Chapter 136
Vilsin stared into Boheng's eyes. For a moment, neither of them spoke.
"...Why did you stop talking?" Hesta said from the side. "I was listening. When did you go to Deep Anchor? How were their coordinates exposed, and to whom?"
"Let's talk tomorrow," Boheng said with a helpless smile. He lifted his head, his face plainly saying, Give me a break. "It's really too late tonight."
At four in the morning, Victoria finally returned to the guest room with a local escort. The room was dark. Zoe was already asleep, and only Hesta remained seated at the head of her bed, reading by the light of a battery-powered bedside lamp.
"Why aren't you asleep?"
"I was waiting for you to come back," Hesta said softly. "I have something to tell you."
The two left the room and walked to the edge of the settlement under the moonlight. Deep forest shadows periodically swallowed their outlines. After walking for a while, they noticed several nearby sentry posts and slowed, retreating a dozen or so steps.
Hesta briefly told Victoria about the astonishingly information-packed conversation before they had parted that evening. With that context, it was easy to understand why Vilsin had so bluntly declared that she was memorizing the route tonight—it was a response to something Boheng had done in the past, perhaps even a threat.
"Did you ask Vilsin?"
"She isn't in the same room as us," Hesta said. "The moment we got back, she locked her door. Clearly, she doesn't intend to tell us anything privately."
"But she deliberately laid out the beginning of this matter in front of you," Victoria said. "She was obviously sending you a message."
"She sent a message, but won't provide the rest?" Hesta said quietly. "Does she want me to hear