At the Village Head's Manor
Eldric sat on his wooden throne, his fingers tapping the carved lionhead armrest slowly. The room was quiet, heavy with the scent of incense and secrets. He glanced toward Alfred, standing dutifully beside him.
"Have you heard from Varek and Darnis?" Eldric asked.
Alfred shook his head. "No, my lord. They haven't reported back. Could it be that they were taken care of?"
Eldric narrowed his eyes, lips curling in thought. "I don't think so."
A flicker of memory crossed his mind—Reina and Veralia. The girls weren't ordinary. Something about them radiated danger. And that boy—Caelen—was too calm, too composed. Alchemist or not, he was hiding something.
"Caelen is just a simple alchemist. He said that himself," Eldric muttered. "But those two girls… they're the problem."
Alfred nodded. "Yeah. I don't think Darnis and Varek could be taken out by an alchemist. They were probably overwhelmed by the girls."