Hunter of the Evernight
Chapter 149: Into the city

Chapter 149: Into the city

Alex couldn’t help but sigh as he walked on the cobblestone streets of Krobridge with Claudia just ahead of him.

And no, it wasn’t because of the high spires or eye-catching scenery, it was instead because of how easy it was to enter the city in the first place.

After wasting so much time planning ways to enter the city, all he needed was a Vampire to lead him through an underground tunnel that connected to the noble estates in the second district.

Of course, it was slightly underhanded, making it difficult for him to meet a Duke but in any case, he managed to get in and that was all that mattered at this point.

With few civilians moving about due to how late it was, Alex and Claudia threaded carefully, making sure not to alert the guards patrolling the streets.

"It’s normally not this busy." Claudia couldn’t help but comment as she paused just before a junction.

Not too far ahead, a group of armed Royal Blue officers made their way over.

Alex didn’t say anything as he silently accepted that Booker’s words were correct.

Due to the upcoming festival, security was upped to avoid any problems.

"We might have to follow another route," Claudia remarked.

Alex pursed his lips. "Why?"

"... I can’t be seen at such a late hour," Claudia replied with a melancholic smile as she added. "Night Creatures moving around so late an hour would automatically be taken as doing something bad and that..."

She trailed off, leaving much unsaid but her eyes told the rest of the story.

"Hmm." Alex remained silent for a moment before going ahead to snap his fingers.

A black cloak with white spots pulsating rhythmically appeared and covered both himself and Claudia before he continued.

"Let’s go."

"This..." Claudia was left momentarily speechless but after a bit more prodding, she began to walk.

Gulping nervously, she soon reached the location of the patrolling Royal Blue but despite being so close to them... there was no response.

Puzzled by this, she tried to speak only for Alex to place his hand over her mouth.

She met his eyes and upon seeing him shake his head, nodded in response.

With the problem of being spotted solved, the duo’s pace picked up and soon, they found themselves standing a few meters away from a peculiar house in the easternmost part of the noble estates.

Caw... caw

A crow’s cry echoed as Alex and Claudia approached the gates of the mansion.

They pushed open the old gate that had seen better years, causing it to swing open with a creak, and walked in.

With barely any moonlight, the shadows of trees without leaves accompanied by the cries of crows, and a moss-covered mansion that looked more like a haunted house than a place where people lived, Alex wondered if he was in some sort of horror flick.

"Do people live here?" He couldn’t help but ask.

Claudia nodded with a faint smile. "Mn, my best friend, Arwen."

Then glancing to face Alex, she added. "She may have weird tastes and act strangely at times but she is an amazing person, trust me."

"... Alright then. She sounds like a wonderful person."

Claudia nodded. "She is and I’m sure she’d be able to do better than me about your memories."

"I look forward to it," Alex muttered.

He couldn’t begin to tell how important it was to retrieve those memories.

It was merely a gut feeling and Alex was never one to ignore it.

Something was missing and until it was proven that it wasn’t important, Alex was unwilling to just move forward blindly.

Soon they crossed the courtyard and made it to the porch.

Alex noticed a dreamcatcher placed at the entrance and on another end, a small bell that slowly moved with the wind.

On the floorboard right next to the door, a strange inscription was made there.

He studied it briefly while Claudia excitedly knocked on the door... or at least attempted to, as the moment her knuckle touched the wooden door, the door flew open.

A middle-aged, black-haired woman with a burly physique, donning a maid attire, stood at the other end with an expressionless look on her face.

"Good evening Ada, is Arwen around?"

Claudia casually greeted with an added courtesy.

From the tone of her voice, it was easy to tell that she was very much acquainted with the maid.

The maid... no, Ada looked Claudia over before glancing at Alex.

The latter noticed her piercing gaze but remained poised regardless as he met Ada’s lifeless eyes.

Claudia immediately noticed Ada’s gaze and explained. "This is... uhmm."

She glanced at Alex, unsure of how to introduce him.

Would it be okay if she just said the Night King?

"Kane," Alex remarked as he extended his arm for a handshake.

Ada stared for a bit longer before bowing her head in reverence.

In a hoarse voice, she remarked. "Greetings to the most exalted."

’... Is that a new title?’ At this point, Alex couldn’t care less about the titles attached to his name.

Whatever they wanted to address him as, by all means so despite Ada’s earnest greetings, he gave no response, instead keeping an aloof stance.

Feeling uncomfortable with the awkward silence, Claudia spoke up. "He... I mean, the Night King is here to see Arwen. Is she around?"

A few seconds passed before Ada stood upright and turned to Claudia.

A second later and a faint smile appeared at the corner of her lips. "Claudia, my dear... how are you doing?"

Her voice was somewhat baritone and seemed soulless, albeit with a hint of warmth.

If Alex was none the wiser, he would have thought she was some sort of doll.

"I’m doing fine. Is Arwen around?" Claudia replied with a smile.

A few more seconds passed before Ada slowly nodded. "She is in her study, working on one of her crazy projects."

"Classic Arwen," Claudia said smilingly before asking. "Did she tell you that we’d be coming?"

A few more seconds passed once again after which Ada responded. "Indeed, she told me that you’ll be coming over. Please... come in."

With that, Ada methodically moved out of the way and gestured for Claudia and Alex to walk in.