Free Web NovelChapter 4: Eye to eye with the storm
As soon as I fully processed my father’s words, my body immediately went stiff.
Even if the Duke most likely would not bring his daughter along, this was still not an event I looked forward to. I wanted to stay as far away from the main story as possible and simply focus on protecting my family and territory using my own strength—the strength I would gain once I turned thirteen.
Unfortunately, fate apparently had other plans. freёwebnovel.com
My father noticed the uneasy expression on my face and, mistaking it for nervousness, tried to reassure me.
"I heard the Duke has a daughter around your age," he said casually. "That he is bringing along, Leon. Perhaps the two of you could become acquainted."
Those words shattered my reality.
’I’m dead,’ I thought to myself.
My hands trembled slightly beneath the table.
Lilith Nightbane.
The future calamity of the kingdom.
The woman who would one day become known as the Void Witch.
At this point in time, she had not yet met the protagonist, nor had she begun her terrifying rise through the kingdom. Right now, she was simply the daughter of Duke Rosthwall Nightbane.
But I knew what she would eventually become.
An existence feared by nations.
A monster blessed with talent that completely defied common sense.
She would become one of the greatest disasters the continent had ever seen.
Just thinking about her made my head hurt.
Why?
Because in the original story, the Aldric Territory along with the whole world was destroyed.
Completely erased l
And one of the people directly involved in that future...
Was Lilith Nightbane.
Alex looked over at me before letting out a small laugh.
"What’s with that face, Leon? You look terrified."
You have absolutely no idea.
I forced a smile while trying to stop myself from panicking.
Maybe things would be different.
Yes... maybe the story had already changed.
There was no guarantee she would even come.
And even if she did, there was no reason someone like Lilith Nightbane would care about a random baron’s second son.
...Right?
For some reason, the uneasy feeling in my chest only grew stronger.
———
A week passed far quicker than I would have liked.
Before I knew it, the entire Aldric Manor had fallen into a state of chaos.
Servants rushed through the halls carrying decorations, cooks worked tirelessly in the kitchens from sunrise to nightfall, and even the knights stationed around the estate appeared far more tense than usual.
After all, this was not just any noble visiting.
This was Duke Rosthwall Nightbane.
One of the most powerful men in the entire Kingdom of Valenor.
An A-rank mage.
Even among the kingdom’s high nobility, few dared to stand on equal footing with him.
Naturally, everyone in the territory was nervous.
Meanwhile, I was contemplating whether faking an illness would allow me to avoid this meeting entirely.
Unfortunately, my mother saw through me almost instantly.
"You are not sick, Leon," she said flatly while fixing the collar of my formal clothes.
I let out a defeated sigh.
By noon, the sound of marching footsteps and carriage wheels echoed throughout the territory.
They had arrived.
The manor’s front gates slowly opened as an escort of black-armored knights entered the estate grounds.
Every single soldier radiated discipline.
Even from a distance, I could tell they were far stronger than the knights serving our territory.
The Nightbane crest—a black wolf beneath a crimson moon—was engraved across their armor and banners.
Several servants visibly trembled just from their presence.
Then the main carriage finally came to a halt.
The moment the door opened, the atmosphere itself seemed to grow heavier.
A tall man stepped out first.
Rosthwall Nightbane.
No—
Duke Rosthwall Nightbane.
He had long black hair streaked slightly with silver and sharp crimson eyes that seemed capable of seeing through people entirely. Even while standing still, he carried overwhelming pressure.
This was the first time I had ever seen a true A-rank mage in person.
And honestly...
It was terrifying.
My father immediately stepped forward and bowed respectfully.
"Welcome to the Aldric Territory, Duke Nightbane."
The duke gave a small nod.
"You’ve maintained the border well, Baron Aldric."
His voice was calm, yet every word carried weight. freewebnøvel.coɱ
Then—
Another figure stepped out from the carriage behind him.
The moment I saw her, my entire body froze.
Long black hair.
Deep purple eyes .
Pale skin untouched by sunlight.
At only seven years old, she already looked unnaturally beautiful, almost doll-like.
Lilith Nightbane.
The future Void Witch herself had arrived.
Unlike the terrifying monster described in the original story, however, the child standing before me looked completely expressionless. Her Purple eyes silently scanned the surroundings with little interest.
Then—
Her gaze landed directly on me.
The world seemed to stop.
For a few horrifying seconds, neither of us moved.
And then, to my absolute disbelief—
She began walking toward me.
’I’m finished,’ I thought immediately.
