Crownless Reincarnation: New World? Nah I'd win-Chapter 94: Edevane Family [4]

The door behind Akamir closed shut as he began to walk away.

Even though he had just spent four million on a baron he didn’t show any signs of regret.

On the contrary, he had an annoyed look on his face.

Nayomi floated closer to him. "Was it a wise decision?" she asked. "Spending so much—."

"Don’t you have something to explain?" Akamir cut in her words, stopping at the empty hallway.

Nayomi blinked, confused by the sudden shift in Akamir’s tone.

"What do you mean?" she asked slowly, floating to his side.

Akamir turned to face her, his gaze sharp. "You knew Zaina was the king’s daughter. Didn’t you?"

Nayomi hesitated before she let out a sigh. "I did."

Akamir narrowed his eyes. "And you didn’t think it was important to tell me?"

"I was waiting for the right time."

He scoffed. "And when was that?"

"Soon—."

"Time and time again, Nayomi." Akamir said, glaring at her. "You have been keeping things and only telling me when it’s too late."

She stared into his eyes. "Even if I told you before, it wouldn’t have changed anything."

"And what changed by keeping them a secret?" he replied. "You promised me to tell—."

"I promised you to teach everything I know!" she snapped, glaring at him. "Not to babysit you—."

"It isn’t babysitting!" he snapped back. "It’s easy to understand you don’t trust me!"

"I don’t." she replied. "And I don’t think I will ever trust you or anyone for that matter."

"...."

Akamir silently looked at her without any words.

Nayomi met his gaze without flinching.

"I had my closest friends betray me." she whispered. "And you expect me to trust someone who I have met for what? Two months?"

Akamir let out a sigh and turned away.

"Whatever." he said. "I don’t care anymore."

Nayomi pouted, folding her arms. "Yeah, sure."

Akamir didn’t reply as he looked out the window of the house.

At the far end, he could see the mountains.

The ones that were filled with minerals and mana stones.

’I need to get them out.’

he thought, rubbing his chin.

’The faster the better.’

Akamir had just made a deal with Edwarld.

That whatever happens in the mountains, he will turn a blind eye to it.

No matter how much things seem abnormal, he won’t say a word.

"Four million is nothing if it gives me control over that place," he muttered to himself.

Nayomi floated closer, her arms still folded. "You’re not seriously planning to dig up the entire mountain range, are you?"

"No," Akamir said, glancing at her. "Just the parts worth digging."

"That’s basically the entire mountain."

Akamir just shrugged.

He moved back to the main hall where Zaina was already present along with her brother.

She stood up as soon as she saw him. "What did he say?"

"Nothing special." he replied. "Just things about our engagement."

"She isn’t marrying you!"

Cyrus yelled, but Akamir ignored him completely.

Zaina lightly slapped her brother before she whispered. "Would you stop?"

Cyrus glared at his sister before he ran away.

Akamir, on the other hand, looked at her.

Zaina blinked. "What?"

"Shall we go out?" he asked, pointing at the door. "To the mountains."

Zaina thought for a moment before she smiled.

"Okay!" she chirped. "Just give me a minute."

Akamir nodded as she ran back inside.

He waited by the door, hands in his pockets, watching the sky darken with soft clouds.

The wait wasn’t long for him.

Zaina returned, now dressed in a simple travel cloak, her hair tied back. She looked excited. "Let’s go."

Akamir gave a short nod and started walking.

Zaina fell into step beside him while Nayomi followed silently, still grumbling under her breath.

They passed through the outer gates of the estate and followed a rough trail that led into the hills.

The sun was still high above, but the shades of the trees kept them safe.

As they walked, Zaina looked over at Akamir. "So... why the mountains? What’s there?"

"You tell me." Akamir said, looking at her. "What’s there?"

"Hmm."

Zaina nodded thoughtfully, before she whispered.

"There isn’t anything special except the mines."

Akamir nodded as he looked down at the rough road.

"How was your relationship with your mother?" Akamir asked, glancing at her.

Zaina looked at him confusedly. "Why do you ask?"

He shrugged. "Just wondering."

Zaina hummed, matching his steps.

"I don’t remember much but—." she hesitated a little. "It wasn’t really good."

Akamir raised his brow. "How so?"

"She didn’t really care about me, I think."

Zaina’s voice grew quiet, nearly drowned out by the sound of their footsteps on gravel.

"I was five when she died, but I still remember the look she used to give me."

Akamir stared at her. "What look?"

"She always looked at me like I was a burden," she said. "More of a duty than a daughter."

Akamir didn’t say anything for a moment.

"I see," he finally muttered.

Zaina glanced at him. "What about yours? Your mother?"

Akamir chuckled, but there was no humor in it. "I have no idea." he said. "I don’t even know how she looked."

Zaina tilted her head, curious. "Have you never seen her?"

"Nope."

"Well, the way you look." she whispered softly. "I can tell she must be a real beauty."

Akamir smiled softly before he looked around. "Do you come here often?"

"Not really." she replied. "But I used to come here to play around when I was a child."

"So you are familiar."

Zaina blinked innocently before she nodded.

"Wait." As if she remembered something, she took a different route. "Let me show you something."

"What?"

"Just follow me!"

Akamir raised an eyebrow but followed her without question.

The path she took was narrower, lined with bushes and soft grass.

The trees here were thicker, their leaves swaying gently in the breeze.

Nayomi hovered just behind them, her usual grumbling quiet now, though her eyes scanned the area cautiously.

Zaina led them past a bend, then up a small slope, her pace picking up with excitement.

"Careful," she said, glancing back. "It gets a bit slippery here."

"I can handle slippery," Akamir replied dryly, stepping over a patch of moss-covered rock.

After a few more minutes of walking, they reached a clearing.

The sunlight spilled through the gaps in the trees, casting golden light on a quiet little pond.

The water shimmered, clear as glass.

A few white flowers floated on the surface, and small insects buzzed lazily around.

The place was untouched and peaceful.

Zaina turned to Akamir with a grin. "This is my secret spot."

Akamir looked around slowly. "It’s quiet."

"It’s beautiful," Nayomi whispered, surprising him.

Zaina smiled. "Right? I used to come here whenever I felt like escaping."

Akamir nodded as Zaina began to move once again.

"What now?"

"There is one more thing you should see."

she said, walking around the pond.

Akamir moved behind her as she took him to a place covered with some dirt.

Akamir tilted his head in confusion. "What is it?"

Zaina didn’t reply. Instead, she drew in a deep breath.

Raising her hand, she conjured a mana circle of wind.

A gentle yet firm gust of wind rushed over the dirt, clearing it.

"....."

Akamir blankly stared at ’it’.

A skeleton.

But ten times larger than any human.

And...

Worst of all, Akamir still felt a pressure from it.

"What is this...?" he asked quietly.