<h4>Chapter 213 - THE FUTURE</h4>


    Arthur dyed the answer. "...I think it is important."


    Ovior shrugged. "Why is that? We can check itter. The temple isn''t bing any darker than thest time."


    Arthur disclosed, "It''s important because my wife knows the location of the first temple and I won''t let her go there unless I know it''s safe. My magic won''t work there."


    "Your wife knows the location! How?" Ovior''s eyesnded on the woman beside his friend.


    Veronica opened her mouth, "I was there to be trained for six months under the Saint''s guidance."


    "Why did we work so hard?" Darius was displeased. "We should have left everything to Felix and Veronica. I almost grew hair on my head because of these elves."


    Everyone: "..."


    Catherine: ''Dude, isn''t that a good thing?''


    Ovior cleared his throat and dered, "Anyhow, what those elves did was a crime. We have to bring them to justice. Only Veronica can help us find them."


    Veronica stated, "I just need some time. All you have to do is send me to the Alss mountain range. From there, I''ll be on my own."


    Catherine reminded her, "Without magic, you cannot be in disguise. What if Lord Alexander''s men…"


    Veronica was tired of hearing about the magic neutralization.


    She said, "I know. I know. You don''t have to remind me about magic neutralization. And, Lord Alexander is dead."


    Arthur added, "That''s why we need to check if the temple is a safe ce for her or not."


    "Let''s go and check.'' Ovior stood up.


    When Arthur pulled Veronica with him and Ovior followed after, Catherine walked behind them.


    However, she was caught by Darius.


    Catherine turned to look at him and asked, "What are you doing? Aren''t youing?"


    Merlin replied instead of Darius, "Miss Cathy, we cannot go there. It''s something only Arthur and Ovior have permission to watch."


    Catherine was puzzled. "But Ver went with them, didn''t she?"


    Zinnia reminded her. "Did you forget, she is the blessed child?"


    "Ahh… right. How did I forget that." Catherine sat on her chair and cupped her face. "But, I''m so curious."


    Zinnia stated, "I know that feeling. But that ce is off-limits for us. I heard the crystal won''t work if uninvited people are there. It only answers to who needs to be answered."


    "There is such a thing. I do love this magical ce. It''s like a new dimension." Catherine stretched her arms. "I guess, I''ll go back to work."


    --------


    Meanwhile, Arthur and Ovior took Veronica to Arthur''s office.


    There was a small room inside his office. The small square-sized room was dyed in red from the ceiling to the floor.


    In the middle of the room, there was a white marble stone pir, attached from the ceiling to the ground.


    In the middle of the pir, there was a gap. in that gap, the ck crystal stone was floating.


    Veronica mumbled, "After knowing about the elves and dragons, nothing surprises me anymore."


    Arthur chuckled. "Don''t get too used to it. I''ll be sad if I can''t amaze you with my magic skills."


    Veronica told him, "Then, I''ll pretend to be amazed."


    Arthur: "..."


    "Sometimes, you should keep your thoughts to yourself so that the other party wouldn''t be hurtter," Ovior lectured her.


    Veronica faced Arthur. "Sure, I''ll hide things from now on."


    Arthur red at his friend. "Don''t teach her bad things."


    "...Me? What?" Ovior was speechless.


    Arthur stepped close to the crystal stone and raised his hand,


    His palm nearly touched the stone. He kept a minimal distance.


    "Can I touch the stone?" Veronica whispered to Ovior. She was afraid to speak aloud.


    Ovior bluntly replied, "Thest time someone touched it out of greed, his whole hand burned and turned into ashes."


    Veronica gulped. She really wanted to touch it. She was thankful that she didn''t touch it.


    She saw Arthur mumbling something. She couldn''t understand what he was saying.


    The next moment, the ck crystal stone''s color changed.


    It turned into a white crystal and a silver light came out of it.


    The crystal was glowing. Soon, they saw a moving picture in it.


    Veronica was surprised when she saw the Holy Temple in the crystal ball.


    It was the same ce she grew up in.


    Nheless, it seemed so unfamiliar for some reason.


    Because the picture waspletely different from what she had seen.


    The temple looked dested. The flower and vegetable gardens no longer existed. The ponds were all dry. All the trees died as well.


    Veronica was startled by this new discovery.


    "Is this supposed to be the future? Why does it look this way? That''s not how the temple looks like."


    Ovior exined, "This is what we had seen two years ago. That''s why Arthur went to check on the Holy Temple."


    "Now that Lord Alexander died, it should have a different future. That''s what we all hope. Arthur, show her the present."


    Arthur muttered some ancientnguage and the picture in the crystal stone had changed.


    It was an entirely different look. The temple seemed fresh and new. Children wereughing. Elders were working.


    That''s the ce Veronica grew up in - a peaceful, loving ce.


    She inquired, "What about the future? Can we check it?"


    "Sure, let''s see," Arthur whispered a mantra and the vision changed once again.


    It was the same as the present vision.


    She finally sighed in relief. "I''m so d things won''t turn out that way. So, Lord Alexander was the culprit who was going to change the Holy Temple into something unholy. I''m so d Felix has stopped him before he could do it."


    She looked at her husband and asked, "So, will you take me to the Alss?"


    Arthur put down his hand and the crystal stone dimmed. The color changed into ck.


    Upon hearing her question, he let out a deep breath.


    "What choice do I have? But Felix, Darius, Zinnia, and Ironin areing with us in case we need help."


    Veronica smiled. "All right. When will we start?"