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Chapter 38 - the garden conversation

Karry wandered through the long silent corridors, his mind still drowning in the questions left behind by the files.

At the end of the stone path, he finally found Kernal waiting exactly where they were supposed to meet.

The man stood motionless beneath the dim evening light. As Karry approached, Kernal slowly turned his head and looked at him.

Kernal: "There you are. Come with me."

Without another word, Kernal led him away.

They arrived at a quiet garden hidden behind the main building. Tall trees surrounded the area, their shadows covering the stone benches beneath them. No guards. No footsteps. No witnesses.

Kernal stopped.

Kernal: "No one will disturb our conversation here."

He turned toward Karry.

Kernal: "As your captain instructed, I will answer what I can. But understand this… there are things even I cannot tell you."

Karry clenched his fists.

Karry: "Sir Kernal… I know nothing about this world."

His voice was low.

Karry: "After reading those files, I have more questions than answers."

Kernal nodded.

Kernal: "Then ask."

Karry took a deep breath.

Karry: "What happened during the medieval era?"

He looked directly into Kernal's eyes.

Karry: "And what are… Pseudo Entities? What are the Entities?"

For the first time, Kernal's calm expression shifted.

But only slightly.

Kernal: "Karry…"

He exhaled.

Kernal: "Those are questions even I do not know the answers to."

Karry's heart sank.

Even Kernal didn't know?

Then—

Karry: "Then tell me about the rune in that forest."

A long silence followed.

Kernal looked away.

Kernal: "I'm afraid… I cannot tell you that."

Karry frowned.

Karry: "Then at least tell me about the Tower of Arshan."

Kernal's expression darkened.

For a moment, it looked as if he was debating whether to speak.

Finally—

Kernal: "Even I know very little about the Tower of Arshan."

His voice grew quieter.

Kernal: "But I can tell you this."

The wind moved softly through the trees.

Kernal: "Much of the history from that era… was destroyed."

Karry's eyes widened.

Karry: "Destroyed?"

Kernal: "Yes."

His gaze turned distant.

Kernal: "Not lost. Not forgotten."

He paused.

Kernal: "Erased."

A chill ran down Karry's spine.

Karry: "Who would do something like that?"

Kernal looked directly at him.

For the first time, his eyes carried something Karry had never seen before.

Fear.

Then Kernal spoke.

Kernal: "Karry…"

His voice was low.

Kernal: "The government is not what you think it is."

[End of chapter]

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