Chapter 129: Uneasy Calm
Under the vast sky filled with countless bright stars, bathed in the soft moonlight, a young man with brown hair wearing a simple white shirt and dark trousers walked beside a woman with golden hair dressed in a flowing black gown. The narrow path stretched ahead of them, quiet and dim, the sound of their footsteps echoing softly through the night.
Kael had no idea where exactly they were going, but since Seraphina was the one leading, there had to be some reason behind it.
Curiosity soon got the better of him, and he glanced at her before asking in a somewhat uncertain tone, "Where are we going?"
Seraphina walked without answering for a while, her movements composed and silent, before she finally turned her head slightly toward him and replied in her usual cold voice, "You'll find out soon."
And soon, he did.
When they finally stopped, Kael just stared ahead, his mouth half-open, unable to say anything for a few moments. He was indeed surprised. Because they were literally standing in front of Arwyn's mansion. Of all people, why her? He simply could not understand.
His brows furrowed as he looked at Seraphina, "What exactly are we doing here, Captain?"
Seraphina didn't answer immediately. Instead, she stood there silently for a while, her gaze fixed on the gate, and then without saying anything, she stepped forward and knocked on the gate a few times, as if that alone would be enough.
Kael blinked, watching her with a blank face. Was she serious right now? Did she actually think that would work? Arwyn's house stood far from the gate, so there was absolutely no way she could have heard something like that. She wouldn't, right?
He sighed softly when nothing happened. No sound came from inside, no light flickered in response, and the gate stayed completely still as it was before. Seraphina looked somewhat dumbfounded and turned her head toward him, as if waiting for him to say something.
Kael quickly looked away, pretending not to notice her expression. He thought bleakly, "That's what happens when you think too highly of yourself."
But just when he thought the situation was over, Seraphina raised her hand, and sparks of lightning began to dance between her fingers. Kael didn't need to think twice to guess what she was about to do next. The answer was obvious, and it wasn't a pleasant one. He couldn't possibly let her do that, could he?
He quickly stepped forward with a nervous smile and tried to reason with her. "Captain... I think Lieutenant must've been asleep. It's only natural that she didn't respond to, uh, your methods. You don't really have to burn the whole mansion just to wake her up, you know. I can shout if you want. Should I do that instead?"
For a moment, Seraphina seemed like she was actually considering his words, which gave him a sliver of hope. But that hope didn't last long. She moved her hand, reaching up to grab one of the vines hanging from the top of the gate. The sparks around her hand grew brighter and brighter until they almost lit up her face.
Kael's eyes widened slightly. Oh, he knew that spell too well. That very same one had once almost broken a poor tree, making some part ashes.
"Why is this woman so violent? Can't she ever be a little normal? Ugh, what should I even do now? How am I supposed to stop her from burning down these beautiful flowers, huh?" his thoughts ran wild as he stared helplessly.
Seraphina was ready to strike, but that moment never came because the gate suddenly swung wide open with startling speed. A single thick tendril stretched out from within, pausing as if to look at them, then pointed inward as if inviting them to step inside.
Seraphina lowered her hand, the sparks fading away, and she smiled in satisfaction. "Huh. Now, you're being sensible. I knew there was no better cure for someone like you except the threat of burning your house down," she said with a light chuckle directed at the tendril.
Kael stared at her from behind, his expression flat yet filled with disbelief. "Is she out of her mind or what? Why is she talking to a mere tendril? Yeah, she's definitely lost it. But... I'm still glad she didn't actually burn the place, just threatened it."
Seraphina turned back and looked at him with a calm expression. "What're you waiting for?"
Kael gave a small awkward laugh and jogged forward, replying, "Coming."
As they walked through the gate, Kael heard it close behind them with a soft thud. He didn't pay much attention to it and followed Seraphina toward the front of the mansion. The thick stone path between gardens was strangely quiet, filled with the sweet scent of flowers that looked half-asleep under the night sky.
The door was already open when they arrived, and Seraphina didn't even look surprised. She just stepped inside, completely at ease, and Kael followed after her, closing the door behind him. Still, he couldn't help but wonder why she had chosen Arwyn of all people to help them find Arienne. Was there some particular reason behind it, or did she simply not want to do it alone? Which one was it?
The mansion's interior was dim, shadows stretching across the walls, but a moment later, the lights flickered on one after another, illuminating the room and revealing the neatly arranged sofas around them.
Kael looked around cautiously but found nothing unusual... nothing moving, at least. "Why does this mansion look like a haunted house all of a sudden? If a real ghost came here, it would probably be the one getting scared and running away."
He blinked, realizing what he had just said to himself. "What am I even thinking..."
He turned toward Seraphina, who was standing calmly near the center of the room, and frowned. "Does she even know we're here? Or is she actually asleep? Should we wake her up now?"
Seraphina crossed her arms and spoke in that same cold, composed tone of hers. "No need. She knew we were here the moment we approached the gate. She just wanted to pretend otherwise, acting like she was asleep so we'd leave. That's why I was ready to burn her plants."
Kael tilted his head slightly. "Oh, that makes sense," he thought, but then raised an eyebrow as something bothered him. "Wait... what do you mean you were ready to burn the plants? Didn't you just do that to threaten her?"
Her expression darkened, and she looked at him sharply. "Why would I? If it was just a show, she wouldn't have opened the gate at all. Of course, that wasn't just speculation. She did once, and as a result, I actually burned her plants. That's when she finally opened the gate."
Kael stared at her, his face stiffening slightly as his thoughts whispered one quiet, dreadful truth. "What a terrifying woman... I married."
Just when he was about to reply, he saw Arwyn descending from the stairs, rubbing her eyes sluggishly as if she had just woken up from a long nap. If not for the fact that her hair had been tied into a ponytail behind her head, he would have truly believed she had just gotten out of bed.
"What a stupid woman," he thought, sighing quietly to himself before glancing at Seraphina.
Her face had darkened ever so slightly, and a slow mischievous grin curved across her beautiful lips.
Oh, he knew that grin all too well.
"Ah, my dear, lovely, sweet best friend... I missed you so much today, you know. Let me give you a hug," Seraphina said, her voice almost sweet enough to make the air tremble.
But before the last word could even fade, she vanished from where she stood and reappeared right in front of Arwyn, her fist already flying toward her face with a terrifying burst of speed.
Arwyn blinked once, looking a little stunned by the sudden ambush. "Seraphina... that's not exactly how one greets the host," she murmured, twisting aside just in time to avoid the blow. A long green tendril suddenly rose from the floor, coiling swiftly around Seraphina's wrist.
But Seraphina only smiled coldly and tore it apart as if it were nothing but paper. Her heels twisted sharply, and she turned to swing again, her hand cutting through the air with frightening precision. Arwyn barely had time to step back, but because of her earlier sidestep, she found herself cornered near the wall.
At the last moment, she dropped down, and Seraphina's punch slammed into the wall instead, sending a sharp crack through the room as the surface splintered under the impact.
"Ah, my beautiful wall... you broke it. Why would you do that, Seraphina?" Arwyn muttered weakly in her head, frozen for a moment as she met her friend's murderous glare.
Before Seraphina could make another move, several more tendrils rose from the floor, thick and sinuous, wrapping tightly around her arms and waist to hold her straight.
Arwyn took the opportunity to dash away, her bare feet moving lightly across the floor as she ran straight toward Kael.
Kael, however, had already turned his face away and began to whistle as though he saw absolutely nothing at all. Of course, he already knew why his beautiful wife's anger had ignited the instant she laid eyes on Arwyn. He had been waiting for it, actually, though not quite in this form.
Within moments, Seraphina had ripped through the tendrils with sheer strength and rushed forward again.
Arwyn quickly ducked behind Kael, clutching his shoulder with both hands as if he were her shield. "Save me from this monster, my dear student!" she cried.
Seraphina stopped just in front of them, her expression icy as she spoke, "Move, Kael. Stop shielding her. I'm going to destroy that witch."
Kael raised both hands instantly, his voice shaky, "Trust me, Captain, I'm not doing it on purpose. This witch... I mean, Arwyn... she's making me block you."
Seraphina's gaze grew colder, her body tensing as she hissed, "Then I'll punch you first."
They moved in circles, Seraphina glaring at him while Arwyn peeked from behind his shoulder like a smug cat. Her voice was slightly breathless as she spoke, "But why do you even want to kill me?"
Seraphina tilted her head, cracked her knuckles, and raised her chin with a proud smile. "Oh, you know why. What you told him this morning, remember? Apparently, I want to do 'intimate' things with his body, huh? Tell me, witch, since when did you start spreading that kind of nonsense?"
Arwyn blinked a few times, tilting her head innocently. "You told her, Kael?"
Kael nodded with the expression of a man walking toward his own funeral. "Um... just slipped my tongue, I guess."
Seraphina stepped closer, missing another swing as she glared. "Why are you hiding behind him, Arwyn? You love hugs, don't you? Come here. I won't hurt you too much... just a little. Just a small hug."
Arwyn groaned softly, "No thanks. I'm not interested in your hug right now."
Kael stood between them, his mind spinning as both women exchanged their ridiculous hostility around him. Arwyn was pressing against his back, trembling, and Seraphina was standing right in front of him, her anger barely contained. He honestly did not know what to think of this whole situation anymore. It was simply too stupid to understand.
Eventually, both women began to slow down, their breathing growing heavy while Kael's head felt as though it might burst at any moment.
Arwyn finally sank to her knees, gasping. "Can you stop now, Seraphina? You've made me tired."
Kael groaned, "Yes, Captain. You should stop now. I can't move anymore..."
In an instant, Seraphina vanished again and reappeared behind him. He barely turned his head before seeing her grab Arwyn by the collar and drag her away as if she weighed nothing.
"Kael! Help me! Please help me! This madwoman is going to kill me!" Arwyn cried desperately, struggling in vain.
Before Kael could even move, Seraphina tossed her into the kitchen and closed the door behind her with a soft thud.
A moment later, faint flashes of light flickered from behind the door, followed by the distressed cry of a grown woman.
Kael collapsed onto the sofa, covering his eyes with one hand. "I didn't see or hear anything," he muttered weakly. "Nope... nothing at all."
---
In the middle of the town, surrounded by rows of wooden houses and shops, the stone path glowed under the warm light of the magic lamps. The evening air carried the soft hum of chatter as people walked along the path, and a pleasant aroma drifted from a small wooden shop nearby. Inside, the scent of dried meat was so rich that anyone passing by would find themselves hungry.
Just outside the shop stood a beautiful woman with short chestnut hair. She had just bought a few sausages, and now she was biting into one with such eagerness that it looked as if she hadn't eaten for days.
"Ah, it tastes even better than before," she thought with delight as the flavor spread across her tongue. The juiciness, the slight smokiness, and the savory depth made her crave more with every bite. "I love sausages so much," she murmured inwardly with a small grin, though it didn't last long.
Her smile disappeared as she sighed softly. "Unfortunately... I don't have enough money to buy more. That means I'll have to work even harder from now on. Maybe if I hadn't missed that shot last night, I could've earned something. Ah, what a pity."
After finishing the last of her sausages, she handed over the coins she had left and walked away from the shop.
Some time later, she found herself strolling through a narrow path between two narrow lines of houses. Her hands were loosely clasped behind her back, her steps light and relaxed, her expression carefree as though nothing in the world could disturb her peace.
She carried no weapon with her since she had come out only to eat and enjoy herself, and walking around armed would only draw unnecessary attention.
But soon she felt something shift around her. The air became strangely heavy, and her steps slowed. Was someone following her? Did the knight orders really manage to track her down so quickly? That shouldn't have been possible. She had fired her arrow from such a distance that by the time anyone could even guess where it came from, she was already long gone. So how could they have found her this fast?
"No... it's not those bastards," she thought silently. "It's definitely someone else. But who could it be?"
Even as the thought crossed her mind, she didn't bother to turn around. Instead, she kept walking until a soft gust of wind swept past her face, tousling her hair, and suddenly, a dark silhouette appeared before her. She stopped immediately, raising an eyebrow as she looked straight ahead.
"Hey, miss," she said in a casual tone, "Are you the one who's been following me for a while now? You know, it feels rather awkward being followed like that."
The figure slowly stepped into the dim light, revealing the outline of a woman dressed in a white and black bodysuit that shimmered like silk. The suit was marked with intricate patterns, and a few light layers covered her form elegantly. In her slender fingers twirled a silver pen that moved between them like it was alive. But what caught her attention more than anything was the strange and distinct aura that surrounded the woman.
"Who is she?" she thought quietly to herself.
The woman stepped closer, her movements fluid and graceful, while her muscles tensed slightly, ready to shift into a defensive stance if needed. But before she could act, the woman raised her hand lightly and said, "I mean you no harm... Miss Asphy. I suggest you lower your guard."
The mention of her name made Asphy freeze for a moment. This woman knew her identity. Just how long had she been watched? Still, Asphy didn't move rashly and simply replied, her tone calm but cold, "What do you want from me? And who the hell are you?"
The woman's lips curved into a pleasant smile. "I came to speak of a small negotiation. My name is Serow. I hope you will be willing to listen."
Asphy looked at her for a long while, her expression unreadable, then tilted her head slightly. "What kind of negotiation are you talking about?"
Serow's smile deepened a little as her voice grew softer. "Yesterday, my leader witnessed you shooting an arrow at our enemies. I'm sure you remember that moment well. Because of that, I came here on behalf of my leader to offer you an opportunity. We wish to recruit you, Miss Asphy, into our cult, even if only for a short while. Pledge your loyalty to our Queen."
Asphy blinked once, her expression showing little emotion as she thought in silence. Then she shrugged casually, "And if I refuse?"
Serow's pleasant demeanor vanished, replaced by a cold, measured tone that carried both confidence and subtle threat. "I think you would not refuse. It would be far wiser to have allies who can help you finish your targets rather than continue to run alone and keep hiding like cowards. The enemies you are after are powerful, and even you must know that you are not strong enough yet to bring them down by yourself. Make a temporary deal with us, and you will not only have a better chance of victory but also earn far more than you could on your own. Wouldn't that be a more reasonable choice?"
For a long while, Asphy said nothing. Her gaze lowered slightly as she contemplated the offer, her expression unreadable in the dim light. Then, all of a sudden, a smirk appeared on her face, and her lips curved upward as she looked straight at Serow. "Fine, I'll accept your offer. But there's one thing I should make clear."
Serow's eyes softened again, though she sighed lightly. "That's good to hear. And what would that be?"
Asphy's tongue slowly traced her lips as her voice lowered to a sharp, almost playful tone.
"That Seraphina bitch... she's mine alone."
---
(Chapter Ended)
To be continued...