"So you mean to tell me that I've been in there for days?" Marichi sat on a chair within the building, a book open in his hands, a slice of bread resting on a small stool beside him.
His body, beneath the traditional clothes, looked clean, free of scratches or even a speck of dust. The areas where Lezschill's hands had once been on his shoulders now appeared untouched, as if nothing could have been stuck there in the first place.
"How many days exactly?" He looked up at Acis, who also appeared clean and relaxed, holding a cup of steaming liquid.
"How many times have I said this already?" she asked, leaning against a rectangular wooden pillar directly in front of him. Marichi scratched the back of his head, looking bewildered.
"It's been over five days." She sipped the liquid, but did so too quickly, then stuck out her tongue and blew air, spilling some of the liquid onto the wooden floor.
Marichi recoiled slightly at the news, tilting his head forward, exposing his delicate features. He nudged his head to the side.
"Just… How?" he asked, then dropped his head, nodding in continued disbelief.
"That's just the nature of a half-lit zone, I guess." Acis shuddered, then pushed off the pillar.
"…" Marichi tried to speak, but Acis stopped him by pointing a hand outward.
"And I'd rather not try and remember it." She closed her eyes, her back to him, the liquid in her cup sloshing faintly due to the tremor in her hands.
"Hmm…" Marichi sighed loudly, bending down to look at the book in his hands as Acis walked away.
From what this book says...
He flipped a page.
Half-Lit zones are places where the normal laws of the world don't apply.
That they exist everywhere in the world but in distinct places…
That's where the zone part comes in. He raised his fingers, lightly massaging his eyes.
But they are normally indicated on a map… Why didn't ours have them?
And supposedly, why didn't Jorel's map have it as well?
He thought, then flipped the page.
Could it be that it wasn't accounted for…
Or were we both using outdated maps?
His eyes continued to scan the book, analyzing each line as more questions arose.
×There are many Half-lit zones in the world as of the time of writing this book, some we've noted down in all our maps as areas to avoid×
×While some are still being discovered, but at the cost of precious lives×
"Precious" lives that could have been ours… He thought cynically, then grabbed the stale bread and ate it.
×As for the reason why Half-lit zones exist, no one truly knows. Only some speculations exist from scholars all around×
Not seeing anywhere about Half-lit zones having lords…
He thought as an image of Lezschill danced in his mind.
×A group of scholars from the country of Svene once said that it is birthed from gods, that it's one of their creations on this here earth×
×Another one from the nation of Marlor states that it's from the wide range of use of god contracts×
×That it takes a toll on the earth, that's why the zones haven't actually just been existing, but are being formed as a result of the pools of energy warping the reality of those areas, sort of like debris piling up on the banks of rivers×
×Then there's this one, that Half-lit zones are formed from where the line between the Nichto realm and the real world collapse in on each other, leading to a break of reality×
×But this idea isn't too supported and sometimes cited as pure lies because the nature of the Nichto realm actually existing is another topic for debate×
"Still reading that book?" Blutsatchel came to stand directly in front of Marichi, who seemed captivated by the words.
"Oh, you're back." Marichi said, raising his head from the book.
"Yeah, went around for a little stroll around town."
"You know, just picking up on anything that might seem of interest." She shifted her gaze toward the other people in the building.
There were young ladies and men all wearing long white and red uniforms with traces of black, and the same symbol seen on the sign outside emblazoned on their dresses. Some wore masks and carried trays, speaking to people in beds. One worker even knelt in a corner.
"What did you hear?" Marichi asked, lowering his book.
"You remember that whole conflict of the Lord of the Bandan Lands marching into the High Court?" Blut said.
"Yeah… The one where he killed some seat members and declared something, right?" Marichi asked, his voice unsure.
"Well… seems it's caused some riots in some places." She added.
"This town also had one of them while we were out searching for you." She glanced towards the door as people brought a young man with an injured arm to one of the uniformed workers.
The young man wailed in pain as his elderly mother wept behind him, then escorted away by other uniformed people. Blutsatchel glanced, but quickly dismissed the scene, turning back to Marichi. She folded her hands and scratched her elbows, her right leg slightly raised and tapping the floor.
Why does my mind tell me that the nobles have something to do behind this…
And something is coming right ahead. Marichi dropped his book on the stool, reclining back in his chair. He squeezed his eyes shut and sighed.
"Not to mention that I have to go back there very soon…" He murmured, rubbing the small scar on his upper lip.
"What of the roads? Are they safe?" he asked.
"No, there have been reports of recent spikes in bandit activity ever since the High Court incident," Blut replied.
"Damn it!" Marichi slammed his leg onto the wooden floor, causing a creak as he adjusted his feet.
"Kacis?" He asked, supporting his lowered head with his hands.
"I had told him to go and scout out the area, just in case." Blutsatchel said, breathing heavily as she heard one of the male workers sobbing.
He breathed in calmly, stood up, and asked, "What of returning Jorel?"
"Kacis flew over to the Ujochi estate and dropped him off." Blutsatchel then positioned her body towards the door.
Judging by how she didn't inform me of any problems with that…
And Kacis came back…
I'm safe to assume that it went well.
Marichi dusted bread crumbs off his clothes and started walking.
"You've paid for everything, right?" Marichi asked before taking another step.
"Yeah." Blutsatchel nodded.
"Alright." He exhaled and walked towards the door.
Opening it, the morning sun's rays glinted in his eyes, making him shield them slightly with his hand. The brightness faded as he looked to his right, seeing Acis sitting on a chair, lost in thought. Marichi walked closer, sensing something was wrong.
"What's bothering you?" He asked as he gently placed his hand on her shoulder.
Acis slowly raised her head and simply blinked at him in response.
"Ever since we left the zone…"
"You've just been off…" He took a seat right beside her.
She hasn't been herself lately…
Could it be that what happened to Burtu must've…
No… I don't want to think like that…
But…
Better to be safe than sorry.
He then looked at Acis's gloomy face and vacant eyes.
"No… It's nothing…" She said, forcing a fake smile.
"I'm being serious here…"
"What's actually going on?" Marichi lowered his voice, softening it, aligning it more perfectly with his gentle face.
---The end of chapter 49---