Akil surveyed the scene, a frown creasing his brow. The original plan had hinged on the low-grade seeds provided by the kings, ensuring that the resulting larks would be easily manageable. However, the reality was far different. A quick glance revealed several unusually powerful larks scattered throughout the crowd, far beyond the capabilities of ordinary soldiers.
Flora’s spell had drawn a vast flock of larks to the capital, yet the city remained largely unscathed. The creatures seemed oblivious to Akil’s presence, bound by the spell’s power. However, the fragile balance could shatter at any moment, unleashing chaos upon the city.
The situation had become far more complex than anticipated. If the seeds had not hatched prematurely, the kings could have dealt with the city’s monsters, leaving Flora’s controlled larks a relatively minor threat. But her continued summoning posed a significant risk.
Akil also remained wary of the potential dangers of the lark-controlling spell. The spell’s potential to corrupt the sorcerer’s desires had raised a red flag in his mind. Placing trust in the spellcaster was unwise.
He surveyed the crumbling ruins of the royal palace.
What were they trying to do?
Why did they attack here?
He refrained from questioning her further. If Flora had a specific agenda, she would not provide a straightforward answer. There was no time to delve into the veracity of her claims or her underlying motives.
“Terminate the spell immediately, Anika Flora,” he demanded.
“No!” she replied defiantly.
Flora felt a surge of resistance. She was unwilling to relinquish the liberation, freedom, and newfound power she was experiencing.
Having always lived with a sense of inadequacy compared to Jin, she was finally beginning to recognize her own worth. The notion of being told to stop was utterly unacceptable.
However, Flora concealed her true emotions. She recalled the warnings of the ancient wanderers: “Remember, a sorcerer’s journey often ends in tragedy.”
She could easily anticipate the king’s reaction to her refusal.
I’ve fulfilled my purpose, so I’m evidently no longer needed. He might attempt to eliminate me. Now I understand why the sorcerers of old were murdered. Their great power likely aroused envy in those around them, she thought.
Flora was convinced that she was not under the spell’s influence. Her mind was lucid, and she acted of her own volition. Before activating the spell, she had anticipated hearing ominous voices attempting to sway her, but that phenomenon had never occurred.
Akil finally turned his attention to the man who had been persistently bothering him. “Sir Pides,” he acknowledged. Pides bowed.
“Should I clear away the obstacles before I confront the monsters?” Akil asked.
Understanding the underlying threat, “Are you an enemy or an ally? If you’re an enemy, you’ll die,” Pides broke into a cold sweat.
He had been discreetly following Flora since she left her home, keeping a respectful distance. With the larks encircling them, escape was impossible. He sensed that any attempt to distance himself from Flora would provoke an attack from the larks.
Though not one to boast, he realized that this was not the time to be modest.
“I am the one providing information about the defensive barrier sorcery, Your Majesty,” he declared.
Akil nodded, his expression softening slightly. “It seems we have much to discuss. Unfortunately, we’ll have to postpone that for now. Anika Flora, your response is overdue.”
Flora smiled. “In that case, Your Majesty, perhaps I should lead the larks outside the capital. That way, stopping the spell would cause less disruption.”
“That’s an excellent idea,” Akil exclaimed, nodding in agreement. “However, at your current pace, it would take quite some time to relocate them… Even a horse wouldn’t be able to navigate the chaos.”
After a moment of contemplation, Akil turned his gaze away. Focusing his attention on a specific spot, a wolf with a striking blend of silver and black fur materialized, leaping over the larks as if emerging directly from Akil’s entrance.
“Pang,” he commanded. “Take this person and carry them outside the capital.”
The wolf circled around Akil, appearing hesitant. Akil reassured the beast with a pat on the head. “Just this once. I’m counting on you, Pang.”
With a snort, the wolf expelled a gust of air, stretching its front legs as if waking from slumber. At that moment, the wolf began to grow significantly larger. Within seconds, it transformed into a massive creature capable of easily carrying a person.
Flora readily agreed to ride on the wolf’s back. However, upon witnessing her awkward position atop the beast, Akil’s expression turned concerned. She seemed at risk of falling during their journey.
Therefore, he decided to let Pides join them, relying on his balance to keep them secure. Flora resolved to hold onto Pides tightly from behind as they traveled.
A sudden gust of wind startled Akil, forcing him to raise an arm to shield his eyes. Shortly after, he heard the sound of an exploding flare.
Pides and Flora were caught off guard by the strong wind, tumbling from the wolf. Fortunately, the wolf’s swiftly supportive tail prevented any injuries. Regaining their composure, the two climbed back onto the beast.
“The defensive barrier sorcery has been breached. Are you ready?” Akil asked. Pides and Flora nodded in unison atop the wolf.
“Go, Pang,” he commanded.
The giant wolf leaped, trampling over the larks as it took flight. It quickly vanished from Akil’s sight, followed by a surge of larks.
I need to inform them about this, Akil thought. He retrieved a notebook and opened it. Discovering a note written by another king, he read it with a look of intrigue. Below, he briefly recorded the recent events.
