Evolution begins with an ant colony-Chapter 327: A Voice

Hestria and Chrono Nexus strolled through the bustling streets of the city, their footsteps echoing against the cobblestones. Hestria’s brow furrowed as she looked around the unfamiliar buildings, her eyes moving from one signboard to another.

"Which one of these buildings do you think is an inn?" she asked, her voice filled with uncertainty.

Chrono Nexus chuckled softly, her eyes twinkling with amusement. "Patience, Hestria. We’ll find one soon enough," she reassured her, her tone calm and confident.

As they continued walking, Chrono Nexus led Hestria down various streets, taking turns at seemingly random intervals. Hestria couldn’t help but feel a twinge of doubt creeping into her mind. "Dose she really know where she is going, or is she simply wandering aimlessly?"

With each passing moment, Hestria’s unease grew, but she trusted Chrono Nexus’s judgment. Surely, she wouldn’t get them lost. She forced herself to relax and focus on the sights and sounds of the city around them.

As they walked through the unfamiliar streets of the city, Hestria felt increasingly uneasy. She looked around anxiously, trying to find something familiar in the bustling crowds. Meanwhile, Chrono Nexus walked ahead confidently, making her way the streets with ease.

At last, they reached a street flanked by different buildings. Right ahead, an inn stood with its wooden sign swaying softly in the wind. Chrono Nexus stopped, a smile appearing on her face as she pointed towards the inn.

"This is it," she said, her voice filled with satisfaction.

Hestria furrowed her brows. "What is?" she asked, her tone hinting at her confusion.

Chrono Nexus glanced at her with a knowing gleam in her eyes. "This is where we’ll be staying for the night," she explained with a grin.

Hestria’s confusion deepened, at Nexus’s cryptic reply. "So, this is the last inn available?" she quipped, glancing around at the bustling street.

Chrono Nexus nodded, her smile widening. "Indeed," she confirmed. "Every other inn is already occupied by other adventurers or traveling merchants."

Chrono Nexus hurriedly led the way, walking towards the entrance of the inn. "We should hurry," she urged, casting a glance back at Hestria. "We don’t want to risk losing the last available rooms while we’re standing around here."

Still somewhat perplexed, Hestria yelled out to Chrono Nexus, "Hay! wait up." before following her towards the inn.

As Chrono Nexus swung the heavy wooden door open, a soft creak echoing through the entryway, she stepped into the inn’s foyer. Hestria followed closely behind, her gaze sweeping over the interior as they entered.

The warmth of the inn covered them, along with the savory aroma of cooking food wafting from the restaurant on the ground floor. Hestria took in the scene, her eyes looking around around the familiar yet foreign surroundings.

"It’s not much different from the inns in the Leonheart Empire," she mumbled to herself, her voice barely audible over the din of conversation and clinking dishes.

Meanwhile, Chrono Nexus walked swiftly towards the reception counter. The receptionist, a middle-aged man with a warm smile, looked up as they approached.

"I’d like to inquire about rooms, please," Chrono Nexus stated, her tone confident and assertive.

The receptionist nodded, a curious glint in his eyes. "Of course, how many rooms will you be needing?" he asked politely.

Chrono Nexus’s lips curved into a somewhat sinister smile as she replied, "Seven rooms, if you would."

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Hestria, overhearing her words, furrowed her brows in confusion. She began to count on her fingers, a confused expression crossing her face. "But... there are eight of us. Why ask for only seven rooms?" she questioned, her voice tinged with uncertainty.

Chrono Nexus’s demeanor shifted slightly as she turned to face Hestria, her gaze piercing. Her cosmic blue eyes glowing slightly, A shiver ran down Hestria’s spine at the intensity in her eyes.

"I have my reasons," Chrono Nexus replied in a slightly cold tone, leaving no room for argument. "And I would prefer it if you didn’t get in my way." Hestria couldn’t fathom what she could gain from reducing the number of required rooms by one, but she didn’t dare to ask why.

Hestria visibly shiverd, her shoulders hunching as she nodded quickly. "Yes, ma’am," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.

As the receptionist calculated the cost of the seven rooms, Chrono Nexus listened intently, a small smile appearing at the corners of her lips. Once he stated the total, she reached into the small leather pouch at her side, slowly retrieving a handful of shining gold coins.

With a graceful motion, Chrono Nexus placed the coins on the counter before the receptionist. "There you are," she said, her voice smooth and composed. "That should cover it."

The receptionist’s eyes widened slightly at the sight of the generous payment. He quickly counted out the necessary coins and returned the excess to Chrono Nexus, along with a grateful nod.

"Thank you, madam," he said warmly, his voice laced with appreciation.

Taking back the extra coins, Chrono Nexus gave him a polite nod in return before turning her attention to the keys he had laid out on the counter.

"These are your keys," the receptionist explained, his tone professional yet friendly. "Your designated rooms are on the second floor."

"Understood," Chrono Nexus replied with a nod, She picked them up one by one, the cool metal glinting in the warm lamplight of the inn. Then she tucked the keys securely into the pocket of her cloak.

As she turned to leave, her gaze fell upon Hestria, who stood nearby, watching the exchange with a mixture of curiosity and a slight hint of fear. Chrono Nexus met her eyes with a reassuring smile.

"Now that we have this settled," she said to Hestria, her voice gentle yet firm, "We should go join the others at the arena seats."

As Hestria nodded reluctantly, a sense of unease lingered in the air between them. Just as they were both about to turn and leave the inn, a sudden, intense light emitted from the circular enslavement marks on their necks, casting a purple glow in the dimly lit room.

In that instant, a loud, booming voice echoed in their minds, echoing with a familiarity that sent shivers down their spines. "Kaldarix, are you defying my orders? I explicitly commanded you to stand down! That’s enough!"

The sheer intensity of the voice was overwhelming, causing both Hestria and Chrono Nexus to drop to their knees involuntarily, their bodies trembling under the weight of its command.

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Moments later, as suddenly as it had begun, the glowing light from their marks subsided, leaving them both shaken and disoriented. Their eyes met, mirroring the confusion and fear swirling within their minds.

"Was that... Master?" Hestria mumbled, her voice barely above a whisper as she struggled to comprehend the gravity of the situation.

Chrono Nexus nodded slowly, her expression grave. "It certainly sounded like him," she replied, her tone tinged with a mix of awe and fear. "But why does he sound so.... angry?"