Free Web NovelChapter 164: The Seed of Discord
As the moon cast its pale glow over the settlement, Shinon embarked on a solitary night walk, seeking solace in the silence of the night.
He knew that sometimes the answers to his most pressing questions could be found in the silence, in the depths of his own thoughts.
With each step he took, his mind was consumed by the enigma of the Lunarisite.
Despite his best efforts, he could not forge anything substantial from the shimmering mineral. It remained stubbornly unyielding, resisting his attempts to shape it into a usable form.
Shinon pondered over the possibilities. How could he harness the power of the Lunarisite? What secrets did it hold, and how could it aid them in their fight against his enemies?
These questions echoed in his mind, swirling like the currents of a deep and mysterious ocean.
As he walked through the streets, his footsteps echoing softly in the night, Shinon couldn’t help but feel frustrated.
He had always been a master of manipulating materials, bending them to his will. But the Lunarisite posed a unique challenge, defying his skills and leaving him perplexed.
"There has to be something that I’m missing..."
He paused by a lamppost, leaning against it, and gazed at the stars. They shimmered in the dark sky, distant and untouchable. It reminded him of the Lunarisite, its luminescence captivating yet elusive.
"Perhaps," Shinon mused aloud, his voice barely a whisper. "I’ve been approaching it the wrong way. Maybe it’s not about bending or shaping the Lunarisite, but about understanding its nature and finding a way to blend with it."
He closed his eyes, letting his thoughts wander freely. He visualised the Lunarisite, its ethereal glow permeating his consciousness. He imagined its energy patterns, the way it danced and pulsed with a mystical essence.
"Should I try asking Lova for some information?" Shinon mumbled but ultimately decided against it.
Pushing up so much on her so soon after forming a working relationship wasn’t a good idea. Besides, she was already busy strengthening the settlement defences for the impending attack from Aric.
As he wondered about that, an odd feeling struck him. The settlement was never this quiet, even during the darkest hour. The silence, coupled with the night, felt ominous as he wondered where the rest of the people were.
"Why does it feel like I forgot something?" Shinon scratched his head, and suddenly it hit him like a ton of bricks. "Fuck! I forgot about working on the defences myself!"
He quickened his pace, his steps echoing through the settlement as he headed towards the entrance. freёwebnoѵel.com
As he approached the entrance, he beheld a scene bustling with activity. People of all ages and backgrounds were gathered, working together to strengthen the settlement’s defences.
The air was filled with the clanging of hammers, the rhythmic scraping of shovels, and the occasional laughter that floated on the breeze.
A smile tugged at the corners of Shinon’s lips as he took in the sight. Lova, Sable, Selena, Kira, Rico, and even the girls they had rescued Mia, Lily, and Emily, were all present, their sleeves rolled up as they were hard at work.
"About time you showed up!" as usual, Selena was the first to notice him, a playful glint in her eyes. "We thought you got lost in the shadows or something, Mr Shadowmancer."
Shinon chuckled, shaking his head. "Just had some matters to attend to. But it seems like you all have been busy in my absence."
Rico joined in, a mischievous grin on his face. "Yeah, and we’ve been waiting for the master craftsman to grace us with his presence. We could use your expertise here."
"Oh, don’t flatter him too much. His head might get even bigger." Kira interjected, her voice tinged with sarcasm.
"Flatter me?" Shinon playfully feigned offence, placing a hand over his heart. "Now, now, Kira. You know I’m just an ordinary guy with extraordinary skills."
"See, I warned you!" Kira laughed before returning to work as she laced the settlement walls with poisonous vines.
Nova smiled, joining the banter, her eyes gleaming with amusement. "Well, ordinary guy, we could use those skills to fortify our defences."
"Of course, I’ll get right to it," Shinon replied as his eyes scanned the area, forming a real-time action plan. However, he was soon interrupted.
"Shinon, over here!" called one of the settlers, a man named Jacob. He was struggling to hoist a large wooden beam into place.
"Try lifting it up on three," Syhinon told him. "Three!"
Shinon swiftly approached Jacob’s side, the shadows coalescing around his arms to lend their strength. With a surge of power, the beam rose effortlessly, slotting into its designated spot.
Jacob’s eyes widened in astonishment. "I could have sworn that beam was twice as heavy a moment ago! How did you do that?"
"Just a little help from my friends," Shinon flashed a knowing smile, gesturing towards the shadows dancing around him.
Marcus stood at a distance, hidden behind the veil of darkness, as he observed the settlement bustling with activity. The sounds of hammering, shouting, and metal clanking filled the air.
Settlers toiled diligently, constructing defences that they believed would protect them from the impending threat of Aric and his forces.
However, Marcus watched on with amusement. In his eyes, they were nothing but fools, blinded by false hope and illusions of victory. The audacity to challenge Aric, a formidable ruler even the military dared not cross, seemed nothing short of foolishness.
"They truly believe they stand a chance," Marcus murmured to himself, his voice filled with scorn. He shook his head in disbelief, unable to comprehend their optimism.
Yet, as Marcus watched the settlement’s inhabitants work tirelessly, he saw an opportunity amidst the chaos. A chance to fulfil his own agenda and rid himself of Shinon, who had become a thorn in his side.
A sinister smile played upon Marcus’ lips as he began formulating a plan. He would ensure that Shinon’s efforts against Aric would be in vain, shattering the false hope that had taken root within the settlement.
"Just wait, bastard... I’ll make you regret ever stepping against me." Marcus laughed before returning inside to the comfort of his room.
