Chapter 308: Emotional Distance—Moron Girl! Bring Back My Son

As Auren and Killua return to the mansion, the sun is already setting, in fact, so low that its light shines beneath the cloud hovering directly above the two.

“When you meet with your father and the rest of your family... I might have some advice,” Auren says.

“Uhm... okay. Tell me,” Killua replies solemnly.

“Imagine a completely emotionless and rational individual. In addition to that, that individual is all-knowing, perfectly capable of predicting and guessing the thoughts and emotions of others; imagine it as a divine being. Now imagine what would happen if that individual were supporting you, possessing you, in a sense turning you into a god, or more specifically the avatar of a god. His only goal is to profit and to minimize risk, to make the objectively smartest decisions. Constantly creating a situation where he sets himself up for the future with the least amount of trouble and the best possible chances and opportunities,” Auren explains carefully.

“I believe you are not only smart, but you are also insightful,” Auren adds. “We’ll still be walking for a few more minutes. Why don’t you think about what that kind of individual would do in your position? I believe you have almost as much information to work with; you just need to put it together. Completely ignoring your own emotions, the past, and focusing solely on what would be best for the future. Also... analyze the recent changes in your life and situation, consider your three new friends, and maybe my little group as well.”

Killua remains silent and closes his eyes, but keeps up with Auren, walking at a steady pace.

At some point, Amane joins them again and wordlessly follows them.

Reaching the gate where Canary is waiting, she walks away from the tree and right up to Auren and Killua as they pass by her.

“Master Killua...” Canary says shyly, but Killua ignores her and simply moves on, his face lowered, deeply focused.

Amane briefly pats her shoulder, but she, along with Auren, moves on as well, leaving her behind, the rain pouring down onto her, leaving her standing in the rain, alone.

Arriving at the mansion, the tea party is long over; only a few butlers are still cleaning up and carrying pieces of furniture back inside the mansion.

As they are about to reach the main door, Killua slows down.

“Do you want me to come with you?” Auren asks.

“No. I know what to do,” Killua says. “Everyone is here because of me. You even got Illumi to remove that needle. It’s time I face my family head-on. If I can’t even do that, I don’t deserve everyone’s help.”

“That’s a good attitude,” Auren says, nodding in agreement. “Get it done. Frankly, it’s nothing more than a simple talk. I can also make you a promise. If you need help, just tell me. I can solve all your problems, but I believe at this point you can do it on your own.”

“Thank you...” Killua says, pausing briefly before opening the doors to the mansion.

“Killua,” Auren says, causing him to turn around.

“As much as I can appreciate your circumstances, make sure you also pay attention to the people close to you. You’re not the only one having a difficult time,” Auren says. “There is a girl you just ignored who cares deeply about you. The least you can do is be nice to her and appreciate her efforts and feelings.”

Not quite understanding, Killua just nods and walks inside, heading towards his father’s room, his steps slow, but filled with a certain determination.

With a brief use of En, Auren locates a few familiar Auras and spots Neffi and Vanessa in a room on the second floor of the mansion.

That’s considered rude, I know, but I’m too lazy to ask around.

Then, wordlessly walking past surprised butlers, Auren enters the room with Neffi and Vanessa inside.

Seeing Vanessa smile in satisfaction, Auren briefly remembers why he fled the little gathering in the first place.

“Welcome back, Auren,” Vanessa says, grabbing Auren’s hand and shaking it in a wide motion.

Not reacting at all, Auren simply sighs. “What happened?”

“She succeeded,” Neffi, who is lying on a bed, replies. “That old geezer actually agreed to teach her. At least I think so, judging from his reactions and Zeno translating his expressions. I think Zeno was just making up stuff. What specifically she said that convinced him, or why he agreed to it, I don’t know. I believe he got bothered so much that he simply pretended to accept just to get rid of her. Zeno looked genuinely surprised that he accepted.”

“Hmph, he saw my determination and potential, simple as that,” Vanessa replies. “It’s quite obvious, even to someone that old. Maybe he has some tricks; after all, you got some lessons from Netero and got way stronger, I can do that too.”

“He’s around the same age as Netero. If he seriously teaches you, you had better make sure you don’t fuck this up. If he genuinely tries to teach you, don’t act silly and try to learn and then...” Auren begins to say.

“And then?” Vanessa asks, with Neffi also paying close attention to Auren’s command.

“And then you tell us what he taught you, of course! You need to share the knowledge, obviously, and I expect you to pay attention.”

That old guy... might actually have some tricks up his sleeve. This shitty plan might actually work?! While it’s unlikely... this may actually be a real chance. Mostly for Vanessa, but still.

“...” Vanessa sighs before shaking her head. “Fine, I guess I owe you that much. I’ll pay close attention and teach you as well.”

“The same goes for you, Neffi,” Auren says, turning towards her. “Zeno might get bored and teach you something as well. As long as we’re here, we shouldn’t waste our time. We’ve relaxed enough. It won’t be much longer until we reach a point where our lives are truly in danger. You know our goal. If we’re serious about it, now is the time to prepare. There is still enough time to make a real difference.”

“I’ll do my best,” Neffi agrees after brief consideration. “You are right.”

“I’ll always do my best; sooner or later, I’ll surpass you... just wait and see,” Vanessa declares once again.

“Don’t forget to take care of Leroute as well. While she acts tough and even a little hostile, all I see is a broken, wounded, and scared woman,” Auren warns her. “Might as well make sure she gets all the chances that we ourselves got, okay?”

“Sure! I’ll visit her tomorrow,” Vanessa says, while Neffi smiles softly.

Talking with each other for a while longer, eventually a butler knocks on their door.

“Come in,” Vanessa replies instinctively, used to being served by butlers.

“Excuse me, dear guests,” a young butler says, looking slightly unsure. “Our master invites you to dinner.”

Might as well.

“I’d prefer eating, you know what,” Vanessa says honestly.

“We’ll accept,” Auren replies. “We can return to the airship later for that. In fact, I’d prefer to sleep there as well.”

“I agree,” Neffi immediately says.

Following the butler, the group is led into the large dining hall.

Of course, Killua is also present, looking fairly satisfied and motivated, surprising the group a little.

The rest of the Zoldyck family, aside from Illumi, who remains emotionless, also seems to be in a fairly good mood.

Because of the complicated relationships, the seating arrangement in front of the group of three looks incredibly weird. There are several gaps. Killua apparently refuses to sit next to Illumi or Milluki, deciding to sit on the very end of the table; Kalluto is sitting next to his mother, while Silva sits at the head of the table.

Auren quickly identifies exactly three empty seats. One is between Killua and Milluki, while the other two are on the other side of the table, at the end, with one spot having no one on its right side at all, only the other empty seat on its left, while the second seat has Kalluto sitting next to it.

The best choice would be this.

Auren immediately sits down in the seat right in front of him, next to Kalluto, and Neffi sits down right beside him.

“Ugh!” Vanessa gasps, looking ahead and seeing an excited Milluki staring at her with lecherous eyes.

Resigned to her fate, she slowly walks towards the table, only for Killua to stand up and sit next to his older brother, opening up his seat and the end of the table.

“Kill... you bastard, what are you doing? Vanni was gonna sit there!” Milluki yells, his eyes full of hatred and disappointment.

“I figured I’d apologize some more during dinner. I am so sorry for kicking your chubby stomach and causing you to crash into the wall, brother; please forgive me, okay?” Killua replies, feigning sincerity.

“What a nice brotherly gesture,” Vanessa says, looking relieved as she sits down next to Killua, ruffling his hair.

Despite trying to hide it, Killua cannot help but look away in embarrassment, despite his earlier cool remark.

Meanwhile, Kikyo looks visibly pleased by Killua’s behavior; even Zeno and Silva look satisfied.

“It was such a fantastic idea to invite you, Auren dear,” Kikyo says. “You’re such a good influence on our little Kill. We’re so grateful. Vanessa dear, you as well; it looks like Kill likes you quite a bit. I can see that as his mother.”

A little tired of this kind of conversation, and feeling a comfortable hint of weariness wash over him, Auren slowly tunes out.

Suddenly, he feels movement inside the special bag Neffi crafted for his egg inside his suit.

Five sudden thrusts, only noticeable to him.

Then nothing.

It will hatch... or sprout soon... at this pace... within a week or two.

Finally.

The dinner proceeds without anyone saying much.

Once everyone has finished their food, Zeno looks at Auren. “Ready for some training tomorrow? I’m interested to see what that old man was so excited about.”

“Of course,” Auren says. “I’ve got nothing to do aside from teaching the new Hunters and Killua a set of breathing techniques and some meditation exercises while they focus on training their bodies.”

“Going that route, huh?” Illumi wonders. “Even for Kill? Surely you must see that someone like him deserves a little more of a challenge and advanced training.”

“It was his choice,” Auren replies. “Though frankly, it can’t hurt to start slow and steady and build up a firm foundation. I learned like that too. In less than a month we’ll start the real training. Don’t rush me now when you decided not to teach him all this time.”

“We’ll leave it completely up to you,” Silva states, leaving no room for discussion; Illumi not arguing any longer.

“Illumi,” Auren says. “You join us tomorrow, right? I need to speak with you as well about your friend.”

“Of course,” Illumi replies, unbothered.

Finally, the room returns to silence, with nobody speaking up.

“...”

“...”

“Auren, why don’t you tell us a little about yourself? What have you been doing recently?” Kikyo asks, trying to break through the silence.

Deciding to be honest, Auren speaks up, completely confident.

“After winning the Battle Olympia a little over two years ago, I befriended the First Prince of the Kakin Empire. I then went to the northernmost country of Niasp for some solitary training. After that, I decided to compete in Battle Olympia again. I led an expedition towards a hidden island near the mainland. It’s my dream to explore and eventually settle on the Dark Continent. That little expedition was merely preparation, as is everything else I’m doing. It will take me a few more years, but eventually I’ll try my luck.”

Everyone looks shocked. Some of the Zoldycks, like Kalluto and Milluki, look confused, while the others look quite intrigued.

“That place is hell,” Zeno states. “You won’t find anything there... aside from death.”

“It would seem so,” Auren agrees. “Death is what I’ll bring to that place, to anyone and anything standing in my path.”

He then pauses for a moment before adding, “But if you’re really going there, you might meet my father.”

“Your... father?” Auren asks, caught by surprise.

“He left twenty years ago, on a solitary journey, trying to surpass his limits as a martial artist and Nen user,” Zeno explains. “Who knows if he’s still alive? I’m warning you, that place is not governed by logic. At least not by human logic. It’s incomprehensible to us humans.”

“I like what you’re telling me about him. He really went there, huh? That’s commendable.” Auren wonders.

Suddenly, an elderly, extremely cold voice, completely unknown to him, speaks up. “How is it commendable? He’s not the only Zoldyck who went there.”

Not only Auren, Vanessa, and Neffi, but every single Zoldyck turns towards the voice, staring directly at the old Maha Zoldyck, everyone truly surprised.

“Go there, and if you return, your bags filled with spoils, you’ll become something akin to a god. At least inside this small lake,” Maha continues. “But will you be able to do that? I doubt it.”

“...”

“... Grandfather,” Zeno says, his eyes widening.

“I’m not capable of doing that alone,” Auren acknowledges. “But I’m not alone! I have the backing of an entire nation, a small army of Nen users, inside knowledge, and... someone at my side who appears to me like a god, someone giving me complete support. Of course, there are also my friends who are all Nen Masters as well. I’ll make it.”

“I will not fail; I will succeed!” Auren declares with full confidence, looking straight at Maha.

“Is that so...” Maha says, the strings tying his mouth together tightening and loosening whenever he speaks. “You there. Moron girl. I’ll teach you a few things. In return, if you make it there and back, tell me about your travels and, if possible, given the unlikely scenario that you meet him, smack that dumbass son of mine and tell him to return... at least once. You might be able to do it with your stubbornness and monstrous Aura.”

“Uhm, I’m not a moron, but I guess I could do that for you, you rude old fossil,” Vanessa replies, slightly annoyed, but also touched.

“Why are you calling him rude when you’re using much harsher words...” Neffi mutters.

That’s a good question... but it doesn’t matter. This dinner... was worth attending, it seems.