Chapter 62
Mari''s words were cut short as a rumbling sound erupted from the chasm, raising clouds of dust
that billowed and spread.
The two recoiled in rm, one brandishing a sword, the other clenching a fist, ready for battle.
But then...
vin opened his mouth in disbelief, staring fixedly at the chasm. Behind her veil of white, Mari''s
delicate face showed incredulity at the sight before them.
The massive stone, towering fifty meters high, had shattered. The entire structure copsed,
showering the chasm with stones of all sizes, and the chains that had once encircled it ttered
down, their golden light dimmed.
Both were stunned and looked at each other.
What had happened? Had the enchantment broken? Without any warning?
vin quickly checked himself for any anomalies but found none.
Mari remained vignt, scanning their surroundings for any sign of trouble. Her brows knitted as
she looked at vin.
"Don''t look at me. I know nothing."
The sudden noise had alerted those nearby, and numerous figures flickered in the darkness, racing
toward them.
"Remember! I was never here! Remember that!" vin reminded Mari once more before quickly
vanishing into the night.
A horde of people burst from the nearby woods, their eyes wide with shock as they gazed into the
deep pit.
Three Elders hurried to the scene, their faces turning pale upon witnessing the crater''s condition.
"What has happened here?" One demanded.
The Protégés exchanged bewildered looks, all shaking their heads.
"Mari, I believe you were the first to arrive. Did you see anything?" A middle-aged Apprentice
asked Mari.
She shook her head. "I''ve only just got here myself."
The three Elders were not from Botanic Haven; they were called to assist in reinforcing the great
stone seal. After a tense examination, their expressions grew even grimmer. The Rune of
Abandonment Lock was broken, and the Shackles of the Forgotten had failed, a clear sign that
whatever was contained within had vanished.
Where could it have gone? How could it just disappear?
"Mari, quickly, fetch your master," one Elder ordered urgently.
...
Atop the mountain of Botanic Haven, an Elder sat with a stern expression. His brow furrowed, and
his Mindfulness washed over the expanse like a tide, covering the majestic Botanic Haven and
sensing the vast energy across its surface. His essence was intertwined with the Rune of
Abandonment Lock, inseparable. At the moment the seal was broken, and the great stone
copsed, he had awakened, immediately drawing upon the energy to track down the Chained
Spirit.
The energy of the entire mountain was mobilized, surging like a raging river. Yet there was not a
trace of the Chained Spirit to be found on Botanic Haven, as if it hadpletely vanished.
Mari arrived at the summit to report to her mentor. "Sir! The Chained Spirit has been moved."
The Elder, his hair white with age, opened his weary eyes. "Where?"
Mari bowed her head. "Please allow me to keep this secret."
"Give me a reason?" the Elder asked sharply.
"I am not yet certain what has transpired. Please grant me a year to observe. If any anomalies
arise, I shall inform you immediately."
"Absurd! This matter concerns the rise and fall of Cobalt Strike. It is no child''s y!"
"You once told me, that the matters of the seal are of grave importance. Cobalt Strike may be safe
for now, but not forever. This mishap could be a disaster, or perhaps an opportunity for resolution.
Please grant me one year. After that, I shall provide a full ount, and you may judge as you see
fit."
"Where is it!" the Elder''s gaze was piercing.
"It has not fled; it''s been safely moved!"
"By whom!"
"Please allow me to keep that confidential," Mari insisted firmly.
The Elder rose slowly, his gaze cold as he stared at Mari before walking to the edge of the
summit, overlooking the ruins on the mountainside. "You should be well aware of the gravity of this
matter."Material ? of N?velDrama.Org.
"You know me. I shall provide an exnation."
...
vin returned to the storeroom, hastily sitting in meditation to calm his spirit, and carefully
examined his body, also searching for any trace of the Shadowbringer.
Could that strange thing have infested my body? But after repeated inspections, he found nothing
amiss, which only made vin more uneasy.
Odd!
“It summoned me over and over, and when I arrived, nothing. As I''m about to leave, it copses
without warning.
"What exactly was being contained in there?
"Not a man, not a beast, could it possibly be a spirit?"
vin spent a sleepless night, repeatedly checking his body until dawn. His body showed no signs
of tampering, and the Shadowbringer appeared safe.
Could it be that the entity had seized the opportunity to escape somewhere else?