"Let's go, Maya." Kuzon whispered as he left Crazy Neron's office.
After his warning, they had discussed a little more, but now it was time for he and his female companion to leave.
"O-oh, okay." Maya responded with a nod.
Her crimson eyes glowed with curiosity as she stared at Kuzon. Something about his troubled face caught her interest.
"Are you okay? You don't look too good."
"I'm fine. Just a lot on my mind..."
"Hmm..."
They both stared at each other for a while, almost forgetting that they had to leave their master's domain.
"Do you think we'll ever be able to return?" Maya asked.
"I don't know. But as master's disciples, I don't see why not." He responded.
"Haa... that's a relief."
It seemed she really liked it in this place. Kuzon could see why. The scenery was beautiful, and there just seemed to be way more to explore here.
'I really doubt that I'm returning here, at least anytime soon. Still, since that crazy old man has made us his disciples, he'd have given us access to this place.
That was his line of reasoning, and it was justified.
"Let's go, then."
And so, the two traversed the land and navigated it together, for one last time, before finally reaching the exit.
With one final look at the place that occupied them for what seemed like years, the sojourners eventually vanished to the normal world.
*
*
*
"So, what will you do now?"
The two were now atop the mountain they previously occupied before spotting Crazy Neron.
They could see the forest beneath them with ease, and as they enjoyed the cool atmosphere, they began conversing.
"Will you be liberating your people now?" Kuzon asked her, his brows raised.
"I think I'll start with the source. I've decided not to ignore the issue any longer."
"Oh? Bold move. You want to strike at the Midas Empire itself?"
"Yes." Her answer was both firm and resolute.
It was clear to Kuzon that she had been thinking of this for a very long time.
Most likely since the first time she got her hands on some power.
'Well, her level of power isn't bad. Merlin taught her to use Aether, so she's pretty much stronger than all the forms I've encountered thus far.'
Whether or not she'd be able to wipe out the Midas Empire on her own, though, was something not even Kuzon truly knew.
And so...
"Want me to come with you?"
"H-huh...?!" Surprise instantly formed on Maya's face as she looked at Kuzon.
The nights shade made his face darkened, but that was nothing in the presence of her glowing red eyes.
Her gaze was on him, and she intensely stared.
"I mean... only if you want. I don't want to get in your way or anything. It was just a—"
"Yes."
"What?"
"I want you to come with me. Let's do it together!" She smiled so warmly that even Kuzon had to break into a much nicer smile.
"Nice! What's the plan, though? How do you intend to handle it?" He chuckled.
For another moment, they stared at each other in silence.
Maya rubbed her chin under the dim glow of the night's moon and the coverage of stars.
Her serious demeanor showed how important the matter was for her.
"I plan on eradicating all the Royals, Soldiers, and Nobles. Anyone who resists, and has the strength to resist will be completely annihilated."
"What of those who are unable to resist. Like the weak ones? What will you do to them?" Kuzon's gaze deepened.
"I'll spare the innocents, since they didn't really do anything wrong." Maya replied, her hands folded.
"Isn't that too childish a d idealistic? You'll spare then because if their innocence? Why if they return for revenge? What then?"
Kuzon wasn't mocking her efforts, and neither was he making light of her resolve.
However, her line of thinking bothered him too much.
'You're making a big mistake. You should never leave a survivor who is plagued with so much anger and grief...' His younger self flashed in his head.
'Whether it takes ten or twenty, or even. thirty years... the survivors will eventually rise up against you.'
It could be a futile effort, but the longer it took achieve one's revenge, the more intense it often wade.
Experience had taught that to him.
"So, what do you suggest then?"
A bright smile finally appeared on his face, and he cocked his head to the side while slapping his hands together.
"You could choose to kill all of them..."
"W-wha—?!"
"... Or you could listen to my suggestion. The choice is yours, of course.
"You have suggestion? Alright. Let's hear it."
A bigger smile developed.
"You kill some. Spare some. I use [The Emperor] to dominate their will and give them specific instructions. I already have two candidates in mind. They're pretty much my pawns now."
He was referring to the twins who were now probably through with their mission.
'It's been two weeks since then, after all...'
"How should we determine who to kill and who to spare?"
"Hierarchy, maybe? It's indeed right to kill off the stronger ones and leave the weaker ones, just as the Midas did to this world."
It wasn't like it mattered to the mission, though. The suggestion was just to out Maya's mind to rest.
'After all, once we're done, there won't even be anyone to resist.'
"Indiscriminate massacres leave a bad taste in my mouth. That's why I made this suggestion as an alternative."
It was ironic enough that he was going to engage in a Midas slaughter, considering his disposition.
But...
'These people aren't them. This isn't the Midas Empire I belong to.'
Did that make it okay for him to take their lives? Probably not.
Perhaps this was just hypocrisy. However, Kuzon did not care.
"What do you say, Maya? Should we go ahead with that?"
It was the perfect way to let off some steam before commencing his mission.
"You're right Kuzon." Maya responded with a smile, her bright irises glowing even further. "This should be fun."
They both laughed in the darkness, their voice echoing across the mountains.
"Damn straight.".
