Nala was mysterious enough herself, coming from "that place". Her Shadow Mask alone was extraordinary. Perhaps she really could help.

But truthfully, Felix wanted to avoid any further entanglement with her, even as a last resort. Yet the faces of his sleeping countrymen on that bus compelled him to dial her number.

"Felix, how are you doing there?" Even Nala had not expected his call.

"I'm here to ask about Francis Thane from King Aurelius' time. Can you get anything he left behind? Anything authentic will do, but preferably not martial art techniques."

Felix was not foolish enough to strengthen the Shadowstalker Emperor and his shadowstalkers. He held no goodwill toward Astoria, after all.

"Give me ten minutes."

Nala's efficiency was impressive. She called back quickly. "I have something! It's a brush Francis once used, but it's an extraordinary one—even Oceanus Realm masters couldn't break it.

"Don't worry. It's been studied extensively, and there's no hidden power. It'