Olao usually spoke in a flippant, carefree manner. Conversations this earnest were rare indeed.
Adanis often mocked Olao for being too improper, hardly even human in his behavior. Yet when Olao truly spoke seriously with her, Adanis instead felt that the ever-grinning Olao, who seemed to have no worries at all, might suit him better.
Adanis said, "Then tell me—what secret is he hiding that makes you so certain he carries the answer you seek?"
Olao said, "They will be here soon. Once they arrive, I will naturally give you the answer."
With a light wave of her hand, Adanis summoned a tall chair from beside a distant long table. She sat down and casually crossed her legs.
"Fine. I'll listen to you this time." Adanis raised a brow. "But are you sure he has a way to enter the Clear Sky Poem Room?"
Just as Olao was about to answer, Adanis cut him off again. "I know you have the authority to let people enter the Clear Sky Poem Room. But if you value him so highly, then he should have a way to enter on his own, not with your help."
Adanis said, "Though I dislike discussing the contract Augustine left behind, I still need to say this now: do not forget the terms within that contract."
"Without his permission, the barrier at the Clear Sky Poem Room's gate must not be removed."
Adanis narrowed her eyes. "I will watch you here—watch you very, very closely. If you cross that line and deliberately let them in, that will be no different from betraying your master, Augustine."
Olao fell silent.
Adanis was right. According to the contract Augustine had left behind, he could not remove the barrier at the Clear Sky Poem Room's gate.
And according to the contract,