Lipo was startled by the voice and quickly turned his head, staring at the mortal soul who had broken the vase.
"What's wrong?"
Lipo asked.
The mortal soul looked nervous, fumbling his hands together, seemingly at a loss for words.
At that moment, a servant-looking mortal stepped forward and knelt on both knees.
He apologized to Lipo in a most respectful manner, then confessed their act of breaking the vase to Hiris, regretting what they had done.
"You may step back for now, clean up this mess, and do not disturb us."
Hiris said, waving his hand grandly. He did not punish anyone but merely asked them to leave temporarily.
Lipo knew his friend was always lenient; this small incident did not evoke any emotion in him. He did not ponder further and continued to talk with Hiris about everything he had seen.
"Lipo, did you say that the witch calls the divine being she serves 'Lord'?"
At that point, Hiris spoke.
