Dimensional Codex System: I'm really not a cultist!

Chapter 212: Chapter 211: A Spontaneous Trip

“Are you really leaving?”

Standing in front of the station, Shana still hadn’t quite grasped the reality as she looked at Fang Zheng and Tilia.

Although she had heard him mention it before, she hadn’t expected Fang Zheng to act so swiftly; he had only taken a day to submit his resignation at school, and the very next day, he had already bought his train ticket and was ready to depart, which had caught Shana somewhat off guard.

“Alright, don’t make that face.”

Looking at the young girl’s expression, Fang Zheng chuckled and reached out to pat her little head.

“It’s not goodbye forever; who knows, we might meet again soon. It’s not like it’s the ancient times… You’ve been keeping the mobile phone I gave you, right?”

...

“Mhm.”

Upon hearing Fang Zheng’s words, Shana nodded and subconsciously touched the mobile phone in her pocket. This was the gift Fang Zheng had given her before departure… after all, in this information age, having a mobile phone was obviously more convenient than writing letters.

If possible, Shana would have liked to leave with Fang Zheng. Aralastor had also suggested this to Shana. But considering Wilhelmina, who was still severely injured and unconscious, Shana had no choice but to stay here to take care of her. In a way, Shana felt conflicted. Had the relationship between Fang Zheng and Wilhelmina not soured to such a degree, perhaps she could have made a decision.

But now, the two of them could barely see eye to eye and had reached a point where each wished to eliminate the other quickly. Wilhelmina believed Fang Zheng had misdirected the Contractor of the Catastrophic Fire, leading her down a path of no return. Meanwhile, Fang Zheng thought Wilhelmina completely disregarded Shana’s own thoughts, merely using her as a template to project her own hopes, which was purely unreasonably quarrelsomeness.

Both individuals insisted they were acting in Shana’s best interest and were unwilling to concede. Under these circumstances, there was nothing Shana or Aralastor could do to mediate between them. Wilhelmina was stubborn and wouldn’t listen to reason, and Fang Zheng was unlikely to change his opinion either.

In fact, Wilhelmina had once regained consciousness. At that time, Aralastor and Shana had tried to persuade her, but ultimately, Wilhelmina unequivocally affirmed her stance.

“Even at the cost of my own life, I will not let that man corrupt the will of the Contractor of Catastrophic Fire.”

And in the face of Wilhelmina’s defiant declaration of war, Fang Zheng did not back down either.

“Then the next time we meet will be her memorial day. As the saying goes, forewarned is forearmed; let that old woman remember these words.”

From this perspective, Fang Zheng choosing to travel was indeed a wise decision; otherwise, Shana and Aralastor had no doubt that once Wilhelmina recovered from her injuries, she would seek out Fang Zheng for a confrontation. And Fang Zheng wouldn’t hold back for Shana’s sake. By then, Shana would be caught between a rock and a hard place.

“Come on, don’t look so troubled.”

Seeing Shana’s tormented expression, Fang Zheng couldn’t help but give a wry smile.

“The things I needed to teach you, I have almost entirely taught. In our country, there is a saying, ‘The master leads you to the door; the practice is up to you.’ From now on, how much you can comprehend and learn depends on your own understanding.”

“So, about the earlier test, how many points do you plan to give her?”

Just then, Aralastor suddenly interjected. Hearing his question, Fang Zheng lowered his head, glanced at the pendant on Shana’s chest, and then gave an answer.

“Eighty-five points.”

“Not a perfect score?”

“She got the answer, but she hasn’t fully written out the process yet.”

While saying this, Fang Zheng looked toward Shana again. At this moment, the young girl was showing a bewildered expression, clearly unsure of what Fang Zheng and Aralastor were talking about.

“Once she clearly understands that process, I will give her the remaining points. So…”

“Elder Brother, it’s time.”

At that moment, Tilia, dressed in a Western outfit, quietly came up from behind, nodded at Shana with a smile, and then spoke to Fang Zheng.

“Right, then we should be heading off.”

After glancing at the timetable, Fang Zheng nodded at Shana.

“Well then… goodbye, Shana, Aralastor. In Lamy’s words, let’s meet again at the crossroads of causality.”

“Safe travels, Fang Zheng.”

As Fang Zheng bid farewell, Aralastor also offered his blessings. Shana puffed her cheeks and was silent for a moment before finally letting out a huff.

“Taking a Follower of the Crimson Realm with you, just don’t get chopped by a Fire Mist Warrior on the road! Not every Fire Mist Warrior is as easy to talk to as us! Really, you’re not at all reassuring… and take this with you!”

As she spoke, Shana pulled out a paper bag and stuffed it into Fang Zheng’s hand.

“These are my treasured pineapple buns! Have them on the road with Tilia, you can’t fight on an empty stomach!”

“Then I will gladly accept.”

Seeing the blush on the young girl’s face, Fang Zheng smiled faintly and took the paper bag from her hand. He nodded to them both, then turned and left with Tilia.

“……… Is this okay, Shana?”

Not until the two figures had disappeared into the station’s entrance did Aralastor speak up again.

“It’s fine for now,”

Shana watched the station in front of her and shook her head.

“If you go back, you should be able to guess what Wilhelmina will say to you.”

“I know.”

This time, Shana nodded firmly and then clenched her hands tightly.

“But, I’ll also answer in my own way. I’ll fulfill the mission of a Fire Mist Warrior well, but whether it will be in the form Wilhelmina expects, I don’t know. Or rather, I never really considered it until now. But now, I think I can figure out the answer.”

“But what if, just like Fang Zheng said, Wilhelmina doesn’t recognize your will?”

“When the time comes, I’ll try my best to persuade her!”

Hearing this, Shana’s expression faltered for a moment, but she quickly became resolute again.

“Because, now I am both the Contractor of Catastrophic Fire and the Crusader of Fiery Eye. I have the right to make my own choices!”

Must a fledgling eventually leave the nest?

Looking at Shana, spirited and no longer confused, Aralastor also couldn’t help but feel poignant. He, like Wilhelmina, once believed that it might take a long time for Shana to grow. But now it seems, both he and Wilhelmina were mistaken.

“I will stand by you, Shana.”

In the end, the Demon King of the Crimson Realm only said these words to express his stance.

But unfortunately, Shana seemed to have a different opinion.

“Then please don’t remain silent when Wilhelmina and Tiamat are lecturing me, Aralastor!”

“Uh……… sorry, I really don’t handle them well…”

It seems that Aralastor still has a long way to go to become a qualified guardian.