Chapter 902: Lingering Issues

Kuzon descended from his height, using Magic to gather the gore in one pile by the side so he wouldn't get stained.

'I'll leave it there too... for now.' His thoughts trailed.

For now, there were more important things he had to settle.

And they were staring at him right in the face.

[A Short While Later]

"You guys shouldn't really be so stiff around me. Honestly, it's cool."

Kuzon fought back the urge to sigh when dealing with these people.

Ever since he had defeated the Midas that would have slaughtered them, they had been treating him as a literal god.

He didn't realize when they shifted their loyalty from the Midas Emperor to him, the Midas Slayer.

Apparently, he was now a hero to these people.

'Have they forgotten the fact that it's my fault that their Shelter got attacked, to begin with?' He really couldn't deal with people like these.

'The sooner I leave, the better.'

The problem, however, was how he was going to leave.

"Your Shelter is pretty much compromised already. Those Midas idiots will definitely send more people to deal with this problem." Kuzon told the denizens of the Shelter.

"What's taking them so long, then?" Maya was the one who responded.

She, unlike the others, was someone he felt he could reason with.

So she was right in front of the entire crowd who sat on the floor as he addressed them.

"They're probably looking for the appropriate team to send. A higher division that will get the job done."

Sending more weaklings would be a poor move on the part of the Empire.

'I expect something among the ranks of the 10th Division... maybe even stronger.'

Looking at these poor people, they wouldn't stand a chance of surviving without his help.

"Is there anywhere else you can go? Maybe another shelter you can retreat to?"

He really didn't want to bother with these people. They would only slow him down, and he was currently in a hurry to reunite with his comrades.

'Honestly, if I didn't cause this mess I wouldn't be the slightest bit concerned.'

This wasn't his world. They weren't his problem.

"W-well... not exactly." The elderly man finally spoke, his tone containing uncertainty.

'Uh oh.' Kuzon already knew what was coming next, and he didn't like it the slightest bit.

"We're pretty much criminals of the Midas Empire. The other Shelters won't accept us due to the risks associated with harboring the Empire's criminals. They may even capture us and offer us as a tribute to them..."

Hearing the words of the old man confirmed Kuzon's fear. In this world, fuelled by dogma and instilled reverence of the Midas Empire, who would dare take them in?

'Besides, they'll be endangering other lives if they find a place that'll accept them. I don't want more innocents to suffer because of me.'

It was annoying, but Kuzon couldn't deny that he had to help them.

Taking responsibility wasn't something he liked doing, but with the way he was progressing with Ana, he had to start doing it at some point.

"Alright then. It seems I have no choice. All of you here will be under my protection." Kuzon sighed.

As he said this, everyone erupted in cheers. Their voices echoed loudly, displaying relief that their hero would personally save them from certain doom.

"Well, you people should relax in my domain until I figure things out. Till then..."

With the snap of his fingers, Kuzon generated a massive golden wave that traversed the entire area that the villagers occupied.

Instantly, the pulse swallowed all of them, causing them to disappear. Trances of golden dust were left behind, and in no time at all, all but one had vanished.

"Alright. With that, the—"

"W-w-what did you just do?!" The only one he didn't teleport raised her voice in both shock and apprehension.

"Where did everyone go? Where are... what did you... what's going on? Explain yourself! Why am I the only one—"

"Calm down, Maya. I transported them to a place called the 'Emperor's Domain'. You can also call it the 'Realm of the Emperor'. It's an alternate dimension that I control."

"W-wut...?"

Her blank face and completely confused demeanor showed him she didn't understand what he was implying.

It was what he would expect from a primitive people when it came to Magic.

'Do I really have to explain this?' He nearly slapped his face hard, but managed to control himself.

"Basically. It is a world that I control. Think of it like a Shelter I built in a place that is invisible. It's also safe, so they can be protected from harm."

"O-ohhh! Like a safety castle."

"Yes, that's right. A safety castle... whatever that means..." He murmured the lady part, but tried to maintain his dependable smile.

Hopefully, he wouldn't have to explain further.

"Alright then. I believe you!"

'Hm? Just like that? Looks like she's more trusting than I gave her credit for.'

He really made the right call by choosing her among everyone else.

"B-but why am I still here?" Maya asked, her face turning slightly pink.

Now that he thought of it, it was just the two of them in this empty shelter.

'A-ah! Don't tell me she's misunderstanding something.'

Before anything further was said, Kuzon swiftly decided to clarify.

"I wanted someone to be my guide. It's going to be difficult and strange traveling this world alone."

"Ohhh. I see. That makes sense. Why do you want to travel, though? You want to search for a safer land for us?" She asked, quickly catching up go his intentions.

It brought him relief.

"There's that. But also because I'm looking for someone. I'll need to ask you some questions as we travel, and it'll help in my search.'

He still had to find the 'person' Neron told to gain approval from. The whole thing seemed vague, but that was the only clue he had at the moment.

'This Maya seems like the most bearable person I can have to be my guide. She's smarter than the rest, and I can expect some level of unbiased answers...'

There was one final thing he had noticed since the very beginning, but chose to keep a secret.

It was her potential.

"Who would have thought I would find someone like that here..." Kuzon smiled while looking at her innocent face.

"... Someone with a Special Grade Core."

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[A/N]

Thus begins the adventure of Kuzon and Maya as they travel together in this new world and go through... stuff.

I hope you find it interesting.