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But now, looking at the imposing figure, Lucien wondered if they could "fulfill their duty".

The barrier failed more and more frequently, the Locus were endless, and although the city was more united than ever, the challenges they faced seemed to grow day by day.

"What would you do?" Lucien murmured to the statue, as if expecting the stone to come to life and offer advice. "How would you keep hope alive in the face of such adversity?"

Silence was his only answer, but somehow, Lucien found comfort in it.

The statue, motionless and imperturbable, also reminded him of his grandfather... But he wouldn\'t be so stoic, he would trust in Elio, Farbe\'s son.

They had survived so far, against all odds. And they would continue to do so. For Raelar, Varick, and the others.

With a final sigh, Lucien straightened up, squaring his shoulders. His frog seemed to stand a little taller too, mirroring its master\'s resolve.

♢♢♢♢

The statue was more than just a monument.

Elio had discovered, after Fathoran\'s death, that he was the only one who could interact with it.

But he had the right to make several changes.

And, in an act of trust that Lucien still found overwhelming, Elio had granted him the same privilege.

Lucien touched the statue, aware of the purpose of his visit.

He needed to acquire more superior cloaks of elemental resistance for the new group that would join Elio on his mission. This equipment, available only here, was crucial for ensuring survival in the challenges to reach the sea of monsters.

"Twenty million," Lucien murmured, mentally calculating the cost. It was a considerable sum, but necessary. With a gesture, he activated the statue\'s interface, carefully selecting the necessary items.

While completing the transaction, his eyes drifted to another item on the list:

The Life Potion.

Lucien felt a knot in his stomach as he remembered the implications of its existence. His frog seemed to sense his unease, pressing closer to his head.

This potion was the only secret he had convinced Elio to keep hidden from the public. The consequences of revealing its existence would be catastrophic.

Ten million mana points for ten additional years of life.

At first glance, it might seem like a fair deal, even cheap. But the reality was much more complex.

Ren did the calculations. On average, a person in Elio\'s improved city generated about 10,000 mana points a year.

Most citizens were now level 3.

This meant it would take all the mana of a hundred people for a full year to extend one person\'s life by that same year.

"A hundred lives for one," Lucien murmured, feeling the weight of that reality.

The potential for chaos and conflict that this information could unleash was unimaginable.

He couldn\'t help but think of Tarec and Ivan, both in their last years of life. Valuable men, dedicated to the city, whose loss would be deeply felt. But how to justify extending their lives at the cost of so many others?

Shaking off these disturbing thoughts, Lucien finalized the purchase of the cloaks. He used a small fraction of the billion and a half that was left from the mana Elio had entrusted him with, aware of the responsibility that came with handling such resources.

Before retiring, Lucien allowed himself a moment of contemplation.

He approached one of the few trees in the garden, extending a hand to touch its bark. His frog hopped onto a low branch, seeming to enjoy the new perspective. The rough texture under his fingers was fascinating, so different from the smooth, artificial surfaces that predominated in the city.

He breathed deeply, filling his lungs with the rich, fragrant air of the courtyard one last time.

The aroma was indescribable, a mixture of fragrances that had no point of comparison with anything in the city. It was a tangible reminder of what they were fighting to preserve, of the wonders that the world outside their walls might contain.

Reluctantly, Lucien moved away from the tree and headed towards the exit, his frog hopping back to his head.

Tomorrow would be another day of challenges, another day of struggle. But it would also be another day of hope, another day closer to Elio\'s return and the possible salvation of the city.

As he walked away from the garden, Lucien made a silent promise. He would keep the city running, keep his people safe, until Elio returned with the solution everyone was hoping for. No matter the personal cost, no matter the exhaustion.

The city depended on him, and he would not fail them.

But his tour wasn\'t over yet.

He had one last stop to make.

♢♢♢♢

Lucien headed towards the wing of the building where Angela, Varick\'s mother, remained confined since the incident with Cassandra. Although he didn\'t visit her directly, he stopped to talk to the guards assigned to watch her.

"How has she been behaving?" Lucien asked, his voice low and serious. His frog sat attentively, as if listening to the report as well.

One of the guards responded: "As usual, sir. She hasn\'t caused any problems or tried to communicate with anyone outside of who\'s allowed."

Lucien nodded, satisfied but still cautious. Angela\'s loyalty was a delicate matter, and they couldn\'t afford to lower their guard.

He was about to leave when a familiar figure appeared at the end of the hallway. Lucien stopped short, surprised by the unexpected presence. His frog tensed, sensing the change in atmosphere.

There, walking towards him with a determined step, was Diana, Varick\'s sister.

"Uncle Lucien," Diana greeted, her voice showing respect and something else that Lucien couldn\'t immediately identify.