"Lord Roland, that is essentially how it happened. Lord Antonia would now like to invite you back to oversee matters at home, so we can respond to any unexpected developments."
"Understood. I'll arrange my return as soon as possible."
In Lainer World, Roland received the communication from Atrelin and answered at once.
After ending the communication, however, he let out a soft sigh.
"I never imagined things would turn out like this...
If I'd known, I should have destroyed those things back then and been done with it."
"Was there a problem with the research Gallo left behind?
I don't think keeping it back then was a mistake on your part. It's simply how people are.
Even without it, those disasters would have surfaced in other forms. They were inevitable."
Rosa happened to be there when Roland received the communication.
After learning what had happened, she offered those words of comfort.
With all the trouble Soreno had stirred up, the matter had blown up completely and could no longer be kept secret.
The Magic Network was abuzz. Everyone was discussing the responsibility of those involved, while also taking a keen interest in the Arcana research concerning the mind and soul.
Just as Soreno had anticipated, it diverted a considerable amount of attention.
"You'll have to manage things here yourselves. If you run into any trouble you truly can't resolve, contact me promptly."
Roland shook his head. He decided not to dwell any further on assigning blame and to focus instead on the situation before him.
Before long, he set out and returned to Atrelin through planar teleportation.
The first thing he did was visit his old friend, Grand Mage Shagengs.
As Soreno's mentor and superior, Shagengs had also been implicated to some degree, much as Grand Mage Watson had been