The second female lead Dual Cultivates

Chapter 158 156: Unofficial Claim

Neah was not sure when she started moving after Lady Karin, but she felt her feet move and air pass through her hair as she hurried away after the redhead. Master Ashura had already closed his door, content to no longer be a part of this fiasco.

And it was not like he had not sensed Neah when she had decided to chase Lady Karin. He was much more powerful than he let on and chances were that he had known that Neah had been there for quite some time now.

“Are you going to speak up any time soon? Or, would you like to chase me all over the town?” Lady Karin asked, finally fed up with her shadow. She looked like she was not in a good mood and Neah paused.

She realized that she had to be careful with her next words or things might not turn out to be in her favor. She was already lacking in a way to start this conversation. But she had to say something before she lost any more ground.

“Y-You said that Maria is no longer in Gerna. How do you know this?” Neah panted, out of breath from the short exercise. This much exertion should not have been anything had she gotten proper rest. But the stress of the last few days coupled with the tense atmosphere had gotten to Neah.

And Lady Karin seemed to get that as well because she did not comment on the princess’s less-than-perfect appearance. Instead, she focused on the determined expression Neah held.

“How I know this is not what you are concerned about. Tell me, are you worried about the oracle, or the implications of what it means for you as the possible candidate?” Lady Karin asked, surprising Neah.

What did those words even mean? As far as Neah was concerned, Maria had nothing to do with the node or her candidacy.

“I am not sure what you mean. What does the oracle have to do with anything? And also, I won’t need Gerna’s node anymore since we have a contract with Jamaica” Neah replied back.

Her words caused the redhead’s eyes to narrow. But if she thought something else about Neah’s words, she did not share. Instead, she had a thoughtful look on her face as she regarded Neah carefully.

“I see. So the old man did not trust you enough to tell you everything and yet he is setting you up as a candidate. I would advise you not to trust Ashura and you should also know what is going on with the oracle now” Neah felt confused but also angry.

She already knew that Ashura had been hiding things from her. It was not difficult to figure out when some topics were suppressed as soon as Neah entered a room. But it was not like the elder made a secret of it.

He made sure Neah knew that some topics were forbidden and it was better to stay away from them. Neah had no desire to open up about those topics either.

Or she had not had before Lady Karin’s words. She had half a mind to back out and not listen to Lady Karin’s words but she felt her curiosity win over her desire to not hear.

And she did. Lady Karin detailed as much as she could, telling Neah about the role of the oracle and what had happened in the last war. And the more Neah heard, the more her eyes widened.

“Are you sure there is no other way? Can’t I take her place?” Neah asked once Lady Karin was finally finished with her story. Neah felt horror take hold of her once she knew what the future had in place for them all.

The nodes, should not be touched outside of the war. And even then, their power was just too much. These things should not be allowed to even exist in the first place since they were bombs just waiting to go off.

“If we had another way, then we would have likely tried it out by now. Letting the oracle seal them is the only way to make sure we all remain safe till the next time. Maria might be young but I believe she has what it takes” Lady Karin replied in a neutral voice.

Neah could tell that the elder cared about Maria and it made her feel glad. Maria had some decent support behind her and it would keep her safe in the future.

“I know Maria can take it. She’s strong but I am still worried. I can’t help it either and I can’t help her out as well. This sucks” Neah replied, her head held in her hand. She wanted to help the oracle so much but her hands were bound.

“I know. Love makes us do crazy things but we should not let it rule us” the redhead called as she walked away. Neah had no energy to go after her.

Not if she had any intention of attending the diplomatic meetings in the next few days. The representatives of Albest were coming and it would be a brutal fight for resources. Neah needed to be at her best if she wanted to keep them at bay.

“Oh, and girl. I accept your offer of protection. I won’t join you officially but you’ll have an unofficial ally in me as long as you are on the oracle’s side. You have some good people at your side” the lady called out and Neah lifted her head.

She only saw the waving hand and the leaving body before she felt relief flood her body. She felt someone else step behind her, a hand coming to touch her head.

“There she goes. She’s still as strong-willed as ever but she’ll be good for you” Alester’s voice teased Neah and she tensed. Her body moved around on its own to fend the man off of her.

But the teen was much more flexible and managed to get out of her hold in time. He was even smirking, an amused glint in his eyes as he watched Neah try and keep herself in check.

“What? Why so angry at me? And to think that I even brought you information about the ‘killer’ that had been going on a rampage in the lower areas” the man taunted and Neah stopped all of a sudden.

“You have? Then give it to me” Neah demanded, her hand outstretched. The teen gave her a smile before handing the paper to her.

The paper felt like lead in her hand and Neah cursed her luck. All she had wanted to do was to sleep but things just kept on getting more and more complicated for her.