Shadow Slave novel Chapter 2170

Chapter 2170 Two Princes

Jest was facing a dilemma, and one that did not have an obvious answer. He did not know whether the young man in front of him was truly Anvil of Valor. He could not risk killing him before finding out the truth, either…

And there was no sure way to find the truth. So, he could only try his best in the absence of a reliable solution. The only reasonable theory Jest had at the moment was that Anvil was somehow expelled from the Seed without conquering the Nightmare. So, he was still an Awakened. His physical and spiritual bodies had not yet fused as a result — one was in the waking world, and one was here in Bastion. Therefore…

If the young man was indeed Anvil, bringing him back to the waking world would result in the physical body awakening inside the sleeping pod. That would prove his identity. If Anvil's physical body remained asleep… that would give them more information, too. It was not a great plan, but it was at least something. So, that was what they did. After telling Gwyn the truth, they hurried to bring Anvil back to the throne room, arriving there just before the first Awakened started to enter the main keep. The young man did not resist — he showed a cold and disdainful expression when being ordered to follow, but responded well to being cajoled by Gwyn. That was in line with how Anvil would have behaved in his usual state. None of them had the right to order him around, after all, but he would usually easily agree to their requests. The young man… the thing… was eerily similar to Anvil that Jest knew. It was to the point that he had to keep reminding himself that there was a possibility that the person he was looking at could turn out to be an impostor.

Was there even an impostor in the world who could act out the very essence of another person so faithfully?

It was unlikely. And yet, Jest could not shake off the subtle sense of discomfort — repulsion, even — he felt near this supposed Anvil. Madoc and Gwyn did not seem to feel the same fear, but they also did not possess instincts as sharp as his. 'Damn it… I don't know.'

Jest departed first, using the tether he had left in the compound of Clan Valor to return to the underground chamber. There, he was instantly surrounded by the Knights of Valor. There was no telling what would happen next, and if it would even transpire near Anvil's sleeping pod. But it was better to be safe than sorry. A few moments passed in tense silence. Jest stared at Anvil's sleeping form, waiting — praying — that he would open his eyes. But instead, a minute or two later, it was Madoc who broke the silence, arriving from his own sleeping chamber in a hurry. The older of Warden's sons looked at the sleeping pod. Then, his eyes widened. "Gwyn and… and the other… they left before me."

Cursing, Jest rushed out of the room. 'Damn Valor brats! Who asked them to keep the sleeping pods of their wives on another floor?! The heartless bastards!'

Granted, this compound had been built back when both Madoc and Anvil were still little kids… but still!

There was apparently space here for that creepy kid, Asterion, so why not Gwyn?!

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