"Mr. Shaun Cole… aren't you coming back?"
she asked softly.
"Back where?"
Shaun Cole replied, turning to look at her.
"You already built this place for me. Why would I go back?"
At that moment, the Ancient One's heart leapt with joy.
That demon is finally leaving!
Although she was thrilled inside, she forced herself to look regretful.
"Very well, then… Mr. Shaun Cole. I'll take my leave."
She turned and walked away briskly.
Watching her retreating figure, Shaun Cole chuckled and shook his head.
I'm not some kind of beast… why is she that afraid of me?
Meanwhile…
The Ancient One stepped out of a portal and returned to her own temple.
Seeing her come back alone, Kaecilius gave her a questioning look.
"It's over,"
the Ancient One said.
"He won't be coming back."
"He won't?"
Kaecilius stared at her in shock, excitement flickering across his face.
"Ancient One—did you…?"
If she had truly reached that level, then Dormammu would never dare threaten Earth again!
Understanding what Kaecilius was thinking, the Ancient One gave a bitter smile and shook her head.
"It's not what you think. He said his palace is finished. Now that he has a place to stay, he won't come here anymore."
"How could that be?"
Kaecilius was completely dumbfounded.
"Why would he just stay there? Could he have some hidden motive?"
"How would I know?"
the Ancient One replied with a wry smile.
"Even if he does, what can we do? At worst, we give our lives resisting him."
After that, the two fell silent.
After a long while, the Ancient One spoke again:
"We should go down the mountain soon… and start selecting a few suitable people."
"Yes,"
Kaecilius nodded, a hint of sorrow in his voice.
"It's time to find successors. I can feel my life slowly slipping away…"
"Birth, aging, sickness, and death—that is the way of humans,"
the Ancient One said gently.
"Come to terms with it, Kaecilius."
"I understand,"
Kaecilius replied softly.
And with that, their conversation came to an end.