Death... and me

Rean and Roan pretended to be surprised to hear that voice as well. However, the fact was that they noticed someone hiding not far away ever since they arrived on the mountain. After all, that person was using Divine Sense as well, thinking that her cultivation was too high for the twins or Maeralya to feel.

Space moved apart as an old woman came out, just like Trika did last time. Trika found it strange, though. How come the twins found her location but didn't find Maeralya's mother? Did she fuck up on her spatial concealing ability somehow? Even if she did, someone at the twins' level shouldn't have noticed her.

Trika then put those thoughts behind and looked at the couple who had just appeared. "Sister Filauria, you took quite some time to make your appearance, eh?" Obviously, Trika lied about keeping Maeralya's relationship with the twins hidden. Also, Filauria was obviously Maeralya's mother.

Maeralya couldn't help but ask in response, "How long have you been watching?"

"Since the very start," Filauria replied.

However, she didn't pay attention to her. Instead, she looked at the twins with a cold expression. "Maeralya, I could more or less understand if you fell in love with one man. After all, no one is supposed to be alone in their lives. However, aren't your tastes a bit too strange? I've never thought my daughter would try to start her own male harem. How did you end up like this?"

Maeralya almost vomited blood after hearing that. Who the hell has a male harem? It's all a lie, a lie! Unfortunately, she couldn't say that anymore. That's because her ticket to freedom was at stake. "I… things just… happened."

Filauria continued to look at the twins with a dark expression, saying, "You're lucky that she's still a virgin. Otherwise, I would have skinned you alive already." Sure enough, she could tell that with her Divine Sense.

Maeralya went bright red when she heard that. The poor girl was completely inexperienced with such things even after living for over 80 years. But then again, for someone at her cultivation level, 87 years of age was basically akin to a kid. "Ahem… we knew our own limits, mom. We didn't want to risk having a kid at this point, so we never tried… that."

Rean immediately nodded, continuing, "There's no need to fear, madam. Other than kisses and some skinship, we have never gone too far."

Maeralya was already crying after hearing that as Filauria's anger reached its peak. "You sure don't have any fear, do you?"

Roan also felt like slapping Rean when he heard that. Why was he creating even more problems? However, Rean had a reason to say that.

"Madam, we have been lovers with your daughter. I don't wish to lie to you about what happened between us. If I did, I believe you would feel even worse. I'm being true to myself, you, and your daughter." Sure enough, Rean put on a serious face while saying those words.

Falauria narrowed her eyes, but her dark expression did ease up a bit. "Hmph! Whatever. You two already agreed to sign a Soul Binding Contract, stating that you will never meet her again, so I'll leave at that."

With that, she paid attention to Maeralya once more. "Maeralya, I will take you up on that offer of yours. Don't worry about your father. I'll convince him to let you have your freedom as long as you don't try anything stupid like disappearing once again. However, you will have to carry a tracking device everywhere you go. We won't stop you from going anywhere, but we must at least know where you're going if you ever need help. Also, resources are out of the negotiation. You have to take them and increase your cultivation as fast as possible. That also includes cultivating the clan's technique once again."

Maeralya knew that this would be the best offer she could have. Having a tracking device was different than having someone watch her every single second, after all. Besides, she doubted her parents would commit the same mistake and let her escape if she refused. "Fine! You don't need to worry about me. I've been through many life and death situations on my own. I know how to take care of myself. I'll cultivate with the resources of the clan."

Maeralya then looked at the twins and asked, "What about them, mom?"

Rean immediately raised his hand, saying, "Madam, my brother and I already convinced Maeralya that we should stop by the cities at the center of the continent. Even if you hadn't appeared, we would have gone there nonetheless while keeping Maeralya's identity hidden. With that said, could you do us one last favor and leave us anywhere near the center of the continent? We'll still sign the contract anyway."

At the same time, Rean's Divine Sense messaged Maeralya. 'Tell her to help us. You owe us at least this much since we helped you convince your mother and aunt to give you your freedom.'

Maeralya was still angry about this 'lovers' thing. However, it was this 'lovers' thing that ended up giving her that shot at freedom. If the twins weren't there, she would simply be brought back to the clan and most likely wouldn't get a chance to leave anymore. The twins were almost killed by Trika because of her as well. Last but not least, she knew that the twins had changed the contract somehow. If they decided to tell the truth that they had never had any romantic relationship with her right now, her shot at freedom would disappear into smoke. Those were all reasons that forced her to plead for Rean's request.

"Mom, they're telling the truth. Would you mind if we stay close to each other until we arrive close to the continent's center? With your and aunt Trika's spatial abilities, it won't take more than a few hours to arrive there."

Trika and Filauria were surprised to hear that. "To think you like them that much. Just how did you end up like that?"

Maeralya mentally screamed that there was nothing going on with them, but she instead apologized when she heard that. "I'm sorry."

"Fine," Filauria answered. "I'll allow you three to stay with each other for a few more hours. But I'll have both of you sign the Soul Binding Contracts after that."

With that said, Trika and Filauria grabbed the twins and Maeralya with their spatial powers before disappearing.