Chapter 43: “Come to my room first…”

“Something's wrong with Heather…”

Sitting in her temporary residence, Gravilier watched the team members clearing debris from the ruins, her eyes narrowing slightly.

She could be straightforward at times, but that didn't mean she was a fool unable to think.

Ever since the incident a few days ago, Heather had been acting strangely.

Although she was a member of the patrol squad, normally Heather paid little attention to daily chores, even treating them as nuisances.

Particularly this time, officials had preliminarily concluded the destruction resulting from a failed negotiation between members of the Sea Voyage Association and another gang within the capital. Of course, publicly they still claim it was due to aged, substandard construction.

As for the giant beast's phantom silhouette? Merely a mass illusion caused by thick smoke.

Usually, Heather will be extremely resistant toward such cleanup duties, they cut into her rest time, so she'd typically finish only her portion before disappearing.

But this time… Heather was unusually attentive.

Although still seeming detached, Gravilier could clearly sense Heather had been spending far more time at the site. According to others, Heather had been inquiring about their progress.

But they truly knew no more than that.

“…Something's wrong.”

The more she thought about it, the more puzzled Gravilier became.

She realized Heather seemed to know something, but she didn't know where to begin.

After all, her relationship with Heather… was indeed more than just a simple superior-subordinate one.

After pondering a moment, her gaze drifted back to the table beside her.

It was cluttered with various blueprints, records, and recovered valuable items.

However, after such devastation, few suspicious objects remained. In truth, the only thing truly qualifies as evidence was a seemingly cheap shoulder bag.

This had just been found today.

Inside were a few items, aside from some loose coins, only a contract scroll that puzzled Gravilier.

After hesitating a while, she carefully unrolled it.

After a brief inspection, Gravilier realized it was a usage contract.

It granted the user rights to a certain manor within the capital.

Judging by the seal and emblem, it had never been used.

For a moment, Gravilier suspected it was fake, the material looked too new. And such a significant reward… she hadn't heard of anything like it recently.

Yet the scroll's exquisite stamp made her hesitate.

Just as Gravilier sat there conflicted and unsure what to do, a knock suddenly sounded at the door.

“Come in.”

A grime-covered team member entered, saluted Gravilier, and began reporting.

“I've checked with the records officer. In the past five years, there's been no record of similar property rewards in the capital…”

“So… this thing is fake?”

Gravilier remained calm upon hearing the result. She nodded slightly, then looked back at her subordinate.

The soldier continued.

“As for this bag… it's an extremely common generic product, manufactured by many factories. It can't serve as a basis for identifying the owner. But based on the long black hair you found on it… according to current investigations, only one black-haired individual has been active around here.”

“…Only one, huh…”

Gravilier murmured. The soldier saluted once more and placed a paper dossier containing all gathered intelligence onto Gravilier's desk.

After a final salute, he turned and left.

Gravilier sat in thought for a long while before finally picking up the dossier.

“The earliest sighting report was… a month ago. So she isn't a local resident here. Kaelis… temporarily active at…”

The more Gravilier read, the deeper she frowned.

Especially upon seeing the temporary sketch, her brows tightened further.

Is it her?

…

“Is this the place?”

Following the clues, Gravilier arrived alone near the dilapidated mansion.

Currently, for most citizens of the capital, the city was divided into only three areas, Noble District, Academy District, and Commoner District.

But if one were to be more precise, within these three main zones, there actually exists an additional area…

Known as the Old District.

This “Old District” wasn't truly old, the buildings were often quite imposing. But due to shifting development centers over the past decade, this zone had long been designated for demolition. Its structures were eventually slated to be torn down.

Only the plans for what to build haven't yet been finalized. And since the area was sizable, the demolition would cost a considerable sum, so for now, nothing had been done.

Still, most residents had already moved out. At night, the entire district fell into an unnervingly silent stillness.

Especially this mansion, located on the outskirts of the Old District.

“She lives here? Could it be… she's actually some noble?”

Gravilier thought quietly as she walked along the dark path.

Trees on both sides were unusually dense. In daylight, this might have been an excellent spot for outdoor adventures.

But at night, the darkness concealed beneath the trunks felt especially sinister.

A cold moon hung high. Wind rustled the trees…

Even Gravilier paused mid-step, unable to suppress the unease.

She instinctively turned to look back at the path she'd taken.

Although faintly visible, the blurred, indistinct quality only deepened her anxiety.

She hesitated for a long moment before gritting her teeth and continuing forward.

Soon, she passed the outer edge of the woods.

But that didn't bring relief.

As she left the trees, a vast, flat expanse of roughly seven or eight hectares came into view.

The old gravel path was barely visible, overgrown with wild, rampant weeds. The cold blue moonlight renders the world bleak and alien. Leaving the woods didn't mean Gravilier could breathe easier. At this moment, she felt as if she'd entered a completely foreign world.

And in the distance…

Stood a massive, crumbling mansion, abandoned who-knew-how-long ago.

Several of its walls had already collapsed!

“Does she really live here?”

Gravilier gritted her teeth. Her expression finally shifted.

Although she was a Stage One Warrior, her strength clearly surpassed ordinary humans, strength was one thing, this oppressive atmosphere dealt with a psychological blow.

It wasn't just about being alone. Even leading a team, staying here for over a week would probably be unbearable.

After glancing back once more toward the distant city lights, Gravilier took a deep breath and stepped forward.

“Creeeeak~”

She pushed open the mansion's aged door…

The shrill screech of metal friction sounded like a ghost's mocking laughter.

Gravilier's hand instinctively gripped the longsword at her waist.

The hall's former red paint had peeled off in large patches. Trash lay scattered across the floor. Facing the entrance was a spiral staircase leading to the second floor. The grand floor-to-ceiling windows were now just frames. Wooden doors to the left and right stood open, leading elsewhere.

After waiting silently in the hall, where black-green moss grew across the floor, Gravilier exhaled deeply and gave a wry smile.

Scaring herself…

A white figure suddenly flashed by!

“?!”

Gravilier's eyes snap wide open. Her entire body tensed, stepping half a pace backward.

“Who's there?!”

She spoke in a low, solemn tone.

But in response, only the shrill cries of crows echoed…

“Caw, caw, !”

Unbeknownst to her, a dozen crows had already perched on the window frame directly ahead!

As if directed by a single consciousness, they stood in perfect alignment, their ink-black pupils stared at Gravilier without a flicker, making her expression grow increasingly grim.

But after a moment, she clenched her teeth, straightened her posture, and called out solemnly to the crows.

“I mean no harm… I've only come to visit you.”

“…”

The crows remain silent, merely turning their heads.

Just as Gravilier grew puzzled, figures appeared at the staircase entrance, unnoticed until now.

Beneath dark, shadowy hawk hoods, their faces were indistinct, not because Gravilier's vision was poor, but because these figures truly had no discernible features!

Gravilier's expression shifted repeatedly.

But after hesitating for a while, she gritted her teeth.

“I truly mean no harm… Miss Kaelis, if you can hear me, please come out and speak. If you feel I've disturbed you, I apologize. But just for a moment, only a moment, we talk, then I'll leave immediately. I won't linger.”

“…”

The cold, silent hall offered no reply. The assassins' concealed blades slowly extended from their sleeves. In an instant, the scattered monsters in the corners began to converge.

Without Gravilier noting, she had already been surrounded by Kaelis's forces!

Her expression darkened further.

After a long silence, she finally gritted her teeth.

“I don't want to do this, Miss Kaelis. But if you continue to refuse to answer me… then my sword will speak for me!”

Gravilier clenched her jaw.

She believed she'd already been gentle enough, yet Kaelis refused to respond directly, leaving her helpless.

Especially as she saw the beasts gathering, she couldn't help but tense.

This felt different…

‘Not like the last time I cornered Kaelis…’

Last time, Kaelis was caught off guard. They'd only exchange a brief clash, really not much difficulty at all.

But this time, she truly felt the oppressive weight of Kaelis's power.

Even now, she hadn't located Kaelis herself, yet had already been forced into defensive readiness by the opponent's traps, even though she currently held a decisive strength advantage.

She didn't dare imagine what would happen if a real fight broke out…

She didn't think she'd lose, but facing this near-inescapable net of surrounding monsters, escaping unscathed would be difficult.

At least she still had a retreat route…

Gravilier took a slight step backward, preparing to create distance.

But just then, a distinctly different warmth brushed against her cheek.

A faint scent of fresh grass mixed with a unique fragrance. In the soft sound, she almost heard someone's alluring, secretive chuckle.

“Woo~”

A faint noise, like a ghost wailing.

Startled, Gravilier instinctively swung her blade.

But when she turned her head, she immediately regretted it.

Behind her, there was no ghost. Instead, stood a white-clad girl, her face wearing an ambiguous, half-smile expression!

Her flawless features, with reserved eyes and brows, carry a subtle, intoxicating charm. Even as a woman herself, Gravilier instantly froze, entranced.

But then panic surged into her heart!

No good!

Too late to pull back!

Gravilier's face stiffened, her mouth slightly agape, but she couldn't issue a warning in time.

Right before the blade could fall,

“Ding!”

A silver-haired maid flashed into existence mid-air. A throwing knife flew, deflecting the attack and shielding Kaelis.

Gravilier stumbled back several steps, her expression slightly panicked.

Kaelis remained standing, looking perfectly innocent.

“What… was that?”

Gravilier was somewhat dazed. Kaelis merely smiled.

“My decoy…”

“Huh?”

“…Just kidding.”

Kaelis giggled, her clear voice echoing through the empty mansion. Her shifting tone carried an unfathomable meaning. She turned and began circling around Gravilier.

With a wave of her hand, all the shadowy figures lurking around instantly disappeared into the darkness.

Gravilier watched, her eyes trembling slightly, her gaze at Kaelis growing increasingly serious.

Kaelis… was stronger than she'd imagined…

And… judging by her current display… she was definitely more than Stage Two Ascender!

But it has been less than ten days since their last encounter. There was no reason she could have advanced so quickly. Had she been pretending last time? But why?

Gravilier's face was full of confusion. Kaelis continued walking forward.

Moonlight gradually fell upon her, lending her an almost saintly, ethereal aura.

This was the first time Gravilier had seen Kaelis's complete face.

And thus, she finally understood why Kaelis always wore a veil when going out…

With beauty of this caliber, appearing openly would only invite trouble.

Like extraordinary treasures hiding themselves in mysterious places.

Kaelis… was the most mesmerizing, exquisite treasure hidden within this ruined mansion!

Watching the girl move with light, graceful steps, Gravilier's thoughts slowed, her eyes unable to look away.

At that moment, Kaelis slightly turned her head, glancing at the stunned Gravilier.

Her reserved eyes smiled.

“Come to my room first…”