Chapter 787: Javvok Part 1
Lith had conflicting feelings since he had walked more than one mile in Yondra's shoes. Ever since he was a small child, he had always chased his ambitions, spending with his loved ones less time the more he grew in power.
He was worried about making Yondra's same mistakes and waking up one day to realize how much he had lost only when it was too late. Raagu's words about how short-lived humans were compared to Awakened echoed in his mind, making Lith second guess his path in life for the first time in years.
After they returned home, Lith decided to take a bit of time off from his research and spend it with his family. His leave was about to end and with all that had happened, he had put Kamila's first for too long.
He wanted to make sure that his family knew how much they meant to him, even though it meant falling behind on his schedule.
***
A few days later, while they were having their afternoon tea in Quylla's quarters, Friya waltzed triumphantly in while holding a scroll in her right hand.
"It wasn't easy, but I finally did it. I found a place that satisfies everyone's requirements for our leisure trip. Due to spring, Rothar caves have become a dungeon infested by a still unidentified race of monsters."
"And how is that relevant?" Lith asked.
"Rothar caves are near the trade city of Javvok, which means we can sleep in a good hotel and that Kamila can come to us anytime she wants thanks to the city Gate, smartass." Friya replied.
"I get that part." Lith rebuked her. "I mean why monsters and more importantly, why us? Can't they deal with it on their own?"
"Of course they can, but that's not the point. Quylla wants to practice offensive magic under supervision. It's not like she can skulk on city roofs and hope for crimes to happen, nor she can wait for the next nutjob to take a swing at her.
"Monsters are the perfect practice target. They are strong, ugly, and you don't feel guilty when you kill them because they treat every living creature like we treat our dinner."
"I'm okay with it." Phloria sighed. "I need to vent quite a bit of frustration and simply training won't do. I just got suspended from duty until further notice."
"You what?" The others blurted out in unison.
"Headmaster Onia has been true to her word." Phloria said. "A special committee has been formed to evaluate the events in Kulah and assess if there was something that could have been done differently.
"Until their investigation is over, I'm back being a civilian."
"I call bullshit!" Lith said. "A bunch of paper pushers can't judge a life or death situation by reading reports while drinking tea in the safety of their office."
"Yet that's exactly what is going to happen."
"Don't worry, sis." Quylla said while hugging her. "I'm sure that Mom and Dad would rather kill them than let something bad happen to you. Plus, there's Constable Griffon on your side."
Phloria didn't reply. She was well aware of how influential the Ernas household was, but hoping that, despite the fact that so many important assets of the Kingdom had been slaughtered like fish in a barrel, no one would be held accountable for it was just naïve thinking.
Someone had to take responsibility for what had happened. Berion was too high in the chain of command while her soldiers were just grunts. Hence Phloria was the only living member of the expedition who could be reasonably pinned with the blame.
"Out of curiosity, what were the other requirements you had to fulfill?" Lith asked Friya, to lighten the mood and not let Phloria dwell too much on the bad news.
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