Burning Soul

In the meantime, Theo and Catherine explained to her the whole story behind their journey and the purpose of their visit to the forest.

“I see, a lot has happened behind my back, I apologise as I wasn’t of any assistance.

Yet, I’m surprised they were able to even breach in the Capital being unnoticed! Though, I can’t really tell you who or what caused it, unless I investigate it myself!” She leaned back on her seat and let out a sigh while touching her temple. Everything she heard was a huge blow to her,

“Also, the shrine has been abandoned long ago. It’s the last place you’ll wasn’t to go even though the legend of a mysterious crystal being there is true.” Her warning came out of nowhere.

“Last place? What do you mean by that?” Milot asked in confusion, “And if I’m correct only you know about the mechanics of that place!

Why are you saying it’s no place to go all of a sudden?”

She took a brief moment before continuing, “If what these people said is true you should understand what is going on around the continent Milot!

The spatial crack, i.e., the way the Demonoids are entering the plane! I’m sure it’s not in only one place. Think about it, his sister fought a few demonized monsters in our own forest!”

“You are right, she also had told us that she saw someone for a brief moment there but not sure what was that!” Theo supported her comment,

She nodded and continued, “The way the events are put together, even Jura had a hard time dealing with these events, someone must have planned it thoroughly.”

They all took a moment before replying in sync, “Ersa?”

“I’m afraid so!

But her goal wasn’t the territory!” On her comment, Milot asked, “How can you be so sure?”

“Milot, she wouldn’t attack just blindly if she was up for territory.

The target would have been Duvrion, if she could have taken him out, it would have been over!

But her target was different, and again she knows better than anyone that Duvrion isn’t that lightly to be taken, warrior. She would have come along with more reinforcement.” It made sense to him now,

“The kid you mentioned,

What was his name again!... Oh! Arlo!

Do you think he was a match for Duvrion? Yet she put him against that beast, no way she was fighting for territory.

But…” She took a momentary pause,

“Throwing the capital in chaos! Someone surely was interested in the territory and may have been testing the strength of the forces!” Theo said in a low tone, “I’ve read it in the strategist books, if you could put capital on your enemy nation in chaos, they’d have no choice but to reveal their cards and that’s how you can evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the enemy.

Once you have the information, it’s all about timing and planning!”

“You are absolutely right!” Amara pulled him close to her chest and ruffled his hair, “Smarty, you are huh!”

Theo almost had a nosebleed, ‘So Soft!’

“Ahem, as we were talking!” Catherine interrupted her to ask, “What does all this have to do with the ruins?”

She let Theo loose and got up. Taking a few steps, she stood next to her and leaned on.

“Don’t you think it’s a good place to hide from everyone!”

She gasped, “What!”

Amara retracted her mover, “Think about it! It was a shrine of the legends, it’s abandoned, no spying magic works there not to mention it’s under the barrier’s protection, yet we can’t see what goes in inside thanks to its history.

The ruins are so neglected no one really knows its location except a few, also the part of the forest is out of anyone’s gaze!

A perfect place to hide!

I’m not bluffing!”

Milot who was stealing a bite from the cookie on the table, “What do you mean!”

“There’s been a lot of disturbance, but one thing is sure, there has been some movement around that place.

It could be monsters, but if so, they are strong I assume, strong enough to cover their tracks!

Also, as it happens it’s just out of the Jura’s reach, on the very edge of the borders of Arnor and there are many ways to access that place!

It’s easy to suspect that you could come across to answers to many of your questions!”

Everyone paused for a brief moment, “So why is it the last place to go again?” Theo asked,

Amara go back to her seat and let out a sigh, “Are you sure you can fight off whatever had the guts to lay a finger on the capital?

That is what I’m saying! And if there are just some monsters, you sure need to be super confident to take the task! As I said it’s just out of Jura’s watch and that is a reason why it’s home to many unknown creatures of unknown strength!

Are you ready for that?

Also, about the spatial crack, even though Humans assisted to make one large crack, do you think that’ll be all?” Her question made Theo’s blood run dry,

“You mean, it can happen at any place?”

The flashes of that day began appearing before him, “Unfortunately yes!

Even though it might not be a coordinated attack, but it’s possible that there could be many such creatures from underground trying to break free.”

The members of the convoy were looking at each other in dismay, the thought of crossing roads with a Demonoid was the last thing anyone would like! They have never fought or even seen one, to begin with!

“As long as Jura is there and Duvrion holds the reign on the kingdom, I’m sure you don’t have to worry!” Amara looked through their fear!

“I had a question!” Theo spoke in a serious tone, “It’s not that easy to retrieve the Quinx Gem or to enter that ruin, right!

As Milot mentioned about the existence of the mechanics, I assume there’s a certain way that only a few people know about!

Is it possible that we know the culprit, but we don’t know its identity?” His question bought a smirk on her face,

“It’s possible, would you still go there?

Knowing you might have to fight someone you know?” She narrowed her gaze,

Theo turned gloomy, in his condition him walking alongside was already too much to ask to let alone fight. Understanding his puzzled situation Milot, who knew what could be ahead of him answered on his behalf,

“If it means we can bring the fallen knights to justice and stabilize the kingdom,

We definitely will!”

‘Like father like son,’ she thought as she smiled.