Hao Xuan was forced to take several steps back because of the copious amounts of energy leaking from its body.
And when the warrior saw that his demeanor changed a little. He inserted the sword back into the shield and it disappeared altogether. A few more tentacles came out to keep the shield raised into the air while the warrior's figure became smaller and smaller.
Followed by a gut-wrenching squelching sound the tentacles retreated once again to reveal the figure of a frail-looking old man. The shield was attached to his back, not unlike the shell of a snail.
He was hunched over, bald, and had many wrinkles all over his aging face. If one ignored the giant shield on his back then it would be easy to mistake him for an ascetic monk because of his clean appearance since there was only a simple white robe covering his emaciated body.
"Ah, youngster!" he looked in Hao Xuan's direction the moment he was 'out'.
"Were you the one who spoke of the Luna Empire? Ah- Of course you were, who else would it be? Hahaha! It has been so long since a freshling recognized some of our work!"
He walked towards him with wide strides full of vigor and shook his hands cheerfully.
"I am the historian! Well, I do a lot of other things around here too but my passion lies is the past! Hahaha! You can call me Mendax, I will take care of you don't you worry one bit!" he threw back his head and started laughing like a maniac.
Unlike the warrior, Hao Xuan could not feel one bit of energy from this old man's body. It felt like he would collapse if he sneezed too hard which was even more strange. He glanced at the old witch with a questioning gaze and she immediately stepped in.
Waving her walking stick around she tried to hit him but missed, "That's enough you old fool! How much more time will you waste here?!"
Mendax grinned not even bothering to register the 'attack'.
"Hahaha! I am just so happy, it has been so long since we had this many visitors!"
Baba Jedza was about to strike again but her cane froze in mid-air.
"What do you mean? There have been others?"
"Mhm, two other youngsters just came in before you not too long ago. A little too young in my opinion but who am I to question the will of the Nine."
Her expression turned solemn as she quickly pulled away.
"Go with him, I will meet you after," she said to Hao Xuan before walking over the side of the bridge. The sound of clothes ruffling could be heard for a second or two before the curtain of silence over them.
Mendax craned his neck to peek over the bridge before shaking his head wearily, "She must be excited to see the others after so long. Something big must be about to happen, hahaha!"
[The others? Others blessed by the Old Ones like you and her? They are here?]
"Not just blessed by the Old Ones, but by one of the Nine!" Mendax clarified. He suddenly looked into Hao Xuan's eyes in excitement, "She didn't explain anything did she??"
[Not much]
"Hahahaha! Finally I can do my job!" he hopped up and down in elation before pulling Hao Xuan along towards the gates.
Unlike his elderly appearance Mendax was full of energy. He acted more like a child than a reserved old man as his appearance dictated.
"You just made my year! I cannot even remember the last time I had the opportunity to explain everything, they all e here acting like they know it all, hahaha!"
Meanwhile Hao Xuan's brow was beginning to furrow.
[Is it normal for there to be this many newers appearing all of a sudden?]
"No no not at all! In fact in over 130,000 years of service I have never seen this happen before! HOW EXCITING!"
Hao Xuan didn't say it out loud but it was obvious that he was at least the catalyst if not the entire reason for such an event. They probably all noticed when he entered the Domain of the Mistress and used their own unique powers to bring out some of their own subjects.
Maybe they already had some hidden away or maybe somehow found them and brought them during the time he was in the castle. The old witch had mentioned that time moved differently in there so who knows what they were capable of.
Regardless, he wasn't planning on being a part of it.
[Yes, how exciting. Would Lord Mendax mind explaining the differences between the ranks of subjects of the Nine? Or would that be too much?] he asked respectfully.
"No no it is nothing at all!" Mendax waved his hands anxiously, "It is my duty so why would I mind? Especially for a respectful youngster like you. The one before you was a poisonous little vermin," his expression turned sour just thinking about it.
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