8mi Chapter 456: [Event] [Semester-Exam At Vanadias] [42] John's Thoughts
Chapter 456: [Event] [Semester-Exam At Vanadias] [42] John's Thoughts
Chapter 456: [Event] [Semester-Exam At Vanadias] [42] John's Thoughts
Zone 7.
The dense forest whipped past, as John moved swiftly, one arm securing Selene against his side, the other gripping Amelia with a gentler hold.
"Still can't pinpoint where Edward is?" John asked, his voice sharper than intended as he asked Hecate.
It wasn't the first time he'd asked, but each moment without an answer twisted the tension in his gut tighter. His instincts flared in warning, a sense that something terrible was lurking just ahead.
Something was about to happen.
(
John's jaw clenched in annoyance. "You're a Goddess, aren't you?"
(
John's brow furrowed. "And who is this 'other'?"
(
But John already had an idea.
"Edward's third legacy, huh?" He muttered, more to himself than to Hecate. "Don't take me for a fool."
(
John swallowed his frustration, forcing himself to focus. "And what about Layla?"
(
Their interactions had always been sparse and formal, a few perfunctory greetings exchanged only when she was with Edward. Elizabeth was one of the central figures, a [Main Heroine] in the Second Game, and undoubtedly the hardest to reach, let alone understand.
Since arriving in Sancta Vedelia, he'd caught wind a little of what she had faced, the personal struggles that had marked her recent years-but that wasn't his concern. That was Edward's matter. And now that Edward was officially engaged to her, the matter felt even more detached from him.
Yes, Elizabeth was engaged to Edward. That reality alone clawed at John in ways he didn't want to analyze. It wasn't jealousy-it was irritation, a quiet resentment on behalf of Layla, his sister. Miranda, he could accept. She had been Edward's friend since childhood also his own. He understood the connection, and he had accepted it. And the women Edward had met in Celesta-well, that was a different story. Edward had been through hardships there that had changed him, scarred him. If they had become close in Celesta, it had felt earned, natural, a result of shared suffering.
He was thinking obviously of Edward's First Legacy and a woman called Mary Edward would sometimes talk about with Annabelle around.
But the others?
Their presence grated on him, though he'd learned to bury the feeling. Perhaps Edward's world had simply grown larger, more complex, with each addition. And perhaps it was time for him to reconcile with that truth. As long as Edward treated Layla nicely.
He'd never forgive anyone for making Layla cry the way Alfred had done back then. Shaking off the anger, he turned to Elizabeth.
"Do you know where Edward is?"
"Edward..." Elizabeth murmured, a glint of realization dawning in her gaze as she remembered Amael's first name. "Amael. I saw him briefly yesterday, but he's likely up in the higher zones."
John nodded as he looked off into the distance.
"Was that Behemoth?" Elizabeth asked suddenly, though she doubted her suspicion. "Yeah, it was them," John replied bluntly, sidestepping any mention of Amelia's state. For now, he wanted to keep her condition a secret from everyone-except Edward. He needed Edward's opinion. They had walked parallel paths in the game, each making their own choices, so perhaps Edward had gleaned something useful about Amelia's strange condition. "Can you look after Amelia? I need to see Edward," John asked.
He would rather keep Amelia by his side, especially in her fragile state, but he knew his presence would only put her in greater danger. Behemoth had attacked, and John was convinced the true threat loomed in the higher zones. Leaving Amelia with Elizabeth seemed the best choice. He trusted Elizabeth's strength and knew Amelia would be safe in her care. Elizabeth regarded him silently, a flicker of understanding in her eyes, before she gave a nod. She had no intention of leaving this place until Selene woke, and looking after Amelia- someone she counted as a friend-was no burden.
With great care, John laid Amelia down beside Selene, her face softened in quiet slumber despite the trails of dried tears marking her cheeks. He reached down, patting her cheek gently, his gaze lingering a moment longer than necessary.
Then he rose to his feet, preparing to leave, when a sudden, chilling sensation swept over both him and Elizabeth. They instinctively looked up, their eyes narrowing as they scanned the treetops. Though branches obstructed their view, their attention locked on the massive barrier encircling the Ashenor Forest, shimmering above.
"...!"
John's eyes widened suddenly. In an instant, he turned, storming away.
Elizabeth remained rooted in place, her gaze fixed on the barrier, her expression darkening.