The ship waited for half a day for the participants before it left with the Top 1000 cultivators.
The other participants who were still alive were made to go in another ship that was practically as big as the previous ship.
The cultivators who didn't make it into the Top 1000 felt remorse as their dreams were shattered, especially for those who were close to the Top 1000th position.
But still, they held their heads high, not at all ashamed as they eventually managed to reach this position.
When they return to their clans or wander around the world, they would be recognized and praised no matter where they go. Only people with higher statuses would have the right to ignore them.
What did this mean? It meant that over 95% of the Grand Sea Continent's population would have to bow their heads to them. Their lives were practically smooth sailing right now unless they meet a higher mountain.
The ship sailed for another half a day before it finally arrived at the coast of Gote Island.
...
When a thousand cultivators got down the ship, they walked by the green meadows while they were greeted by many clans, organisations and families, which astonished them to a great extent.
Davis ignored them, his face incredibly cold. At this point, he would just walk past anyone who called out to him. Normally, he wouldn't mind chatting with some people, but a certain someone has been on his mind for an entire day now, and all he could think of was getting rid of that vermin.
Ellia followed him silently. She guessed the reason for his anger was her, but she had no idea that it was not because of her injury and incompetence, but because of a vermin who tried to take her life.
This silence that was from Davis was just too unsettling for her. She remembered how cheerful he was when he was with her.
Moreover, rather than affection, what she had for him were feelings of awe, admiration, respect and a hint of possessiveness. Furthermore, adding the way he took care of her during these two years, caused a huge impact on her mind. She couldn't take this silence as this just kept hurting her heart even more.
Just when they were all alone, she bit her lips and gathered the courage to raise a question, "Davis, please talk to me..." But unbeknownst to her, what came out of her mouth was not a question, but a plea.
Davis looked at her, his eyes wide.
Ellia froze, realizing the mistake in the words she had made.
Davis smiled. He slowly raised his palm to touch her right cheek while he brought his face closer to her, "Don't worry, I'll kill the guy who harmed you." He whispered in her ears.
Ellia who was happy that Davis had returned back to normal, froze again. "What do you mean?"
"It was Emperor Tritor who attempted to murder you with a Spirit Beast Stage Magical Beast," Davis said solemnly.
Ellia's face paled, "How do you know? What makes you say that?"
Davis replied, "From what I've seen and heard, I could guess about more than 90% that he is the culprit. As for the specifics..." He then explained about the monitoring bugs, the strange bird and that Inverted Harmless Viper, which was popular in the Tritor Empire.
Ellia's face turned ghastly. She never even thought one day, that she would be targeted by an Emperor. Tears of fear had formed in her eyes, making those two pearls moist.
"Ellia, being with me has its benefits and risks. What you are facing now is one of the risks. For me, don't forget that you are always my friend, not a maid. As such, remember that you can have your freedom if you wish so..." Davis held her hands as he spoke, he made sure to set up a sound barrier with his soul from the start.
Although he said that, even he himself felt that he would feel depressed if she were to leave him one day.
Ellia looked at his eyes, which held a longingness to them. She thought that he unquestionably treated her like a genuine friend, so much that she started tearing up like a frail little girl.
'Really? Why? Why are you so good to me?' She really couldn't still understand why a prince like him would treat her like a genuine friend. She, a person of lower status, being treated like an equal by a person of a higher status honestly made her feel afraid. She couldn't help but imagine the future where she lost his favour and eventually face abandonment.
A certain conversation with Davis flashed through her mind. She wiped away her tears and made a determined face, "I want my freedom."
Davis widened his eyes, his hands trembled. He looked at her, closed his eyes and said after he took a deep breath, "Then I grant you freedom, you have my word." His heart felt like it had fallen into an abyss while he felt his breath go heavy.
He kept in mind that he was dealing with a child, it was no wonder she was scared of a powerful cultivator. But still, it pained his heart to see her leave him.
After all, she was with him for a period of two years.
Davis attributed all these events to the work of Emperor Tritor, so the hatred he had for him deepened.
"Do I have my freedom now?" Ellia curiously asked.
"Yes, you are free to leave anytime. If anyone has a problem with it, then they can take it with me!"
"Am I no longer your maid?" She continued.
Davis paused a moment before hiding his sadness, "Yes."
"Good, let's go!" Ellia smiled, she had found her new-found resolve.
"Where?" Davis was astonished before realising, 'Shouldn't she return to the ship? Wait... On second thought, being with me is safe too." He smiled wryly, thinking that she was using him as a shield.
"Where? Hehe, now that I lost my servant status and am now a free person, all that I have left is a friend, and now I am following that friend of my own will, not bound by any servitude." Ellia said and smiled resplendently as she thought, 'This way, I would be able to be his friend without any of those negative thoughts restricting me from being with him.'
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