"You could have used these precious materials on yourself."
Nari’s voice turned deep:
"With your talent, you could choose a simpler path. Why choose this... complicated way?"
This question touched the deepest motivation within Ron’s heart.
He remained silent for a long time, seeming to organize his thoughts.
"Perhaps, I too long for that feeling of... being needed, being cared for."
His voice softened, carrying an uncommon sense of vulnerability:
"Since I embarked on the Path of the Extraordinary, I have grown accustomed to facing everything alone.
Calmness, rationality, independence... these qualities allowed me to move faster on the Wizard’s path, but they also gradually isolated me from warmth."
Ron lifted his head, gazing directly at Nari’s countless glowing eyes:
"Through the puppets, I felt the warmth of unconditional love. That feeling... made me realize what I’ve been searching for all along."
This candid emotional revelation made Nari’s heart pound fiercely.
It never imagined that this seemingly indifferent young man harbored such profound loneliness deep within.
"My child..."
Nari’s voice became even softer, filled with tenderness:
"You’ve gone through so much... no wonder your spirit looks so... resilient."
But then, its tone turned somewhat probing:
"However... since you long for motherly love so much... why use deceit? If you had come directly to me and told me your needs..."
"Because I’m afraid."
Ron interrupted it, his voice trembling:
"You are the legendary Abyssal Apostle, a terrifying existence feared by countless wizards.
And I am just an ordinary young wizard, afraid that if I approached directly, you would tear me to pieces."
He paused for a moment, his eyes full of sincerity:
"But now I understand, you are not the terrifying monster of legend. You are merely a... lonely mother, longing for a child to need your care."
This statement struck the most sensitive part of Nari’s heart.
As a being feared by the vast majority of creatures due to its chaotic nature, it does indeed yearn to be understood, accepted, and needed.
"Do you... really think this way?"
Nari’s voice turned cautious, like a child fearing rejection:
"You are not afraid of my appearance? Do not detest my tendrils? Do not fear my power?"
"Initially, yes, there was some fear."
Ron answered honestly:
"But fear often stems from ignorance. Through this time together, what I see is not a terrifying monster, but a mother willing to give everything for her ’children’."
At this moment, Nari realized it was facing a tough choice.
Though it confirmed the puppet was an artificial creation, it could no longer discard the emotional bond established with this ’child.’
More importantly, losing the puppet’s favor feedback would plunge it back into chaos and pain.
And the young man before it was the key to sustaining all of this.
"If I accept you..." Nari’s voice became hoarse, fearful of the other’s answer:
"How would you treat our relationship?"
This was a crucial question.
Ron could feel the probing and caution inherent within.
His inspiration warned him, if he answered this question incorrectly, it might result in catastrophic consequences.
Though Nari longs for familial warmth, it would not easily be fooled a second time.
"I would treat you with sincerity." Ron’s response was concise and firm:
"Though I cannot offer you bloodline bonds, I can prove my sincerity through actions."
He extended his hand, slowly reaching towards the nearest tendril:
"Moreover... I hope this relationship can continue."
But at this moment, Nari suddenly made a move that surprised Ron.
It reached out not with an ordinary tendril, but one covered with countless Abyssal Contamination patterns.
This tendril exuded a terrifying aura capable of warping reality.
The contamination on its surface writhed slowly, emitting a nauseating slick sound.
"Wait..."
Nari’s voice suddenly became somewhat lively, like a mischievous mother wanting to test her child’s reaction:
"Before we become true family... Mother wants to see if you can really accept all of me..."
The tendril slowly reached for Ron, its surface patterns becoming more active.
Every pattern twisted like live snakes, emitting a wicked aura that could drive spirits mad.
Any ordinary creature touching such contamination would undergo irreversible distortion instantly.
"If you truly regard me as your mother... you shouldn’t fear Mother’s touch, right?"
This was clearly a test, a judgment of whether Ron truly accepts its brutal evaluation.
Ron’s body tensed instantly, every cell screaming for him to flee.
As a rational researcher, he understood clearly what consequences contact with this level of abyssal contamination would bring.
Skin would begin to rot, muscles would undergo twisted mutations, bones would rearrange, even the nervous system would be entirely rewritten.
More frightening was the erosion on the spiritual level.
The ancient malice from the depths of the abyss would infect thoughts like a virus, turning a rational human into a maddened monster.
But just as his body was about to respond instinctively, another voice echoed in his mind.
It was a warning from his inspiration:
To establish a true family relationship, complete trust and acceptance must be shown.