31. Disappearance

"She's gone...."

The Saintess knelt and touched the ground, after uttering those words.

"It's still warm. She probably hasn't gone too far."

Kyden stepped forward and asked her, "Who are you looking for?"

The Saintess stood and answered while looking at him intently, "Mona."

His body shuddered at the Saintess' response. His mind wasn't even overthinking how scared he felt when he thought it was Mona who was inside the miasma, yet here was the Saintess declaring she was gone.

Unconsciously, he balled his fist, and undeniable heaviness was placed in his chest.

He heard the Saintess continue speaking, "She was here. She was the one who called me out here to purify the miasma. While she was here, constructing the barrier."

He glared behind him, where his captain was standing quietly. Sensing his unspoken question, Captain Lionel answered nervously.

"Your grace, we didn't take her with us. She might have come unannounced."