Chapter 81~~ Souls and Spirits ~~“What else would it be?” Ian scoffed as he dusted some stone crumbs off his white shirt.“She tricked us?!” Karen placed a hand on her temple.Ian tilted his head to look at her by his left and shook his head, “More like IT tricked us. That wasn’t Beth, it was the Phantom all along.”He returned his gaze to look at the dark being hovering above the decimated pub. He scoffed, “Tch. Who would have thought anything from Purgatory could be so calm and thoughtful?”From his perspective, he estimated the Phantom to be at least seven feet tall. It had no peculiar characteristics; just a body made of shimmering darkness and bloodshot eyes. It was just there, standing aloft with its arms wide open.Karen sighed depressingly, “She tricked us and I fell for it without hesitation.”Ian had rolled his sleeves up at this point. He lifted his hand and placed it on her shoulder, “You can’t blame yourself. Her words… Or rather, its words were intoxicating. Even I cou

Chapter 83~~ In Preparation ~~Lumberville, Dhemistaria…It was forty minutes after seven in the evening and the two suns had vanished from the sky. The silver full moon stood in their place, dispelling its illuminated light on the realm.Inside a wooden bungalow, seated around the dining table was Ian and his family enjoying a sumptuous meal for the night. They were having boiled rice and stew for dinner. But that wasn’t all; three wide plates were placed on the dining table, each containing different species of fried meat. Ian ate with all seriousness and joy. It had been a very long while since he came to visit or tasted a meal this good. He and Kurt mostly went out to eat or ate cereals when they were broke and had no option. Even with the meals they had in diners and restaurants, Ian wasn’t satisfied. It just couldn’t be compared to the ones his mother made. This… maternal touch and taste was just one of a kind. The only person that had dared to stalemate his mother’s cook

Chapter 85~~ Karma ~~Lumberville, Dhemistaria…Bang! Bang! Bang!A short spark flickered from the point of contact. Ian withdrew the hammer and wiped the sweat on his forehead.He was squatted in a roofed carriage, clad in an old brown vest and black leather trousers. His black boots were thick and almost touched his knees.He had just attached the first hinge to the upper part of the door, a task that took him longer than expected due to how sweaty his hands had gotten. He had risen up early and felt the urge to fix the carriage that had laid dormant in the stable ever since he came to this realm. If he could fix it properly and train the horse diligently, his mum and sister would no longer have to waste money on public carriages: and their safety while traveling would be more steeled.Oof… With a short exhale, he picked up the second hinge and placed it firmly on the door and the inner carriage wall. He nailed each side with three nails and rose to his feet with a grunt.“Ugh! Tha

Chapter 87~~ Worth ~~With a short squeak, Amelia got off the bed and nimbly made her way into the bathroom. She came out about fifteen minutes later and sat in front of the dressing mirror. She dried her hair in haste and applied a few creams on different parts of her body. She stood up and sauntered towards her large wardrobe that almost occupied half the length of the wall.She opened it and began to search across the many gowns and dresses hanged in the wardrobe. She took a pause and looked behind her. She could tell from the veil curtains that it wasn’t dawn yet.Sigh… She resumed her search and brought out a plain emerald gown. She put it on easily and checked herself out in the mirror. It had short sleeves and stopped right above her knees.“Hmph…” she hummed, realizing how long it had been that she’d dressed this casual.She turned a few more times to get satiated with her look. Though the sun was not out, she could clearly see her reflection on the mirror; just like the mir

Chapter 89~~ Deal ~~Amelia nodded, “Yes. Karen told me the kind of work you do and I don’t think it’s a safe thing to do at all.”“But no one is willing to do what I do, to listen to the plea of the less privileged,” Ian shrugged.“She mentioned that too and I’ll see to it,” Amelia assured with a nod.Ian’s brows twitched, “Not to sound stereotypical, but that is what every noble, every Elite says and yet they have nothing to show for it.”Amelia, who was about taking a spoon full of soup took a glance at Ian after his statement and dropped the spoon. He looked really serious and perturbed about the matter, “I see it’d take more than words to convince you.”‘Well, obviously, yes,’ Ian held himself from saying it out loud.He nodded in silence.“You just have to trust me on this. Moreover, it is also the reason why I’m offering you a job at the palace,” she lifted her brows.Ian had his eyes half closed, “At the palace? What job could you possibly offer me at such a place?”She smile