Lilith's sigh echoed out, followed by her voice: "Very well."
"I hope… you will never come to regret this."
Lucien watched as the scene before him gradually blurred, as if seen through a veil of mist.
It grew hazier and hazier, but his gaze remained fixed on Irelia.
"I will not regret it," Lucien replied, and then, his consciousness sank into darkness.
Black smoke enveloped Lucien's entire body. From the outside, it looked like nothing more than a sphere of black smoke—his figure was nowhere to be seen.
Hurriclaw's energy crystal and the Awakened Stone slowly rose into the air, radiating a brilliant glow.
At that moment, high up in the tree branches, Vladirovic looked down below.
Clap! Clap! Clap!
He clapped his hands, gazing at the black smoke. In his eyes shone a mix of reverence and excitement.
He took out a small notebook and a quill pen, beginning to write.
"Let me tell you a tale of an abandoned wolf…"
"It lived in humiliation, having lost its fangs. Yet, thanks to the love and grace of God, it… began to grow its first fangs once more."
Vladirovic smiled in satisfaction as he watched lines of text radiate an eerie black glow upon his notebook.
He closed the notebook, chuckling as he murmured, "But to truly serve and devote itself to God, that wolf must grow even further."
"Hahahaha…"
Vladirovic transformed into countless motes of light, and then vanished entirely.
…
🔔 [A day has passed. The total EXP the Master currently possesses is: 7,552,000 EXP]
That night, Lathel slowly awoke from sleep to the sound of the system notification.
He looked over at Selvia; she was already awake, eyes staring at him intently.
"You're not sleeping?" Lathel said gently, his hand caressing her face. "Or… do you want to go one more time?"
Hearing this, Selvia jumped in surprise, her face flushing red as she hurriedly replied, "No, there's no need. I… I'm already exhausted."
Indeed, today Selvia had once again been utterly defeated, to the point of begging him to spare her.
"Lathel, do you still want more?" Selvia said shyly, a hint of embarrassment in her voice. "Should I… call the maid in?"
Lathel smiled, "What are you saying? Am I really that kind of man?"
Selvia bit her lip, her gaze at him filled with bashfulness, wanting to say something but unable to speak.
"Don't worry…" Lathel said with a laugh. "I was only teasing you."
Although Selvia listened to Lathel's comforting words, she still couldn't feel at ease. "I'm sorry, Lathel. I… I'm so weak, I can't satisfy you."
"How about… you take another wife, would that be alright?"
Lathel shook his head, smiling as he replied, "We've only been married for a few days and you're already urging me to take a concubine?"
"But…" Selvia faltered.
"Alright, I told you not to worry." Lathel tried to change the subject. "I was just teasing you a little. But you still haven't answered my question."
At that moment, Selvia pressed her lips together, her teary eyes gazing at Lathel. "Lathel, I… I dreamed that you were killed."
Right then, Selvia's tears streamed down her face like twin rivers. She cupped his face in both hands, her eyes fixed on him as if she wanted to imprint his features deep into her memory forever.
"I… I'm scared… I don't want you to die. Lathel, please don't join that duel, alright?"
"I… I… I'm sorry, it's all my fault." Selvia sobbed as she spoke, her words broken by hiccups, her lips trembling, unable to get the words out clearly. "It's all my fault."
"I should have set clearer boundaries with him in the past, not let him misunderstand, not let you get dragged into this mess."
Hearing this, Lathel stroked her face and said, "Don't worry, I'll be fine."
"No!" Suddenly, Selvia cried out.
She clung to him, burying her head in his chest. "I saw it so clearly… even though it was just a dream… but… but… I saw it all so clearly."
"I saw you… being killed by him… I saw everyone around cursing you, mocking you."
"I saw him looking down on you, I… I…"
"Selvia!" Lathel shouted, cutting off her words, then hugged her tightly in his arms. "Don't worry, it'll be alright."
"No! I'm so scared." Selvia trembled violently, tears falling like rain with no sign of stopping. "I don't want to lose you, Lathel."
"Don't go, alright? I… I…"
At that moment, Lathel frowned, a terrifying murderous intent flashing in his eyes.
'Give up?' Lathel thought to himself. 'How could I give up such a golden opportunity?'
Right then, he considered whether he should use Selvia as a spy by Lucien's side.
However, he abandoned that thought. If he did so, the image of a warm, kind prince that Selvia had of him would completely collapse.
That would mean pushing Selvia back toward Lucien.
Even though Selvia was already Lathel's wife, already his woman, Lucien was, after all, that kind of "righteous protagonist," a true dog to the very end.
So if Selvia ever wanted to go back, Lucien would surely disregard everything and open his arms wide to welcome her.
Suddenly, Lathel thought of something, and a wicked smile appeared on his face.
Luckily, Selvia was nestled against his chest and couldn't see his expression.
"Selvia, I'm going to the academy this time… because of you." Lathel suddenly said.
Selvia was taken aback, lifting her head with puzzled eyes. "You mean… because of the duel with Lucien?"
Lathel shook his head and said, "No, it's for another reason—one that's even more important. But I'm not certain yet. When we get to the Magic Academy, I'll tell you."
"For now, listen to me and get some sleep, alright?"
Selvia pressed her lips together and nodded. She didn't want to make Lathel angry or upset, so she obediently did as he said.
Perhaps it was because she was too exhausted after "battling" with Lathel, and her mind had been worn out by the nightmare, but she quickly drifted off to sleep in his embrace.
Lathel gently patted her back, but his eyes remained fixed on the System notification panel.
'Only seven million EXP? With this amount, I still can't upgrade either the Space talent or Perfect Humanity talent.'
Lathel wasn't in any rush, though. Instead, his attention shifted to something else in the System's shop.
…
Name: Mission Card
Price: 1,000,000 EXP per card
Quantity Limit: 0/3
Description: After purchase, you will receive a random mission. The number of mission cards is limited; only after you complete a mission can you buy more.
…
"System, purchase all three mission cards." Lathel ordered in his mind.
🔔[3,000,000 EXP has been deducted. You now have 4,552,000 EXP remaining.]
🔔 [You have acquired 3 mission cards. Would you like to use them now?]
"Use them all."
🔔 [Successfully used. You have received three missions.]
…
Mission 1: Awaken Selvia
Rank: S
Requirement: Help Selvia awaken her sealed talent.
Time limit: 90 days.
Reward: Based on System evaluation.
…
Mission 2: Dark Mist
Rank: B
Requirement: Seek clues and uncover the origin of the Dark Mist.
Time limit: 60 days.
Reward: Based on System evaluation.
…
Mission 3: Confrontation
Rank: D
Requirement: In the duel with Lucien, successfully humiliate him.
Time limit: 15 days.
Reward: Based on System evaluation.
…
Lathel looked at the details of the three missions, a sneer appearing on his lips.
'It seems… all the missions issued by the System are closely tied to my main objectives.' Lathel thought to himself.
'That's fine. Everything is on a straight path, no unnecessary detours.'
'However…'
Lathel focused on the second mission: Dark Mist.
Seeing that mission, he was immediately reminded of Catherine's words. She had mentioned the Dark Mist, yet chose not to elaborate further. Lathel knew very well that, no matter how much he pressed, she would certainly say nothing more about it.
He frowned, inwardly musing, 'Dark Mist… such a terrifying mystery must be connected to the protagonist.'
Indeed, typically, protagonists might start with the most trivial drama, but over time, they are drawn into ever more complex matters. As the protagonist grows, the mysteries surrounding him also become increasingly formidable.
Thus, Lathel's suspicion that the Dark Mist was related to the protagonist was not without foundation.
The only uncertainty was whether Lucien truly was the protagonist involved with the Dark Mist or not.
Lathel glanced at Selvia, who was already deep in sleep. He gently slipped away from her and left the bedroom.
"Ah! Your Highness?!" Mira was leaning against the wall, her eyes half-closed as if she had just dozed off. The sound of his footsteps startled her awake.
"S-sorry, Your Highness, I… I…" Mira stammered in fright, bowing her head.
Lathel smirked, lifting her chin with his hand so her teary eyes had to look directly into his.
"Tired?"
Hearing his gentle voice, Mira's heart pounded faster, embarrassment flooding her face and ears until they turned bright red, as if she might burst into flames.
"No! Serving Your Highness is my honor, I… I'm not tired at all."
"Hahaha…" Lathel chuckled. "Alright, prepare a little wine for me, then go rest."
"Ah! I…" Mira began to explain.
"Just do as I say." Lathel's words cut her off. "Rest well and be ready. Tomorrow, you and Lina will come with me to the Magic Academy."
"Yes! Thank you, Your Highness!" Mira, so happy she nearly cried, immediately hurried to prepare wine for him.
Lathel sat on his chair, gaze distant, murmuring, "Do you know anything about the Dark Mist, Celesthalis?"