"I told him not to go," Grandma Ail frowned and snorted after listening to Ayime's account.
"Granny, I know you are not an ordinary person, and I know you must also be worried about Asa. Can you… can you tell me if there is still a way to save him?"
"I don't know if there is a way… I'm just a retired old woman…" Grandma Ail shook her head gently as she spoke. Her gaze was as clear as water yet unfathomably deep, reflecting everything in detail but allowing nothing to touch its depths. "But from your expression and tone, though sorrowful, you don't seem to be truly desperate. It looks like you have a plan?"
"I do have a plan, but I don't know if it's a good one. However, right now… this is my only choice… I… I…" Ayime hesitated, then finally admitted, "I made a deal with two very dangerous people. I will retrieve something for them, and in return, they will help me rescue Asa… I know these two are dangerous, and neither of them is a good person. Maybe I am really bargaining with the devil… But I can't just sit here and wait for Asa to be killed…"
Ayime didn't actually know what kind of person Grandma Ail was. Neither Asa nor Talice had ever told her the old woman's true identity. She only vaguely understood that this granny was anything but ordinary.
But no matter how extraordinary this old woman might be, she was, after all, a reclusive elder. It was unlikely that she could accomplish what even two Bishops and necromancers found difficult. So Ayime had only come here with a "nothing to lose" mindset, hoping to inform her about Asa's capture.
"Granny, if you know of any friends Asa might have, please reach out to them… Even though this is difficult, having one more person might mean one more chance…"
Grandma Ail shook her head and said coldly, "I don't know any of his friends, and even if I did, I wouldn't tell them. The Glory Fortress is heavily guarded—who could possibly sneak in and rescue someone under strict watch? Going there would only be a suicide mission."
"The most important thing is that I had already told him not to go. This is his own decision. Everyone must bear the consequences of their own actions," Grandma Ail said coldly as she stared at Ayime. "And I advise you not to go either. You must realize that you are making an enemy of the entire Glory Fortress. Can you possibly stand against Magnus and Lancelote?
Moreover, your so-called allies are not true allies. You know too much—they will never let you live. There is only a one percent chance that they would even be willing to help you, and even if they are, there is only a one percent chance that they could actually rescue that boy."
"Even if there is only a one-in-ten-thousand chance, I will give it ten thousand times my strength to make it happen," Ayime's voice was soft, yet as firm as a mountain.
"If that boy knew you were doing something this foolish, he would never approve," Grandma Ail said.
Ayime did not reply, but her gaze and expression remained unwavering.
"I've said all I have to say. If you're determined to do this, then go ahead and do as you please," Grandma Ail turned away, no longer looking at Ayime.
"I'm sorry for disturbing you, Granny." Ayime bowed slightly to the old woman's back, offering a respectful farewell before stepping out of the small house.
As Ayime's footsteps faded into the distance, Grandma Ail let out a long sigh. Alone in the room, she sat at the table, staring blankly ahead.
She didn't know how long she remained like that before she finally stood up. She reached under the bed and dragged out a chest. Opening it, she revealed a set of black clothing, a strangely shaped dagger, a golden skull mask, and an assortment of odd tools. As she looked down at these items, a faint, bitter smile crossed her face.
Just as she reached for the items in the chest, all expression vanished from her face. Her once clear and profound gaze sharpened into piercing needles. She spoke coldly, "The one outside—if you don't want to die, don't move. There are over ten magical traps surrounding this place. With just a flick of my finger, I could kill you at least twenty times over."
"Please be at ease, esteemed Agrenel. I mean no harm. I have come to seek you for an important matter." A rich, pleasant male voice came from outside.
"You managed to get this close before I noticed. Your skills aren't bad," Grandma Ail remarked, standing at the doorway. She eyed the middle-aged man in the distance with an icy glare. "It's been a while since I've smelled the scent of necromantic magic from someone in the guild. But I don't recognize you. You must be one of the young ones who joined in the past twenty years, right?"
She paused for a moment before asking, "What's your name?"
"A mere junior, unworthy of mention—you may call me Inham." The middle-aged man smiled and gave a polite bow. Though he was dressed plainly, his demeanor and bearing far surpassed that of any nobleman dressed in the finest attire.
"So it's you?" Grandma Ail was momentarily taken aback.
"You know of me?" The man seemed slightly surprised.
"I've heard of you—a troublemaker always stirring up storms. And yet, you actually have the audacity to come here? Just based on any one of your past actions, I have more than enough reason to kill you." Her sharp gaze swept over Inham, assessing him coldly. "But since you dared to come, I suppose you must have a reason that will convince me to spare you. So, how did you know I was here?"
"A very useful person told me," Inham said smoothly. "Respected Agrenel, I originally came here to inform you that the young man you raised and cared for, along with the hilt of the Black Star, have both fallen into the hands of His Majesty Magnus. However, it seems that young girl already visited you earlier, so I assume you are well aware of the situation."
"So the 'bad person' she spoke of was you?" Grandma Ail scoffed. "Seems like the girl has sharp eyes—she can see you for what you truly are. Then what are you doing here?"
"Naturally, I've come to offer you some strategic advice." Inham flashed an undeniably charming smile. "I know you must be racking your brain on how to rescue that boy."
"Rescue him? Why would I do that?" Grandma Ail's gaze grew colder, sharper, like a blade cutting through ice. "I'm not foolish enough to charge into Glory Fortress—especially now that Magnus has obtained the Ring of Kings. The entire castle is connected to his consciousness. Anyone who goes in is walking to their death." Her voice turned dangerously low. "Perhaps you don't know this yet, but the thing I hate most in my life is being manipulated. Are you trying to get yourself killed?"
"I hope you'll at least listen to what I have to say. You can decide afterward." Inham's smile remained, still as charming as ever.
"Oh? You're that confident in your silver tongue? Perhaps I should consider adding a tongue to my collection…"
"It's not confidence in my eloquence, but in your judgment."
"Interesting. Go on." Grandma Ail leaned against the doorframe.
Inham sighed with a wry smile. "But before that, may I come inside? This place may be secluded, but if someone happens to see me standing out here talking to you from this distance, it would look… rather suspicious."
Grandma Ail considered for a moment, then turned and stepped inside. "Fine. Get in."