Free Web NovelBlack mist covered the world, gales howled, and it felt as if the end of days had come — the entire world trembled.
And amid that soul-tearing fear and despair, only a pair of majestic golden eyes could be seen, gazing down coldly from on high.
“Hmph. Insect.”
The voice was cold as a dagger — and with it came the collapse of boundless darkness.
No resistance could avail; one could only be swallowed by death amid the regret of one’s own frailty.
“Hhss—”
Muen jolted upright, still shaken.
But what met his eyes was not death and darkness — it was a small, unfamiliar room.
Golden-embroidered curtains swayed, reminding Muen of the ones his maid had sewn by hand in his Academy dorm.
“Was that... a dream?”
He looked at his own hands, then instinctively touched his neck.
Warm skin. Steady pulse.
Yes, still alive.
The joy of surviving by sheer luck rose from his chest — but before he could savor it, a sudden jolt dragged him back to reality.
After a moment’s thought, he lifted the curtain. The bright light stung his eyes almost to tears; once he adjusted, he realized he was in a carriage, surrounded by a silent escort of mounted knights.
“You’re awake?”
A familiar voice sounded. Muen turned — opposite him sat an elderly gentleman with a refined bearing who had appeared at some point.
It was Adolf Lovis, Vice President of the Adventurers’ Guild — the Star-Gazer.
“Mr. Adolf.”
Faced with this dignified Crowned one, Muen immediately tried to rise and bow.
But a gentle force pressed him back down.
“Sit. No need.”
Adolf gave a wry smile.
“I’ve no right to receive your salute right now.” freёwebnovel.com
“That was just an accident before. I don’t blame you, Mr. Adolf,” Muen said at once.
“Even so, it was disgraceful.”
Adolf sighed. “In the Adventurers’ Guild, failure is failure — no excuses. The money you paid, I’ll have it returned.”
“No need.”
Muen shook his head. “Payment for labor. Since Lord Adolf did his utmost, how could I possibly take it back? That would tarnish the Campbell name.”
“But—”
“No buts.”
Muen cut him off, smiling.
“If Mr. Adolf feels uneasy, just take that money as a deposit for next time. We may still have chances to work together.
After all...”
A cold glint flashed in Muen’s eyes.
“...something like this can’t just be let go so easily.”
“......”
Adolf gave him a long, meaningful look, then chuckled helplessly.
“Cunning brat.”
“I wouldn’t dare.”
Muen smiled lightly, then let it fade, his tone turning serious.
“So, Mr. Adolf — what exactly happened?”
“That... should be my question to you.”
“Indeed. When that Calamity appeared and then vanished so quickly, Lord Aelle regrouped the army and searched the forest again. Finally, not far from the edge, we found you all — but by then you were unconscious.”
Adolf stroked his beard, frowning.
“So I’m quite curious myself — what happened in that forest? A Calamity’s awakening is an event that shakes the whole Empire.
And judging from the traces left on site, it seems you came into direct contact with that Calamity?”
“...I’m not really sure.”
After a pause, Muen shook his head.
“As you saw — I happened to run right into it, and then... after just one glance, I blacked out. I don’t remember anything after.”
There was no way Muen could admit that the Calamity had awoken because of him.
So he came up with a half-truth:
“Honestly, I thought I was dead for sure. But since I’m not, maybe the Calamity awoke for some reason, passed by... and that’s all.”
“Passed by...”
Adolf’s gaze swept over Muen again. After some thought, he murmured,
“That’s about the only explanation that fits.”
If this Campbell boy had truly awakened a Calamity himself, there’s no way he’d be sitting here chatting.
That presence — even the faint aura it released upon appearing — had been enough to make him, a Crowned one, feel a surge of primal fear.
Adolf couldn’t help sighing inwardly.
The Death-Doom Dragon, Hamreyn.
From that aura alone, it might be even more terrifying than Leviathan.
“Right, Mr. Adolf — how’s Liya?”
Muen suddenly asked, worried.
Now that his mind was clear, the image returned — the future Saintess turning her head to face the Calamity head-on, falling like a wing-torn butterfly, blood scattering in tragic beauty.
“Don’t worry, she’s stable ✪ Nоvеlіgһt ✪ (Official version) for now.”
Seeing Muen’s anxious expression, a teasing gleam flashed in Adolf’s eyes.
“She’s in another carriage.”
“That’s good...”
Muen let out a long breath of relief — then immediately realized something and raised his voice slightly.
“For now?”
“Yes. The girl’s injuries are far worse than yours. The Calamity’s black mist invaded her body. Even the best healing magus I found here can only suppress it temporarily.”
“What do we do then?” Muen asked tensely.
“Relax. We may not have a way — but the Holy City surely does.”
Adolf lifted the curtain and looked out at the scenery rushing past, then said reassuringly:
“We’re already heading there at top speed. The girl will be fine — I swear it on my honor.”
“I see.”
At last, Muen fully eased his heart.
“Then I’ll be troubling you, Mr. Adolf.”
“It’s my duty.”
“May I visit her now?”
“Of course.”
Thinking of the Campbell heir’s famous engagement — and a few circulating rumors — the teasing, gossipy light in Adolf’s eyes grew stronger. Stroking his beard, he smiled:
“Give me a moment. I’ll make the arrangements.”
“Thank you.”
...
Once Adolf had gone, Muen finally had a moment to calm his mind and think back on what had happened.
“I actually survived.”
“Facing the same Calamity, Liya’s sacred light couldn’t even heal her, yet my wounds are completely gone.”
“And...”
He stretched out his hand, studying his long fingers, then slowly clenched them.
“It feels like my physical strength... has increased a little. Why?”
“And what is this weird sensation supposed to be?”
Ever since earlier, a faint but persistent heat had been simmering low in his abdomen. No matter how he probed with his senses, he couldn’t identify its source.
At least, for now, it wasn’t causing any real harm.
And the Black Book remained utterly silent.
“Then who saved me?”
Muen rubbed his chin in puzzlement.
“Could it be the Calamity just... woke up, took a stroll, and went back to sleep?”
Each mystery was more baffling than the last.
“Wait.”
Lost in thought, Muen suddenly began patting himself down.
The tattered shirt from before had been replaced with soft, fine underclothes — just one of these, judging by the fabric, could’ve fed Ariel on black bread for decades.
But that wasn’t what mattered.
What mattered was—
“Good thing it’s still here.”
From a pocket against his skin, Muen pulled out a sealed letter and wiped the cold sweat from his brow.
Thankfully, whoever had changed his clothes had been careful. If he’d lost that letter — which could decide whether his trip to the Holy City turned out a comedy or a tragedy — the joke would’ve been on him.
“Huh? What’s this?”
Muen noticed a new slip of paper stuck to the envelope.
It was nothing special — just one short line:
“Keep it up, young man~”
Utterly meaningless.
But for some reason, seeing those cute, rounded letters made a chill crawl down Muen’s spine, despite the already warm weather.
A sudden, bitter feeling welled up — as though he’d just been swindled by someone, somewhere, without knowing how.
Muen’s eyes widened; he glanced around warily.
Damn it — who’s out to get this Young Master this time?
