The Beginning After The End novel Chapter 74

CYNTHIA GOODSKY’S POV: _{fгeewebnovёl.com}

The Council had handed this simple adamantine tag, engraved with the owner’s initials, to each of the Six Lances. This idea had actually been thought up by the members of the Six Lances themselves.

When they requested this, they explained to The Council that they needed something made of an almost indestructible material so that even if their bodies were obliterated, the necklace would still be intact and used as a sort of identification. It would be a memento for them—a sort of grim reminder that they could die at any time.

In contrast to the grim faces of the Six Lances, I distinctly remember that The Council had joked with them, asking if there was anything even capable of destroying their bodies past the point of recognition. I recalled chuckling alongside them, even though I knew...

Even though I knew that...There were beings capable of wiping out the crowned lances off the face of this planet.

But why... why am I seeing this tag so soon? It was too early. They shouldn’t be moving this early. I estimated that it would take at least another 15 to 20 years before they would start making their move.

I thought I had time.

I thought we had time...

"Director?" Arthur’s inquisitive voice shook me out of my daze.

"Ah, yes... Arthur, do you mind if I hold onto this? It would be safe for me to assume that The Council would want this back." I took careful notice of the tone of my voice to make sure I wouldn’t arouse suspicion from Arthur. The boy was just abnormally sharp.

"Things are changing, aren’t they." It was supposed to be a question, but by the tone of Arthur’s voice, it sounded like a statement with implied conviction.

Was it wise for me to tell him? Or rather, did he already know something?

"Yes, but it isn’t something for you to worry about. Not yet, at least." I knew my smile and comforting words wouldn’t reach him.

"Arthur, you may forget sometimes—hell, even I tend to forget at times—but you are still a child. A strong child with limitless potential, yes, but a child nevertheless. Let us adults take on the burden for now; your time will come, whether you wish for it or not." As I said this, I realized this message was more for myself than for Arthur.

Yes, he was a child. It wouldn’t be fair for him to become involved in the affairs of the Continent... but if he already knew...

"Did you perhaps... see whatever Alea fought against?" I had to choose my words carefully to make sure that my question didn’t give anything away.

"No, I didn’t." The answer was said with full confidence, but for some reason, his answer made me second-guess myself.

However, no use in suspecting the boy. It wouldn’t make sense for him to hide anything about an event like this.

Still... I was glad he didn’t seem to have figured anything out.

"I see... Well, enough about this topic. You must be worried about how everyone is doing." I let a soft, relieved smile escape as I said this.

ARTHUR LEYWIN’S POV:

The director’s response somehow left a bad taste in my mouth. She sounded almost... relieved at my response.

"Yeah, how is everyone doing?" In the end, I decided to move on. There was no point in being skeptical of everyone around me. I’d just assume she skipped out on asking the details for my sake.

"As you may have already deduced, your classmates weren’t all too injured. We had them sent to the guild infirmary hall to be cared for and thankfully, most were able to come to school today. Professor Glory was actually the most wounded, but she refused to be healed until all of her students were treated. I heard she even paid a visit to your family to notify them of your disappearance after transporting everyone back." Director Goodsky chuckled.

"That’s good, that’s good... And how is Tess doing?" I inquired.

Goodsky’s face wrinkled a bit as she displayed obvious hesitation.

"Tess... Tess is okay," she replied. I could tell she chose her words carefully.

"What exactly do you mean by that?" I raised a brow, urging for a proper response while an uneasy feeling started to stir within me.

"There were some... complications... in the final stages of her assimilation. Virion is currently looking after her but she has yet to awaken." Her voice was quiet as she spoke.

"Complications?" My voice came out a bit fiercer than I intended it to be.

"You need to understand that the final leg of assimilation is when the Beast Will struggles the hardest. Right now, Tessia and the elderwood guardian are fighting for control. Thus far, there has never been a case where the receiver of the will falls into a coma to this extent. Based on our theory, there seems to be something particular about the Beast Will you gave her, Arthur," replied Goodsky earnestly.

What... was this my fault? I put Tess in danger...? A flurry of thoughts raced through my mind as I tried to think of an explanation as to why such a thing occurred.

There was something particular about the elderwood? What was it? Yeah, it was strong, but was it stronger than other S class mana beasts? I wouldn’t know since it had been my first time fighting one.

Particular...?

My mind flashed back to the dungeon, and more specifically, what Alea had told me. She had mentioned that the black-horned demons were causing the monsters to mutate and grow stronger.

Was that what had happened? Had I given Tess a potentially corrupted beast core? No, I couldn’t have. I remembered Alea explaining how the beast core of the serpent she defeated had mysteriously disappeared. Shouldn’t that have happened to the elderwood guardian’s beast core as well then?