Chapter 367.1
“Mara! I know you’re listening,” Aldrit called out, his frustration evident in his voice. Judging Flora’s reaction earlier, he figured out Mara had approached her before.
He couldn’t dismiss the consequences of his hasty promise to prevent any contact between Mara and Flora in the kingdom. At the time, he had believed there must be a solution, but upon his return, regret overshadowed his initial confidence.
The challenge of blocking Mara, who could navigate the village’s hidden pathways using small animals as messengers, proved more formidable than he had anticipated. Negotiations seemed a viable alternative, yet Mara remained elusive since his return, showing no signs of cooperation.
Anika’s unwavering animosity towards both the tribe and Mara provided a temporary shield, preventing Mara from approaching from any side. However, he recognized that relying on luck and Anika’s hostility couldn’t be a lasting solution.
Frustrated and feeling cornered, he decided to seek counsel from the elders responsible for safeguarding the magic. Venting his concerns, he was met with amused chuckles and a blunt response, “Kid, your relationship with that creature is simple. Either coexist or break the magic. Don’t expect anything beyond that.”
Confronted with the stark reality of his situation, Aldrit let go of the arrogance that had lingered in the depths of his heart. He abandoned any notion of manipulating Mara to conform to his desires and began to reflect on a more pragmatic approach to the challenge at hand.
“Mara, come out. I’m not here to blame you; let’s have a serious conversation.”
“What about?”
Aldrit hesitated, settling into a seat. After a moment, a mouse emerged from somewhere, making its presence known at his feet.