The Path of Ruin

Chapter 66 - 66: Several Problems with the Guardian

Matthew had his usual smile on his face. He looked relaxed, and it was an expression that Kael didn't like.

"I'm just... curious... why exactly are you on this mission, Kael?"

Kael did not change his posture or expression. He only sighed slightly. Looking into Matthew's eyes, he said a single sentence.

"Same reason as you, maybe? How do you like my answer?"

Matthew waited in silence for a while, his expression the same... unchanging. Only then did he slowly take a single step towards Kael. The sound of his footsteps echoed down the corridor, and he even looked a little intimidating in his upright posture.

But Kael didn't move.

When Matthew was right in front of him, he inevitably felt a little nervous. But he was good at keeping it all under control.

"Are you really sure you know why I'm on this mission?"

And at Matthew's words, Kael paused. His expression finally showed a hint of change.

Now that he actually thought about it... he had thought from the beginning that Matthew was on this mission to gain experience, just like him. But... why? Just because they were close in age?

Matthew could have been on this mission for a completely different reason.

He... had made a mistake.

"Why... are you on this mission, then?"

Matthew widened his smile, and Kael tensed, sweat beading on his forehead. He used to just be nervous up until now, but after this...

"It's simple, actually. Not that complicated..."

Kael held his breath. He didn't know why, but he had a bad feeling. Maybe... maybe he should have reached for his daggers.

"I'm gaining experience."

"H- huh...?"

Kael felt stupid for a moment. He just stared at Matthew. And he continued to smile as if nothing had happened.

"Oh, it seems you're really here for the experience, too. Very well, then."

Matthew turned away... but before he left, he said one last thing in a low voice.

"Anyway, I feel like there's a lot more going on here than meets the eye, so you'd better watch out."

And then, he moved along the corridor and disappeared after a short time. And Kael... just stood where he was.

'What did that mean...?'

He hadn't trusted Matthew much before... And, to be honest, he didn't even trust him anymore. What kind of conversation was this?

He thought about everything Matthew had said over and over again. What stuck in his mind, though, was one sentence.

'There's a lot more going on here than meets the eye...'

Matthew... could he know something?

Kael began to move with slow steps. But his brow was furrowed and his eyes narrowed.

'First... let me do what I have to do. Then, I will think about this too.'

*******

It didn't take Kael long to find the 'central point of the plant'. When he put his hand on one of the vines and followed the streams of eon, he could easily feel them stretching under the town. So... he knew exactly where he needed to go.

All he had to do was sneak in. And after a little re

"O- oh..."

Fesila thought for a while, her mind going back and forth.

If what the young man in front of her, Kael, was saying was true, then... there was a problem.

But the problem didn't stop there.

Because the person who really knew something about the Guardian and plants was now insane! He and the other maintenance worker had not yet learned what to do in such a situation! Their training was incomplete!

"I... understand. Thank you for telling me."

Fesila glanced briefly in the direction of her house. Then, she took a deep breath and turned back the way she had come. With quick steps, she started moving towards the baron's mansion again.

Kael only looked after her. He had a slight smile on his face.

'Well... this was easier than I thought.'

*******

*(A/N: I will upload two chapters in a row next time. But I have a thing to do today, so they may come a little too late. Sorry for it, but it's important.)*