The moment the array shattered, waves of powerful energy were released, rippling through the air like a dazzling firework show. Now I can release the soul trapped inside!
Jared’s eyes gleamed with anticipation and excitement. He then began to manipulate the badge into releasing the soul within.
Soon, a faint wisp of soul slowly drifted out from within the badge, gathering in mid-air to form a blurry human figure. The soul flickered weakly, like a candle in the wind, threatening to vanish at any moment.
“Huh? Uhm…” Jared frowned, concern and confusion surfacing in his eyes. He could sense that the soul was incredibly fragile, so weak that it seemed like it could dissipate in the air at any time. Seems like this soul has lost most of its soul energy from being sealed in the badge for far too long…
Worry appeared in Jared’s gaze. Knowing that the soul couldn’t last much longer, he began channeling celestial energy into the soul to aid it in recovering soul energy.
The gentle radiance of his celestial energy enveloped the weak soul like warm sunlight, allowing the soul to restore a trace of life force. With Jared’s assistance, the soul gradually began to brighten, like a dim moonlight turning into the clear brilliance of the full moon.
Soon, the blurry figure became distinctly visible.
“M-Mr. Linford?” Jared was utterly surprised, and his eyes widened in disbelief. The figure that had taken form was none other than Marvin, Luna’s father.
Seeing this, Jared was puzzled. But how? Didn’t I absorb Mr. Linford’s soul? Why would it appear from the badge?
Suddenly, as if struck by realization, Jared turned to look at the Golden Tome. It must be because I absorbed Mr. Linford’s soul, so when I used the Golden Tome’s power to unseal the badge, his soul reappeared!
At that thought, excitement rippled through Jared. Luna had always treated him and Flaxseed kindly, if he could restore her father’s soul, it would ease his own conscience as well.
Meanwhile, Marvin opened his eyes slowly.
When he looked at Jared, puzzlement was evident in his gaze. It was as though he were asking for Jared’s identity and his current whereabouts through his gaze.
“Who… Who are you?” Marvin’s voice was weak and hoarse, sounding like it came from a distant place.
“I’m Jared Chance, a friend of your daughter’s,” Jared replied in a gentle and friendly tone, trying to show goodwill toward Marvin.
“Luna? My daughter?” Marvin’s eyes flickered with uncertainty, as if he were searching through the fog of memory.
“Yes. She’s been terribly worried about you,” Jared said with a sincere and concerned gaze.
A look of pain crossed Marvin’s face. “What… What’s wrong with me? I remember attending the Sixth Hall’s preaching, and then…”
His brows were tightly furrowed as though he was struggling to recall the blurry memory.
“Don’t strain yourself, Mr. Linford. The people of the Sixth Hall extracted your soul and sealed it in this badge,” Jared interjected softly, afraid to have Marvin recall what happened at the Sixth Hall. After all, it would be awkward if Marvin remembered that Jared had absorbed his soul.
“Ah… I see…” Marvin murmured, realization dawning on him. “No wonder it felt like I was trapped in a nightmare…”
Relief replaced the initial confusion in his eyes. “You’re free now, so you can return to your body,” Jared said with encouragement and anticipation.
Marvin nodded. “Thank you, young man…”
Jared then carefully guided Marvin’s soul out of his consciousness field. The next moment, Marvin’s soul flew toward his room, tracing a bright arc across the night sky like a falling star.
