"So.....why was I called?"
I began, leaning back on my chair as I looked around.
Mariam's office was exactly the sa as before.
There weren't any changes in the place with the sa old furniture and display of old items behind her.
Mariam herself had a grim look on her face as she rubbed her eyes.
Her long, vibrant red hair flowed behind her while her golden eyes with spirals blinked twice.
Opening the drawer, she slid a few pictures toward .
"Have a look at this."
Picking them up, I slowly went through the pictures one by one.
"...."
They were all mutilated corpses.
Their bodies were twisted in unnatural angles. Limbs torn apart. Eyes gouged out.
All of them wore nothing on their bodies, but the Von Castia crest was stitched neatly onto their skins.
"....How many?" I asked, placing the pictures down.
"We found seven." She paused, her voice dropping lower. "One of them is Edel's son—Albus."
I nodded, leaning back on my chair. "Any clue who is doing this?"
"We don't know." She replied, shaking her head. "Nor do we know who is doing where or why."
"What about Vlad?" I asked, looking at her. "Any update on him?"
"Sadly, we don't." She replied with a tired sigh, sinking back on her chair. "But it's not hard to guess what's happening with him."
I nodded slowly.
It's clear that he is being tortured sowhere along with the others.
'....A masked girl.'
Zenith's words echoed in my head as I rubbed my chin.
'Was she talking about Zeline?'
I can't think of anyone else with a mask who had left an impression.
But... why would she do such a thing?
What grudge does she have with the Von Castia?
"How is Edel doing?" I asked, knowing full well how his condition should be right now.
"He is furious." She replied, letting out a tired sigh. "...He has already put a bounty for whoever is doing this."
I nodded, looking at the display behind her. "...Aimar—."
"Don't worry about him." She replied, standing up from her seat. "Nothing points to him being involved in this."
"But still—."
"I talked with Edel." She interrupted, with a light smile. "He won't do anything for now."
'...For now, huh?'
I just nodded in response, standing up as well.
"I will see you—."
"Himl." Mariam interrupted again, making look at her.
"Yes?"
"Did the church contact you?" She asked, looking into my eyes.
"Uh, yeah....they did." I replied awkwardly, nodding my head. "They called and Elijah to the Kandam Continent to the church's base."
Mariam's expression turned heavier.
She walked around her desk, stopping in front of .
"When are you going?" She asked, staring into my eyes.
"In a month." I replied, looking back at her.
She frowned. "That long?"
"Well, I do have things to do." I replied, shrugging my shoulders. "And they will adjust with my ti, not the other way around."
Mariam stared at for a mont before she gently grabbed my hand.
"I have sothing to tell you." She said, her voice soft. "Sothing important."
"I'm listening." I replied, looking at her.
"I'll be gone for a while." She said, squeezing my hand. "I think I'm ready to break through the next level."
I frowned. "What do you an?"
"Well, after all that happened....I realized sothing." She whispered, smiling softly. "That I'm quite weak."
"..."
"If things keep going on like this," Mariam continued, her voice barely a whisper, "then I won't be able to protect you."
This was going to happen sooner or later but... right now?
"Where are you going?" I asked, voice steady.
She smiled faintly.
"Sowhere hidden. A place in Lumina only Segyal Highbloods know."
Her hand tightened around mine.
"I'll be gone for at least half a year… maybe longer."
I clicked my tongue. "Half a year is a long damn ti, Mariam."
"I know." She smiled sadly. "But it's necessary."
She let go of my hand, stepping back toward her desk.
"I'm telling you because... if sothing happens while I'm gone—"
She hesitated. Then, softly whispered,
"Ask Niressa for help."
"Nope. I'm fine on my own." I replied, shaking my head.
Her smile widened, this ti reaching her eyes. "You're a good boy, Himl."
"...."
I looked at her once before moving towards the door.
"Mariam," I said, glancing over my shoulder.
"Yes?"
"Co back alive."
Without another word, I walked out.
The door shut behind with a soft click, as I heard a whisper.
"I will. I promise."
As soon as I walked out, I was greeted by the blonde-haired elf woman.
"What?" I asked, looking at Daina.
"Since Lady Mariam will be busy." She said, handing a few docunts. "You are going to handle the Segyal Highbloods and I will be your assistant."
"Great." I replied, passing the docunts back to her. "Now, do your work."
"Wha—."
"Rejection of Ti."
Before she could speak, I slowed down the ti and walked out with ease.
No way am I going to do that boring work.
'Inna?'
[]
'Do you think Mariam is ready?'
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