Chapter 57: Truth Begets Mystery
The cold wind tugged gently at the hem of Vlad’s coat as he walked the open streets of Skyreach. The artificial lights of the city pulsed softly overhead, scattering across polished steel balconies and snow-dusted rooftops.
Distant noises echoed from the inner city boulevards, where the wealthy were just now settling into their pleasures for the night. Flickering lights from theatres, gladiator duels, and skyboard racing lounges were all alive with activity.
But Vlad’s mind wasn’t on the city.
Vlad had left Naoemi’s home a few minutes ago, leaving without saying anything about the artifact in the Duke’s treasury, which he needed, not because he had forgotten.
But it was now clear that Noemi had already told him everything she could.
Whatever her connection to this ’Kyle,’ which was likely a made-up name, her reluctance to speak about him was definitely due to her being under oath, unable to speak even if he had wanted to.
That meant she couldn’t be used to achieve what he had planned.
If the Deceiver truly was developing some dark alchemical cure for that individual, then it was highly likely he also visited the palace every now and then.
It also meant that this secret was under the direct protection of House Aetherwing.
It was likely that the oath prevented Noemi and any other individual who knew about the person from speaking anything related to him, which included any clues about the Doctor’s work to cure him.
So, even if Noemi knew something and wanted to help, she couldn’t give him any clues to the Deceiver.