They suddenly appeared in the middle of a road. Mother Lilia looked back and smiled at them, "Welcome to our village. I would love to tour you around but let's head to the palace first." saad nito at nagsimula ng maglakad.
Sinundan naman ito ng iba. Tumingin-tingin sila sa paligid. They looked up and saw a bright sky, unlike the weather back in the capital. Nagsimula namang magsalita muli si Mother Lilia, "Our village is surrounded by a barrier and as you can see, within that barrier is a frost-free village. We have four seasons here, just like the climate in Centrio."
They all nodded. Ang mga nakakasalubong nilang mga witches ay bumabati kay Mother Lilia na nginingitian naman nito. Sunod na titingnan ng mga ito ay sila na nakasunod lamang sa babae.
Shane asked, "Hindi po ba pwedeng magteleport na lang tayo sa palasyo?"
Mother Lilia chuckled, "We can't teleport in the palace. It is forbidden. There's a barrier surrounding the palace to prevent witches and other intruders to come in uninvited. You have to walk through the front door in order to get in."
"Why is it heavily guarded?" Rui asked.
Mother Lilia glanced at them before she decided to answer his question, "Well you already know about it so I guess there's no use in hiding it," saad nito. "The Enchantra is currently being secured inside the palace. When Escenier gave us the responsibility to guard it, we formed that barrier. That's why the security is pretty strict."
Mother Lilia then chuckled, "Honestly, the witch tribe and the rest of the Northernium are strangers to each other before. But ever since Escenier gave us the book, we have already formed a good connection. He said he don't know how to use it so what's the point in keeping it? Can you believe that boy? He just gave away the book that was passed down to every generation of his family." saad nito at mahinang tumawa.
Zai who was panting on Sinbad's back opened her mouth to speak, "How come Escenier know the Hevrions?"
Ngumiti naman si Mother Lilia, "It was a very long time ago. Matagal na noong hinangad ni Shaera na mapasakanya ang Archodonia and she started here in Northernium. She tried to take it over. We were being pushed back but Barron came. Despite being an ancient demon himself, he saved lives. The king of Northernium and us as well was thankful but he just left without another word. Sa pagkakaalam ko ay kada may binabalak ang naturingang diyosa ay naroon si Barron para sumalungat sa mga plano niya. Barron was a hero but no one remembered his name except for those people who are truly grateful for what he did," naging malungkot naman ang mga mata ng babae, "They even accused him for murdering Leonardo Ortron, the king he has swore his loyalty to."
She shook the thoughts away and smiled at Zai, "That's why the king of that time was interested with his kind. He did all the research he could do and passed it all down to the next generation. Including the story of how Barron saved the kingdom."
Zai hummed, "Is that so?" then she closed her eyes again and let her aching head rest.
Ilang saglit lamang ay dumating na sila sa harap ng palasyo. Yumuko naman ang mga guwardiya na nagbabantay sa tarangkahan at sumaludo pagkatapos. Noong malampasan nila ito ay nakatingin pa rin si Asta sa mga guwardiya, "They don't seem like warlocks."
Tumango naman si Mother Lilia, "Pinadala sila noon ni Escenier bilang dagdag proteksyon ng palasyo."
Bumukas ang mga malalaking pinto ng kusa at sila'y pumasok na. Naglakad sila sa pasilyo hanggang sa tumigil sila sa isang silid. Ngumiti si Mother Lilia sa kanila, "Make yourself comfortable," tumingin naman ito sa mga tagapagsilbi na ipinadala rin ni Escenier, "Can you prepare them some snacks please?" yumuko naman ang mga ito at mabilis na sumunod.
