With a curt nod, Adam said, "Let's fetch Morgane first." Then, he turned to Nova, his thumb raised and said, "I like your gift a lot. I wish you a happy life and hope we'll et again."
However, as he turned to leave with the boy, Nova jumped on his back. Raising her first above his head, she exclaid, "Let's go outside! I want to see the college you're all speaking about."
Shocked by her actions and physical contact, Adam blushed, a wry smile tugging at his lips as he thought, 'Did I just beco a horse?' Then, he raised his head, gazing at Nova's smile and worriedly asked, "The journey will be dangerous. Are you sure you want to join us?"
Even if she wasn't a fighter, he knew she would prove a valuable ally to resolve conflict and uplift their mood. After all, her voice and presence exuded a calming and joyous aura he appreciated. From his understanding, she also seed sensible and good-natured. Thus, he didn't mind her following them if she desired.
"I'm. I'm half a living being now! So, I can mingle with humans without scaring them," answered the woman. Why should she stay? This canyon only held poor mories she'd rather forget. On the other hand, exploring the outside world, making friends and enjoying freedom like a living being would, filled her heart with anticipation.
"OK. I'll ask Shepard to let you stay with Asha or Louise in the college," Replied Adam after a mont of thought as they left the palace.
Escorted by the guard, they returned to Banshee One's house before heading to the milky white walls of the city.
As the group of four penetrated the canyon's swirling mist, their hair bristling under the damp air's assault, Ossian phased above the walls.
'I hope they'll safely escape. I would hate to intervene and make the future more uncertain than it already is,' thought the ghost king, a frown covering his forehead. With his soul oath, he had to save them if danger threatened their lives or risk dying. Yet, he didn't ntion it earlier, unwilling to let them know and abuse his help.
***
After ten minutes of heavy walking, the group reached the ruined passage they fought the dullahan in.
Gazing at the deep crack caused by Julius' coup de grâce in awe, Nova asked, "What's the plan?"
"I think we should move while they are distracted by their battle," said Adam, tucking his fingers around his ethereal shin before adding. "If we wait for them to break their ranks and flee, we risk eting them in the canyon, and I don't really want to fight royal mages."
Julius and Nova voiced their agreent before turning to the silent Morgane. Since their earlier discussion, she really refused to pronounce a single word in their presence.
"Carry her on your back when we escape," Adam said, shrugging. He doubted she would sabotage them and return to the Belloria kingdom. Yet, driven by her emotions, she was unpredictable in this precarious situation. That's why the boy must monitor and force her to move.
Then, after scanning the passage, Adam noticed the hole Julius used to ambush the guardian, prompting an idea to form in his mind. "We can dig holes to hide before they arrive. After they pass us, we'll be out of their vision," offered Adam, believing this plan would increase their success.
As they agreed, Julius busied himself for the next twenty minutes, his heart heavy and thoughts filled by the fast-approaching battalion.
***
Simultaneously, Duke Alexandre Harington bowed his head, reporting their progress in the canyon's exploration. "We are 4.3 kiloters in, my king. We suffered no casualties fighting the evil ghosts, and our morale is high," he said respectfully, his blue eyes locked with Thorian's.
"Of course, we didn't. With three adepts and fifty royal mages, we can conquer this useless canyon if I so choose," snorted king Thorian, impatience and anger flashing in his eyes. If not for capturing Morgane, he would never have stepped into this disgusting area. After all, it was unclaid because no one wanted it, finding it better suited as a trash field in which they dumped their evil ghosts.
"You really overdid it this ti, cousin. Is this short girl worth a king and two dukes' ti?" Asked Duke Reynard Westmoor, his brow twitching. They had eight thousand more kids like her. So why did Morgane obsess him?
"She is," responded Thorian, his lips curling into a grin before he playfully added. "When was the last ti an arcanist with soul affinity appeared in our world?"
The two dukes fell silent, pondering the question with deep frowns before giving up.
"I don't rember reading about it," said Alexandre, his response accompanied by Reynard's nods.
"Humph. The answer is over ten thousand years ago. Can you guess who that person is?" Thorian answered, his white teeth visible as his smile broadened.
Shocked, Reynard muttered, "Don't tell us..."
"Exactly! The man who betrayed his order and banded with ghosts to destroy it before enslaving them all. If you understand, don't question my decisions and move," ordered Thorian, his smile vanishing and his eyes burning in determination.
More than a re summoned, Morgane's mana circuits were incredible. With her high affinity and talent she'll automatically unlock in a few months, he didn't doubt she'd beco an arcanist in the future. For him, she was worth more than all the others combined. After all, she could enslave tier five and six ghosts and beco a one-one-woman army.
Understanding why their king urgently mobilised them after learning she left Highvale, the two dukes' eyes narrowed. If Thorian was right, the girl's value outweighed theirs. She would be a living calamity in the upcoming war, bringing their country swift victories one after another.
Steps filled with determination, they followed Thorian. The sound of the battalion's boots echoing against the rocks disturbed the silent canyon. However, they suddenly halted as a red and black armored evil ghost blocked the passage, unaware they stepped above the hiding group.
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