Heiress Unmasked: Shaking the World With Geomancy novel Chapter 2386

Zidane stood there, completely unfazed by the black paper figure's display of affection. He simply lifted a hand and casually flicked it away with a finger.

The paper figure, properly chastised, settled down obediently on his shoulder.

With it perched there, Zidane walked over to Shanon and Benjamin. "I figured you two would be back around this time."

As he spoke, he glanced toward the Cavern of Calamity, specifically at the flames holding the malice in check, forged from Velquin's divine soul.

"I've laid an array inside the Cavern, and with Velquin's soul as the stabilizing item, the malice is sealed in for now. But… This won't hold forever."

He looked at Shannon. "Your friend here has a talent for arrays and barriers. So, I've already spoken to Mordecai. He's agreed to have Mike as an external personnel for the underworld.

"He'll be helping design a strengthened array for the Cavern. If it works, we might be able to free Velquin's soul from the fate of suppressing Vlad."

Velquin had already spent thousands of years trying to purify Vlad's malice. If there was even the slightest chance to free him from that burden, Zidane didn't want to see him continue carrying it.

Before, it had only been a 50-50 shot. But after witnessing how the Rift Vortex was formed based on Mike's subconscious and how quickly he reverse-engineered a reversal array, Zidane's confidence had grown.

He now estimated an 80% chance of success. That was the best-case scenario. The rest would come down to time—perhaps a year, two.

At least, for now, there was hope.

Mike had only learned the full truth about Velquin's soul and the suppression of Vlad when Zidane approached him. So, when Zidane asked for his help, he didn't hesitate.

Knowing the Rift Vortex's origins weighed heavily on him.

All his research on The Rift had been driven purely by a love of spellcraft. He never imagined it could be turned into a weapon, one that nearly cost Shannon her way home, maybe even her life.

Beside him, Treavaris spoke up. "I want to help, too. You can use all of my power!"

He had been disheartened before when Velquin's soul refused to merge with his. After learning the real reason, the guilt only deepened.

He was part of the phoenix's soul, too, yet no one, Velquin included, had ever considered asking him to shoulder any part of the burden.

In the end, it all came down to his feeble strength.

Therefore, ever since Zidane brought him into the underworld, Trevaris had made up his mind to contribute as much as he could.

Mike glanced at his little serious face and ruffled his hair with a light tap. "Don't worry. We're actually counting on you this time."

To create a stabilizing item powerful enough to match Velquin's divine soul, Trevaris was absolutely essential.