Chapter 67: Young Pasha

(Chapter 67 Young Pasha)

"Be careful on your way back, I'll assign two of my knights to escort you three, just to ensure your safety."

Tempest said, as he saw, Cyrus and Cyno on their Sumpter Beast preparing to leave.

"Thank you for your hospitality, Tempest, it was an honor to serve as your guide, even if only for a brief time. We'll see each other again in Sumeru City."

Cyrus said with a respectful nod.

"The pleasure's all mine, thank you for marking the map."

Tempest said he extended his hand with a firm but warm gesture.

"It's the least I can do."

Cyrus replied, grasping Tempest's hand in a firm handshake.

Cyrus returned to his preparations, adjusting the saddle on his Sumpter Beast as he readied for departure. Tempest watched for a moment, then turned his gaze to the side, noticing Faruzan approaching with a contemplative expression.

"You're certain you want to leave as well? You're welcome to stay with the caravan for as long as you'd like. After I've accomplished what I need here in the desert, I'm heading to Sumeru City. You're free to join me if you wish."

Tempest asked Faruzan, his tone measured.

"I'd like to stay, but I am consumed by curiosity, and it gnaws at me. Waiting another day is simply unbearable... I need to see what has changed in the Akademiya during my long absence. I feel like I might burst if I have to wait any longer."

Faruzan admitted with a sigh.

"That's understandable. While I would prefer you to consider accepting my offer now, I respect whatever decision you make. Ultimately, it's your life and your choice."

Tempest said, his tone reflecting both respect and sincerity.

"Thank you... I forgot to say this but... Thank you for everything. Thank you for breaking me out of that chamber, for your gracious hospitality, for the offer you've made, and above all, for preventing me from making a terrible mistake last night. You have my utmost gratitude."

Faruzan said with a soft smile, she looked at Tempest with genuine appreciation.

"No problem at all, Madam Faruzan."

Tempest replied, his lips curving into a slight smile. It was a rare and genuine display of emotion, one that softened his usually stoic demeanor.

"Madam Faruzan..."

Faruzan said with a chuckle before continuing.

"I must admit, I could get used to being addressed as 'Madam Faruzan,' you know. It has a certain elegance to it, doesn't it?"

"Well, you are technically an old lady."

Tempest said with a straight face.

A vein bulged on Faruzan's forehead, and her eyes twitched in irritation. With a swift motion, she punched Tempest on his right arm. Despite the impact, Tempest remained unmoved, his stoic expression unshakened.

"Young man, you should know to show respect to your elders! Did your Mother never teach you proper manners!? Where have your manners gone, I say?"

Faruzan scolded, pointing a finger at Tempest with a mix of exasperation and mock seriousness.

"Yes, yes, my apologies, Madam."

Tempest said, his tone sincere but tinged with a hint of amusement. He offered a respectful nod.

"Mmph! Goodbye! Tempest!"

Faruzan said, turning away with a huff. She paused mid-stride, glancing back at him.

"You'll have my answer when you arrive in Sumeru City..."

Faruzan said, continuing her walk toward Cyrus's Sumpter Beast. Tempest observed her as she struggled slightly to board, but Cyno quickly stepped in to offer her assistance.

"Tempest, once again, thank you."

Cyrus said with a respectful nod before turning to leave. However, Tempest placed a hand gently on his shoulder, halting him for a moment.

"Tempest?"

"Since you're returning to Sumeru City, can I have your Akasha Terminal?"

Tempest asked him.

"I don't see why not, here you are then."

Cyrus said, as he removed the Akasha Terminal from his ear and handed it to Tempest.

"Thank you, I wish you safe journeys ahead."

Tempest said, and Cyrus nodded.

Tempest watched as the three of them departed on the Sumpter Beast, flanked by the two knights he had assigned to escort them on horseback. He spent a few minutes observing their departure, ensuring everything was in order before they disappeared into the horizon.

"May the Mighty God bless us with their voice of wisdom."

Tempest murmured quietly. Moments later, the Akasha Terminal began to glow, and he carefully placed it on his ear.

'Young Pasha?'

Tempest inquired mentally but was met only with an unsettling silence.

'Tempest!'

The silence didn't last long. After a brief pause, Nahida's voice echoed clearly in Tempest's mind.

'Don't shout please...'

Tempest winced as a sudden migraine throbbed through his head from Nahida's mental shout.

'Oh, dear me, I apologize for raising my voice. I've been quite worried about you, you know. It's been three days since we last spoke, and I couldn't help but wonder what might have happened. Is everything alright, Tempest?'

Nahida is slightly flustered as she speaks, her voice filled with a mixture of concern and gentle chiding.

'Yes, I regrettably lost my original Akasha Terminal at the Citadel. You can catch up on my recent experiences by accessing my memories, Young Pasha.'

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Tempest stood in the planning tent, where a large table was laid out with a detailed map of the entire Hypostyle Desert spread across its surface. On the map, three key locations were marked, the Dune of Carouses, the Dune of Elusion, and the Dune of Magma. These points had been identified by Cyrus as potential sites where the Warden-Class Primal Construct might be located. One of these pyramids was likely to house the elusive and formidable Warden-Class Construct Tempest sought.

"I need to divide my forces to cover each location. We'll deploy twenty-five men on horseback to each pyramid, one team for the Dune of Carouses, another for the Dune of Elusion, and the last for the Dune of Magma. Each team must thoroughly investigate their assigned site to ensure we find the Warden-Class Construct."

Tempest muttered as he put a horse chess piece in each marked location.

"Once the Warden-Class Construct has been located, the team captain must fire a green signal flare to alert the others to regroup. I'm not underestimating the power of that construct. It could be far more dangerous than anything we've encountered before, most likely more dangerous than that one Primal Construct, that could stop time itself, in the Citadel."

Tempest muttered to himself, his eyes then darted to another location, Khaj-Nisut.

"The Fontaine Research Institute has also requested cores of normal Primal Construct, these ruins are massive and I'm willing to bet there's plenty of Primal Construct there, without even going inside the ruins."

Tempest muttered, as moved a cog chess piece to the location of Khaj-Nisut.

"Hm, the Director has instructed me to ensure that every researcher who volunteered for this expedition returns safely. To meet that requirement, I'll need additional forces. Hatsume's team can take all the available Mekas, but they'll need more support..."

Tempest muttered to himself as he moved a pawn chess piece to the location of Khaj-Nisut.

'Tempest... I know what you're thinking...'

Nahida's voice echoed in Tempest's mind.

'I'm paying them, Young Pasha, Eremites are known to be very effective mercenaries, they'll provide good extra manpower.'

Tempest replied.

'My friend, I implore you to re-evaluate how you view the Eremites. They are more than just pawns or meatshields to be used at your discretion. They are living beings with hearts and souls, and deserving of respect and fair treatment just like any other civilization. Please do not forget this, Tempest.'

Nahida said her voice filled with a mix of kindness and authority.

'I'll start to respect them when they start to not climb up my bed...'

Tempest replied, his irritation evident. Nahida fell silent for a moment, her mental presence slightly withdrawing as she processed the memory she might have accidentally glimpsed.

'I don't hate the Eremites, Young Pasha, though I try not to. However, my time here in the desert has been challenging. Many of them have only brought me trouble. Some recognized me as their reincarnated deity and attempted to kidnap me, while others sought to use me to give them children... I miss my home dearly, more than I can express.'

Tempest inquired mentally, settling into a chair with a deep sigh.

'Tempest, do you hate Sumeru? Have your experiences here caused you to doubt your decision to come? I sense a hint of regret and bitterness in your demeanor...'

Nahida said her voice gentle but tinged with a hint of sadness.

'No, Young Pasha, I don't hate your nation. What I despise here is the sand, it's coarse, and rough, and irritating, and it gets everywhere. I came here with the intention of bringing something back to Fontaine, and while I didn't expect it to be easy, the desert has proven to be quite a challenge. However, despite the harsh conditions, I do cherish our mental conversations. They provide a welcome respite from the difficulties I face out here.'

Tempest inquired mentally with a smile.

'Hehe, I must say, I too cherish our mental conversations, Tempest. It's quite a unique and special connection we've formed, isn't it? I appreciate these moments of communication and understanding with you.'

Nahida chuckles softly, her voice filled with warmth and amusement.

'My job here in the desert is almost done, Young Pasha, and I'm heading to Sumeru City afterward. If you're interested, we could arrange a meeting there. It would be a pleasure to continue our discussions in person and perhaps you could show me around in the city.'

Though Tempest could not see her, Nahida's face was a mixture of sadness and resignation, as she hears Tempest's suggestion.

'Tempest, I would love to see you in person, truly. But, but I cannot... For reasons I cannot fully explain, at least not yet. Please, understand that it is not a matter of choice, but a circumstance beyond my control. I deeply apologize for not being able to give you a more satisfactory explanation.'

Nahida said her voice was soft and regretful.

'I see... Clearly, you're hiding something from me, but I won't force you to tell me, it's your choice, Young Pasha...'