Yarra's Adventure Notes-Chapter 1422 - 208 That’s Nellie

"I have many, many questions for you. The events that have unfolded in this world over the years have left me with too much confusion. Although I managed to guess some answers based on certain details, those are still guesses after all. Making decisions on unverified answers always causes unease. Thus, I need to get confirmation from you to ensure that the choices I make aren’t mistaken. I don’t want to witness what happened a hundred years ago all over again," Pannis said to Finche, "I assume you’re already caught up with the events that took place after your death, so you should understand why I am exceedingly cautious. I won’t hide it from you—the situation outside is much better than it was a hundred years ago, at least no battles have broken out. But if we can’t properly resolve the issues here, the ultimate outcome for the two worlds could only be more horrific than the Undead War back then. So, I need you to help me, just like you did before. Do you agree?"

"I thought after the battle back then we had become friends," said Finche, with his expression turning serious and his aged face carrying deep solemnity as he nodded, "but now you pose this question, do you really consider me a friend? A hundred years ago, upon receiving just a letter from you, I gave you my life and honor. How is it that a century later, when you ask me in person, you still worry that I might refuse you?"

"It seems there really is a problem. It looks like my conjecture wasn’t wrong," Pannis’s eyes narrowed into slits, somewhat lost in thought, and he said: "Thank you, old friend. But, forget the battle. Given your current state, you’re not suited for the upcoming fights, nor is there a need for you to be involved. I will go alone; I’m actually more effective on my own than with several others tagging along. You just need to clear up my doubts. Oh, and there’s another matter I will need to entrust to you later on. Let’s talk about it at the end."

"No problem," said Finche affirmatively, "like I said before, none of us friends could ever refuse your requests."

The conversation among the few took place in the prayer hall. With six Demigod Rank Undead guarding the door, and with Pannis’s heightened perception abilities, the possibility of other Undead intruding was very low. Even in such an open space, everyone spoke confidently, not worried in the least about eavesdroppers, despite no one being in charge of surveillance. Hence, everyone grouped together closely. Pannis saw the two little ones playing happily behind Luscia, tilted his head in thought, then simply pulled Luscia’s lengthy tail over to use as a seat, sitting on it. Luscia shot him a glance but didn’t bother to address it, resisting the urge to swat him away with her tail and pretend she saw nothing as she lay on the ground. The composed Finche and the girls who needed to maintain their respectful status would never do something as frivolous as Pannis, so they all just sat around Pannis on the ground, looking helpless as they watched him occupy someone else’s tail.

However, Pannis didn’t feel annoying in the slightest, or perhaps it was that he understood the preferences and psychology of Drakes better than anyone else. Drakes are indeed very solitary creatures. Although they are reserved and content with solitude, they are still intelligent beings and naturally crave interaction with other sapient entities. But due to their duties, they must maintain distance from other beings to ensure their neutrality doesn’t waver, so they spend most of their time sleeping. Sleep not only alleviates the great energy consumption due to their massive size, but it is also the best way to pass time and rush through the lonely hours. Drakes particularly value their kin, stemming from this solitude—only their own kind can truly comfort the deep-seated loneliness within each other’s hearts.

Of course, there are exceptions. If a Drake acknowledges a sapient individual, they start to see them as a special kind of kin. At that point, deep inside, a Guardian longs for warm interactions with them, but their role conditions them to remain aloof, so they generally don’t receive much in return. However, should they actually get a response, they might act indifferent and impatient, but deep down, they are elated. Knowing this, Pannis sat affectionately on Luscia’s tail, and she cooperated by offering her caudal vertebrae for him to sit on. Had it been someone whom Luscia had not accepted, by now they’d probably be searching for him beyond the temple’s walls, up in the sky.

"Such a comfortable seat, and yet none of you knows how to enjoy it. Truly regrettable," Pannis said as he comfortably leaned against Luscia’s tail, sighing with regret that no one would share the Dragon’s tail with him. Then he resumed a serious demeanor and said in a grave voice, "Now let’s talk business. The first question—I hope to get a definite answer—is the master that the Undead revere, the one awakening the Undead and transforming the Death World, definitely her?"

"Yes," even though Pannis didn’t name the person forever etched in his heart and impossible to forget, Finche and Luscia obviously knew whom he referred to. So Finche nodded affirmatively, saying, "It is Nellie."

"You should know what I’m asking," Pannis wasn’t satisfied with the simple answer and pursued further, "I want to know if it’s really her."

"I know what you’re asking, and I already gave you the answer," said Finche, still without impatience and with certainty, "It is Nellie."

"Ah, it is indeed her, she... really is still alive," Pannis let out a long breath, his expression a mix of relief and melancholy, but whether it was relief or melancholy, it seemed as if his long-tensed heart relaxed in an instant. He spoke softly, "But Finche, can you really be certain? What’s the reason?"

"The reason is, although I’m old, I’m not blind. I don’t know about the past, but in the twenty-plus years since I’ve awakened, I’ve interacted with her many times. Luscia and I aren’t her followers; despite claims that Luscia is her Archbishop, our relationship is more that of friends," Finche patiently explained, "As friends, we’ve talked many times. Whether she’s truly Nellie or an imposter, I cannot be mistaken. So I can assure you, that is Nellie."