The fragrance of fruit tea still lingered beneath his nose.
Varin had already left.
Ruger guessed she was going to visit Mahama next. She was naturally happy that the two of them had come to see her. A smile had stayed on her face ever since she had seen the carriage arrive from that high platform, but she had always been someone who hated troubling others.
Ruger thought about Varin's parting words.
"My dear sister really does trust you. She even told you how many wizards our family has." Phyllis emerged from somewhere, slowly stepping out of the shadows.
Ruger blinked. That did seem like information that ought to be confidential, but he believed Varin would tell Mahama the truth as well.
"Three Three-Ring Wizards is already a formidable force," Ruger said.
Once you were powerful enough, there was naturally little need for secrecy.
"Two, to be precise. I was the one who told Varin all that, but one of them is actually more absorbed in his own affairs," Phyllis said. "Whether it's three Three-Ring Wizards or two, ordinary wizards see them as overwhelmingly powerful, people they must never cross. But that isn't enough for a wizard family, especially one that owns a wizard city."
Seeing Ruger watching her, she smiled.
"In many people's eyes, a wizard family is a warped thing born of people huddling together for warmth. It stands above wild wizards, but it can never, ever become a truly great power," Phyllis said.
After speaking, she gazed intently at Ruger, seemingly waiting for him to agree or offer his own opinion.
Suddenly, she changed the subject. "The sea? Is the Endless Sea beautiful? My sister told me you live alone on a little island! I've never seen the Endless Sea. I've never even left this Cavern Domain.