Chapter 298 - 297. Time For Final Act (1)
I stepped out of the barn, carrying the child securely in my arms. The night air was cool against my skin, a stark contrast to the heat of the battle we had just left behind. Behind me, Lyall remained inside to remove Zale’s shackles and extract the information we needed—the demon’s name and the details of their contract.
The child stirred slightly, his small hands clutching a fistful of my cloak. His voice was hesitant, uncertain. "Who was he?"
I glanced down at him, his wide eyes filled with fear and confusion. "He was the one being used by the bad guy," I explained gently. "The one who cursed you."
His grip on my cloak tightened, fingers trembling slightly. "I-Is he going to die then?"
I smiled, shaking my head. "No," I reassured him. "I’ve helped him out, so he’ll go back home. We’ll probably meet him in the future."
The child’s eyes widened in wonder, his fear momentarily replaced by awe. He studied my face as if trying to understand how I could say such things so casually. I simply smiled at him, letting the moment ease his worries.
Minutes later, Lyall stepped out of the barn, his expression unreadable but his presence steady. He handed me the information I needed—everything about the demon and the contract binding him to this place.
With that, we set out.
The path ahead was clear, yet the weight of what lay before me settled heavily in my chest. This was the final act, the last move in this dangerous game. I had made every preparation, considered every possibility, but in the end, it would all come down to the moment itself—how well I could execute my plan and, more importantly, how well I could protect those who needed me.
Failure was not an option.
We landed in the forest clearing, the crisp night air heavy with an ominous stillness. My gaze lifted to the sky, where black mist curled like a beacon, rising in thick tendrils from the ground. A signal. A warning.