An embracing warmth swept through as they entered the doors. Fireplaces cornered the walls, offering cozy suites of furniture to wind down.
Cetika hovered ahead as they paced through an open space. Her wings graced the air like a gentle feather. “It’s okay to say you don’t like high fives, man. That was embarrassing.”
“Hm. Did that make you upset?” As far as he was concerned, it was a small disagreement.
She gently turned around, crossing her feet. “Upset? Nah, it’s no biggie. But it’s tiring to hold up my hand for nothing. Save me the effort next time, cool?”
The current from her wings breezed through his clothes. “And what you’re doing now is easier?” he questioned.
She propped her chin, glancing at her wings. “First of all, this is easy. And second, walking blisters my feet. So that’s a no-go.”
Seriously, is she old or something, or just lazy?
They reached a large double wooden door with silver tiger-head handles. Faint voices could be heard from the other side.
Cetika descended to the ground, straightening her posture before clearing her throat.
“Ms. Viraka, he’s back now. Am I free to go?”
“Would it hurt to open the door for him, Cetika?” Viraka spoke from the other side. Hezekiah grabbed his sleeve, somewhat wishing he had just gone to sleep the first time.
“Anything for you, Delicate One.” Cetika pulled the doors open. A fountain was centered in the room, encircled by white sofas with red pillows.
The floor was marble with a gold tint, accompanied by windows that revealed the forest outside.
She’s really living it, huh? As they walked through, another individual was sitting by Viraka. Yet for some reason, it was hard to focus on her, like a shadow just out of sight.
She was there, but somehow extremely forgettable, unless you were looking at her blue robe.
“Delicate One?” The woman beside her softly laughed, shooting a questionable look at Viraka. “You like being called that?”
“Her flattering is amusing to watch sometimes. Pay no mind.”
Cetika cracked a smile, then quickly fought it back and bowed. “Pardon my rudeness, the Rose of Delicacy. But the boy has been retrieved. May I be dismissed from your presence?”
“Don’t be hasty. Where’s Insydious?”
“Insydious is receiving proper disciplining, according to your divine counsel.”
“Oh really?” She chuckled. “I understand now. Diligent as always.”
“Your praises are too much, Ms. Viraka, but I’ll cherish them deeply every waking moment.”
Hezekiah scratched his head, unsure how genuine any of them were.
“Aren’t you considerate? Then I hope you remain as earnest as ever. You’re dismissed.”
“Thank you for the kind words.” After bowing once more, she winked at Hezekiah before exiting.
Do they do this act every time? I guess her being a stone-iron queen was off the mark.
“Too tired to speak, but had enough time to date my servants. What do you think, Kura?”
Kura shrugged nonchalantly. “She caught his eye. Is there anything more to say?”
Viraka sighed. “Right, I forgot you’re married.”
Hezekiah took it upon himself to sit across from them. “Is there a problem?”
“Don’t entertain this sad woman’s fantasy. We’re aware of what happened,” Kura said.
Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website.
Viraka’s veil shifted a bit. “Insult me in front of someone again, and I’ll tell the rest of the Unity Council Rulers that you’re here.”
“Yeah, yeah. Just continue with your role-play.” Kura stretched, dropping her arms on top of the sofa.
Somewhat taken aback by their exchange, he was still slightly relieved, but he still hoped this wouldn’t take long. Ideally, Falina’s memories being tampered with would be ideal at the moment. But he definitely had to be careful with how to approach it.
As for Kiann, he couldn’t care less what happened to him.
So Kura’s her name, but what’s with her? And why is it so hard to focus on her face? Is she using some kind of Huska Tool?
“Since everything is cleared up, I’m not needed here.” Before he rose, a gripping pressure descended on his shoulders.
Rippling shocks of anxiousness raced through his chest. It was indescribable why he suddenly felt afraid. Viraka wasn’t stopping him, but it was as if whispers were warning him from an unseen distance.
Thi—this isn’t normal. Is she doing something I can’t see?
“Stop being in a rush. You have nothing to do anyway,” Viraka assured.
Kura folded her hands, turning a ring around her finger. “Is there a reason why he has to be here? I’d rather keep this between us.”
“Don’t you think he can be of some help? You desire revenge, don’t you?”
Feeling the pressure gradually leave him, he quietly exhaled. That was out of line. She’ll pay for that.
“Not having it. Whatever you two have going on has nothing to do with me.”
“That may be. But your input might be quite valuable. You see, she’s not smart enough to figure anything out.”
Hezekiah slouched on the armrest, lingering on Kura for a bit. A headache was setting in, but there was no escape this time.
“Not sure what you take me for, but don’t expect me to agree to anything.”
Kura, skeptical of her choice, questioned her. “Isn’t he an ordinary human?”
She gently leaned forward. “Ordinary?” She laughed. “That may not be relevant, but his account in Ragoll Forest may be of use.”
Kura narrowed her eyes. “What are you implying?”
Hezekiah steadily absorbed every word, noting the agitation in Kura’s tone.
“Don’t be rash. I wouldn’t let you see him if he were somehow responsible for your son’s death.”
“Hold a damn second. Were you suspecting me of killing someone?” Hezekiah lightly gripped his seat. The odds were unlikely that he was connected, but the creeping tension wouldn’t leave.
Before Kura answered, Viraka raised her hand. She then rose from her seat, grabbing a stack of news articles off the desk. “I’m sure you’re familiar with the disappearances happening there. Since you’re a criminal yourself, tell us what you think.”
She softly set them on the cushion beside him. As he carefully picked them up, his heart nearly stopped.
Why is she showing me this…?
They were the same ones he read before he died—a chain of disappearances occurring in the forest, the only pattern being deer tracks near the victims’ blood. He looked at another recent article, one he hadn’t seen before.
His skin tightened as he saw the victims’ faces on the front page, dated to be the most recent. He recognized a few of them.
Wayne? And Suzie too? There were two others as well—one he presumed to be Human #1 based on the date he was reported missing. There was also the old lunatic. So that bastard’s name was Oliver.
He didn’t expect Wayne to be her son. But obviously, he couldn’t say he killed him by accident.
On second thought… He looked at Kura again. Is she an Abna? Don’t fucking tell me…
Hezekiah stacked the papers and set them on the fountain’s ledge. “I’m not a detective, though I’m sorry for your loss. Unfortunately, I’m sorting through my own hell right now.”
“You don’t at least suspect your own organization?” Viraka added.
“What purpose would Sunset Garden have in kidnapping random people? If anything, they bury people they deem worthless there.”
Kura clicked her tongue. “It’s inefficient to ask someone who knows nothing. Are you serious about helping or not, Viraka?”
Hezekiah silently observed Viraka, who seemed to be in deep thought. Kura’s doubt seemed genuine, but he couldn’t help suspect that Viraka knew more than she was letting on.
“What’s your son’s name, by the way?” Hezekiah asked.
Kura hesitated for a bit. “It’s Hyonda. He’s not from your dimension, but it was reported that he died in a cave within the forest.”
He remained expressionless. “I see. That sounds terrible.”
If that’s the case, then they know Hyonda was behind the disappearances. The news articles were just a ploy to get a reaction out of me.
Trapping him in the cave was an option to avoid this, but the flame wasps made their decision first. Still, he was curious how the report was even made, though requesting that would make him suspicious.
“That’s all you have to say?” Viraka finally spoke again, as if she were expecting more.
Hezekiah thought for a while. “Now that you ask, it’s appropriate to share this. Though how useful it is, I can’t say. But something happened after Kiann defeated me.”
Viraka smiled beneath the darkness of her veil.
“Before Kiann was able to finish me off that night, a figure in white clothing suddenly appeared, wielding a large tool. I think it was a hoe, or something like that.”
“A scythe?” Kura suggested.
“Definitely looked like it. But the strangest thing wasn’t what he held—it was that my attacker suddenly collapsed, like his brain just shut off or something.”
“And let me guess, your memories are distorted?”
Hezekiah felt his tongue tie. Does she suspect I’m bullshitting? There's no way for her to know that yet.
“I can’t say. If anything, I assumed I was dreaming or experiencing some near-death mirage. To be honest, I’m surprised to even be alive. But after becoming aware of people with supernatural abilities—and even seeing the photo you showed me—I became suspicious again. Now I’m not sure what happened that night.”
Viraka dipped her head. “Did he say anything?”
“I wish I could rem—” He intentionally paused. “Actually, while I felt myself drifting off, all I could think about was asking his name. So I did.”
Kura pinched her sleeves. “Are you bringing this up because you suspect a connection?”
“I’m too ignorant to know all that. But if it helps, does the name Knat ring a bell to any of you?”
Is Hezekiah about to do something really stupid?
