But Odecras, just as when Angel had first entered Ice Valley, paid Bobota no mind at all.
His expression was proud and cold, marked by a detachment that seemed to disdain everything.
He gave Angel a cool glance without a word, then raised his hand. An arc of light appeared out of thin air before Angel.
The arc exerted a pull. Before Angel could understand what was happening, he found his body moving beyond his control, drawn into the light.
When he came to his senses, Angel found himself in another space. Bobota had been sent there too.
It was another room made of ice crystals. Judging from the view outside the window, it seemed to be above the Ice Crystal Palace. But unlike the palace, this place was not so deserted. Angel could see many traces of "life" here.
There were long wooden tables and benches, porcelain tableware with delicate patterns, and an ice flame flickering in a candlestick. A black loaf of bread, partly eaten, even sat on a plate.
As Angel studied these traces, a message entered his mind.
It was a message from Odecras.
Its contents were simple. Odecras told Angel, almost in passing, that he could use this room as an alchemy workshop. He also told him that its previous occupant had been... Feng.
Blunt, taciturn, and cold—it was Odecras's style, all right. Angel had thought Odecras might ask a few questions, such as how he had obtained the method for making the Fire-Passing Stone, or what he had encountered along the way... But Odecras asked nothing.
"Is that Magic Bread?" While Angel read Odecras's message, Bobota examined the bit of bread on the plate.
Bobota carefully poked it. It was hard and cold.
Angel looked over. According to Odecras's message, no one had entered