211 THE CAUSE OF EVIL

Zoe and Erin were still in a state of agitation. Era was still unstable and Azra and Raigon still haven't come home yet.

The sun was already coming up when Era opened her eyes.

As soon as Erin was relieved that Era was all right, she immediately asked her a straightforward question.

"How did you find out about the key?" 

Era quickly tilted her head to look at her hand. The moment that she learned that it was gone, she immediately bawled her eyes out. 

"S-someone told me to get it. And if I don't, they will kill my mother." Era uttered in between sobs.

All eyes widened in horror at the revelation of the kid. 

Her mother immediately stood up and encircled her head in her chest. "Who would have done a terrible thing and even include my poor daughter in their wicked scheme?!"

Erin's teeth gritted at this devious act. "I clearly see that there is a conspiracy going here."

Zoe, on the other hand, was concerned about Era's condition and gave instructions to her mother with a reassuring smile. 

"Please make sure that she gets enough bed rest as soon as she goes home and she eats enough citrus fruits so she can get back on track immediately. Please apply some crushed yarrow twice a day for the faster healing of her wounds. Era will be back on her feet in less than a week's time."

Her mother bowed to her in gratitude. 

"Let's talk about this outside." She suggested to Erin, who nodded in agreement with her. 

But before they left, Erin asked a question for the last time. "What does she look like and how would you give it back to her?"

Era replied immediately. 

"He's a man and he's wearing a black mask. He said he will give me three days and I must give it back to him before dinner time."

Zoe patted her head. "You're very brave, little one. Don't worry, your mother will not be harmed. Just don't talk about this with anyone, okay?"

Era nodded her head and hugged her mother. Zoe and Erin left them for the mean time.

As soon as Zoe and Erin were out of the room, Zoe searched for the key in Erin's Hanfu and took it. 

"Hey, what are you doing?" Erin reacted in surprise.

"Don't get involved with this anymore. You're just lucky Azra saved your butt. And look at what happened to him." Zoe reprimanded her.

Erin's shoulders drooped, her mouth twitched downward as the reality sank into her. 

"But I'm sure there is something going on here. That key is the key to Lord Hou's vault. There must be something in there that they want badly."

"I know. Do you know where the vault is?" Zoe said in a serious tone.

"What? I thought we won't get involved in this?" Erin retorted back to her.

"I didn't say 'we'." Zoe uttered. She would rather risk her life than get Erin in danger.

"Then how do you think I will bear the guilt if something happened to you too? Do you want me to be like you?" Erin hurled back at her.

Zoe froze as she pondered on what Erin just said. She has been enduring a life of torment for decades because of survivor's guilt.

"Okay. Let's do this." She concluded, making Erin's eyes glimmer in response. 

"Alrighty! But we have a problem. I don't know where the vault is. Should we just ask Lord Hou instead?"

Zoe brushed her hair to her side as she contemplated. "I don't know about that. He's just recuperating from his illness. How is he by the way?"

"He's getting more livelier than the last time. I actually didn't tell him about what happened to Azra in case he might get stressed out and not eat again."

Zoe inhaled a lungful of air as they pondered on what else to do. Her eyes darted around and she caught on the horses silently eating their feeds.

"Do you really want to do this?" She confirmed to Erin as she walked towards it.

"I'm up for anything!" Erin answered her, not having an idea of what Zoe was thinking.

"Let's ask Azra himself and maybe we could help him out. Now that we have Era and her mother's testimony." Zoe swiveled and faced her in a grave manner.

Erin slapped her cheeks and gave her an incredulous look. "Y-you mean we will go to the Royal Investigation Area?"

Zoe nodded, though her hands were already trembling as she remembered the ghastly sight of that place. But she couldn't think of any other way. Era and her mother's life were in danger.

And besides, she was also worried about Raigon. It was easy for him to save her the first time. She wondered what took him so long.

"Okay. I will just tell a servant just in case Raigon and Azra come here first. If only there were cell phones with signals around."

Erin rushed to the servant's quarters leaving Zoe meditating on who could be the instigator of everything that is happening. 

"Is it Duke Andras or Lord Vigo? Another intruder aside from me? Or is there a supernatural reason behind this?"

As she remembered their history, Terra has been living in peace and prosperity for centuries except for that Great Bloodbath fifteen years ago. 

'Is it perhaps the same reason as then? Will a Great Bloodbath happen again?!'

She was lost in these thoughts when Erin appeared and rushed towards her.

"Lady Asha! I got great news!" She exclaimed as she approached her.

A man was following close behind Erin. Zoe narrowed her eyes as she assessed who it was. 

The man who was probably in his early forties bowed down to Zoe as soon as they reached her. He doesn't look familiar to her so she gave Erin a questioning look.

"He is the delivery man who picked up the cupcakes and delivered them to the Lim's." Erin whispered to her.

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Finding the cause of evil is similar to finding a remedy against it. Let us not be weary in searching for ways for the good to reign.