WorldCrafter - Building My Underground Kingdom-Chapter 172 - Relationship

172: Relationship

172: Relationship

Those with real strength rarely bothered with politics.

The truly talented chose the Ashborn path, chasing riches, and glory, far from the weight of titles and the complicated politics.

That was what made Ben’s victory matter.

It didn’t just shake the arena, it stirred the roots of the old nobles.

Eyes once closed now turned toward him, calculating, watching.

But Ben didn’t care.

If this were a human kingdom, it would’ve been a problem.

Their short lives made them act fast, power plays came within months, maybe a few years at most.

But Nephirid were different.

With lifespans ten times longer, so too was their patience.

In a world of humans, Ben might have had a handful of years before being forced to bow or bleed.

Here?

He had decades before anyone made a real move.

***

Ben and Elvira returned to their true form now, as they’re safe inside a pathway created by the Dhurnokh.

A hidden path, one that’s recently created for their plan.

The stone tunnel welcomed them with the earthy scent of mineral and damp moss.

Above them, soft light shimmered from the ceiling.

Ben slowed, eyes lifting.

“Huh…”

Thousands of strands of white moss clinging to the high rock arch above.

The bioluminescence they released soft glow but in subtle flickers, like scattered constellations.

Pinpricks of silver light rippled across the stone, creating a perfect illusion of a starry night sky.

Elvira glanced up beside him, her sharp eyes softening.

“Looks like night sky in your world.” she murmured.

“Better,” Ben said quietly.

“No Smoke.

No light pollution.”

Elvira chuckled, the sound smooth and light.

“Yeah in your city, even seeing one star will already be great.”

Ben gave a slow nod.

“Well… yeah, sometimes.

Living in the city has its perks.

And if I wanted the view, I could always just go outside.” His eyes suddenly narrowed.

“Wait, how do you know that?”

He turned toward her, suspicion growing.

Elvira coughed, far too innocently.

“It was an accident.

I swear.

I only saw that memory when you were heading to that night lecture.”

“Night lecture?” Ben’s brow furrowed.

He didn’t remember signing up for any night classes.

Then it hit him.

A particular memory surfaced, the night he met up with that gorgeous professor under the pretense of extra tutoring.

They didn’t exactly study.

His eye twitched.

“Oh.

That night lecture.”

Elvira cleared her throat, turning her head to the side with a smug little smile.

“Well, you did look very focused.”

Ben stared at her, deadpan.

“I thought I already told you, the memory sharing was only for relevant knowledge.

Skills.

Context.

You know, useful things.”

“I said it was an accident,” she replied smoothly, not even pretending to feel guilty.

Ben sighed, long and slow, rubbing the bridge of his nose.

“I give up.

You will just do whatever you want.”

Elvira leaned in, lips curling.

“You know that night activity, you could’ve just asked me.”

Ben didn’t answer.

He just kept walking, faster.

Elvira’s laugh echoed behind him.

Elvira stepped in front of him, blocking his path.

“What now?” Ben asked, tired already.

“We’ve known each other for a while now, Ben.

But every time the conversation turns to us, you dodge it.” Her gaze didn’t waver.

“Are you still angry about what happened?”

“You mean the part where you tried to kill me?” Ben shrugged.

“It’s not about that.

You really think we have time for this kind of talk?

Look at the situation we’re in.”

“If not now, then when?” she said gently.

“I’m not chasing some teenage fantasy from your world.

I just want to know the truth, what am I to you?”

Her voice dropped, and something vulnerable flickered in her eyes.

“You’ve saved me more than once.

And honestly, sometimes I wonder…

was it because we’re bonded?

Or because you actually care?”

She paused, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear.

“I told you this before, but in Aetheris culture… this kind of bond means we’re already husband and wife.”

Ben let out a short breath.

“That’s your culture.

Not mine.”

“Then explain yours.” Elvira sighed, voice barely above a whisper.

“I admit it.

I looked deeper into your memories than I should’ve.

I only did it because I wanted to understand what really matters to you.”

“And what do you expect me to say?” Ben asked, tone hardening.

“That if I told you to walk away from this bond, you’d actually listen?”

She smirked, the corner of her lip curling.

“Of course not.

Our lives are already tied together.

You can’t just…

unspill tea.

The bond is made.

Whether you like it or not.”

“Exactly.” Ben crossed his arms.

“So what’s the point of talking about it?

It’s not like I hate you, Elvira.

I just…

don’t know you well enough to decide something like that.”

“Then ask,” she said, stepping closer.

“You know I’ll answer.”

Ben gave her a look.

“Alright.

Your appearance.

Is it real?

Or just another borrowed form?”

Her confident expression faltered, just for a second, before she puffed her cheeks into a pout.

“You think I’m a trap?”

Ben blinked.

“You even picked up that word?”

“I’ve been studying your world,” she muttered.

“But no, this is me.

My true form.

Not someone I’ve taken over.

And by your standards, I should be beautiful.

Though if you want me to change anything…”

She trailed off, giving him a mischievous wink.

“Just say the word.”

Ben rubbed his temple.

“This conversation’s gonna give me a headache.”

He stepped to the side, brushing past her with a sigh.

Elvira followed, not missing a moment, slipping her arm through his with a quiet smile.

“The kind of knowledge you’re talking about,” he continued, “it’s not something you get from a few questions.

It comes from time, just being around each other.”

Elvira hummed softly.

“So that’s it?

Just staying close like this?

That’s how I get to know you?” Her smile widened.

“That’s more simple than I expected.”

“It’s never complicated,” Ben said flatly.

“People from my world love to make love sound like some grand mystery.

Like it’s sacred or magical.

But honestly?

It’s just chemicals in the brain.

A little hormone tweak and suddenly you think you’re in love.”