Chapter 373
The ratman leader, also pulling back with his forces, abruptly stopped. He scanned the retreating crowd, searching for Phantom, though there was no trace of him. Determined, the leader occasionally grabbed a fellow ratman, scrutinizing their features in his search.
Unaware of this, Phantom had already moved far from the battlefield. He now felt the full weight of the world pressing against him, no longer shielded by the corrupted lands’ influence.
The oppressive sensation didn’t last long. Not far from where he stood, Ikenga’s carriage materialized. Phantom shifted back into his true form—his face a constantly shifting mosaic of features—as he stepped inside the carriage. Instantly, the crushing pressure dissipated.
Ikenga greeted him with a warm smile. Phantom, like a child caught in mischief, dropped to one knee and bowed his head. "I apologize, my lord. I let myself get carried away."
Ikenga stepped forward, placing a firm but gentle hand on Phantom’s shoulder and lifting him to his feet. "No, my son, you did well. Your gift was given to you so you could learn and forge your own path. Watching how you chose to use it brings me joy."
One of the many faces flickering across Phantom’s form briefly displayed surprise before disappearing. Phantom turned to bow toward Keles, who acknowledged him with a nod. Taking his seat as directed, Phantom waited attentively.
Ikenga studied him thoughtfully before asking, "Keles and I watched your actions with the ratmen. Tell me, was it worth it?"
Phantom sat in the carriage, his ever-shifting face momentarily settling into a blank, neutral expression as he considered Ikenga’s question. The steady rhythm of the carriage wheels and the eerie, hushed calm within the protected space offered stark contrast to the chaos he’d just left behind.
He finally spoke, his voice carrying a tone of reflection and curiosity. "Worth it? That depends on what you mean, my lord. The ratman leader intrigued me. His fire burned brighter than most, even in the face of despair. I wanted to see how far he would go... how long that light could last before it was extinguished. In the end, he survived, but at what cost? His hope now walks a knife’s edge."