Chapter 514: Pointing finger
Just as Aeliana's finger remained poised against Lucavion's nose, a low, sharp grr cut through the air.
Her body reacted before her mind caught up, instincts kicking in as she swiftly retracted her hand—just in time.
A small white paw swiped at the space where her finger had just been.
Aeliana blinked, her gaze snapping toward the culprit.
Lucavion's damn cat.
Perched on his shoulder, the feline now had its ears flattened, its sharp, intelligent eyes locked directly onto her. Its tail flicked once—slow, deliberate.
There was nothing playful about its reaction.
It hadn't been a harmless bat of the paw.
That had been a warning.
Aeliana narrowed her eyes, fully turning her attention to the creature.
The cat did not back down. It met her gaze with an unsettling stillness, its pupils narrowing slightly as if analyzing her, assessing her.
And for some reason—
Aeliana felt something off.
Something she couldn't explain.
Her mana, still faintly humming beneath her skin from earlier, reacted—not in a volatile way, but as if it had suddenly noticed the presence of something else.
Something wrong.
Her expression didn't change, but inwardly, she bristled.
This cat wasn't just a cat.
And whatever it was…
It was watching her.
Aeliana didn't like that.
Not one bit.
The fact that this damn cat had dared to swipe at her, to warn her as if she were the intruder here—unacceptable.
Her eyes narrowed further, sharp and unyielding. But before she could retaliate, Lucavion let out a low chuckle and reached up, running a slow, casual hand along the feline's back.
"Easy," he murmured, his tone amused yet soothing. "She's like that. Often hostile."
The cat's tail flicked again, but it didn't swipe a second time. It merely continued staring at Aeliana with those eerie, knowing eyes.
Aeliana scoffed, crossing her arms. "I didn't take you for someone who couldn't control a mere cat."
Lucavion's smirk didn't falter. "I don't control people," he said smoothly. "If that's what you thought of me, I must say—I'm quite hurt."
Aeliana's expression remained deadpan.
"…"
She refused to dignify that with a response.
Instead, she let her gaze flicker back to the cat, still perched on Lucavion's shoulder like some self-important guardian.
[I don't like this woman.]
Lucavion barely suppressed a smirk as Vitaliara's voice rang in his mind, sharp and displeased.
'Oh?' he mused internally, tilting his head slightly as he ran a lazy hand along Vitaliara's back. 'This is what finally sets you off? Not the countless women I've teased before?'
[Shut up.]
Lucavion chuckled to himself. He already knew why.
The moment Aeliana had stepped forward—closer than anyone else had dared—Vitalaira had reacted instantly. She had never been one to tolerate threats, and in her eyes, Aeliana had crossed the invisible boundary of what was acceptable.
'So?' Lucavion continued, his internal voice light with amusement.
[Is this the Aeliana that you talked about?]
'Yep.'
[…This woman? This irritating woman?] Vitaliara scoffed. [She's Aeliana?]
Lucavion nodded slightly, his fingers still trailing lazily over Vitaliara's fur. 'She is.'
A long, heavy pause.
Then—
[She was that veiled woman?]
'Yes. She was.'
Immediately, a low, sharp grrrr rumbled through their connection, and Lucavion had to bite back another chuckle.
Vitaliara's tail lashed behind him, her fur bristling.
Lucavion hummed, taking another long, slow glance at Aeliana, who was still glaring at Vitaliara as if she were trying to decide whether or not to throw hands with a cat.
[I don't like her.] Vitaliara huffed, her golden eyes flicking toward Aeliana with clear disdain. [She looks worse than that knight woman.]
Lucavion raised an eyebrow, suppressing another smirk. 'You mean Valeria?'
[Humph.]
Lucavion chuckled under his breath. 'And what exactly makes Aeliana worse?'
Vitaliara flicked her tail sharply, a clear sign of irritation. [She's just… annoying.]
'Oh?'
[Yes. The way she stands there, acting all self-important, pushing her way into things that don't concern her.]
Lucavion tilted his head slightly. That's an interesting way to phrase it.
Vitaliara was always prickly when it came to women approaching him—but she would never openly admit it. Instead, she dressed up her objections in something else.
'Hmmm…' Lucavion hummed, his fingers idly stroking along her fur. 'You sound particularly invested.'
[Shut up.]
Lucavion's smirk deepened.
Before he could tease her further—
Footsteps approached from the hall.
"Sir Lucavion," Anne's voice rang out as she stepped closer. "The carriage is ready."
Lucavion turned his attention toward her, but before he could respond—
Anne's gaze suddenly flickered to the side, and the moment she caught sight of Aeliana, she stiffened.
A brief pause.
Then, her brown eyes widened slightly.
"M-My Lady…"
She immediately bowed her head in respect.
Lucavion raised an eyebrow. Interesting.
Aeliana's expression remained composed, but a flicker of curiosity passed through her gaze. It was clear she didn't recognize Anne.
Which made sense.
Aeliana had been isolated while she was recovering from her illness, and those tending to her would have been experienced senior maids—ones familiar with handling her condition.
Anne, on the other hand…
Lucavion glanced at the younger maid, who still seemed slightly nervous.
She must have been assigned elsewhere.
Lucavion smirked, watching the unspoken exchange between them.
Well now… this just got even more interesting.
Aeliana's gaze flickered toward the young maid, observing her carefully.
She was young—far younger than the senior maids who had attended to her during her illness. Her face was unfamiliar, but there was something about her eyes… something vaguely reminiscent of a person Aeliana should remember.
A relative, perhaps? The daughter of one of the older maids who had once served her?
It was possible.
But at the moment, the girl looked more nervous than anything.
Aeliana exhaled softly, accepting the greeting with a slight nod. "You may rise."
Anne immediately straightened, though the nervousness didn't fade entirely.
Aeliana tilted her head slightly, watching her. The girl was clearly uncertain, and while Aeliana had no patience for incompetence, she also knew that every servant had to learn eventually.
And hesitation wouldn't serve her here.
Aeliana took a step forward, her tone measured but firm. "Your name?"
Anne stiffened slightly but quickly answered. "A-Anne, my lady."
Aeliana hummed thoughtfully. "And how long have you been in service here?"
Anne swallowed before replying, "Almost two years, my lady."
Aeliana arched a brow. Two years… yet she had never seen her before. That meant she had to have been assigned elsewhere.
Most likely away from the main wing.
Or perhaps—away from her.
Aeliana studied her for another moment before speaking again. "
Aeliana's gaze flickered briefly toward Lucavion before returning to Anne.
The girl was nervous, that much was clear. But what caught Aeliana's attention wasn't just her nervousness—it was the way she kept sneaking glances at him.
Subtle. Careful.
But noticeable.
Aeliana's amber eyes narrowed slightly.
Ah.
So she was the one assigned to serve him.
Her lips curled into something almost unreadable before she turned fully to Anne, her voice smooth but pointed.
"This guy… did he bother you?"
Anne blinked, caught completely off guard.
"Eh?"
Lucavion immediately let out a soft chuckle, his smirk deepening. "Aeliana, you wound me," he drawled lazily. "Why would you assume I was the problem?"
Aeliana didn't even spare him a glance. Her sharp eyes remained locked onto Anne, who was now looking between the two of them, clearly struggling to process how she had suddenly become the center of this conversation.
Anne opened her mouth, hesitated, then quickly shook her head. "N-No, my lady! Sir Lucavion did not—um—he was very… polite."
Lucavion sighed dramatically, placing a hand over his chest. "See? Polite. I would never dream of causing trouble."
Aeliana finally turned her gaze toward him, her expression flat.
"…Really?"
Lucavion grinned. "Really."
Aeliana stared at him for a moment longer before exhaling through her nose, unimpressed.
"Hmph."
She didn't believe him for a second.
Chapter 515: Driver
Aeliana let out a small, amused breath before turning back to Anne.
"Thank you for your good work," she said smoothly. "It must have been hard for you."
Anne blinked rapidly, as if unsure whether she was being praised or pitied. She quickly straightened, clearing her throat before bowing. "Th-Thank you, my lady. I am honored to serve."
Aeliana hummed, her gaze assessing.
The girl was young. Inexperienced, clearly. But she wasn't incompetent—just nervous.
But then Aeliana asked. "The carriage is outside, correct?"
Anne hesitated for a moment before glancing toward the entrance.
Lucavion hummed lazily beside her. "It should be," he drawled. "Unless something truly unfortunate has happened in the past few minutes."
Anne nodded. "Yes… but—" She paused, looking at Aeliana as if debating whether to speak further.
Then, after a brief moment of hesitation—
"M-My lady, are you going with S-Sir Lucavion too?"
Silence.
Aeliana slowly turned her full attention to Anne.
Lucavion let out a quiet chuckle under his breath, clearly entertained, but wisely said nothing.
Aeliana wasn't mad—not truly.
But she was aware of one thing: Since when does a maid dare to question the lady of the household?
Her amber eyes glinted, not unkindly, but sharply enough to make her point.
Anne stiffened, immediately realizing her mistake. "Ah—I didn't mean—"
Aeliana raised a single brow.
It wasn't that she intended to reprimand the girl. She could tolerate such slip-ups. Lucavion would brush them off.
But other nobles?
They wouldn't.
Anne was lucky that it was her standing here and not some self-important aristocrat who would take offense over the smallest slight.
And… well.
The girl did look kind of cute, all flustered and anxious like that.
It would be such a waste if she got reprimanded for something like this.
So, instead of scolding, Aeliana simply sighed and let her gaze soften—just slightly.
"A maid should be mindful of her words," she said, her tone cool but instructive.
Anne swallowed hard and quickly bowed. "I—I apologize, my lady!"
Aeliana nodded once, accepting it.
Then, without another word, she turned to Lucavion.
"I am going," she stated flatly, making sure Anne had no reason to doubt anymore.
Lucavion chuckled. "My, my. How decisive."
Aeliana shot Lucavion a glare, already irritated by the amusement in his voice.
"I am leaving with you," she repeated firmly. "And before we go, I should inform the butler."
Without waiting for his response, she turned on her heel and strode toward the hallway.
Lucavion, naturally, followed.
But not before casting one last glance at Anne.
The poor girl was still standing there, stiff and unsure, eyes flicking nervously between them.
Lucavion smirked. Then, with exaggerated slowness, he winked at her and gave a subtle thumbs-up.
His lips moved silently, forming the words, "Not bad."
Anne's face turned an alarming shade of red.
Aeliana must have sensed something because, without turning back, she snapped, "What are you talking about behind my back?"
Lucavion's smirk deepened.
"Hmm… Are you getting paranoid now, dear Little Ember?"
Aeliana huffed, folding her arms as she kept walking. "Humph. It's hard not to be when it comes to someone like you."
Lucavion laughed—rich, careless, completely unbothered.
"Ahahaha… Now that sounds like a you problem."
As they stepped out of the grand estate, the crisp evening air greeted them. The carriage was already waiting, the horses shifting slightly in place, their breath visible in the cooling air. The coachman, a middle-aged man with a rugged face and sharp eyes, straightened as soon as he spotted Lucavion.
But then—
His gaze slid past Lucavion and landed on Aeliana.
And he blinked.
Once.
Twice.
Then, very unsubtly, he turned to Lucavion with a look that practically screamed, Who is this woman, and why is she here?
Lucavion, of course, noticed immediately.
He smirked.
Aeliana, on the other hand, pretended not to see the driver's reaction, though she could already tell what was coming.
The man, still clearly perplexed, finally cleared his throat and said, "Sir, uh… where should I head towards?"
Lucavion stretched lazily before stepping forward, placing one foot onto the carriage's step. "Stormhaven Center," he said smoothly.
The driver nodded, though he was still very obviously sneaking glances at Aeliana, as if trying to determine who she was. He hesitated for a moment before finally blurting, "Understood, sir… but—uh—will the lady be coming with us?"
Aeliana arched a delicate brow, exhaling through her nose. "Yes. Clearly."
The driver tensed at her sharp tone, quickly straightening as if he'd just realized his mistake. "Ah—of course, my lady," he stammered.
Lucavion, of course, didn't help matters. Instead, he leaned forward slightly, propping an elbow against the edge of the carriage with a smirk. "You seem surprised," he mused, eyes glinting with amusement.
The driver hesitated, clearly unsure of how to respond. "Well…"
The driver shifted awkwardly, clearing his throat again. "Well… it's just that I wasn't informed a lady would be accompanying us, sir." His eyes flicked toward Aeliana, uncertainty flickering across his face. "The carriage may not be… suitable."
Aeliana remained unbothered, simply adjusting the cuff of her sleeve.
Lucavion, however, was far more entertained. He leaned slightly against the carriage door, his smirk deepening as he watched the driver struggle.
"Oh?" he mused, feigning concern. "And why is that? Did you forget to polish the seats today?"
The driver stiffened. "N-No, sir, of course not! It's just that, well… had I known we'd be transporting someone of—" He hesitated, stealing another glance at Aeliana, still trying to place her identity. "—ahem, a noblewoman's standing, I would have ensured that the proper arrangements were made."
Lucavion hummed, amusement still evident in his gaze.
Aeliana finally spoke, her tone cool but even. "There is nothing unsuitable about this carriage." Her amber eyes flickered toward the driver, assessing. "Or are you suggesting I should turn back?"
The driver paled slightly, shaking his head quickly. "Not at all, my lady! It's just—" He trailed off, as if realizing there was no way to finish that sentence without digging himself into a deeper hole.
Lucavion chuckled under his breath. He could see the wheels turning in the man's head. The uniform. The mannerisms. The carriage itself—it all belonged to the Thaddeus Duchy. And yet, this man had failed to recognize the heir of the very household he served.
Fascinating.
His gaze flicked toward Aeliana, expecting—something. Displeasure, irritation, maybe even amusement.
Instead, he found nothing.
She was completely indifferent.
Interesting.
If she had noticed the absurdity of the situation, she didn't react to it.
Lucavion let the moment stretch, watching her in quiet curiosity. But since she didn't seem to care, he saw no need to point it out either.
"Well," he drawled, rolling his shoulders lazily. "She's coming with me."
Simple. Direct. And final.
The driver hesitated only for a second longer before nodding quickly. "Understood, sir."
With that settled, Lucavion stepped forward, holding the carriage door open with an exaggerated flourish. "After you."
Aeliana didn't hesitate. She stepped inside, settling onto the seat with effortless composure.
Lucavion followed, sliding in across from her, one leg crossed over the other. As soon as he got comfortable, Vitaliara hopped down from his shoulder and curled up beside him, flicking her tail with mild irritation.
With the door shut, the carriage jolted forward, rolling steadily down the cobbled streets.
The sun hung low in the sky now, painting the city in warm hues of amber and gold. Long shadows stretched across the roads as the day slowly gave way to evening.
Chapter 516: Meeting Corvina
Aeliana sat in silence for a few moments, watching the cityscape shift outside the window. The streets of Stormhaven were beginning to transition from the bustle of day to the quieter hum of the evening, the golden light casting long shadows against the cobblestone roads.
Then, without turning to face him, she finally spoke.
"What exactly are you planning to do in the city center?"
Lucavion, who had been idly stroking Vitaliara's fur, glanced up with a small smirk. "Oh? Curious, are we?"
Aeliana's amber eyes flicked toward him, unimpressed. "You dragged me into this trip. I have every right to know where we're going."
"Wow….how shameless to say that I was the one dragged you, when you basically barged in."
"Well, I learned from someone quite talented."
"….."
"So?" Aeliana gave him a flat look before repeating, "What are you planning to do?"
Lucavion exhaled through his nose, resting an elbow against the window frame. "Meeting someone. Business matters."
Aeliana's eyes narrowed slightly. "Who?"
Lucavion's smirk didn't waver. "You'll see."
Silence stretched between them.
Aeliana's fingers curled slightly against the fabric of her dress. She hated vague answers.
Her glare sharpened, but Lucavion remained entirely unbothered, turning his attention toward the passing scenery instead. His gaze followed the swaying branches of the trees lining the road, the evening light filtering through the leaves in shifting patches of gold.
Then—quietly, almost absentmindedly—he murmured to himself,
"…It's been a while since I've taken a carriage."
It was barely above a whisper, a thought spoken more to himself than anyone else.
But Aeliana caught it.
She turned her head slightly, studying him.
Lucavion's usual amusement had dimmed just slightly, his expression unreadable as he gazed out the window. It wasn't nostalgia in his voice—it was something more difficult to place.
Something distant.
Something lost.
Aeliana didn't comment on it.
Instead, she simply watched, waiting to see if he would say anything more.
But he didn't.
The moment passed, and Lucavion's smirk soon returned, his attention flicking lazily back to her as if nothing had happened.
"Well?" he mused. "Should I take that silence as a sign that you're actually being patient for once?"
Aeliana's glare sharpened, her lips pressing into a thin line. "You're the one who can't stand silence."
Lucavion raised a brow, his smirk still in place.
"Even in that cave," she continued, her voice edged with pointed accusation, "you were the one who spoke the most."
Before Lucavion could respond, a flicker of movement caught his attention.
Vitaliara, still lying curled up beside him, turned her head, golden eyes flicking toward him.
Lucavion sighed, as if the weight of the world had been placed upon his shoulders. He stretched slightly, then gave a small shrug.
"Well," he mused, "someone needed to lift the spirits of a certain sick lady."
Aeliana scoffed. "Spirits?"
"Yes, spirits. Morale. Mood. Whatever you want to call it." Lucavion tilted his head slightly, his gaze unwavering. "And it worked, did it not?"
Aeliana's fingers twitched slightly in her lap. "It worked," she admitted. Then—her voice quieter, colder— "Until you decided to take it away."
Lucavion's smirk faltered. Just slightly.
The golden light outside the carriage had deepened, the sun sinking lower, bathing the streets in a subdued glow. The gentle sway of the carriage seemed to stretch the silence between them.
Lucavion let out a slow breath, running a hand through his hair before leaning back against the seat.
"Yeah…" he murmured, voice softer now. "I'm sorry for that."
Aeliana blinked.
Then she exhaled slowly, her fingers pressing lightly against the fabric of her dress.
She should still be mad.
She wanted to be mad.
But the truth was—she wasn't. Not anymore.
Not after everything.
Not when she knew the truth.
And, to be frank… seeing him like this—leaning back against the seat, his usual arrogance tempered by something quieter, something more real—it made her want to…
Aeliana tensed.
No.
No, absolutely not.
But the thought had already formed.
Some ridiculous, absurd part of her wanted to pounce on him. To grab his head, pull him against her, wrap her arms around him, and—
What are you thinking?!
Aeliana's spine stiffened, her hands curling into tight fists against her lap.
Her mind reeled, scrambling for some sort of rationality, something to drag her back from that dangerous train of thought—
And then—
A memory surfaced.
A certain moment, so vividly clear, like a drop of ink spreading through water.
Lucavion. Sleeping.
His head resting on her lap.
His breath slow, steady, his usual smirk absent, leaving behind nothing but quiet, unguarded exhaustion.
Like a child who had finally stopped fighting sleep.
Like someone who had let himself rest, if only for a moment.
Aeliana's breath caught.
She couldn't remember this.
She shouldn't remember this.
Because if she did—
If she let herself remember—
She wasn't sure she'd be able to hold back.
Her hands tightened further, her nails pressing into her palms as she forced herself to look away, to shove the memory aside before it could sink any deeper.
No.
Not now.
Not ever.
Lucavion, unaware of the war raging inside her mind, let out a quiet hum, still gazing out the window. His smirk had returned—lighter this time, absent of its usual teasing edge.
"Something on your mind, Little Ember?"
Aeliana turned her head toward him, schooling her expression into one of perfect indifference.
"Hmph." She crossed her arms. "Nothing of importance."
Lucavion chuckled, his eyes gleaming with amusement. "If you say so."
Aeliana exhaled slowly, steadying herself.
The memory was gone.
For now.
But the feeling it left behind still lingered.
******
The guild hall was in absolute chaos. The moment Corvina stepped out of the private transaction chamber and back into the main hall, she was met with a wall of noise—raised voices, desperate bargaining, and the heavy scent of blood and sweat lingering in the air.
It had been like this since the moment the expedition had failed.
Since the moment that monster had appeared.
She still could remember that day, when the first wave of adventurers returned from the expedition.
Adventurers crowded every available space—some leaning against the walls, others hunched over tables, drinking away the remnants of their terror. Healers rushed between them, tending to fresh wounds, their magic casting brief glows across exhausted faces. The scribes at the registry desk were overwhelmed, scribbling down reports while guild officials shouted over one another, trying to bring order to the chaos. And in the middle of it all, adventurers bickered and accused, their fear twisting into anger.
Corvina's fingers pressed against her temple for a brief moment before she straightened, her sharp gaze sweeping the room. 'Stormhaven hasn't seen this level of unrest in years. And all because of… that thing.'
She knew what it was.
The higher-ups knew what it was.
But no one else could.
A Kraken. A monster of legend, one that should have remained deep beneath the ocean, far from the shores of Stormhaven. And yet, it had emerged.
Why?
She had no answer for that yet.
The expedition had been meant to push back the sea beasts that had grown too bold near the eastern trade routes, a routine operation carried out every few years. The plan had been solid, the teams well-prepared. But none of them—none—had expected the abyss to birth such a nightmare.
And now, dozens of adventurers were dead.
The rest? They were shaken, their faith in the guild—and their own strength—teetering on the edge.
Corvina knew the weight of this moment. One wrong move, one poorly handled decision, and the guild's reputation could crumble.
A breath.
A sharp, measured inhale.
And then she moved.
"Guildmaster!" One of her aides, a younger scribe, rushed toward her, a pile of reports clutched in his trembling hands. "We've got the final list of missing and confirmed dead from the expedition. The official numbers…" He hesitated, looking pale.
She snatched the papers from him and skimmed the contents quickly. 'Thirty-two confirmed dead. Seventeen still missing. Twelve critically injured.' Her grip tightened around the parchment.
Too many.
She folded the report with precision and tucked it under her arm. "Make sure the families of the fallen are contacted immediately," she instructed. "And the missing—continue searching. We don't stop until we know."
"Yes, Guildmaster."
Chapter 517: Meeting Corvina (2)
The weight of leadership was a heavy thing, and tonight, Corvina could feel it pressing against her shoulders more than ever.
Sitting behind her desk in the guild's administrative chambers, she leaned back slightly, rubbing her temple as she studied the financial breakdown before her. The Duchy's compensation had arrived—an undeniably hefty sum, as expected—but gold alone wasn't enough to soothe the tempers of those who had lost comrades.
'A calculated move, as always.'
The Dukedom had been quick to send the funds, ensuring that, at least on paper, their obligations were met. They wanted to control the damage before it spiraled further. But no amount of gold could erase the bitter taste of failure that lingered in the hearts of the adventurers.
And, of course, they wouldn't bring their demands to the Duke himself.
No.
That task fell squarely on her.
The guild was the formal representative of the adventurers, the one organization with the authority to speak on their behalf. And so, the anger that should have been directed toward the Duchy had instead found a home here, inside the walls of her guild.
Corvina exhaled slowly, her fingers tapping against the edge of her desk.
'Annoying, but predictable.'
She had already drafted responses to the Duchy, reinforcing the need for additional compensations—not just for the families of the fallen, but for future expedition incentives, hazard pay, and resource recovery. The gold they had sent was substantial, yes, but it would not be enough to fix this. The Duke needed to understand that.
And if he didn't?
Well.
She would make him understand.
Just as she was considering the next move in this increasingly delicate political dance, a familiar sound drifted through the hallways.
Raised voices.
Not unusual in times like these, but something about the tone made Corvina pause.
She didn't rise—not yet.
Instead, she tilted her head, listening.
Through the heavy oak doors of her office, she could hear the murmurs of the guild's reception area. The anger wasn't directed at her—at least, not directly. Instead, her receptionists were bearing the brunt of it.
A storm was brewing.
And she had no intention of stepping into it just yet.
Instead, she remained seated, allowing herself a brief moment to listen.
"…This is unacceptable!" a voice barked, rough with frustration.
"We risked everything, and what do we get? Some measly compensation?" another spat.
"This was the Duchy's operation! They should be the ones standing here, answering for what happened!"
"And yet, where are they? Safe behind their damn walls while we're the ones burying our own!"
Corvina's lips pressed into a thin line. 'Of course. This was inevitable.'
The expedition had failed, and people wanted someone to blame.
She knew better than anyone that actual accountability in matters like this was a rare thing. The Duchy would never admit fault—not openly. That was why they had sent her gold instead of an apology.
Gold was easy.
Responsibility? That was a different matter entirely.
Her receptionists, however, had no such luxury.
"Please, sir," one of the clerks said, her voice trying to remain level despite the pressure. "I understand your frustrations, but the guild—"
"The guild should be doing more!" the man interrupted. "You're the ones who speak for us, aren't you? Or are we just expendable to you, same as we are to the damn nobility?"
Another voice, slightly calmer but no less bitter, cut in. "You knew, didn't you?"
A heavy pause followed.
Corvina's eyes sharpened. 'Knew what, exactly?'
One of the receptionists hesitated—an instant of silence, but it was enough.
"You did." The first adventurer's voice lowered into something almost dangerous. "You knew something was wrong. You knew this wasn't just a normal expedition."
Corvina exhaled slowly, the weight of the conversation pressing against her like an invisible force. She tapped a single finger against the desk in thought.
This wasn't true.
No one had known about the Kraken. Not the guild. Not the Duchy. Not even the adventurers who had ventured into those cursed waters. The expedition had been routine—predictable. Until, suddenly, it wasn't. Until the impossible happened, and a nightmare from the depths tore everything apart.
But the truth hardly mattered now, did it?
People weren't looking for facts. They were looking for someone to blame.
She couldn't control what rumors they whispered in the dark corners of the guild, nor could she undo the paranoia that had begun to spread like rot through Stormhaven. What she could do, however, was keep this from spiraling out of control.
'Let them rage. Let them shout. It changes nothing.'
Her mind drifted to another matter—one that had been gnawing at the back of her mind for days.
The Duke's daughter.
Why had she even been there?
It was an absurd decision—reckless, unfathomable. Corvina had pored over the reports, searching for some justification, but there was nothing that made sense.
"Why would someone send their sick daughter to such a place? I really can't comprehend," she murmured to herself, resting her chin against her knuckles.
The official explanation from the Duchy had been vague at best. Something about "recreational travel" and "overseeing minor matters related to trade." A laughable excuse. Corvina knew how noble families functioned, and no one sent a fragile heir into a volatile region without reason.
'Unless, of course, they wanted her gone.'
She didn't like that thought. It was too conspiratorial, too grim. But the moment it had entered her mind, she couldn't shake it.
And yet, as incomprehensible as the situation was, the outcome was even stranger.
She had received the news just a few hours ago—privately, through secure channels.
The Duke's daughter had been rescued.
Alive.
That fact alone should have brought relief, but instead, it only unsettled her further.
Because no one else had come back.
None of the adventurers who had been swallowed by those vortexes had resurfaced. No bodies had been recovered. No messages, no survivors, no traces. It was as if the ocean itself had erased them.
The fact that the Duke's daughter had survived and returned meant something crucial—something that sent a shiver down Corvina's spine.
It meant the opportunity to escape had existed.
The others—the adventurers who had been caught in those abyssal vortexes—hadn't been outright erased. They had a chance to make it back.
And yet, none of them had.
Why?
Had they fought to the last moment, struggling against the pull of the sea, only to fail? Had they been separated, scattered across whatever lay beyond those swirling maws? Had some of them—had one of them—come close to escaping, only to fall just short?
Or—Corvina clenched her fingers into a fist—was there something else at play?
Was there a reason only the Duke's daughter had made it back?
A coincidence?
Or a choice?
The thought disturbed her. Even if this is just an assumption, the implications are unsettling.
She let out a slow breath, trying to untangle the knots in her mind. But instead of clarity, her thoughts led her somewhere else.
To someone else.
A certain young man.
Lucavion.
Or, as most in Stormhaven knew him, Luca.
Her fingers paused against the surface of the desk, and for the first time in days, uncertainty slipped through her carefully crafted mask of composure.
"…What happened to you?" she murmured, almost to herself.
She had not forgotten him.
After all, how could she?
Lucavion had carved his name into the adventurers' psyche with terrifying ease. The stories of his strength, his composure, his sharp tongue, and sharper blade had spread like wildfire in the short time he had been in the city.
He was no ordinary adventurer. That much had been obvious from the start.
And yet—
He, too, had been swallowed by the vortex.
She tapped her finger against the desk again, an uncharacteristic display of unease slipping through her usual control. 'It doesn't make sense.'
By all accounts, Lucavion had been one of the most capable fighters in the expedition. He had even fought the Kraken itself.
There had been rumors—adventurers whispering in hushed voices about how he had stood his ground when the behemoth had risen from the depths.
How he had cut into it.
A D-rank adventurer had done something not even the strongest among them had dared attempt.
And now?
Gone. Vanished.
No body, no message, nothing.
Just like the others.
And yet, the guild had been getting—pressure.
The Duchy had sent repeated, pointed inquiries about a certain adventurer.
About Luca.
Corvina exhaled slowly, her grip tightening.
She had deflected them as long as she could. Given vague answers. Stalled. But the pressure was mounting.
And she couldn't hide the truth forever.
Because the truth was this:
Luca did not exist.
Not truly. Not in the way the Duchy thought he did.
Lucavion was real. But Luca?
Luca was a name of convenience. A forged identity, woven together with just enough subtlety to pass through the guild's records without raising suspicion—until now.
They must have known something was amiss from the beginning, Corvina thought. But they're only pressing now because he's missing.
Why?
Who was he, to them?
Had someone recognized him? Had his actions drawn too much attention?
Corvina sighed and leaned back in her chair, staring up at the ceiling for a moment.
'You really are a troublesome one, Luca.'
The question lingered in the air, an itch in the back of her mind that refused to fade.
Where are you?
Corvina had barely settled into the thought, the question forming in the depths of her mind—Where are you?—when the air in the guild hall shifted.
A subtle ripple in the noise. A moment of tension that only someone as attuned to the atmosphere as she was would notice.
Then, a voice.
"I am here to meet with Guild Master Corvina."
Chapter 518: Two ladies
"I am here to meet with Guild Master Corvina."
Her breath caught.
That voice.
A voice she knew.
A voice she had not expected to hear again.
Corvina sat up straighter, her hands still against the desk as she turned her attention toward the door. Her mind worked faster than her body, scanning through the possibilities before she could fully accept what her instincts already told her.
The receptionist, a young woman with sharp eyes and an even sharper tongue, shot the man standing before her an irritated glare.
"If I let everyone who wanted to meet the Guild Master waltz right in, this entire guild would turn into a marketplace," she snapped, clearly unimpressed. "State your business properly or get in line like everyone else."
Her voice carried through the hall, drawing the attention of several adventurers. And, as if waiting for an excuse to release their simmering frustration, they turned toward the newcomer with a mix of amusement and disdain.
"Who does this guy think he is?" one of them scoffed, arms crossed.
"Another fool wanting special treatment?" another sneered.
Laughter rippled through the crowd, low and mocking.
"Maybe he thinks he's some important noble," someone joked.
The air in the guild hall was thick with exhaustion, irritation, and unspoken resentment over the failed expedition. This man—this stranger who spoke as if he had any right to demand an audience with Corvina—was the perfect target to take their frustrations out on.
But then—
"My name is Lucavion."
The words cut through the noise.
A casual statement. No hint of arrogance. No attempt to justify himself. Just a name. A declaration.
But to Corvina—
To her—
It was enough.
Instant recognition struck like lightning.
Lucavion.
Not Luca.
Lucavion.
If he had given the name Luca, she might have hesitated. Might have dismissed it as another desperate fool trying to claim the name for himself—it had happened before, after all.
But none of those impostors had known his real name.
Because no one in Stormhaven did.
None of the adventurers surrounding him—mocking him, laughing at him—realized what they had just heard.
But she did.
Corvina's breath stilled for only a moment before her fingers moved instinctively, pressing against the smooth surface of the artifact embedded in her desk.
The response was immediate.
A soft hum of magic. A faint flicker of golden light.
At the reception desk, the lamp sitting beside the young woman flared to life.
A signal.
The receptionist, mid-sentence in her scolding, snapped her mouth shut as the glow bathed the desk in its command. Her eyes darted toward the private office, realization dawning instantly.
A slow breath. A begrudging acknowledgment.
She turned back to the man before her, her earlier irritation replaced with something more neutral.
"…You may proceed."
A hush settled over the surrounding adventurers, confusion flashing across their faces.
"What?"
"That's it?"
"Who is this guy?"
But the receptionist said nothing more, simply stepping aside.
Lucavion, his expression unreadable, gave the smallest tilt of his head before moving forward.
And in the distance, behind her desk, Corvina exhaled slowly.
She leaned back slightly, her fingers still resting against the artifact, the glow now fading.
Her mind raced.
He's alive.
Corvina exhaled slowly, her fingers pressing against the desk as she processed what had just happened.
He was alive.
Lucavion was alive.
Her grip on the artifact tightened slightly before she forced herself to release it. She had invested too much into this man for him to simply die. If he had perished—if all that effort, all those calculations, all those risks had been for nothing—then everything would have gone wrong.
And she hated when things went wrong.
A quiet breath. A mental shift. By the time the door opened, she had already composed herself, her expression schooled into its usual cool indifference.
Lucavion stepped inside, his usual air of lazy confidence preceding him. He took his time, his sharp eyes scanning the room in an almost casual manner, before finally letting his gaze settle on her.
Then, his lips curled into that infuriating smirk.
"You are alive, Lucavion," Corvina said, her voice even.
Lucavion tilted his head slightly, his smirk deepening. "Miss me?"
Corvina exhaled sharply, rolling her eyes as she leaned back in her chair. "I should have known you'd be insufferable the moment you walked through that door."
Lucavion placed a hand over his chest in mock offense. "And here I thought you'd be happy to see me."
Before Corvina could respond—
"Hiek! Hey… why are you pinching me?!"
Corvina's head snapped toward the voice, her sharp eyes landing on the source of the commotion.
And then she paused.
Because standing beside Lucavion—arms crossed, expression irritated—was a woman.
Not just any woman.
A woman with striking amber eyes and an air of authority that was impossible to ignore.
And, judging by the way she was now glaring daggers at Lucavion—one who was clearly not used to being dragged around like this.
Corvina blinked once. Then twice.
Her gaze flickered between the two of them, her mind rapidly adjusting to this unexpected development.
Slowly, her expression shifted into something that could almost be described as amused.
Corvina's gaze lingered on the woman for a moment longer, a flicker of curiosity breaking through her usual composed demeanor.
She had never seen this woman before.
And she would have remembered if she had.
The sharp amber eyes. The way she carried herself, poised but with a tension that spoke of someone who wasn't used to being led into rooms without having the upper hand. And then there was the undeniable presence about her—one that didn't demand attention, but commanded it effortlessly.
Yes. This was not an ordinary woman.
Corvina leaned forward slightly, fingers steepling in front of her as her sharp gaze flicked toward Lucavion. "And who, exactly, is this?" she asked smoothly.
Lucavion, standing far too relaxed for someone in the presence of an obviously powerful individual, let out a small sigh. Then, without missing a beat, he turned toward the woman and offered her the most insufferable smirk.
"Well, go on," he said with an exaggerated wave of his hand. "Introduce yourself. We're all so curious."
The woman didn't look at Corvina.
No.
Instead, she glared at Lucavion.
A withering look, filled with the kind of barely restrained annoyance that Corvina found herself appreciating.
Lucavion, entirely unaffected, simply tilted his head and added, "Or do you need me to do it for you?"
The woman scoffed, arms crossing over her chest. "Don't push your luck."
Lucavion gave her an innocent look. "Me? Never."
The response was immediate. She pinched his arm—hard.
"Hiek! Hey—" Lucavion flinched, rubbing at the spot with a mock-offended expression. "Why are you so violent?"
The woman gave him a pointed look. "Why do you deserve anything else?"
Corvina watched the exchange in silence, her amusement only growing.
Because this was interesting.
Very interesting.
It wasn't the bickering—no, that was normal for Lucavion. He had a way of drawing out reactions from people, of poking and prodding until even the most composed individuals lost their patience.
What intrigued her was the way he was acting.
Lucavion did not defer to anyone.
Not nobles. Not mercenaries. Not even her.
And yet, here he was, bantering but not pushing. Teasing but not provoking.
That meant something.
That meant that this woman—whoever she was—was someone he respected enough not to step too far.
And that made her someone Corvina had to take seriously.
Filing that observation away, she finally let her lips quirk into a faint smile. "You're no fun," Lucavion muttered, still rubbing his arm as he glanced back at Corvina.
"You must be used to that by now," the woman retorted.
Corvina chuckled under her breath before returning to her original question. "Lucavion," she said smoothly, "I'd like to know who our guest is."
Lucavion let out a long-suffering sigh, as if this were the most inconvenient thing that had ever happened to him.
"Fine, fine," he said, shaking his head before turning toward the woman with a half-smirk. "Would you like me to embellish or keep it simple?"
The woman exhaled, clearly done with his nonsense. "Just say it."
Lucavion looked back at Corvina and, with the same easy confidence he always carried, said, "Guildmaster, allow me to introduce you to—"
He paused, eyes glinting with something unreadable.
Then, after a brief second, he gave a small, almost amused shrug.
"—Aeliana."
Chapter 519: Aeliana Thaddeus ?
The moment the name left Lucavion's lips, Corvina stilled.
Aeliana.
Where had she heard that name before?
Why did it feel like something important, like a half-forgotten truth resting just beyond her grasp?
Her gaze flickered toward the woman—Aeliana—who met her stare without hesitation, her amber eyes sharp and unwavering.
And it was in that moment, as their eyes locked, that recognition struck like lightning.
Corvina inhaled sharply.
That name is not common.
Not here. Not anywhere.
And more importantly—
There was only one Aeliana who could make someone like Lucavion hold back.
Someone who had been sick.
Someone who had been reserved.
Someone who had barely ever been seen beyond the walls of nobility.
Aeliana Thaddeus.
The daughter of the Duke.
The girl who had been rescued.
And now—she was standing here, right in front of her.
Corvina's fingers twitched against the desk as her mind raced.
But does that make sense?
The heir of House Thaddeus—Stormhaven's fragile, sickly noble daughter—had supposedly been in the vicinity of the failed expedition, had been lost, and then recovered.
Aeliana Thaddeus.
The one who was too weak to leave her estate.
The one who wasn't supposed to survive beyond her guarded walls.
The one the entire city whispered about.
And yet—
Here she stood.
Not frail.
Not pale.
Not weak.
She stood before Corvina, arms crossed, expression alive with irritation, very much not the image of a sickly noble heir.
'Am I mistaken?'
No.
She knows she isn't mistaken.
Lucavion's presence had already been enough to shake the foundation of the guild, but this—this was something else entirely.
Corvina's mind reeled, piecing together the implications.
If she was rescued… then how?
Why her?
None of the other missing adventurers had returned. None.
So how did she survive?
Her gaze drifted between Lucavion and Aeliana, the tension in the air subtly shifting as she processed what this meant.
Lucavion knew.
She could see it in the way he stood, in the way he watched her reaction.
This is deliberate.
His silence wasn't indifference.
It was intentional.
Corvina's lips parted slightly, but she stopped herself from speaking too soon.
She needed to be careful.
Instead, she leaned back in her chair, her sharp gaze settling on Aeliana once more.
And then, in a carefully neutral voice, she asked—
Corvina cleared her throat softly, testing the waters with a measured tone. "By Aeliana, do you mean… Lady Aeliana Thaddeus?"
Her words carried both deference and a carefully guarded curiosity. Even as Guildmaster, she knew better than to show overt disrespect to the Lady of the household upon whose lands so many relied. The formal address hung in the air, a delicate balance between protocol and genuine inquiry.
Lucavion's lips curled into that familiar, roguish smirk. "I knew you were sharp," he teased, his voice a smooth blend of amusement and approval.
Corvina's gaze flickered between the two figures. The way Lucavion's smirk played upon his face confirmed her suspicions, yet left her with more questions than answers. How could this be? If it was truly Lady Aeliana Thaddeus—the very same girl once deemed fragile and unfit to venture beyond her gilded estate—how did she now stand here, defiant and very much alive?
'Wasn't she supposed to be sick? Weak and withdrawn?' Corvina wondered silently, her mind reeling with implications. The image of the delicate, ailing noble girl she had heard whispers about clashed violently with the commanding presence of the woman before her.
The tension in the room deepened, as if every eye could sense that this revelation carried weight far beyond mere titles. Corvina, ever the consummate professional, forced herself to maintain neutrality, though her thoughts swirled with disbelief and intrigue.
Corvina barely had time to fully process her thoughts before Aeliana spoke.
"You must be thinking about how I am here, even though I was supposed to be sick."
The words were smooth, direct—devoid of hesitation.
Corvina's lips parted slightly before pressing back together, her fingers curling just slightly against the desk. Sharp. This woman was sharp.
After a brief pause, she gave a single nod. "I would be lying if I said it hadn't crossed my mind."
Aeliana's expression shifted. Not mocking. Not defensive.
A smile.
"It is because I am cured now."
Simple. Clean. An answer that left no room for doubt.
And yet, Corvina felt the weight behind it.
The revelation settled over the room like an invisible force, the pieces clicking into place in Corvina's mind. Cured. The word carried more meaning than it should.
Aeliana Thaddeus—the sickly noble daughter, the fragile heir to one of the most powerful houses in Stormhaven—had been cured.
Corvina exhaled slowly through her nose. That explained everything.
The change in posture. The energy in her gaze. The way she stood with undeniable authority.
This was no longer the noble girl hidden behind estate walls.
This was someone who had tasted freedom.
Aeliana continued, her tone even. "I understand that you have not gotten the news, as it was only just confirmed yesterday."
Corvina narrowed her eyes slightly, absorbing the information. That made sense. House Thaddeus was powerful, and any news regarding its heir's recovery would have been tightly controlled.
Corvina sighed, exhaling slowly as the realization settled in.
Everything made sense now.
The sudden recovery. The confidence. The authority.
Yet, one question still remained.
Why was she here?
Aeliana Thaddeus—heir to one of the most powerful houses in Stormhaven, a woman who had been confined to her estate for years—had walked into her guild with Lucavion at her side, completely at ease.
That was what Corvina didn't understand.
She leaned forward slightly, her sharp gaze unwavering. "I see. Your recovery explains many things, Lady Aeliana," she said smoothly. "But that still doesn't answer one question."
A pause.
"What brought you here?"
Aeliana didn't respond immediately. Instead, she glanced to her side—toward Lucavion.
He blinked. "Huh?"
Then, with all the elegance of a woman who knew she was about to cause trouble, Aeliana said, "I am here to supervise him."
A beat of silence.
Lucavion's expression froze. "…Heh?"
Corvina's brows lifted slightly, the sheer unexpectedness of that answer catching her off guard.
Supervise?
Lady Aeliana Thaddeus—the daughter of the Duke—had come all the way here to supervise Lucavion?
Aeliana, ignoring Lucavion's baffled reaction, continued smoothly, "This man is a troublemaker."
Lucavion let out a small noise of protest, but Aeliana carried on, unbothered. "He has a habit of causing chaos wherever he goes, and someone needs to ensure that it does not escalate further."
Corvina's lips parted slightly before pressing back together.
She had expected a great many reasons for Lady Aeliana's presence here. Political maneuvering. House Thaddeus asserting its influence over the guild. Perhaps even something related to the Duchy's ongoing concerns over Lucavion's identity.
But this?
This was…
Unexpected.
Corvina's gaze drifted to Lucavion.
He was looking at Aeliana with a mixture of exasperation and disbelief, his arms crossed over his chest.
Then, in a completely helpless tone, he turned to Corvina.
"As you can see," he said, gesturing toward Aeliana with a suffering sigh, "I am currently being detained. Please help."
Corvina blinked.
Then blinked again.
For a moment—just a brief moment—she was genuinely left speechless.
Lucavion. Detained.
By Aeliana Thaddeus.
She had thought she'd seen everything in her years as Guildmaster.
Apparently, she had been wrong.
Chapter 520: What happened there ?
The air settled into something more composed—if only on the surface. Corvina, ever the professional, quickly remembered her role as the host despite the utterly bizarre turn this meeting had taken.
She shifted back into her chair, exhaling quietly as her attendant approached the table with a well-balanced tray, carefully pouring tea into each delicate porcelain cup. The rhythmic sound of liquid meeting ceramic was a welcome moment of calm amidst the lingering tension.
Lucavion, ever the opportunist, leaned forward, watching with mild interest. "Ah, at least someone here treats me well," he mused as the warm cup was placed before him.
Aeliana shot him a look. "You should be grateful anyone tolerates you at all."
Lucavion smirked but said nothing, choosing instead to lift his cup with a knowing glint in his eye.
Corvina's lips twitched, but she said nothing, accepting her own tea with a graceful nod to her attendant before finally turning her attention back to the real matters at hand.
She was still wrapping her mind around Lady Aeliana's presence here—still processing the utterly baffling reality of the noblewoman's self-imposed supervision of Lucavion—but there were far more pressing concerns that needed to be addressed first.
The expedition.
She set her cup down lightly, her fingers tracing the rim as she regarded the two across from her. Then, with practiced ease, she steered the conversation toward the matter she could not afford to leave unspoken.
"The failed expedition," she began smoothly, her voice calm yet carrying weight. "I assume you have something to say about it."
Aeliana, who had just been reaching for her cup, stilled. Her amber eyes flicked up to meet Corvina's, the poised expression on her face unreadable.
Lucavion let out a quiet hum, swirling the tea in his cup lazily. "That's a rather broad topic, Guildmaster."
Corvina's sharp gaze landed on him, unamused. "Then let's narrow it down."
A beat of silence.
Then—
"You were there, weren't you?" Corvina's voice was steady, but the question carried a deliberate weight. "You fought the Kraken."
Corvina knew she had to tread carefully. As much as she wanted answers, she could not simply demand them from Aeliana.
Not outright.
For all that she was Guildmaster, her rank did not surpass that of the Duke's daughter. And while Corvina had little patience for the formalities of noble hierarchy, she was not reckless enough to overstep where it truly mattered.
However—
Lucavion had brought Aeliana here.
That alone spoke volumes.
Lucavion was calculating, a man who did not move without reason. If he had brought Lady Aeliana Thaddeus into her guild, it meant he trusted her enough to hear the truth.
So she would ask.
She placed her cup down lightly, her fingers resting against the porcelain for a moment before she spoke.
"You fought the Kraken," she repeated, her voice steady as her gaze locked onto Lucavion.
Lucavion smirked, setting his cup down. "Yes."
"And you both survived."
Aeliana gave a quiet, almost imperceptible sigh. "Clearly."
Corvina ignored the bite in her tone. "Then I must ask you both—what happened?"
Lucavion stretched slightly, as though considering where to begin. "It's simple, really. The expedition was going as planned until it appeared."
Corvina's fingers tightened slightly against the table.
"The Kraken," she murmured.
Lucavion gave a small nod. "It surfaced without warning. No shift in the tides, no rumblings from the deep—just there, tearing through ships and stations before anyone could react."
Corvina exhaled through her nose.
A complete disaster.
Even worse than the reports had suggested.
She shifted her gaze toward Aeliana, watching her reaction. The noblewoman's face remained unreadable, her hands resting against the table, fingers lightly curled around her teacup.
"And the others?" Corvina pressed.
Lucavion tilted his head. "Which others?"
"The adventurers."
Lucavion went quiet for a brief moment. Not out of hesitation, but deliberation.
Corvina leaned forward slightly. "They were swallowed by the vortexes. I need to know what happened to them."
Aeliana's expression darkened slightly.
Lucavion exhaled, his smirk fading just slightly. "I won't sugarcoat it, Corvina." His voice lost its usual teasing lilt. "It was chaos. Once the Kraken emerged, the entire formation collapsed. The vortexes weren't just pulling people under—they were tearing them away."
Corvina's stomach tightened.
She had suspected as much.
Still, she had to ask. "What of their condition? Do you know if they—"
Lucavion leaned back in his chair, his expression unreadable. Then, without hesitation, without even the slightest shift in his tone, he said—
"They're all dead."
His voice was calm.
Steady.
As if he had not just spoken a death sentence upon the missing adventurers.
Corvina's fingers twitched slightly against the porcelain of her teacup. The way he said it—so certain—sent a quiet chill through her.
She inhaled slowly, controlling her expression. "How are you so sure?"
Lucavion exhaled through his nose, tapping a single finger against the rim of his cup. "Because I saw it."
A beat of silence.
Then, he elaborated.
"The vortexes didn't just swallow them," he murmured. "They took us somewhere else. Somewhere… far worse."
Corvina narrowed her eyes slightly, absorbing his words. "Where?"
Lucavion tilted his head slightly, gaze flickering with something unreadable. "If I had to describe it… A land untouched by mercy. The moment we arrived, the air was different. The world was different. And the creatures?" He exhaled, shaking his head slightly. "Vastly beyond what you've seen."
Corvina frowned. "Beyond?"
Aeliana, who had remained mostly quiet up until this point, finally spoke.
"He's not exaggerating."
Corvina turned her attention to her, taking in the solemnity in her expression.
"The creatures there were unlike anything from our lands," Aeliana continued. "Bigger, stronger, relentless. If you hesitated, you died. If you were weak, you died. And if you weren't smart enough to move quickly?" Her fingers tapped lightly against the table. "You died."
Lucavion gave a small chuckle at her bluntness, but there was no humor behind it.
Corvina felt a deep unease settle in her chest.
She had known the vortexes were unnatural. That something had happened beyond them. But to hear it confirmed—to hear that the adventurers had been thrown into a land of death itself—was something else entirely.
Her grip on her cup tightened. "You said you saw most of them die."
Lucavion's smirk faded slightly.
"I did."
A simple answer.
But a heavy one.
Corvina's mind raced.
She had read the reports. The Duchy had searched for traces of the missing. The fact that Aeliana had been rescued had been the only glimmer of hope that others might return.
But Lucavion's words…
"When we were brought back," he continued, meeting her gaze, "no one else returned with us."
The finality in his voice made her chest feel heavier.
"That's my reasoning, Guildmaster," Lucavion finished. "I don't know anything else."
Corvina's frown deepened, her fingers pressing lightly against the table. Something didn't add up.
"If that's the case," she said slowly, her voice carrying an edge of skepticism, "then why are you here?"
Lucavion blinked at her, then smirked. "Isn't it obvious?"
Corvina's sharp gaze didn't waver. "Enlighten me."
He leaned back in his chair, stretching slightly before resting an elbow on the armrest. "I'm here for business, of course."
A pause.
Corvina narrowed her eyes. "Business."
Lucavion nodded, completely unbothered by the weight of the conversation that had preceded this moment. "What else would I be here for?"
Corvina exhaled slowly, barely restraining the urge to rub her temples. "You just told me you were thrown into a land of death, that nearly everyone perished, that you barely made it back, and now you're here—for business?"
Lucavion's smirk didn't fade. If anything, it deepened.
"Well, what else am I supposed to do?" He shrugged, entirely too casual for someone who had just walked out of what should have been his grave. "I came back with quite a haul. It would be a waste to let it rot, wouldn't it?"
Corvina stared at him, trying to decide whether she was more exasperated or concerned.
Aeliana, however, just let out a quiet sigh, reaching for her tea. "You see what I've been dealing with?"
Corvina dragged her attention away from Lucavion for just a moment, eyeing Aeliana with mild disbelief. "And you willingly followed him back here?"
Aeliana lifted her cup to her lips, taking a slow sip before replying, "Someone has to make sure he doesn't do anything stupid."
Lucavion gave her a wounded look. "I take offense to that."
Corvina exhaled sharply through her nose, forcing herself to refocus. Fine. If he wanted to act like this was just another day, she would play along.
For now.
She sat back slightly in her chair, her voice returning to its usual crisp professionalism. "Alright. If you're truly here for business, then let's get on with it."
Lucavion's eyes gleamed with amusement. "I thought you'd never ask."
He straightened slightly, his tone turning just a fraction more serious. "Take me to the same room as before. I've got quite a lot of monster carcasses to sell."
Corvina raised a brow, but she wasn't truly surprised.
Of course.
Of course he had returned from a nightmare realm with goods to sell.
She closed her eyes for the briefest moment before standing.
"Fine," she said smoothly. "Let's see what kind of business you've brought back this time."
Chapter 521: Why didn't you save them?
The moment they stepped into the private transaction room, the atmosphere shifted. It was a familiar place—where high-value trades were conducted away from prying eyes—but this time, the weight in the air was different.
Corvina watched as Lucavion stepped forward, rolling his shoulders slightly before raising his hand. His fingers brushed over the surface of the spatial ring, a faint pulse of mana activating it.
And then—
The room was filled with monsters.
A heavy thud echoed as a massive carcass hit the stone floor, followed by another, and another. The pile grew, strange and grotesque forms stacking one over the other.
Corvina's breath hitched, her normally composed face betraying a flicker of surprise.
Because what lay before her—
These were not creatures of this world.
Her sharp eyes swept over the bodies, taking in the details.
Scaled behemoths with jagged, crystalline growths protruding from their backs. Insect-like horrors, their exoskeletons pulsing faintly, as if even in death, they still carried traces of unnatural energy. Wolves with too many eyes, their fangs elongated into something closer to spears.
And then there were the larger ones—the ones that made her stomach twist just from looking at them.
They were beasts unlike anything she had seen before. Unlike anything that should exist in this land.
"These are…" she began, her voice betraying a rare moment of uncertainty.
Lucavion tilted his head, smirking ever so slightly. "The monsters that I mentioned."
She turned to look at him, her sharp gaze narrowing.
There were a lot of them. Too many.
And if she had to guess, she was sure this wasn't all of it.
Aeliana stood nearby, silent, but watching closely.
Corvina's hands clenched slightly at her sides, her thoughts churning, her mind grasping at the single, burning question that refused to be ignored.
"Why?"
Lucavion, sensing the shift in the air, met her gaze without hesitation.
Corvina took a slow step forward, her expression unreadable, her voice barely above a whisper but heavy with emotion.
"Why?"
Lucavion blinked, tilting his head slightly. "Why what?"
Her hands pressed against the table, knuckles white.
"If you had the time and strength to deal with these monsters… If you were capable of hunting them down and returning with this haul…"
Her voice sharpened, cutting through the silence like a blade.
"Why didn't you try to save them?"
Aeliana inhaled sharply at the accusation, but Corvina's eyes were locked onto Lucavion alone.
She had let it sink in before. She had listened, analyzed, processed—but now?
Now she was angry.
Because the implication was clear.
Lucavion had fought.
Lucavion had survived.
Lucavion had slain these creatures—monsters that made even her, an experienced Guildmaster, feel unsettled.
And yet, he had declared the adventurers dead as if it was set in stone.
As if there had never been a chance.
Lucavion, for the first time since the conversation started, did not immediately answer.
Instead, he simply… looked at her.
A tense silence filled the room, thick enough to be suffocating.
Aeliana's expression tightened, and she parted her lips, but before she could speak, Corvina pressed forward.
"You don't know," Corvina said, her voice steady but carrying an edge. "You don't know what happened here while you were gone."
Aeliana's mouth shut.
Corvina's gaze didn't waver as she continued, her voice unwavering, laced with something cold—something real.
"Do you know how many adventurers came back maimed?" she asked. "How many lost their arms? Their legs?"
Lucavion said nothing.
Corvina's hands curled into fists, pressing against the table. "How many children are crying right now because their fathers never returned? How many wives are grieving their husbands? How many guildmates left the expedition as a team—only to return alone?"
Aeliana exhaled softly, as if trying to say something—but before she could, Lucavion raised his hand.
She stopped.
Lucavion lowered his hand slowly, then turned his attention fully to Corvina.
He met her gaze, unflinching.
"Why didn't I try to save them?"
His voice was calm.
Too calm.
Then, a small, humorless chuckle left his lips.
"That's right," he said softly, as if agreeing with her accusation. "I could have tried to save more lives."
Corvina's breath caught.
His voice wasn't defensive. It wasn't angry.
It was something far worse.
It was empty.
Lucavion's dark eyes held hers, steady, unwavering. "Maybe I could have tried to look for more people. Maybe I could have pulled them under my wing. Maybe—" He let out a slow exhale. "Maybe it would have been harder, but I could have tried."
Aeliana shifted slightly beside him, her amber eyes darkening.
Lucavion looked down at the monster carcasses spread out before them, his gaze distant.
"I could have."
A pause.
"But I didn't."
His voice was quiet, yet it sliced through the air like a blade.
The silence in the room was suffocating. Lucavion remained still, his eyes fixed on the grotesque carcasses before him, as if seeing something far beyond the bodies lying there.
For a long moment, he said nothing.
Then, his voice broke through the quiet—calm, steady, and sharp as a blade drawn in warning.
"Miss Corvina. I am not a saint. If you have thought of me as such, then you are mistaken."
Corvina inhaled slowly, feeling the weight behind his words.
Lucavion finally looked up, locking eyes with her. There was no humor in his gaze now, no lingering amusement that so often accompanied his words.
"Don't you already know my nickname? The title that people have given me."
Corvina's lips parted slightly, her mind supplying the answer before she even realized she had spoken aloud.
"Sword Demon…"
Lucavion gave a slow nod. "That's right." His voice didn't waver, nor did his expression change. "My name is Sword Demon. Not Sword Saint."
A pause.
"And there is a reason for that."
Corvina stared at him, something cold curling in her chest.
She had heard the stories.
The whispers.
Corvina exhaled slowly, forcing herself to maintain her composure as she studied the man before her.
"Your nickname…" she murmured, fingers tapping lightly against the table. "Wasn't it because you played with your opponents in the tournament? Should I take it as something different?"
Lucavion's expression remained unchanged.
"You should."
His voice was calm—far too calm.
Corvina's sharp gaze did not falter. If anything, her focus only grew sharper.
But before she could speak again, Lucavion leaned forward slightly, placing his elbow on the table, his gloved fingers lightly resting against his chin.
"And you must also remember," he said, his tone taking on a deliberate weight, "I am here for business."
His words hung in the air, and then his smirk faded, his eyes darkening.
"For what right do you think you have to question my decisions?"
Corvina's breath hitched.
Lucavion tilted his head slightly, his next words cutting like a sharpened blade.
"Did we make some sort of deal for that?"
A pause.
His voice, still measured, still impossibly composed, dropped into something lower. Something colder.
"Even if I could have saved them," he continued, his tone devoid of hesitation, "every single one of those adventurers knew the risks when they chose to join the expedition."
The moment the words left his mouth, a shift occurred.
A subtle, suffocating pressure filled the air.
Corvina immediately recognized it.
A leak of his aura.
It wasn't intentional.
It wasn't aggressive.
But it was enough to warn her.
Enough to remind her.
Lucavion did not raise his voice.
He did not slam his hand against the table.
And yet, the sheer weight of his presence—the raw, unwavering certainty in his words—was enough to feel like a blade had been drawn between them.
His eyes, dark and unreadable, locked onto hers.
"You are being unprofessional, Guildmaster."