Rosie's Games

Chapter 383: To the Howling Mountains!

"Yes," Lucas answered. "Demons can infect a human's essence. However, that should not have happened in this continent. The barrier, though weakened, should still prevent direct demonic possession of humans. This suggests that someone else, a person residing in this continent, played a role in the man's transformation."

"But how? Through experimentation?"

Lucas nodded again, his gaze hardening. "It seems likely. Through forbidden experiments and dark practices, someone with knowledge of demons and their abilities has been tampering with human essence, crossing boundaries that should never have been breached. Although, only a sorcerer with knowledge of the past, someone well-versed in ancient sorcery and the secrets of demons, would possess the ability to tamper with human essence in such a manner. It is a forbidden path, one that should never have been tread upon."

Rosalind's mind buzzed with questions.

Who could possess such knowledge?

For a fleeting moment, Rosalind entertained the idea of urging Lucas to embark on a quest to find the sorcerer responsible for the dark experiments. However, that impulse quickly dissipated, replaced by a sense of caution and a realization that hasty actions could lead to dire consequences.

Instead of speaking her thoughts without a proper plan or strategy in place, she decided to keep her intentions to herself, opting for a more measured approach.

As silence enveloped them, Lucas broke the stillness with an unexpected statement. "I was not expecting that," he said.

"Expecting what?"

A smile played at the corners of Lucas's lips as he met her gaze. "That you would not urge me to immediately seek out the sorcerer or attempt to single-handedly save this continent. It's a refreshing change."

Surprise mingled with curiosity as Rosalind tried to decipher his words.

Why would he find it refreshing that she didn't insist on a reckless course of action? There was something beneath the surface, a subtle shift in his demeanor that she couldn't quite grasp. He seemed... happy.

Once again, Rosalind found herself contemplating the woman she had encountered in her dreams. The resemblance between them was undeniable, yet their dispositions seemed worlds apart.

The woman in her dreams had been frantic, driven by panic and impulsive actions. Emotions seemed to cloud her judgment, rendering her decisions illogical and hasty.

"What do you mean?" she asked.

"Nothing," he replied, rising to his feet and extending a hand toward her. "Shall we begin our training now? It has been several days, and I expect to see some progress, particularly in your ability to harness both light and dark Blessings."

A frown creased her brow. "What are you trying to imply?"

"I was referring to your current state of weakness."

She pouted. "So, you are saying I am weak?"

"Are you not?" he lifted an eyebrow.

...

A scene of eerie silence unfolded in a desolate expanse blanketed by snow. The air was crisp and chilled as if frozen in time. The landscape stretched out in all directions, its pristine whiteness interrupted only by skeletal trees that stood as silent sentinels against the cold.

The very absence of sound seemed to amplify the sense of isolation, leaving an unsettling feeling in the pit of one's stomach.

Then, abruptly shattering the stillness, a haunting howl pierced the air.

It carried through the frosty wind, cutting through the silence like a mournful cry from an otherworldly creature. The sound was guttural and filled with a mix of anguish and malevolence, sending a shiver down the spine of anyone who heard it.

Soon, the source of the howl revealed itself.

It was a humanoid figure, resembling a normal human at first glance, but grotesquely distorted. The creature possessed six arms, three on each side, their elongated limbs ending in sharp, claw-like appendages that contrasted starkly against the pristine white snow.

Two heads protruded from its twisted form, their expressions twisted with an otherworldly torment. Eyes glowed with an unnatural intensity.

Its once-human appearance had been distorted, rendering it an abomination, a darkness that defied human comprehension.

The creature's howls continued to echo through the snow-covered landscape.

As the haunting howl reverberated through the air, the sorcerer who resembled that of a skeletal figure, stood undisturbed. Deep-set eye sockets held an ethereal glow, radiating an aura of calm amidst the chaos. His skeletal features seemed frozen in a serene expression as if the unsettling cries of the creature gave him solace.

"Have you released everything?" Ena Thun appeared next to him. She smiled, her eyes carrying a hint of anticipation.

"Yes," the sorcerer responded.

A wicked smile curled on Ena's lips, revealing a subtle delight. "Good," she uttered, her voice laced with a sinister undertone. "Let them unleash havoc in the North."

Soon, Ena's laughter mingled with the lingering echoes of the creature's howl.

"The Duke left the North," the sorcerer's words shattered the veil of contentment that enshrouded Ena's eyes. Her expression grew tense, her gaze piercing through the desolate landscape before her. "I could not locate the one capable of sensing the relics."

Ena's eyes narrowed, her lips curling into a slight frown.

"So, they must have gone to the Howling Mountains after all," she mused aloud.

The Howling Mountains, known for their treacherous terrain and foreboding reputation, held secrets and ancient relics that were coveted by many- especially her.

Oh, how she longed to be able to go to that place.

Sadly, it was more complicated than that.

"It seemed that it was his objective all along," she murmured. What a wicked man, she thought.

The Duke publicly hid the fact that he was interested in the Howling Mountains and only received some 'rewards' from the King of Rakha himself.

She should have known better.

How could the Duke of Wugari not have thoughts about the relics inside Howling Mountains?

Ena's eyes gleamed with a mixture of anticipation and determination as she contemplated the treasures hidden within the depths of the Howling Mountains. The relics her father spoke of during his rare moments of clarity held an indescribable allure for her, whispering promises of power and enlightenment that she couldn't resist.

"Well... it seems that we are going to the Howling Mountains," Ena declared.

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