Chapter 181: First Act 50: The Sun 7

Stepping back into the city squar, the first thing that caught my eye was the slow crumbling of the protective barrier.

It was like watching a safety net unravel, and the air was thick with panic.

Especially with all these people shouting.

The ground beneath my feet refused to stay still, and the distant sounds of a fierce battle outside only added to the growing chaos.

I dashed through the crowded streets, heading towards the central square, trying to make sense of the situation.

To my surprise, the bishop and Elena, veered off in a different direction.

I couldn't ask them directly, but Elena's intense gaze hinted that they had something important in mind.

Now what I thought about it where is Meralda?

Concerned about Meralda, I turned to Aria, who was right beside me, and asked in a hurry.

"Aria" I called out.

"Yes?" she replied rather quickly.

"Where is Meralda?"

"Ah....!"

Aria's eyes widened as she seemed to realize something.

She closed her eyes and started sending mana signals around her, attempting to establish a connection with Meralda.

Unlike other summoners, Aria wasn't naturally gifted in sensing elemental forces, and her contract with Meralda had its limitations.

Despite having the staff of Estelle to lessen her mana burdens, communicating with her newly contracted spirit was proving to be a real struggle, especially with Aria's lower mana output.

Puck... Zzt...!

Suddenly, a burst of electrical sparks in shades of green and blue crackled on Aria's forehead, indicating that her attempt to establish communication had failed.

".... Ow"

Aria groaned in pain, clutching her forehead. Seeking support, she instinctively grabbed onto my arm, but realizing the difficulty I had carrying the sleeping Louise, she promptly released her grip.

Concerned, I inquired, "Are you okay?"

"Yeah... Sorry, Adrian. I actually asked Meralda to look for Louise and Analise a while ago. I completely forgot to call her back; she's probably still out there somewhere searching. I should've informed her right away when I still had much more mana" Aria admitted with a hint of regret.

I realized right away that the powerful wind spell she had cast earlier had drained most of her mana reserves.

"Don't force yourself. Meralda is a strong spirit, so she should be fine"

I couldn't ignore the fact that I was partly responsible for the communication breakdown, having ordered Aria to use that potent spell in the first place.

"Okay"

No updates or fresh information reached me, leaving Aunt and Schwi likely as perplexed as I was about the unfolding situation.

The absence of any communication from Schwi, whose role was to keep me informed of variables, suggested that she, too, was in the process of evaluating the circumstances.

"Long story short, I just arrived here a while ago. I assisted the bishop in locating the saintess, and after a successful mission, we returned here. Discovering Louise in the process was an unexpected coincidence,"

As I attempted to provide a concise explanation, Lilliana's confusion seemed to deepen, her curiosity intensifying.

Her gaze shifted towards Aria, who was subtly hiding behind me, avoiding Lilliana's scrutiny. Despite her attempts to remain inconspicuous, Aria couldn't escape Lilliana's notice. However, rather than acknowledging her presence, Lilliana chose to disregard her, directing her attention back to me.

Observing Aria's reaction, I sensed a mixture of relief and nervousness emanating from her. It seemed she was relieved to have escaped Lilliana's direct focus yet remained apprehensive in her presence.

Suddenly, a bluish-white aura enveloped the sleeping Louise, emanating from my hands. Lilliana's gentle smile conveyed a sense of understanding as she used telekinesis to lift Louise from my grasp.

Summoning her wand, Lilliana delicately inscribed three runic letters on Louise's forehead.

In the brief moments that followed, Louise's platinum blonde hair underwent a transformation, turning a pristine shade of white.

The unique color stood out, even in this novel world.

Despite the sudden change, Louise's beauty remained undiminished, her face retaining its ethereal allure.

"There are still a lot of people here that will recognize Louise right away... You know she's still wanted, right?"

Lilliana's voice took on a playful tone, and a strangely satisfied expression crossed her face, as if reveling in the idea that I had unintentionally made a mistake.

There was an expectant look in her eyes as she continued, "Let me take care of her."

"Sorry, I completely forgot"

I replied, offering an apology that was, in all honesty, a lie.

The reality was that most people present probably didn't know or care much about Louise anymore.

Although she technically remained a suspect and a criminal in the eyes of some, I had strategically directed monsters toward those individuals, particularly the professors and leaders who had sided with the reprehensible Armin in capturing Louise. Many of them were likely no longer alive.

As I glanced around, I could discern a few faces that might recognize Louise.

This prompted me to act decisively, allowing Louise's face to rest on my chest, effectively shielding her features from prying eyes.

While her uniquely platinum blonde hair might still be noticeable, in the midst of the current panic and chaos, I doubted that many people would take notice.

"So?" Lilliana's voice cut through the air, breaking the momentary silence.

"So?" I echoed, slightly puzzled.

"Where's my thanks?" she queried, a playful tone underscoring her words.

"Thank you," I responded, grateful for her assistance with Louise. The unexpected help left me wondering if this was her way of seeking acknowledgment.

Suddenly, Lilliana moved even closer, her eyes carrying a hint of expectation. Perplexed, I found myself wondering what she wanted. Did she seek more gratitude, or was there something else on her mind?

Noticing that her head was slightly bowed, I instinctively patted it. A shiver ran through her, but instead of pulling away, she seemed to revel in the gesture. Was she seeking praise? It felt oddly reminiscent of patting a loyal dog, and I couldn't help but feel a mix of amusement and confusion.

Haah....!

A sigh escaped me as I considered the complexity of my beautiful yet eccentric sister.

From her unpredictable behavior to her status as the flower of the empire, she defied easy categorization. Yet, one undeniable truth remained.

...She's way too cute!