Chapter 104: Myst (1)
“You look like you have a headache,” the Tower Master said, gazing at Barbosa.
“Of course I do.” Barbosa had just returned and was pressing his palm against his forehead, looking thoroughly exhausted. “I tried explaining it to the people of the Lutein Kingdom, but they wouldn’t listen. The nobles are also launching political attacks. Some people are even saying that I was the one who destroyed their capital. It’s chaos.”
“That was bound to happen,” the Tower Master said calmly.
He had expected this to happen. Even if Elene borrowed the Tower Master’s name, the nobles of Lutein wouldn’t relinquish power so easily. Accepting that their royal palace was replaced by an Anomaly from a Demon Realm was no easy feat.
Yet, in time, they would have no choice but to acknowledge the truth—that the Demon Realm’s Anomalies had begun encroaching upon their world, and they were the first victims.
“How is she holding up?” the Tower Master asked. He was referring to Elene Mavroch, the last living member of the Lutein royal family and one of the only two Anomalies remaining born from Nano.
In this chaotic situation, she was the only one who could calm the kingdom. It ultimately hinged on her resolve. If she decided to abandon everything and flee, things would get much more complicated.
Barbosa replied, “She’s doing better than I expected. The nobles try to cajole her, but she remains calm and refuses to give in. I thought she was just a naive child, but she’s surprisingly determined.”
“She’s been through a lot,” the Tower Master remarked, “and maybe something—or someone—gave her the strength to keep going.”
The Tower Master thought of Ketal and how he could’ve impacted Elene’s life. Ketal probably served as the pillar that kept Elene from collapsing under pressure.
“What a strange relationship,” the Tower Master said with a cryptic smile. “Wouldn’t you agree?”
“What do you mean?” Barbosa asked him.