Chapter 259: The Demon of the Flower (5)
“Well.” Ketal’s face grew thoughtful as he answered Materia’s question. “I left that place of my own will.”
Ketal had shattered everything that stood in his way and completed the Quests, escaping from that hellish realm by his own strength.
He paused, searching for the right words. “I was the only one who came out. I didn’t drag anything else with me. As for why other things are escaping now, I can’t say for certain.”
Yet, in truth, he had an idea. The timing of the beings from the Demon Realms rushing into the Outside had coincided eerily with his own escape. He recalled the final words spoken by the monster he had defeated at the end of his final Quest. When he considered all of this, the cause was not so difficult to infer.
Still, he could not be sure, and more than anything, he had no intention of sharing such speculations with an enemy. His conversation partner was a demon, after all. She was his enemy.
“I see. So you really don’t know? I wish you did.” Materia said, her face twisting with disappointment. She let out a long sigh, visibly frustrated.
“You answered one of my questions, so I should do the same, shouldn’t I? It’s only fair.” Ketal said calmly, his voice balanced. “If there’s anything you’re curious about, go ahead and ask. If I can answer, I will.”
“Very well. I have a question for you.” Materia’s eyes darkened, her voice growing low. She leaned closer, her gaze sharp as a blade. “Are the broken things inside... still there?”
Ketal frowned, uncertain what she meant.
“What do you mean by broken things? You’ll have to be more specific,” he asked her.
“You know... the things that don’t belong to this world.” Materia’s lips curled into a slight smile. Her voice became chilling. “Are they still trapped in there?”
The meaning behind her words struck Ketal, and he realized what she was asking. He nodded gravely. “They’re still there. Unpleasant things.”