714 Farewell (2/2)

”You are welcome to come anytime. If possible, I may return to the empire again. When that day comes, you will be able to return to your hometown without concerns.” Katrina's voice became gentle. In the Schachran Empire where there were no electromagnetism messaging, telegrams, wired phones, postal service and mailmen, since Yakov and Anna hadn't decided which city to settle in, they probably would never get in touch again after their farewell.

Thinking about that, Katrina better recognized the significance of her teacher's popularization of alchemical items.

Anna suddenly remembered something else. She asked in a low voice, ”Sister Katrina, was the cosmos you summoned a legendary power? Was it from your teacher, your father, or…”

”It's the 'Atomic Universe', the demiplane of my teacher 'Atom Controller'. He's a grand arcanist and a legendary sorcerer.” Katrina admitted frankly. Her teacher was certainly not an embarrassment for her. On the contrary, she felt proud to be her teacher's student.

”Legendary sorcerer! Just like I thought! Is he as strong as the seraphs?” Anna appeared both shocked and curious. She did not know what a grand arcanist or Atom Controller was, but nobody dared underestimate a legendary sorcerer. The former governor of the north province was a female legendary sorcerer named Fitia, 'Empress of Snow'. Therefore, marvelous stories about her had been left here. They were so unbelievable that people might think legendary sorcerers were only slightly weaker than real gods.

Katrina was good at snow spells partly because of her teacher and partly because of the horror stories of this sorcerer that she grew up with. She was naturally no stranger to the ruler. This 'Empress of snow', on the other hand, disappeared after the Magic Empire was destroyed. Nobody knew whether or not she was still alive.

”Seraphs…” Katrina smiled but did not reply. For her, her teacher was certainly stronger than common seraphs and very close to the Angel King.

After Anna, Yakov and the rest of the mercenaries embarked on their journey on the frozen land, Viscount Carendia finally said with a smile, ”Evans is still not famous enough in the Schachran Empire. I believe they would've been more shocked if you compared him to 'Observer', 'Silver-eyed Count' or 'Rhine Carendia'.”

That was because Rhine was on the execution list of the North Church, too. Lucien, having grown too fast and barely dealt with the North Church, on the other hand, was not wanted. The North Church understood its abilities very well and did not list all the leadership of the enemy forces. They'd only chosen the enemies who 'committed crimes' in their jurisdiction.

”The execution list of the North Church is not authoritative enough; the Cleansing List is much more-acknowledged…” Katrina talked as if it were arcanist study. For a sorcerer, to be included in the Cleansing List was an honor.

After a little chit chat, Viscount Carendia became solemn. ”I still feel that there are a lot of enigmas in the demon worship case. The truth might not be what we guessed. Perhaps, Viscount Andree was also merely a chess piece…”

His suspicion came from the coincidences in the event. He did not have any proof or speculation so far.

”Yes. That's why I simply listed the incidents we'd been through in the report that I submitted through the artificial planet. I didn't draw any conclusion so that the misters of the Affair Committee wouldn't be influenced. Perhaps, they have intelligence that we are unaware of…” Katrina nodded approvingly.

With the artificial planet, she submitted the mission report easily that night. Sometimes, the world seemed small to her, because there was absolutely no problem in communication when Allyn was so far away. It was not until when she saw Anna off just now that she realized that the world was still big, so big that two people might never see each other again after they said goodbye to each other.

”I've found my father's traces around, so I need to hunt him. I have to step away from your next mission.” Viscount Carendia said with a smile, but his eyes were cold.

Father? Hunt? Are you not going to take care of that, Mr. Rhine? Katrina was very curious, but she was rational enough to not pursue any further. She left for Dumute on her own.

......

In Allyn, inside the Atom Institution…

Having just upgraded the Moon Timer, Lucien saw Heidi walking towards him with a journal in her hand the moment he entered the library. His student said passionately, ”Master, this paper on 'Elements' has constructed a possible model for your speculation on negative energy and antiparticles.”

”A possible model?” Lucien had guessed what it was about based on the current studies. He asked back with a smile.

”Yes, the negative energy is the ocean in the vacuum. Perhaps, that is the source of our magic? Vacuums are not necessarily empty.” Heidi was quite interested in that. Annick and Sprint, also interested in the article, joined them.

Lucien smiled thoughtfully, ”Yes. Vacuums are not empty.”