Chapter 345: The Four Faces Of The Protector Clans
Chapter 345: The Four Faces Of The Protector Clans
'Is there any other way to strengthen my Spiritual Power?' Ethan inquired.
'Of course,' Ethan's Other Half replied in a heartbeat. 'All you need to do is consume the souls of others. Since you have an Ancient Wendigo with you, you can let him extract the souls of people and refine them for your consumption. With its help, you will be able to become a powerhouse at a very young age.'
'Thanks, but no thanks,' Ethan replied. 'I think I'm not ready for a diet of eating souls.'
Ethan knew that his Other Half didn't care what method he used as long as he became stronger. For him, killing dozens, hundreds, and even thousands of people was fine as long as it would benefit the young man, whom he was grooming to accept his Legacy.
'Sebastian, how about you?' Ethan asked. 'Do you have any advice for me?'
Unlike Ethan's Other Half, Sebastian wasn't as bloodthirsty. Although he had a feeling that the Guardian of Zentris could be ruthless as well, he was at least more humane compared to Ethan's Other Half, who would laugh out loud as the world burned around him.
'You can visit places that have high concentrations of Magical Power,' Sebastian replied. 'Usually, those places give birth to herbs and fruit that would increase your Magic and Spiritual Capacity when consumed. However, finding those places is very hard.
'I think, the best and safest option for you is to spend some time with Emma a few hours every day. You don't really need to sleep together. Even holding hands is enough to draw out your connection. Aside from that, buying potions that bring a similar effect will do.'
Ethan nodded his head in understanding. 'Thank you, Sebastian.'
'You can also increase your overall strength once you turn eighteen,' Ethan's Other Half commented. 'By then, you will be recognized as an adult, allowing you to enter the Trial of your Coming of Age Ceremony. Just wait another seven months, and we'll go to Midgard, which will allow you to understand your true identity.
'By then, you will have to choose what path you are going to take. Remember this, Ethan. Any kind of power is not evil. Just like a sword is not evil. It can be used to take lives, but it can also be used to protect them. Regardless of what you do with your power, know that it is a part of your existence, and only you can decide whether you should use it for evil or not.'
Ethan remained silent as he pondered the meaning behind his Other Half's words. Truth be told, he was very curious about his identity.
Why wouldn't he be?
He was raised as an orphan with neither a single clue as to who his parents were nor the reason why they were forced to leave him behind.
Ethan had many questions, which were currently unanswered. But he believed that once he came of age, he would finally find the answers to his questions.
Whether he would like the answers to his questions or not was another story.
A few hours later, Emma finally woke up and was surprised to see the young man already awake before her.
"Good Morning," Ethan greeted with a smile.
"Good morning, Ethan," Emma replied. "Did you sleep well?"
"Yes. Maybe we should do this more often."
"As long as you wish for it, I don't mind."
As much as Emma wanted to stay longer in his embrace, she knew that it would be best if she returned to her own room before someone discovered that she spent the night inside the young man's room.
She wouldn't mind being discovered, but she had to ensure that Luna's family wouldn't change their good impression of Ethan.
After giving Ethan a quick kiss on the cheek, Emma left the room to return to her own, leaving the young man alone with his thoughts.
"Lilith, can you answer a few questions for me?" Ethan inquired.
A moment later, a black cat walked out from under the bed and stretched her entire body before jumping on top of the bed to answer her Master's question.
"Do the Four Protector Clans have other roles to play aside from protecting my bloodline?" Ethan inquired.
"Yes, Master," Lilith replied. "The Meredith Clan specializes in gathering information. They are our eyes and ears, and their network spreads far and wide.
"The Oddfrid Clan, which is the Clan of Dwarves, are craftsmen. They create weapons, equipment, accessories, artifacts, and anything that catches their fancy.
"If the Meredith Clan specializes in Information Gathering, and the Oddfrid Clan specializes in crafting, the Argus Clan, which is an Elf Clan, specializes in Arts, and Commerce.
"They are the ones responsible for selling the crafts of the Oddfrid Clan, utilizing the network and connection created by the Meredith Clan. These three form a harmonious relationship, allowing the coffers of our Lord to always be full, which we also benefit from."
Ethan nodded in understanding. "Then, how about your clan? What does the Orpheus Clan do?"
Lilith didn't answer right away. Instead, she walked closer to Ethan and raised her right paw.
Suddenly her razor-sharp claws emerged, as lethal as knives that could make someone bleed to death.
"The world is not a peaceful place, Master," Lilith stated. "There are many people who have tried to make things difficult for our Lord. In order to deal with these annoying pests, the Orpheus Clan has taken the path of assassination.
"The Orpheus Clan is a clan of Catkins. We are trained from a young age to fight, and all of us would not hesitate to risk our lives for the sake of our Lord and Master. During your Mother's escape from Midgard, it was our Clan that acted as her escorts, keeping the enemies at bay for as long as we could.
"Of course, the other Protector Clans also sent a large force to ensure Lady Catherine's safety. However, it is our Clan who forced the enemies to retreat with our deadly attacks that can come from their blind spots.
"Master, I am not a fighter. In a head-on confrontation, I am mediocre at best. However, if you give me a target to kill, I can guarantee that there is a very high chance that I can take that person's life before they even know what hit them."
Ethan smiled and lightly patted the black cat, making the latter purr, enjoying his touch.
He didn't know anything about the power dynamics between the Four Protector Clans in the past.
But now, he had a better understanding of their abilities.
Information brokers, craftsmen, merchants, and assassins.
These were the four faces of the Protector Clans who, at this very moment, were doing their roles to ensure that their Young Master would be able to enjoy his school life at Brynhildr Academy.