บท 402: EW. Like a fungus

"Your mission is over, Arca Santangelo. You can return to your own life."

In hindsight, Arca shouldn't have been so shocked to hear this. The blockade was mostly for things coming in, not going out. There certainly could have been an exception made that allowed him to leave the Black Wings Court.

But he was shocked, and much more hurt than he had the right to be.

Arca bit his lip, then shook his head. If Irmilla saw his emotions, let her interpret that whichever way she wanted.

"Did Valerian's notes help, at least? With that magic you were coming up with?"

"Definitely. A man's library is an insight into his thoughts, and I feel like I know more about Valerian now than I did when he was alive." Irmilla was watching Arca with a hint of concern. "From the standpoint of research, at least. There really IS hope for me to finish our task… The goal isn't as hidden in fog as it was before."