With the Hunter Exam over, Auren and Neffi, after calling Jolt, return to the mountain city of Hollow Blade.
Auren sends a few messages to his friends, namely Vanessa, who has gone toward Heaven's Arena, accompanied by Eren, with the goal of becoming Floor Masters and Konrad.
Goreinu decides to spend some time with Zepile and accompany him, Ura, and Oron on their venture to seek out more items for Auren; the funding for their operation, obviously no longer a concern.
With Auren receiving another 90 billion, along with two additional payments scheduled for the next few years, his funds seem almost endless.
After meeting up with Pariston once more and curing more of his wealthy and influential contacts, Auren received yet another 50 billion.
Meanwhile, the twins continue to use their Hatsu whenever they can. Until now, it has delivered relatively small but steady gains. Every purchase has been profitable, but in total, the profits have never gone above a couple of million, leaving Auren somewhat disappointed.
Someday....
All the while, the new settlement continues to grow at a rapid pace. After over half a year, the settlement has become almost self-sufficient, as it provides an incredible amount of resources, and Hollow Blade decides to heavily invest in infrastructure and tools, allowing the settlers to begin constructing and producing anything they might require, as there are countless experts from hundreds of different fields among them.
Finally, Auren speaks with Rakshala, coming to her office with a request.
"Auren... what is wrong? Please repeat what you just said," Rakshala says, her face showing a hint of concern.
"I need to leave. I realize I have responsibilities and tasks, but I've done my best over the last few months since I returned from the exam. I've been at the settlement for another month, I've worked for Pariston, and I have done everything I could think of. Now I need to do something for myself."
"What is it that you want to do?" Rakshala asks, not understanding.
Auren shrugs. "I've been told I'm thinking a little too small, that I'm underestimating myself and should be more ambitious. A lot of my friends and students are out there working hard and making progress. Neffi is working especially hard with her company and new occupation. Compared to two years ago, she's grown so much... it makes me feel a little conscious about myself."
Crossing his arms, Auren continues. "I've heard a certain story from an old man about specialized training. I want to try something like that. I believe there won't be a better time than this... especially now, since I'm close to becoming an adult. Attempting something like what I'm planning is best done now. It may end up being my last chance."
"Is there a way I can support you?" Rakshala asks.
Auren smiles but shakes his head. "I don't need anything... aside from time."
"To tell you the truth, I'm planning the expedition to the island you've been told about. The eastern part of the Yorknew Continent is progressing steadily, and we have the resources and talent to attempt the exploration. The resources there could be extremely precious. How long do you intend to train?"
"Until the next Battle Olympia, which is around one and a half years away," Auren replies honestly.
"I'll set the date for the exploration after that, then," Rakshala decides. "Is that acceptable?"
"Yes," Auren replies, nodding. "I am truly grateful."
"Auren," Rakshala says, stepping closer to him and gently placing her hand on his cheek. "Be careful... You have my full trust, but I feel you'll be attempting something dangerous. Please be reasonable. If you ever want to pause or need my help, call me."
She... is telling me to be reasonable? This has to be a joke.
"I'll keep that in mind," Auren replies, unable to hold back a smile. "There is no need to worry about me."
"I see... I'll inform the others and prepare the exploration," Rakshala decides. "Come back whenever you think you've done your utmost to achieve your goal."
After informing the others, Neffi, in particular, not being happy about it, Auren sets off on his journey, deciding to go at it alone, even without his pilot.
Two weeks later, in the Imperial Capital of the Kakin Empire, Auren steps off a giant luxury airship, offering reasonably speedy, comfortable, and luxurious travel.
As soon as Auren exits the airship, he is immediately welcomed by a whole regiment of soldiers, a towering man standing at the very front, accompanied by a familiar bald and below-average-height man, only around the same height as Auren.
"Auren, welcome to the Empire's beautiful capital," the man says, smiling widely.
"Prince Benjamin... thank you for welcoming me. It's nice to see you again, and finally visit the Empire," Auren says, speaking politely.
His Captain Balsamilco is with him as well... that man is fiercely loyal. I can see he's nervous. He probably knows he can't fight me, should I attack.
"I was a little surprised that you contacted me this early," Benjamin says. "To tell you the truth... thanks to your advice, we've made significant progress in the special training of our Royal Army. The results are incredible. How can I help you?"
Auren shrugs. "To be honest, I don't believe my goal lies in the Empire, but it should be within its scope of operation. The Azian Continent is ruled by the Empire, and while there might be dozens of independent states, we both know that if the Empire wants something, they are in no position to even negotiate."
"Hehe," Benjamin laughs. "Of course. So what do you need? Please, get into the car. I'll welcome you properly at my mansion within the royal palace."
At the luxurious royal palace of the Empire, a traditional building complex with a noticeably large tower in the center, Benjamin leads Auren into a large private mansion.
After exchanging a few more pleasantries, Benjamin asks Auren again, "So, what is it that you need?"
"I need your help... I want to travel to Niasp," Auren informs him.
"Niasp? Why would you travel to that godforsaken frozen hell?" Benjamin wonders, visibly confused. "If you want to experience a cold environment, I can recommend Dnaleri; it's much more bearable, and there are a few interesting sights to see."
"The colder, the better," Auren states. "Niasp will do just fine. It's quite important for my training. I require a suitable environment to train, preferably a mountain where the temperature is below 0 degrees all year round."
"I see... that won't be an issue there. In fact, it will get significantly colder. I'll send some of my best soldiers with you; they'll take care of supplies and whatever else you need. How long do you want to train?"
"At least a year, maybe longer," Auren replies.
"I see, maybe I'll visit for a few months as well. I've been told you can find an interesting breed of tiger over there. In return... teach my men and me every once in a while, alright?" Benjamin asks, grinning.
"Fine," Auren agrees instantly.
"We leave right away. I don't have much going on, and I'll accompany you for now. I was in need of training anyway. Balsamilco, you take care of business. You wield my entire authority for the time I'm gone! Only call me when strictly necessary."
"Understood," Balsamilco replies, saluting.
As Benjamin makes preparations, Auren relaxes in the luxurious suite of the First Prince.
A couple of hours later, however, Auren can't help but visibly tense up as he sees a visitor barge into the room.
As if it were a perfectly normal thing, an extremely fat man, his hair tied into a small topknot, enters the room nonchalantly. Wearing traditional, ornamented clothing that looks extremely expensive, especially because it is adorned with countless jewels, the man's identity couldn't be clearer to Auren.
"Your Majesty," Auren says, a little unsure of how to act.
Act calm... do not panic.
"Hunter Auren... the winner of Battle Olympia, a Single-Star Hunter at the age of 14, and a student of Netero who, after less than a month, already declared that there isn't much he can teach him," the King, Nasubi Hui Guo Rou, says, eyeing Auren with a curious expression.
"I've been told my son, the First Prince, has some kind of connection to you, and it seems to be true," he continues, his expression now unreadable.
"Indeed," Auren confirms. "I respect Prince Benjamin. We are intending to go on a training trip to Niasp. Though it is mostly a personal request and wish of mine."
This... I can't talk to him. My disgust is too strong.
"I see..." the King replies, nodding approvingly.
"Say, I have grand plans that I sadly can't reveal to you... and not even to the princes, but I want to play a little game with you," he says, stroking his comically long and curvy mustache.
"Who do you think are the top five strongest Nen users? Surely someone experienced and competent like you can give me a few names. If I agree with your list and can't think of anyone who's missing, I might give you an important tidbit of information. Won't you indulge this old man?" the King asks, now smirking. "While you look rather calm, I can sense that you are not too keen on talking to me, but I'd like to hear your opinion nonetheless."
"It has nothing to do with you, Your Majesty," Auren states. "But... your... Nen Beast is a little peculiar. It appears quite hostile... and frankly possessive."
"Can you describe it to me?" the King asks. "My own experts are apparently wearing rose-colored glasses, because their words don't match what a few select others, including you, are thinking."
"Partially human face, a mouth big enough to swallow a human head, ears around the size of a human head too, eight spider legs, a spider body, and twenty-four vaguely human breasts on top of its body. Though I can't call it beautiful... it definitely looks formidable," Auren replies honestly.
"I see," the King says, laughing as he continues stroking his beard. "And your answer?"
"Let's see... Netero, of course, Ging Freecss, Chrollo Lucilfer, Zeno Zoldyck..." Auren recounts.
"As for the fifth one, perhaps Zeno's son Silva, maybe the Zodiac Botobai Gigante, maybe me?" Auren asks, chuckling. "Or perhaps... the secret son of the chairman of the Hunter Association."
As soon as Auren says these words, the King visibly tenses up, looking panicked.
"You don't need to worry," Auren replies, smiling. "Your secret is perhaps one of the best-kept secrets in the world. I know purely by chance. There are certain Hatsus that can reveal interesting bits of information. Since I know some things about Netero, I'm in a rather unique position to piece together the clues."
"You are... incredibly impressive," the King replies, looking amazed. "Please take care of the First Prince. Perhaps... that man wants to meet you as well. After I tell him about this meeting, I'm quite sure he will. He asked about you after he learned that the Chairman took you on as his student."
"It would be an honor," Auren replies as the King leaves, his expression hard to read.
That was... close. Thankfully, my instinct to be very truthful to the King paid off. His Nen Beast looks like one that protects and indulges its owner. So as long as I am not hostile or offensive towards the King, I should be unaffected and safe. He looked quite satisfied.
It doesn't take long before Auren, Prince Benjamin, and a small squad of ten soldiers, all belonging to the Royal Army, begin their journey toward the north of the Azian Continent. It only takes a few days until they arrive in Niasp, the northernmost country in the known world.
Feeling the intense cold, Auren nods in satisfaction.
Their journey continues to the very northern coast, ending at an old abandoned stone fort built halfway up a giant mountain.
"We'll put up camp here," Benjamin declares. "If you want even colder temperatures, the top of the mountain is one of the coldest known places in the world...."
"Perfect," Auren declares, looking determined. "Exactly what I need."
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