposite party.
Even though there might be a chasm of difference between him and his enemy, he wanted to know just how wide this chasm was.
"The divine temple." Liam explained.
"The divine temple? Aren't they human beings too? If I remember correctly, they should be from one of the S-Rank worlds. Why are they after you? Shouldn't they be trying to recruit you?"
Liam then explained what had happened back in the tutorial world, leaving out some details.
"Ah." The elven ancestor grunted in understanding. "Now I see. You have a nether affiliation. No wonder these bitches are after you. They will never recruit a nether touched human."
Huh? Liam raised a brow. Why was this ancestor pissed off at them? He was interested to know but he listened patiently to what the elder had to say first.
"If I am correct, you are probably being targeted by one of the priestess cliques. There are several of them in the divine lands."
"While the main Empire is ruled by a more reasonable human God, these cliques are typically filled with bitches. I too crossed paths with one a long time ago and it did not end well. I had to pay a heavy price to settle the score."
"However, the one that is after you sounds like a real pain in the behind. She won't let you off, but you cannot directly go to war with her."
"Trust me, you do not want the God of an S-Ranked world as your enemy. The only way to deal with her would be through something else or someone else."
Liam listened patiently. It was not going to be today. It was not going to be tomorrow, but when the time came he was determined to pay back for everything with interest.
The elven ancestor spoke in some detail about the divine lands which were apparently an entire galaxy from what Liam understood. An entire galaxy blessed with abundant divine energy that in return gave birth to some of the strongest divine empires and clans.
Liam had to continuously adjust his perspective about the world as he heard about just how vast the universe was. He now fully grasped what everyone meant by a trash-grade realm.
The elven ancestor continued talking in length but most of it was just rants about how arrogant the divine clans typically were.
After some time, he finally returned back to the main topic. "Regarding my inheritance… I have decided not to allow you to view it anymore."
"What?" Liam did not expect that.
"Trust me, lad. It is better this way. Your path is unwritten but if you accept my inheritance then it would become finite. While it may make you stronger in the short run, in the long run it would only serve to hurt you."
Liam nodded. He definitely did not agree with the elven ancestor but for now he nodded. Making grand plans and thinking about the infinite future seemed foolish when his survival for the next day was in question.
All of this sounded like the training plan for a young master from a powerful clan. Liam was many things but he was not blessed enough to become that.
The elven ancestor once again went on a rant about the path of forging and how difficult it was. Liam listened patiently. Everything that he needed to gain from this place was already his. Now there was only one decision left.
And in his mind, Liam was trying to make this decision. This one was different. Unlike the other elven ancestor, he was kind and did not show any prejudice. He explained everything patiently to him even though he was a human being and the elf did not have any obligation to do so.
While he did not have any morals and was willing to go to any lengths to gain the strength required, this elf had become something akin to a teacher to him.
Liam hesitated. Whatever sanity was left inside him told him that he would be going a step too far if he forced this one to fight for him.
However, he couldn't afford to waste the weakened soul of a powerful being that was head and shoulders above his current minions in combat abilities. Just adding this single soul into the mix would tremendously boost the strength of his army.
Not to mention the knowledge and the memories of the elder.
Liam hesitated for a few moments but in the end, he made the hard decision. In reality, he never had any choice in the matter to begin with. He had to do what he had to do. There were people waiting for him. He wouldn't mind becoming a sinner again and again for their sake.
Liam's eyes filled with resolve as he stared into the vast space, trying to get a feel for the soul and probe where it was and exactly how strong it was.
But unexpectedly, the next instant, he heard a loud booming laughter.
"So you have made your decision…"
Liam was once again shocked.
"Don't look so surprised, human. I can read you like a scroll. The moment I saw you forge that soul minion I already knew what you wanted the most from me was not my inheritance."
"But I do have a surprise for you…"
Liam became alert. He looked in all directions to see where an attack might come from. He prepared to erect barriers if needed. However… the elven ancestor's voice once again boomed.
"I will willingly become your General, human. No. I will willingly become your General, my king. Let's go and take control of the entirety of the myriad realms!"
A maniacal laughter filled the vast expanse of the trial space. Liam, initially tense and defensive, was now left with his mouth agape, shocked beyond belief.
"Why?" Liam finally managed to ask.
The elven ancestor's voice, still echoing with remnants of his laughter, responded, "Over the countless years, I've grown weary. Bored. Lonely. I want to have some fun now. It is as simple as that!"
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