As night fell deeper, the atmosphere in the forest became increasingly unsettling, yet nothing happened.
Pandora sat on the open ground with a heavy stick in her arms, her expression icy. She occasionally twisted her head to glance in the direction of the Dragon Cave, but Gregory had not returned, and she looked somewhat worried. She would also occasionally look at Richard, who met her gaze knowingly, at which Pandora instantly switched to a "keep looking at me and I'll hit you" expression.
Richard felt somewhat helpless and after a moment's thought, he headed back inside the castle.
Entering his room in the castle, Richard sat cross-legged on the bed and began to meditate. The next moment, his out-of-body experience was successful; his consciousness broke out of the castle and floated toward the hills outside.
