Kyran knew Gael did not suggest investigating Howling Pass, believing Cyneah might be there. Since it was more or less established that she was at the place where the old man asked him to go— unless the latter wanted him to go to 'Howling Pass'— there was no need to look for her there.
Thus, Kyran knew Gael suggested that place while thinking of the missing people in the Human plane.
'Do you recognize any of them?' Kyran asked, suddenly realizing a problem.
If those 'complete beings' were really from the Human plane and ended up here after accidentally entering a rift, could Gael have 'eaten' some of the Conclave's people?
Kyran felt an incoming headache at this possibility.
Gael shook his head, 'No one. If you want to ask if there were anyone from the Conclave or Mannick's people, I don't think so. These people are pretty old compared to them.'
'You have to consider the time difference,' Kyran reminded. 'Apparently, seven years had passed here compared to a year in the Human plane.'
Gael fell into contemplation for a moment before shaking his head, 'Some of them still seem older.'
''Some,'' Kyran repeated thoughtfully. 'Could rifts have appeared in the Human plane without us knowing?'
This was possible because, Azaloth, the Human plane's Sovereign then, had been in deep slumber. It was not strange for the plane to experience instability during that time.
'It is a possibility,' Gael also agreed. 'The age group of the supposed complete beings just now differ, too.'
He fell silent, falling into contemplation. After a few seconds, he continued, 'Rifts that led to this plane could have appeared in intervals in the Human plane. Unless these people that accidentally entered a rift were a group of varying ages.'
Kyran did not respond. He was also considering other things regarding the identities of those 'complete beings.'
Rifts appeared in every part of the Human plane. This was not an event that occurred solely in Ylfaen Empire. They also appeared at random. It would not be strange if one had appeared in rural areas with few people. The varying age group might have been because a traveling group might have been pulled into one without realizing it.
Kyran could think of other scenarios that could have caused these people to end up in Somuli. And if some of these people came at different timelines, something was causing those rifts to appear.
That was a little concerning.
It reminded Kyran of the past rift that connected the Human plane to Lignum. Because it was not treated early, many outsiders entered, which led to a long-lasting war. His father's essence exhorted him to search for the rift and, if it was still open, close it.
Kyran had no chance to search for that rift, but he did ask Max and Reuben to check for it while Max captured new beasts in the Valley of Morte. Kyran did think the mutation of the beasts in the Valley of Morte was due to the rift connected to Lignum. It might have been sealed before, but it might have loosened a bit after so long.
In any case, Max and Reuben did not find that rift. But they continue to search for rifts even to this day and destroy them with the help of Bas and Iss. The latter two could manifest the Void, so they had the ability to destroy rifts.
'Investigate that place,' Kyran finally decided after giving it some thought.
With the Human plane having a new Sovereign, the appearance of rifts might have stopped. But those old rifts could still be out there. And if there were rifts that connected the Somuli plane to the Human plane, sooner or later, inhabitants of the former might start entering the latter.
Kyran took out a communication device and gave it to Gael.
'Use that when sending an update.'
Gael took the device and knelt on one knee. He lowered his head respectfully and said, 'As you will, Master.'
After Gael left, Kyran returned to the building he appeared to after teleporting from the emergency shelter.
There, three beast-like puppets were on their knees, awaiting Kyran.
"You guys did a good job escaping," Kyran could not help but remark with raised brows.
He had yet to complete their programming since the puppets were pretty new in his collections. Thus, they could not answer freely like Aki, Len, and Neo.
Not that Kyran was expecting any response from them. He waved his hand, and they returned to the Void World.
Once done, he teleported back to where the old man was currently at.
After losing the three perpetrators, the emergency protocol was not lifted. Instead, the security group started to separate people in position among the crowd and lead them to private rooms to rest.
Though it sounded pretty grand, these private rooms were small. Only about 2-3 square meters. Which was why most did not accept and remained in the huge hall.
As for the old man, he initially did not want to because he was afraid he would miss Kyran's return. However, after recalling how the latter told him he would find him, he finally agreed and got one of the larger rooms.
In the room, there was only a small mattress and not enough space to move around.
"Great Abbot," a beast-like wearing a fine silk robe and a hat lowered his head to whisper close to the old man.
"We do apologize for this inconvenience. But please wait in this room for a while. Once the emergency protocol is lifted, we will escort you back to the guild."
The old man's demeanor appeared to change as he turned the beast-like.
"I don't see the people from the Adventurer Guild here."
The beast-like straightened and smiled slightly, "Their services are required outside."
"All of them?"
"We do not know how many intruders there are. We have to be careful."
"Is that right? I had thought this town's security group has one of the most decent numbers in the land."
The beast-like only smiled without saying a word.
The old man kept looking at him for a few seconds before finally looking away. He turned toward the room and said, "I am a little hungry. Bring me something to eat."
"Yes, of course," the beast-like gestured at a young man behind, who left as soon as he was told to prepare food for the Abbot.
"Well then," the beast-like lowered his head again, "We will deliver your food in a while. In the meantime, please rest inside—."
BOOM!
Before the beast-like could finish his words, the above ceiling caved in after the loud explosion.
"Secure the area!"
"The Abbot! Check the Abbot at once!"
Amidst the cloud of smoke and rubbles, shouts from the beast-like spoke one after another, with coughing every now and then.
As for the old man, he stood transfixed in place as he looked at the barrier that protected him from the explosion.
'I may have overdone that, sorry.'
Hearing the familiar voice of Kyran in his head, the old man turned.
·?θm As he expected, Kyran stood there with a slight smile.
'I had to do something like this to convince them someone has taken you.'
'You— this explosion— how?' The old man looked at him incredulously.
It should be noted that if an explosion occurred there, the whole ground would cave in, and all of them would be buried alive. However, not only was the ceiling that caved in controlled, the rubble fell right between the space that separated the old man from the rest of the beast-like.
The old man already guessed this was the handiwork of Kyran. But how the latter controlled and timed the explosion eluded him.
'There is time for questions later. Let's go.'
Not waiting for the old man to respond, Kyran waved his hand and took him into his Void World.
The old man's eyes widened. They almost fell out of their sockets from shock.
One second, he was just in a cramped space, surrounded by rubbles. The next moment, he was suddenly in a vast field with a bright sky above.
'Is this the place he told me earlier?' The old man surveyed his surroundings in pure fascination.
From a distance, he saw a tower with rune writings circling it.
'Was that the place he mentioned?'
'Yes.'
The old man was too shocked, his heart almost leaped out of his mouth, 'Spare this old man the surprises. My old heart cannot take it.'
He turned, thinking of giving Kyran a reprimanding stare. But to his surprise, no one was there.
'There will be 'people' who will come and escort you to that tower. Just follow them, and rest.'
'How are you talking to me without being here?' The old man asked dazedly.
'I'll explain later. Tell me where to go.'
'R-Right,' the old man shook his head, trying to refocus his attention. 'Then, exit town from the west and continue going that way. After a week's travel, we should be able to reach the borders of the Great Divide."
Follow current novℯls on f(r)eewebnov𝒆l