Eli's explanation made everyone hold their breaths because of the high possibility that her deduction would happen.
"The most complicated thing was, we do not know how many of these spirit fragments were around nor how close we were to the original soul." Eli continued.
"In other words, there's a high possibility that if the spirit fragment was implanted on the captives, there must be some implanted amongst the other dark knights and even the Empress and the Duke."
"And that would mean that we have alarmed them today and might start a commotion soon…" Leon followed through Eli's thoughts and concluded with a cold serious expression.
Eli nodded with certainty and looked at everyone who now had grave faces. A great sense of uneasiness and headache assaulted their minds the deeper they realized the urgency of the matter.
"Ah… I really hate it when we know nothing about the enemy! Just when we thought that we had taken a step forward, the enemy was already watching us take the next step!" Rubbing his throbbing temples, even the High Priest who rarely displayed vivid emotions expressed his frustration.
The ever calm and unfatomable High Priest was now whining like an overworked employee.
The mood of the team plummeted, including Emperor Valentin.
It's hard to proceed when you are certain that the enemy will strike but you do not know when, where or how. The most stifling thing was that they did not have the confidence yet to face the enemy whose abilities remained unknown.
While they have already gotten a significant amount of information and have basically decided that they will apprehend the Empress and the Duke, they are yet to create a way to face the cursed magic and weapons head on.
Even with Eli in the team, she was still a single person. When she mentioned earlier how her contracted spirit was heavily injured on just facing one spirit fragment, they were certain that having her on their side would not be enough.
They also had to do something! They had to be able to fight alongside her!
However, they do not have any plan on how to proceed with this. Emperor Valentin and the High Priest were also out of ideas.
Seeing that they were again stuck in a dead end, Eli sat straight and addressed the High Priest, "Esteemed High Priest, I think I need to start the training immediately. In the end, if I cannot understand my abilities, I cannot help everyone even if I possess this gift."
For Eli, being called Subject of the Oracle doesn't mean anything if she cannot accomplish the title's purpose. It's better for her not to claim herself as one than to disappoint everyone. "There's no other way but to do our best and strengthen what we currently have."
"Alright, let's do it. However, I am afraid that you will not be able to look after your son with the tight time that we have." The High Priest looked at Eli and Leon worriedly.
"Originally, we talked about having you trained while you still fulfill your duties outside after the investigation. But with how uncertain the matter is right now, I see it best to train you with the fastest time allowable. That means you'll be in seclusion for an indefinite amount of time."
Emperor Valentin looked at the couple and asked, "What do you think? How will you proceed? Leon would also be occupied in preparing the Empire in advance so I don't think that any of you could take care of my little grandson."
"Wait…wait…" Keren and Joab, who was the only one who didn't know about Leon and Eli's relationship, looked around with confused expressions. However they didn't dare to interrupt the conversation between the High Priest and the Emperor.
Why are they asking the Third Prince? Why did the Emperor say 'grandson'? And wait, the subject of the Oracle had a child?!
Kayden coughed and whispered with restrained excitement towards the two innocent temple knights, "The Third Prince and my Little Sister Eli had a son. I am also one of the doctors who assisted in giving birth to my cute nephew~"
"..." The two temple knights became more shocked to know that Eli was even a couple with the Third Prince who had a reputation to be cold blooded and barbaric.
Although they were already convinced of Leon's abilities during the interrogation process and genuinely respected him, they were still surprised that an ice cold person like him would already have a little family with Eli!
They very much wanted to express their shock and surprise verbally, but they knew that this was not the right time and place to do so.
But geez! They have taken a lot of shocking news today!
Eli was silent as she remembered how Little Han still needed a lot of nourishment from her.
But, between making sure that she was there by her side as he grows and ensuring that Little Han had a safer future, Eli already knew in her heart what was the best choice.
Leon locked Eli's hand, as if letting her know that no matter what, he will support her all the way. "We can make it…" He told Eli gently.
Eli let out a heavy sigh and looked at the High Priest, "I've made my decision, I'll enter seclusion to train."
She tightened her hold on Leon's hands.
The Great One knows how reluctant she was to leave Little Han behind. Even while she was saying this, her heart seemed to be pierced by thousands of needles. The pain and the anxiousness of leaving her child was unbearable for her.
The internal struggle she was dealing with was not able to be kept in her heart. Everyone witnessed the hurt and the battle she was dealing with as they saw her expression and mood.
The High Priest could only nod silently, deeply sympathetic to the couple's current situation.
They were not bad parents, the circumstances given to them were just way too different from other parents.
Only by leaving their infant child to face danger will they be able to show that they love him more than anything in this world. To give him a good future, they have to sacrifice their presence in his life.
The rest could only pray in their heart that one day, that Little Han would grow well and not bear grudge to his parents from being absent. That the little family of three would have a day of peace and quiet.
"We will do our best to help too…" Keren and Joab now understood why the High Priest mentioned that they would soon meet the Subject of the Oracle sooner.
Realizing that they have a role to play in her training, they expressed their support openly in order to somehow make her feel better. Perhaps, they can help in shortening the time to train her, they thought for themselves.
"You have us too…" Kayden, Nathan and General Farauld also looked at the young couple with an assuring smile.
Truly, there's magic in having people expressing their good intentions towards each other. Upon receiving their kind words, Eli and Leon's mood were lifted. It made them feel at ease even if what they received were only mere words.
It was as if they were lamps that were already on the verge of going off, when suddenly someone poured oil to filled their jars, making them continue to light up.
The Emperor and the High Priest also became at peace with the situation.
Eli's suggestion to train also helped to set their minds on the right track.
The next moment, they started to go deep to the topic of dealing with the unknown danger for real. The group brainstormed about how they could go about their next step.
"General Farauld, Leon, I want the two of you to prepare the men in case there would be any commotion. Prepare them as discreetly as possible." Emperor Valentin ordered.
"I'll have your captain do that on our side as well." The High Priest also informed Keren and Joab, who also nodded with understanding.
"I plan to dive deep on the information we have on curses. Perhaps, the answer in dealing with the curse can be found in the area of medicine." Kayden also expressed his idea.
"Then, just tell us what resources you need, the Empire will support you in this matter." Emperor Valentin responded with Kayden affirmatively.
The High Priest was also thinking that researching about the curses must continue, "The Temple will also not withhold any resources that you need form our side."
"Father Emperor, do you want to involve the council regarding this?" Leon asked. The possibility of this matter being blown up is almost certain. Even if the Emperor didn't want to involve them, the nobles would press and insist their will to be involved in this matter when that happens.
"No.. I plan to make the three of you deal with this matter directly." Emperor Valentin answered with determination.
"You three are no longer children, it's time for all of you to be exposed to the true weight of being a member of the royal family."
