Chapter 128: Important conversation
Relief shone clearly on their faces when Shaan shared the outcome of the trial he had just gone through. Honestly, even Shaan himself still couldn’t believe he had managed to escape the charges. Luckily, Dr. Marshal stood by his side and helped him; without that, he surely would have ended up in prison.
"Mr. Courier, have you seen Dr. Marshal?" Shaan looked around. "I’ve been looking for him, but I can’t find him anywhere."
"Yes, Sir. Marshal walked that way with two faction leaders," said Mr. Courier, pointing to a long hallway beside him. "I’ll go there and call him. He should be done talking with the other faction leaders by now." "Ah, let me call him," said Shaan. "I don’t mind doing it at all."
"I understand." Mr. Courier nodded his head. "Shaan, we’ll all wait outside."
"Okay."
Without much time, Shaan quickly searched for Dr. Marshal, following the direction the courier had given him earlier. He kept walking down the hallway in front of him until he heard Dr. Marshal talking to someone.
"Thank you, Sir Philip, Ms. Daisy, for your help." Dr. Marshal patted both of their shoulders. "Without your support, all my plans would have fallen apart."
"Hey, don’t call me Sir. We’re only two years apart, and I’m glad I could help you," Sir Philip smiled. "I’m also not happy with Kael’s attitude, which seems to be cornering the young man."
"Eh, you’re welcome, Dr. Marshal," said Daisy, keeping her head down. " I’m just doing what I have to do."
’Good grief... so all of this was planned. Dr. Marshal is a genius.’ Shaan froze for a few minutes, then slipped behind one of the columns. ’Maybe I should listen to their conversation first.’
"Hey, but I’m still confused about what you said earlier, Marshal. " Philip crossed his arms, his expression tightening. "Regarding the symbol of the destructive spell, I don’t know, but I don’t think I’ve ever heard of anyone other than you being able to use that symbol. "
"Yes, that’s what really confuses me. I’m thinking that perhaps one of the resistance members learned the spell, but this is just my speculation," said the marshal, stroking his chin. "But how is that possible?"
"I’ll try to find out if the resistance is related to the appearance of the destructive spell symbol. Perhaps a member of the labor faction knows something about this."
"Thank you, that’s very helpful for—"
"Dr Marshal... Someone is hiding behind the building column," Ms Daisty pointed to the one column near them. "Come out now. I know you’re there and eavesdropping on our conversation."
"Huh? Wait—h-how did she notice me?" Shaan’s face drained of color at Daisy’s words. I was certain no one sensed me. Could this woman just be bluffing?
"I’ll count to three. If you don’t show yourself, we’ll come to you," Daisy said. "One... two..."
Shaan finally decided to slowly walk out of his hiding place. Everyone there immediately folded their arms and stared at Shaan with annoyed expressions.
"Shaan, what are you doing here?" Dr. Marshal frowned. "Why are you eavesdropping on us?"
"Yes, I’m sorry." Shaan bowed his head. "I just wanted to call you because the others were waiting for you outside. But it seemed like you were still talking, so I decided to listen until you were done. Once again, I’m sorry, Dr. Marshal."
"Enough, I understand." Dr. Marshal let out a long sigh. "In that case, Sir Philip, Ms. Daisy, let’s end our discussion for today. The others will keep searching for me if I stay here. We’ll continue another time."
"Alright, Dr. Marshal. We understand," said Daisy.
"Okay, see you another time, Marshal."
Shaan and Dr. Marshal then walked away from the two faction leaders, heading for the exit. Just as Shaan reached for the door, hurried footsteps echoed behind them. Both of them instinctively turned their heads.
"Ms. Daisy? What’s wrong?" Dr. Marshal furrowed his brow. "Why are you chasing us?"
"Ah, luckily I still had time." Ms. Daisy wiped her sweat. Th-the tether... I forgot to remove it," she said, breathing hard.
"Oh, right. I forgot about that, too." Dr. Marshal chuckled. "Alright, let’s sit over there and let Ms. Daisy unlock your tether, Shaan."
"I understand, Dr. Marshal."
They sat down on one of the chairs near the door. Then, Miss Daisy sat facing Shaan and took a silver key out of her pocket.
"Eh, Shaan, please put your feet on this chair so I can open the tether more easily."
"Okay, Miss Daisy."
Shaan listened to Miss Daisy’s instructions. She quickly slid the key into the tether’s lock. In seconds, the indicator light shut off, and the device clicked free from his ankle.
"Eh... Done. I’ve finished opening it."
’Ah, at least now I can move freely.’
"I’ll take this tether to the lab right away and check the condition of this machine." Miss Daisy held the tether tightly. "Eh... See you later, Dr. Marshal, Shaan," said Miss Daisy, then walked away from them.
"Shaan, we should get out of here. I’m sure the others are waiting for us."
***
"Strange, why haven’t Shaan and Mr. Marshal come out yet?" Mr. Courier paced back and forth in front of the door. "Could something have happened inside?"
"Uhm... I’m thinking the same thing. Should we go in and check on them?"
"I think that’s a good idea. I’ll try to—"
Suddenly, the door in front of Mr. Courier slowly opened, and Dr. Marshal and Shaan walked through it. Without waiting long, Mr. Courier immediately approached them.
"Mr. Marshal, Shaan—did anything go wrong during the trial?" "Ah, no. Nothing at all." Dr. Marshal shook his head. "Everything went smoothly. I only asked the other faction leaders to gather information about the resistance and the destruction spell symbol at the scene."
"Oh, I see." The courier nodded. "At least now we can finally go home."
"Yes, that’s true. But before we return, there’s one place I want to visit first—and I’m sure all of you will enjoy it."