I laughed, giving Seren’s head a gentle scratch. "Alright, alright, I was just kidding."
Seren, however, kept staring at me with his large, luminous eyes, a clear, doubtful shimmer running through his form. He knew the truth.
"Welcome to the family, little one," Virion came to my rescue, floating closer until his snout was inches from the spectral wisp. "I’m your friend’s great and powerful master. And... you can call me Master as well."
I opened my mouth to interject. "Master, he can’t spea—"
The words died in my throat. Seren was looking directly at Virion, his entire form dipping in a slow, deliberate, and unmistakably respectful bow.
Virion hummed, a thoughtful, rumbling sound. "Hmm, yes. Quite the polite one, aren’t you? The pleasure is mine."
My jaw went slack. T-they can talk? The thought screamed in my mind, a mixture of shock and sheer fascination.
As if plucking the question straight from my head, Virion turned one gleaming eye toward me. "First of all, intelligent beasts have their own ways to communicate. Complex emotions, images, concepts—it’s a language of intent and spirit, not words. Besides, it’s not particularly hard for me to talk with any creature."
I nodded slowly, the initial shock giving way to logical acceptance. "I... I guess that makes sense."
No, it should make sense. In fantasy stories, it’s usually a common thing after all. Especially in children’s stories.
My eyes lit up with a sudden, burning curiosity.
"Is it a language, Master? A real one? And... can I learn it too?"
Virion stared at me, his expression a comical mix of suspicion and amusement. He shook his head. "Yeah, it’s like
I nodded, outwardly accepting his verdict while internally making a firm decision.
I’ll investigate it once my proficiency in languages has gone up a few more tiers.
The idea was too incredible to abandon. Imagine how cool it would be? How useful! Maybe I could even talk with plants, or understand the whispers of the wind...
I sensed Virion’s strange, penetrating gaze and coughed, hastily changing the subject. "So, uh, do you want to hear the rest of the story?"
"Oh, of course!" Virion grinned, his previous intensity vanishing back into playful curiosity. He paused, a sly glint in his eye. "Especially the part about her and how she came to meet you."
I nodded, knowing all too well who ’she’ was.
...There’s really nothing between them, right?
However, I decided not to voice it out loud. One near-death experience was enough for today. No, for at least this month!
"After defeating the last corrupted part of the Lament Shroud, I..."
Taking a final sip of the golden juice, I leaned back in the plush chair and began to tell the tale of what happened after the Lament incident. I spoke of the aftermath, the explanations, parting ways with Zephyr and Aeron(and the professor), my adventures in the city, and so on.
I kept the details broad, weaving a tale of alliance and necessity, carefully glossing over the more... personal... aspects of my time with Cassandra.
But I mentioned my ’coincidental’ meeting with her, our strategic discussions, how she helped out. But the private conversations, the charged moments of understanding and unexpected vulnerability... those remained locked away.
What surprised me was that he stopped reacting openly when I started to talk about Lady Nisha and what we talked about. He was unusually focused, which made me a bit scared, inwardly.
...Gulp, now I understand why the architect was scared so much.
An hour or so passed.
"...then I came here to our appointed meeting spot," I finally finished, the narrative neatly tied up.
Virion hummed, his chin resting on his claws, a knowing, faint smile playing on his lips.
He repeated the line a few more times with a rhythmic humming.
...I can ask questions now, right?
"Master, I’ve finished."
Virion’s rhythmic humming ceased abruptly. His emerald eyes, which had been half-lidded in thought, snapped open, fixing on me with an intensity that made the air itself feel still.
"You did a good job, my boy. A very good job indeed," he said, his voice losing its playful edge and gaining a weight of genuine approval. "Defeating a powerful, corrupted creature and getting involved in royal politics in the same month is... a unique experience. Now," he gestured with his tail, "I suspect that sharp mind of yours is buzzing. Is there anything you want to ask?"
I smiled, relieved he’d opened the door. "Master, you really know me well. And I have not one, but many questions. Sooo, I hope we can talk about them all before I return home."
Virion gave a nod. "Alright. You may start."
I took a steadying breath, my tone shifting into something more serious. "Master, back in the ossuary, Zephyr mentioned that you suspected the Hollowlands might have something to do with the Abyss. Was that true?"
I leaned forward slightly, the urgency of my home’s plight cutting through my fatigue. "And more importantly, is there a way to solve the crisis? The one the Orlan Kingdom, my family, is experiencing right now because of the Hollowlands expansion?"
Virion nodded, his small form seeming to gather the dim light of his domain. "Since we could seal the Abyssal Gate that spawned Ossian, then in theory, we can solve the problem of the Hollowlands as well. The principle should be similar: identify the source of the corruption and sever its connection to this world. Or seal the area to stop its expansion." He paused, his emerald eyes glinting. "But I haven’t been there myself, nor do I have enough direct knowledge of these... ’Hollowlands’. Its descriptions, however—the life-draining silence, the aura-less lands, the warping of space—sure give the distinct vibe of early-stage Abyssal corruption."
A thoughtful hum rumbled in his chest. "Still... I suspect there is something else happening behind the scenes. The Hollowlands... I think it is hiding a big secret within itself."
I nodded grimly. "...I suspected as much."
"So, let’s talk about this in more detail in our next meeting, after I take a visit there myself," Virion stated, his tone making it clear the topic was vast and required its own dedicated research. "For now, ask your other questions."
"Alright," I said, shifting mental gears. The fate of the kingdom was a looming mountain, but for now, I had to focus on gathering the stones to climb it.
"Please tell me about Lady Nisha."