Hunter of the Evernight
Chapter 176: Something is wrong

Chapter 176: Something is wrong

Nikolas sat, leaning on the carriage door with his gaze trained on the scenery outside.

He had long since grown tired of it but today, it seemed to hold a hidden beauty.

Maybe it was the peaceful atmosphere but he found himself questioning a lot of things.

Roland seemed to notice his blank expression and at first, chose to remain silent.

But, unable to contain his curiosity any longer, he inquired. "Is everything alright, sire?"

"... That is indeed the question," Nikolas muttered without much thought.

"Sire?" Roland was rather perplexed by the response.

Chuckling lightly, Nikolas withdrew his gaze and faced Roland.

Scrutinizing him briefly, he inquired. "Tell me something, boy... if you had a chance to swear allegiance to another, one far greater than I am, would you do so?"

"This..." Roland was momentarily taken aback by the sudden question but quickly regaining himself, he replied. "No, sire."

"Huhu is that so?... I find that hard to believe considering you are compelled to obey me."

"That is not the case, sire."

"Really?" Nikolas looked interested as he humored the young escort.

"Forgive my insolence, sire but if I were truly averse to your leadership, you would know. Same as my brethren."

"I see." Nikolas seemed quite pleased as he then remarked. "I am about to embark on a task that could lead to certain death... Would you still follow me despite knowing that?"

Silence reigned in the carriage as the escort found himself unable to respond.

Seemingly expecting this, the man turned his attention back to the window... or at least, attempted only to pause as Roland finally replied.

"Yes, sire. No matter what you do, always remember that I and my brethren will only ever follow you."

Nikolas’s eye’s flickered with a strange emotion before nodding imperceptibly.

Turning his attention to the window, he casually changed the topic with a different question. "What about Claudia?"

"She is currently in the manor, awaiting your presence."

"Alright." The man nodded. "Then we’d go to her first."

"Yes, sire." The escort responded before knocking on the carriage.

"To the manor."

There was a slight jolt before the carriage continued down a different path.

***

"That was amazing."

"Lady Elizabeth is so great."

"We defeated a Silver Knight battalion. Can you believe that?"

"I’m definitely sending this to HQ. We have to celebrate."

The underground office of the Department of Special Relations was currently in a hubbub as the employees discussed the recent experience they just had.

The Silver Knights were a group regarded as legends by both the Eastern Highlands and the Great Families.

Tales of their fearsome strength caused even those that never experienced the terror to feel fear.

Of course, that changed today for the employees in the Department as they not only watched as their leader defeated a Silver Knight Captain, but they also participated in driving off the other Knights present.

It was an unbelievable feat, one that was enough to demolish the legend of the Silver Knights.

For those in the Department, it was enough reason to celebrate.

However, not everyone was excited by this.

There was only one that wasn’t excited and she was currently in a room filled with tubes and other mechanical equipment with a black capsule placed at the center.

Different injuries dotted her perfect skin and her eyes carried within them an emotion she never thought she could experience.

Fear.

Elizabeth paused as she arrived just before the black capsule.

She glanced down at her right hand and watched as it trembled ever so slightly.

Biting down on her lower lip, she muttered. "Something is wrong."

Then in a graver tone, she continued. "Something is very wrong."

***

"Is everything okay?" Arwen asked as she sat up in bed.

Alex walked over to the window and leaning against it, addressed Arwen. "If I recall correctly, Claudia never told you the reason why she brought me over last night."

"That..." Arwen trailed off as she tried to recall.

Pursing her lips, she continued. "That is correct."

"So I’ll tell you," Alex said. "There are distorted memories in my head and I want to find out the truth about them. Claudia informed me that you could help."

"I am indeed versed in the aspect of memory recovery but then why didn’t she just take you to her father?"

"Hmm?"

"He is even more capable than I am."

Alex pursed his lips. "Her father is a Psychic?"

"Mn." Arwen nodded.

Letting out a sigh, Alex muttered. "She must have had her reasons for bringing me here so how about we try it first?... If it doesn’t work, it won’t be too late to try other methods."

Of course, he said that but he was well aware that the more time wasted, the closer he was to his death.

"Alright then. So when would you like to start?" Arwen asked.

Alex pursed his lips. "Well..."

Knock...knock

Arwen glanced at the door as she asked. "Uhmm... Who’s there?"

Silence persisted for a brief moment before a gentle voice was heard from the other side.

"Sorry to bother you but I’m searching for Kane. Do you know where he is?"

"I’m right here, Nadia. You can come in." Alex quickly answered.

The door knob was turned and the door flung open the next second with Nadia walking in.

Dressed in a traditional English gown, she looked slightly uncomfortable but regardless, her beauty was not affected in the slightest.

"Hello." Arwen greeted with a smile.

Nadia responded in kind. "Nice to meet you."

"Is she your friend?" Arwen inquired as she turned to Alex.

"Mn, she is," Alex replied before glancing at Nadia. "What’s up?"

"I was rather confused because of how you suddenly left so I thought I’d check up on you."

Alex flashed a warm smile. "Thanks. I was just discussing something with Arwen. She’s a Devil Wheel Mystic as well."

"I can tell," Nadia remarked. "So is there anything I can do to help?"

"Well..." Alex glanced at Arwen who nodded.

"I can use the help."

"Are you fully recovered?" Alex turned to Nadia.

"I’ll be fine as long as I don’t overdo it."

"Alright then. So let’s begin."

Arwen nodded as she reached for a small bell placed on a stool located beside the bed.

Picking it up, she rang it softly.

Meanwhile, Nadia walked over to a couch placed at one end of the room and made herself comfortable.

Just then, a series of footsteps were heard after which Ada arrived at the door.

"Please get me the black sack labeled B-9 in the basement," Arwen remarked.

Ada nodded and immediately moved to retrieve the item.

"Please wait a bit, she’ll quickly get the materials we’d need to perform the memory retrieval," Arwen remarked as she got out of bed to which Alex obliged.

***

An hour passed before Ada returned to the bedroom, carrying along a black sack.

In the meantime, Alex, who had been meditating to calm himself, opened his eyes and watched silently as she pulled over a wooden chair to sit across from him with a small stool between them.

Meanwhile, Nadia walked over and assisted Arwen.

Ada handed the sack over to Arwen and quickly took her leave.

Arwen opened the sack causing a fragrant smell to waft through the air, assailing Alex’s nose and placing him in a calm state, despite his desire to remain vigilant.

The smell also brought with it memories he’d rather not recall in the current circumstances.

In a somewhat tired tone, he muttered.

"Lavender?"

Arwen nodded with a smile. "I didn’t think you’d be familiar with the scent."

Alex revealed a sad smile as he replied. "I’m quite familiar with it."

Arwen noted the sadness and after considering whether to pry, she decided against it.

Nadia also noticed his change in demeanor, quickly resolving to ask him about it after they were done.

In the meantime, Arwen placed her hand in the sack, she pulled out a bottle of green liquid resembling mucus and handed it to Alex.

"What is this?" Alex worriedly asked as he collected the bottle.