Hearing the words of her friend, Keres didn’t know what to feel. She left them with a heavy heart due to the short fight they had together. Friction between Keres and her friend, though even with that friction, her friend still didn’t want to leave her alone on a long journey to traverse through the World of Exterreri. Keres felt lucky to have such friends that weren’t afraid to tell her their opinions and would always stay by her side no matter what. Even then, the danger posed by the World of Exterreri wasn’t something she wanted her friends to experience. 

“But, I would be walking through a thorny path in a rocky road. Scratches would be found, and danger that would devour one’s life would be close by. I wouldn’t want anyone of you to be in danger, so I think that you should go back to the clan. The Officials would be incredibly worried about the disappearance of the geniuses in the clan.”

Keres didn’t want them to follow her as it was dangerous. Unfortunately, just like her, her friends were too stubborn to go back to their tracks. They have already steeled themselves before walking through the Main Gate. A lot of their efforts would be wasteful if they didn’t do that much about it. 

Hearing the words of Keres, one of them smiled and spoke with a calm voice. “There is no need to be worried about us, Keres. We can also gain a lot from this journey of yours. We have also steeled ourselves to walk in a thorny path alongside you. Our determination is hard to vanquish. I believe that you would have no choice but to let us come with you. That is what I think. You should ask the others about their opinions.” 

Keres turned her gaze towards her friends. One of them walked forward and said with a serious voice. “We can’t simply leave you alone in the World of Exterreri. It’s dangerous and dark. Even though you are an idiot, you are still the Future Lord of the clan. As a loyal umbra, it’s my duty to be with the Future Lord at all times.”

After the manly voice of the first one, many followed. It appears that it was deeper than what Keres had expected. They had been with her even before the Title of Future Lord. They got along fine before until that title came in. They became distant and even if they met up together. It was once a month, nothing more, nothing less. That must have affected Keres subconsciously, though it was a wonder how much of Keres was affected by it. 

As Keres heard the words of her friends one by one, she couldn’t help but sigh and release a slight smile. She appreciated their worries, and she also wanted to be with them, especially now that the Title of the Future Lord had been temporarily stripped off her. After having numerous thoughts passed through her mind, Keres had reached her conclusion. 

“I appreciate your worries. I can’t believe that I got consumed by a power that was temporarily given to me. I exiled myself as I want to go on a journey. I will never come back until I reach my enlightenment. It might take months, years, and even decades. Enemies would be found everywhere without any reinforcement other myself and ourselves. So are you really sure about coming with me? Are you really determined to follow me on this perilous journey?” Keres questioned with a serious tone. 

All of them nodded as Keres smirked and said. “Well then, shall we start by heading to the port town?” She then walked towards the path leading to the port town along with her friends. A dangerous journey was about to meet them, but they wouldn’t fall no matter what as they held on to each other. To make one of them fall was to make all of them fall. But within the group, there were pillars hard to rock and crumble. 

In the group of friends that followed along with Keres, there were probably 5 of them. Syrius, Tsunde, Arjun, Craig, and Beatrice. The trusted subordinates of the Future Lord that would lead the Clan of Noir to glory. But that was a story for later, way later when everything falls down with the need to get reconstructed over again. 

Meanwhile, atop the Main Gate were two figures gazing upon Keres and her Friends walking through the paved road. It was a Dark Figure and a Beautiful Lady, they were Zella and the Lord of Noir. They have been looking over Keres and her Friends for a while. The Lord of Noir had been doubting his decision about the matter and wanted to confirm certain implications within his mind. 

“It appears she isn’t alone in this journey of hers. I guess that this is a relief. I wouldn’t want her to face dangers alone and get used to it.” The Dark Figure uttered with a calm voice while gazing at Keres from afar. His youngest daughter, who he needed to protect at all times, had finally grown up to walk on her own path. He was proud at such a scene, yet he was also worried about its implications. 

“I believe that Keres can handle it without any problems. Her expression of determination is something I can rarely see from anyone. On the battlefield, those with such expressions became heroes and legends.” Zella said with her soothing voice while standing right beside her Father. She was also looking at Keres from afar, who was talking to her friends. She would want to hide and protect Keres in the darkness. Though unfortunately, she and her Father would always have to hold the helm of the clan. 

“I can always trust your instincts, Zella. If that is what you say, then maybe, Keres is fated to be a big figure in the future. That is, of course, if she can survive the path she is walking into. *Sigh…* When did she grow up this fast?” The Lord of Noir questioned as Zella chuckled upon hearing his words. She then replied with a serene voice. 

“It has been centuries since she was born, Father. There is no need to treat her as a little kid anymore. She is fully grown up into a fine young lady. She might even find the one for her during her journey and have a family of her own.” The last words of Zella caused the Lord of Noir’s face to darken. His daughter had a lover, how would that even happen? Even if she had a lover, he would rip that bastard apart if he founds out that the bastard was harboring bad intentions towards his daughter. 

“I know what you’re thinking about, Father. Keres is rather stubborn and arrogant. It wouldn’t be easy for her to get tricked via love. Though, via power, I can’t be sure if she can’t get tricked by it.” Zella uttered as the Lord of Noir clenched his fist. He had a temptation to send guards to protect his youngest daughter in secret. But everything would be all for naught if he had done such a thing. 

“I do hope that nothing bad would happen to her,” Zella said her last words as she noticed three figures instantly appearing right beside the two of them. They were foreign visitors from outside their world, The so-called Secret Backers of the Clan of Noir. Zella noticed them being a bit tired, so she questioned with a curious tone. 

“Did something happen for the two of you to get so tired?” It was a simple question, and Statera answered without any hint of a lie. “Nothing much, the two of them simply had a short spar. Though, we did destroy the Forsaken Continent in an accident and might have caused problems.” Statera’s words echoed as Drya and Persia looked at her with a single thought in their mind. ‘She’s a good liar.’ 

‘Forsaken Continent? Destroyed?’ Zella thought to herself as she couldn’t wrap her mind to such an answer. Was it true? She couldn’t feel or see any hint of a lie from Statera’s words. If they did destroy a Forsaken Continent, they would probably gain the attention of the ancient clans, which could cause a more problematic situation. 

“Anyway, where is that little girl going? She seems to be leaving the clan with her friends. Did she cause some trouble?” Persia was curious about what happened to Keres. She also wondered if her advice worked or backfired. Well, such questions would be answered as Zella opened her mouth and answered.

“She didn’t cause that much trouble though she did ask us to exile her. She wanted to experience the World of Exterreri before becoming the Lord of Noir. Most of us wouldn’t want her to leave. Either way, she will have a long journey along with her companions..” Zella smiled as she walked back to the clan.