WCMBI - Chapter 230: Feeling At Ease (Patreon)

"It's just a small consolation. I apologize for causing you trouble."

"Ah, yes..."

To the visibly shaken Sangdanju, Ian reluctantly departed, feeling ever closer to finding Melissa.

Once Ian and the knights disappeared, Sangdanju finally regained his composure. Wondering what on earth had caused such a commotion, he moved his stiff body.

Quickly rummaging through a drawer, he pulled out something and hurriedly activated a magical device.

“What is it?”

A voice, as if exhausted, emanated from the magical device. Sangdanju hastened to convey the message.

"Something, something significant has happened! Matapju has been arrested and is being transported to the palace. I, I am Sangdanju, the owner of the Glass Chamber. Just now..."

“They took Pedro?”

"Yes, yes! Before he left, Matapju left a communication magical device as a precaution, instructing me to activate it if anything happened to him."

“Hmm, well done. Then, we'll disconnect now.”

"Excuse me? Yes, yes."

Sangdanju disconnected the communication magical device and stood there dazed, murmuring, "But who could that be? Speaking so informally..."

Though he had unintentionally shown respect due to the imposing presence, he couldn't find solace knowing that he had contacted an unidentified individual, unsure if it would be of any help to Matapju.

Without delay, he grabbed his jacket and rushed out. He needed to visit the most famous information broker in the Empire to find some answers.

* * *

Having been forewarned, Adrian awaited Pedro and Ian in the chamber of enlightenment. Pedro, brought to the palace against his will, soon found himself face-to-face with the emperor.

"Regrettably, I present myself before you in this manner, Your Majesty," Pedro said, his voice laced with natural dignity.

"Enough with the pleasantries; release me from this confinement," he implored.

"But wouldn't you just vanish through teleportation as you did last time?" Adrian questioned.

"I promise I won't do that. You have my word," Pedro asserted.

Adrian studied Pedro, who responded with unfeigned retorts, and shook his head slightly. "I find it difficult to trust you."

"Sigh, you act as if you're living in a world devoid of trust," Pedro replied.

"Hmm," Adrian looked at the Marquis. Was he always this composed? Without further ado, Adrian addressed his query.

"I have no intention of playing tricks on you. I merely seek answers," Adrian said.

"Feel free to inquire, then. Do you have any idea how vile it feels to be bound by these magical restraints?" Pedro retorted with exasperation.

"Understood. Let's get straight to the point," the emperor said, revealing what he had diligently sought.

"I've searched through all the manuscripts left by the previous emperors, and during my search, I came across something within the diary of the 10th Emperor, Gael Aeiris Perfnando," Adrian revealed.

"Well, you certainly have a talent for finding things. I'm not sure how you managed to discover that, but it's not particularly important. What interests me more is something else," Adrian continued.

"Yes, please go ahead and ask," Pedro replied.

"Have you not only encountered the Omega of the Duke but also met Lucia?" Adrian inquired.

Pedro looked at Adrian coldly, taking his time to ponder the question even with the binding magic still in place. Eventually, he nodded lightly.

"Yes, what if I have?" Pedro responded.

"In that case," Adrian began, relieved by the candid reply, "I would like you to bring her to me."

"Hmm," Pedro hesitated, considering the request even in his constrained state. Then, with a slight nod, he replied, "Well, it's not impossible."

"In that case..." Adrian started to say, feeling at ease with the willing response, but before he could continue, a loud commotion echoed through the palace. Hearing the noise, Pedro squinted his eyes and smiled warmly.

"Well, well, they've arrived already."