Rosie's Games

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.

"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.

"That is the only explanation I can think of."

"Was it a Prince?"

"Perhaps."

Hearing their discussion, Atior's expression hardened. "She is not strong enough to confront a Prince or any other high-ranking demons."

"Demons have sought to enslave humanity. A place like this would be akin to a sanctuary for them. It is impossible to resist such temptation. Whatever method they employ, it can only be accomplished by a higher-ranking demon, at least a Prince, or a General, or Duke. It could be worse if it is an Archduke," Belisarius explained. Demons had a hierarchy, with Archdukes ranking just below Demon Kings.

In terms of hierarchy, Demon Emperors were the strongest, followed by various Demon Kings, and then Archdukes. Demon Kings seldom left their palaces to avoid attacks from other Kings, but Archdukes were different. They could move freely and bring their armies with them. They usually commanded at least one Demon General and were more powerful than Demon Princes, making them one of the most feared demons during the war.

"We cannot maintain the barrier this time," Belisarius stated. "Unless we locate the source of the disturbance."

"We will do our best to find it."

"Sorcerers cannot touch it; only Light Bearers can."

"Individuals blessed with the light?" Lucas frowned. In the continent, only Rosalind, Martin, and Federico had the blessing. With Federico missing and Martin's stupidity, it can be said that only Rosalind is available to help them out!

"That is the only way," Belisarius confirmed. "They can sense it." He stared at Lucas, sensing his anger. "She will not be harmed."

Lucas remained silent and walked away. "Lucas..." When he did not stop, Belisarius added urgently, "Benjamin! You must let her find the cause of the disturbance in the barrier, or we will not have time to prevent the Howling Mountains' destruction. We have only two days!"

However, Lucas continued to walk away, disappearing from the island and leaving Belisarius with Atior.

The two of them stood there without uttering another word.

Meanwhile, Lucas reappeared on the shore, where Huig was waiting. He thought about Isadora's revelations and wondered why she could glimpse into the past. In the past, as she had told him, Lucas had never been married. He could not help but wonder why.

He frowned and looked at the ominous dark clouds that shrouded the Howling Mountains. He was almost certain that this was another scheme by one of the Seven Families. At this moment, he had two choices.

He could let Rosalind find the culprit, the source of this disturbance, and stop the barrier from collapsing. However, confronting this entity was another matter. They did not know if it was a Demon Archduke or a Prince, and he did not want to endanger Rosalind.

The second option was to let her find the cause of the problem and possibly sacrifice her. But why would he sacrifice her to save the continent?

Lucas chuckled.

The world could burn for all he cared. He would never sacrifice the woman he loved for anyone else!

Actually, there was another option: to help her fight against this entity. Lucas was confident he would win, but why would he sacrifice his abilities to save the people who had once betrayed the woman he loved?

Was not this a bit comical?

"Your Highness..." Huig interrupted his thoughts.

"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 n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

. 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."