Chapter 309: Merlin’s Parents

Leon immediately tapped Selene, earning a sword to his throat immediately.

He gave her a blank look, and she pulled the weapon away from him. Standing up, she looked around.

"Where’s Merlin?" She asked with a frown, her tone sarcastic. "You didn’t secretly kill him, right?"

"What the hell?" Grunting indignantly, Leon rubbed his eyelids. "I just woke up too and I can’t find him."

Just as they were confused, they noticed a few people entering the cathedral. The two humans became serious.

’Is he betraying us...?’

Staring at Merlin who had come back with two adults, Leon’s expression turned cold.

Selene was the same, already holding the hilt of her sword and ready to pull it out anytime.

Nervous, Merlin stepped forward. "Um... guys. There’s no need to be tense. These are my parents."

"Oh?" Leon raised an eyebrow, studying the man and the woman properly.

They were naturally beautiful, and there was a resemblance between them and the young boy.

"So your parents, huh...?" Leon said as he lowered his hand.

The man standing behind Merlin stepped forward and introduced himself. "Hello, alien. I’m Mahir, and this is my wife, Sara."

He gestured to the woman beside him, and she nodded.

"I heard you freed our son from this hellhole. I really appreciate your assistance," Sara said, clasping her hands and bowing slightly.

Leon nodded and cleared his throat. "I never thought I’d be exchanging introductions with one of you guys. I’m Leonel, and this is my partner, Selene."

Mahir glanced at Selene, then nodded. "You have a strong wife."

The two humans froze.

Clearing his throat again, Leon immediately corrected him. "Not partner as in wife. Just travel companions."

Mahir blinked. "Oh, I see. Sorry for the misunderstanding."

Leon nodded, appreciating the man’s demeanor. At least he wasn’t so hostile.

"Is it just you two, or are there more Vaelari out there who are this reasonable?"

Mahir’s brows furrowed, and he answered, "Merlin swore on his life that you two are good aliens who didn’t harm him and fed him. That’s why we’re even bothering to talk to you guys. If not..."

Meow!

The golden cat scowled at him as if retorting. When Mahir looked at it, it immediately retreated behind Selene’s legs, hiding there.

The man chuckled and shook his head. "Pets are really amusing."

Sara finally spoke up, placing a hand on Merlin’s shoulder.

"My son told us you seem to be heading to the Dome. You can tag along with us since we know the right location, but you’re probably not going to be able to enter the city."

Leon shrugged. "That’s fine. I’ll find a way to communicate with the others. Hopefully."

The woman nodded, then turned around. "Come with us. We have rides waiting."

Leon and Selene exchanged glances, then followed them. Although they were wary, Mahir and his wife seemed to be a little trustworthy.

Rubbing his chin, Leon thought, ’If I can use Merlin’s family as a bridge to talk to the other Vaelari, I can get more information about the Heart. It’s a little risky to ask this early.’

Soon, they left the ruined city and stopped by the gates where two Tier One horned horses were tied.

"Wait, unicorns?" Leon’s eyes widened in surprise.

Smiling faintly, Sara nodded. "Yes. They mutated from normal horses. They are very fast. However, they cannot fly. Still, it’s comfortable riding on them."

There were only two unicorns so Mahir, Sara, and Merlin rode on one and left the other to the humans.

Leon turned to Selene and smiled like a perfect gentleman. "Ladies first."

She scowled at him. "Pervert. Sit first."

Feigning disappointment, Leon got onto the unicorn and grabbed the reins. Selene sat behind him, maintaining some distance.

"Alright, let’s go." Mahir chuckled, then kicked the beast. "Hya!"

The unicorn neighed, then shot into the distance, kicking up a cloud of dust.

Leon watched them go in astonishment, then grinned.

’I’ve never ridden a horse. Let’s see how it feels.’

He kicked the beast and shouted. "Hya!"

Snorting, Selene said, "Was that shout neccesary—"

Her words were abruptly cut off when the unicorn moved and she lurched forward. Fearing that she would fall, she instinctively clung to what was before her—Leon.

The young man fared better, but he was also astonished by how fast the unicorn was. He grinned widely, thrilled by the ride.

Suddenly, he stiffened, feeling a pair of arms wrapped around his waist, and a body clinging to his back.

A light smirk tugged at his lips. "Scared?"

Selene didn’t answer with words. She simply bit his shoulder, causing him to yelp in pain.

"Hey, what the hell?!"

"Focus on catching up to them," She retorted coldly.

Grumbling words that were lost in the wind, Leon did as he was told, ignoring the crazy lady behind him.

’Tch. My first horseback-riding experience should have been with Thyra. Not with this... wench.’

Soon, they caught up to Merlin’s family and continued forward at the same pace. Glancing at them, Leon asked, "How far are we from the Dome?"

Mahir tilted his head, then answered. "About a few days. A week at most."

Leon blinked. "Damn. It’s that far?"

The man nodded. "Yes. Normally, it takes three weeks. But with these mounts, we can make it in a week."

Selene didn’t focus on the conversation. Instead, she focused on adapting to the roughness of the ride and trying to create some distance between herself and Leon.

She didn’t like the idea of being pressed against anyone, even if it was Leon. He might have carried her while she was unconscious, but she wasn’t unconscious this time.

Thankfully, the golden cat was in-between them, preventing more embarrassment.

’I’m never horse riding again...’

Having gotten used to the unicorn’s speed, Leon smiled and kicked slightly. "Hya!"

It neighed and shot forward again, now moving at full speed. Selene’s effort to adjust was crushed, and she had to press her face against his back again.

’I’ll.. kill him.’

Unaware of her thoughts, Leon laughed loudly, enjoying the ride. It had been a while since he felt this liberated.