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n“The resistance agreed to help you out. I did not tell them everything but they decided to take this chance. However, they asked to be kept informed about your next moves” Res explained, nursing his cheek.

nThere was a huge red print on his face where the pillow had hit him and Aurora felt guilty about it. It had not been her intention to hurt Rex but things had just happened like that.

n“I see. I’m thankful for their assistance. I will make sure to keep in touch” Aurora assured as she picked up the tea that her brother had served her. She hesitantly brought it up to her lips, only to curl up in distaste.

nYup, the tea was just as foul as she remembered it to be. She could even see Rita choke as soon as she had a taste and Aurora felt avenged for the unintentional teasing of the last night.

n“Now, I assume that you’ll be leaving this district? The resistance would like you to keep on hiding here for a little longer but I can see that you are not interested. And frankly enough, I don’t think it’s safe for you as well with you looking like that” Rex explained as he gestured to Aurora.

nFor a second, Aurora felt genuinely confused at the attention. She had to double-check that Rex meant her and not Rita when he said those words, but he was gesturing to her.

nAurora had never been the most attractive girl in the room since her wife had always been present. And even if someone had been interested in her ‘assets’, her cold and interested attitude had put people off.

nBut now? Now was a different case since Aurora had the goddess’s allure.

n“I see your point. I can’t allow Rita to stay here as well” Aurora replied. Her words conversely that she knew what Rex was talking about but it was not all about her. It was also about Rita and her safety.

nAnd maybe she was letting her weakness be known to her brother by doing this but she did not care. She trusted Rex to a degree and having him on her side would be a great boon.

nEven if he did not look happy about her choice to bring Rita along, she knew he would respect her enough to protect her if things came down to it.

n“Fine, do what you want to but you do know that I can’t help you get out. My cover would be blown if I did and I can’t risk it right now” Rex sounded stressed.

nAurora did not sweat it since she already knew her brother would be of no help in this regard. He had already played his part by contacting the resistance on her behalf. It was not the only organization committed to bringing the abyss tower down but it had the most influence.

nAs such, their help would be invaluable in the upcoming battles. Aurora knew exactly what they could do since she had been a hidden member in her previous life.

n“Ummm, won’t it be difficult? I’ve never even heard of this place before being dragged in here by Aurora so doesn’t that mean that it’s really difficult to get out of? Otherwise, the existence of this place would be common knowledge” Rita asked with a nervous voice.

nThis was the first time she had spoken during this conversation and Aurora was surprised to see her speak.

nShe had watched Rita step around Rex nervously, her eyes darting to the man and keeping an eye on him.

nIt was clear that she had not yet forgotten their first meeting and Aurora felt amused to see this change. But she also knew that Rita would come around to knowing Rex.

nWhat a change a few years could make on a person’s relationships.

n“It is common knowledge in most circles, just not talked about in the open. The tower is also trying to actively suppress the news about this place since they see it as their biggest shame. Not that most people care or want to get out” Rita looked confused at the prospect.

nMaybe for her, living in this palace sounded like a punishment. This place was dark and unhygienic in the worst way possible. It also lacked resources and the precious sunlight needed to survive was almost negligible.

nBut Aurora knew the real reason people came to the undergrounds was to escape. This place had a degree of freedom associated with it that was not found on the upper surface.

nIt was like a heaven for the outcasts, a place for the strong to survive and conquer.

nIn a way, this place was similar to the abyss and was the perfect ground to learn how to survive down there. And that was also why the tower did not eradicate this place.

n“So, how do we get out? I have a place in mind for my academy but I need to be on the upper surface to get the process started. However, I am planning to include the underground in my scheme as well” this place was a goldmine of talent.

nAnd Ideally, this was the perfect palace to start the academy but it would not change anything. To oppose the Abyss tower, they needed to be recognized by the main people as well.

nThere were also precious resources being hoarded by the mainland people but that would come later.

n“This palace as well, huh? You are really suicidal to even think of the Rocx valley as your base. But I’m beginning to think that your kind of suicide is acceptable. And that is why I’ll give you the address of a reliable broker that can get you out of this place” Rex replied.

nAs usual, he had guessed what Aurora had not said. Rocx valley was one point where the underground and the surface converged. Rita seemed to not know about Rocx valley, a typical reaction to her sheltered upbringing.

nRocx valley was dangerous since it was a middle ground for both places but too dangerous to be tamed.

nAs such, it was wasted land but it did have a direct connection to the abyss. It had been placed under the ‘do not use’ land status a long time ago and only the ambitious thought about that place.

nBut Aurora had more than one reason to chose that place. Not only was it perfect for what she was thinking about, but it was also one of the only places that could get her permission to set up the academy once she had enough funding.

nRocx valley was also called the valley of death and anyone who had even thought of using that palace had ended up as dead.

n“Here, she’s someone who can get anything done for you if you pay her the price for it. She’s a greedy witch but one who had a reputation in our circles. Coincidently, she’s in the underground right now” Rex sounded vexed as he handed Aurora the card in his hand.

nShe could feel his reluctance as she took the card from him but she could not figure out why that was. But her questions were answered as soon as she opened up the business card in her hand.

n“Michell, huh. My condolences to you for getting robbed” Aurora tried to sound sorry but it only came out as an amused laugh. Knowing Shelly, she must have robbed Rex out of a good amount of fortune.

nMichell, or Shelly as she liked to be called in the business, was a witch that would do anything for money. Aurora had a strict business relationship with her in the past but she had considered the other a reluctant friend.

n“Yeah, yeah. You’ll see just how bad she is once you deal with her yourself” Rex replied and Aurora could not wait.

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