Chapter 365 The Fall Of Lotheliwan [Part 2]
"They started attacking you guys? Why?"
"Obviously because Braham told them that we were harboring a monster. A monster that could understand and communicate with humans."
Northern narrowed his eyes.
"He lied? How more wretched could he be?"
Annette was silent for a few seconds, squarely looking at Northern.
Northern returned the gaze gesture and questioned.
"What? Didn't he?"
She shook her head subtly.
"No, he didn't."
She then squinted her eyes, "Northern, have you seen Mr. Fluffy since you came back?"
Northern shook his head, "No, I haven't. I just came back and came here straight."
Annette then slowly nodded, "I see, that's why…"
"That's why what?"
She raised her face to him and gave him her intense fiery glare.
"Your monster wolf has grown… really grown. And although it can't speak with us, it clearly understands us."
Northern thought for a while; he didn't think anything was wrong with that.
Even from when they were in the rift, Mr. Fluffy clearly could understand him and acted on his commands.
Could that be factored into a level of communication that anyone needs to be concerned with?
"I'm not sure if we are even on the same page here…"
Annette breathed and explained with slight hand gestures that seemed to give life to her words.
"What I'm saying is your monster wolf relates with people on a fantastic level. And responds with growls. That thing is literally Ellis' best friend; it also runs errands. It's a friend of everyone."
Northern nodded, "I guess that's a big problem… but why should the Sloria stronghold bother themselves with this?"
Annette was silent, her fiery eyes rested on Northern, before she continued, saying,
"See, I have never said this to you. But Sloria has a very big backing."
"Luinngard Empire, I guess? So you know about that."
Annette, startled, almost stumbled back.
"How do you even know that?"
Northern shrugged slightly.
"Well, a lot has happened."
Annette observed him with suspicious eyes.
"For how long you guys were gone… a lot has to have happened."
Northern suddenly asked her.
"Sorry, how long were we gone?"
"You don't know?" She pointed two fingers. "You guys were gone for two whole months."
"Ahh… I see…"
'It isn't as much as I had actually expected it would have been.'
"So in that two months, you became a Savant and almost even broke out of it? I don't assume fighting drifters is what earned you that achievement."
Annette smiled in fervent satisfaction.
"Calm down and let me get there."
She continued.
"The Empire was the one that concerned themselves with the matters of monsters; I wasn't sure. After Braham reported Mr. Fluffy's existence to Sloria, they attacked us and asked us to submit the monster to them; then they would allow us to join them.
"At this point, Fluffy was beginning to relate with everyone. Some were going to do it while some opposed. It caused another serious battle of separation. We really got done in by the drifters of Sloria, and Mr. Fluffy was close to being kidnapped by a certain individual. I doubt you'll know him; he goes by the name Zephyr.
"Then Night Terror came… fought him and almost died. But guess who saved your monster? Ryan, Arlem, Vida, and I!!"
She sounded like she was boasting.
Northern's blank gaze stayed glued to her face.
Someone almost killed Night Terror?
The news came as very shocking and made him question for the first time.
Night Terror is a Void Summon… what will happen should he die?
Northern felt his shoulders tremble; his spit suddenly dried out as he gulped.
The point Annette was trying to make earlier finally settled in.
He looked at her and exhaled shakily.
"Thank you."
Night Terror is his strongest asset; losing that monster would be a huge blow to his soul.
Annette smiled delightfully.
"You are welcome."
She lingered for a few beats before she continued her story.
"After things went down that way, Mr. Fluffy returned to the mansion and refused to leave. While Sloria surrounded the mansion and were going to set it on fire. They either had the monster or killed it.
She sighed; remembering it seemed to make her even anxious.
"We begged your monster to leave… it refused; the mansion was burning and that darned monster was not going to leave. Ellis was begging it to leave, but it refused and stayed in that attic room in that mansion. Eventually, Night Terror came and forcefully dragged it out.
"While running away from the warriors from Sloria, we found this place; Night Terror marked it to keep the monsters away. And after a month and a half, we were able to erect these structures. Of course, with great help from Mr. Fluffy, Night Terror, and Hao."
Northern swallowed what was left of his spit and clenched his hands.
He was feeling very angry.
Annette looked at him and ascertained again.
"So, it's not like we lost your estate. It was burnt by Sloria."
Northern let out a steamy breath and said:
"So, all of this was caused by Braham and Sloria. Moreover, Mr. Fluffy was almost killed while protecting my manor."
"I guess that's a way to put it."
"Where's Mr. Fluffy right now?"
"If he wasn't with Ellis, that means he is running rounds with Perceival."
Northern shifted his head slightly.
"Who is that?"
"Uhm, I don't know how the guy does it. But he and Mr. Fluffy's bond is on a whole other level. It could even make you jealous."
"So when will they be around?"
"Very soon."
Northern turned away but was stopped by Annette's voice.
"We have more important things to face than this matter. I am planning to enter one of the four cardinal rifts. Night Terror and all of us have been training for that purpose. We have killed a lot of monsters, and thus came the growth."
Northern nodded; his back was still turned against her.
She frowned a little bit and asked him,
"Northern, are you fine?"
"Yes. I am."
"What are you going to do after now?"
"Wait for Mr. Fluffy," he retorted.
"Then?"
He looked back over his shoulders with a very dark grimace,
"Then I'm gonna burn the whole of Sloria stronghold down."