498 Source of the Chaos
"Report," Lucas uttered, his gaze fixed on the Howling Mountains in the distance. The King had been correct; from a distant observer's perspective, it appeared as if the island were on the brink of breaking apart. Large cracks had begun to appear on the island's surface, resembling flowing lava.
"Your grace, the mountain is shaking," Huig immediately remarked. "It is displaying signs of a violent awakening."
Lucas nodded and decided to personally visit the island, alone. Even though Huig possessed great power, this situation was unique.
Once he set foot on the island, he immediately felt the ground beneath him tremble and groan, sending shockwaves through the air. The cracks around the island expanded, revealing molten rock glowing with an otherworldly reddish light. It was as if the very heart of the mountains had ignited, and the land itself was about to unleash its fury.
Lucas surveyed the island, observing the smoke and ash billowing from the newly formed crevices, obscuring the surrounding landscape in a dark haze. The ground quivered beneath Lucas's feet, and a low, ominous rumbling filled the air. Although the Howling Mountains had never been serene since their inception, today, the impending destruction was palpable.
"I am surprised to see you here," a woman's voice echoed behind him. He turned and stared at Atior, who now wore her usual black attire and a cloak that obscured most of her face.
"I was not expecting to find you here," Lucas retorted. "Why would someone who aimed to destroy the continent come to this place? Was it to gloat?"
"I never intended to ruin the continent," Atior replied. "But I will not convince someone who has already made up their mind."
Lucas turned his attention to the cracks, recalling his previous battle with Atior and knowing that she had been injured. She had been forced to flee during the fight, leaving Lucas to maintain the barrier.
"The Barrier is about to crack and unleash its fury on the continent," Atior said calmly, despite the large crevices surrounding them.
"No," Lucas responded.
"What?" Atior questioned.
Lucas chose not to speak further. Instead, he gazed at the surrounding mountains before looking at the topmost peak where Belisarius, with his flamboyant white hair, stood.
"You are back," Lucas uttered.
Belisarius simply grunted and glanced at Atior, who stood not far from Lucas. He was unsure of what had transpired between the two, and why they were not in conflict. However, he had never held a favorable opinion of this sorcerer who constantly interfered in their affairs.
"The Barrier is on the verge of breaking. My estimate is two days," Belisarius stated. This chapter is updated by nov(e)(l)biin.com
"That is too soon."
"This time, we have no idea what triggered it," Belisarius continued, glancing southward. "But I sense something in the south."
"We have not done anything to trigger it," Atior added.
"I do not recall inviting you into this conversation," Belisarius said before turning to Lucas. "In the south."
"Do you believe a high-ranking demon could have arrived here?" Lucas inquired.
"Speak," Lucas replied.
"The Duchess has arrived and is currently speaking with the King."
Lucas immediately looked at Huig, then at the palace. Without another word, he teleported inside the palace and appeared in the King's study, where his wife was present, along with the King, the Crown Prince, and Princess Isadora.
"I told you not to come," Lucas immediately said, ignoring the others. "We are leaving." However, his gaze landed on the black-haired woman who stood behind Rosalind. Was not this the woman named Josephine? Another sorceress?
He frowned and turned to the other side, confirming that Lachlan Blaize was indeed in the study.
"Your Grace," Lachlan nodded. "I apologize for bringing the Duchess here
. We understand the risks, but Josephine has seen something. We wanted to confirm."
"I believe this has nothing to do with my wife,"
Lucas said, his possessiveness evident in his voice. The north was the safest place for Rosalind right now. She needed to return there.
Just as he said this, Rosalind stumbled. Fortunately, Lucas was there to catch her. "I told you not to come," Lucas hissed, glaring at Josephine and then at the King. "We are leaving."
"Stop..." Rosalind held onto his arm. "Stay. I need to see it."
"You cannot..." Lucas's tone was grim. "We are leaving!" He lifted Rosalind into his arms.
"Please..." Rosalind murmured. Despite her desire to stay, her body could not endure the whispers and visions of the past. She had not anticipated so much trouble coming to Rakha, but what Josephine had told her was crucial. She needed to determine if she could sense the source of the disturbance.
"Take me to the shore..." Rosalind whispered. She knew Lucas could hear her, so she did not bother to open her eyes.
"What are you trying to do?" Lucas's voice echoed in her head. "You cannot stay here."
"Leave this place. The north is safe."
"Take me to the Howling Mountains," Rosalind said. This time, she opened her eyes, revealing silvery orbs that twinkled against the room's lighting. "Please."
Her reaction to that place was unexpected, but the visions that she was seeing were truly disturbing. It was changing something inside her. Something that she could not seem to understand.
She pursed her lips and endured her headache. If she wanted to go, only Lucas could take her to that place.
"There is no need to set foot on the mountain itself." This time, a man with long white hair appeared next to Lucas.
This was none other than Belisarius.
He looked at Lucas and said, "Take her to the shore. She should be able to feel it from there." He gave Lucas a meaninful gaze. Then he added. "I will be there."