ly. He had realized that all the important players in Maho Empire’s court were used to political intrigue. Not only Yolanthe, but even Miorich kept surprising him. Whatever plan he came up with, Miorich had already executed it.

The familiar people tended to the the strangest, but this was the only thing Anfey could do. He did not know Saul, and he was not brave enough to know Saul because he was afraid Saul would see through all his secrets instead. Judging from what he knew about Miorich and Yolanthe, Saul would not be a simple man, either. Thankfully he did not spend a long time with him, else he might have figured out what Anfey was hiding.

"Don’t thank me," Miorich said with a smile. "I'm just looking out for my friends."

"I can’t forsake all formality," Anfey said, grinning. "Will you return to Sacred City with us?"

"Yes. Why, do you think it’s inconvenient?"

"No, no, of course not. I’m just worried that something may…happen on the way there." Anfey knew that there must be a reason Miorich was accompanying them back to Sacred City, or else he would not be so persistent. They would not have time to go retrieve the treasures they left behind. On the other hand, this may be a good plan. The rest of the team knew about the treasure as well. If they tried to retrieve it without telling Saul about it, it might damage their reputation.

"Ernest said you’re a clever one," Miorich said. "He’s not wrong. But sometimes you are not all that smart."

"What did I do wrong?"

"You thwarted the necromancers’ plan, which is good, but you don't need everyone knowing your name."

"They do?"

"Of course, it’s not all your fault. Slanbrea is famous for having a loose tongue," Miorich said with a sigh. "Nothing stays a secret with him."

"Will necromancers do anything?"

"They’re with the Evil Mist," Miorich said gravely. "You don’t know how terrible those people are, Anfey. His Majesty had been ruling for decades, but still rarely leaves Sacred City. Do you know why?"

"Is he worried about a.s.sa.s.sination attempts?"

"They can achieve anything as long as they want to," Miorich said, shaking his head. "His Majesty isn’t scared, but there is no need to risk everything."

"Does that mean we have to stay low?"

"There’s no use staying low when your enemy is the Evil Mist, son," Miorich said with a sigh. "You are already a target, but I don’t know what they will do to get to you."

"Me? Aren’t they overreacting a bit?"

"You were the one that foiled their a.s.sa.s.sination attempt on Saul. You were the one that killed their men in Sacred City, and you were the one that thwarted their plan in Country of Mercenaries. Annunciata is one of the five elders of Evil Mist, and it was you who led Slanbrea to her. Why wouldn’t they target you?"

"Those necromancers are pure evil! I couldn’t have just let them turn people into zombies!" Anfey did not regret destroying the necromancers’ plan the way he regretted killing Philip’s grandson. The necromancers were evil and should be destroyed. Their actions threatened the safety of Moramatch and people living there. It was better to gain an upper hand than to wait until the threat became too real.

"Your words are meaningless to me, and even more so to them," Miorich said. "The only solution is your weapon."

Anfey shrugged. He agreed with Miorich on this matter. He, too, often resorted to violence to solve the problem.

"If that old fox is willing to give you Heart of Nature, then…" Miorich’s voice trailed off.

"What does that have to do with Evil Mist?"

"Heart of Nature can cancel out most side effects of death magic and would be very helpful. Besides, Bruzuryano is an Arch Druid, and he can sense Heart of Nature at all times. Which means he can easily find you as long as you are wearing the Heart," Miorich said. He paused and glanced around. "Maybe he’s observing us right now."