Hunter of the Evernight
Chapter 351: Lord Shadow

Chapter 351: Lord Shadow

The city of Cance immediately entered a state of emergency with the disappearance of a whole Royal Blue squad at the hands of an unknown adversary.

The streets were patrolled by armed Royal Blues keeping the peace while the Farfouth Imperial Guards took the lead in searching for the culprit especially since it had been proven that the enemy in question was a Mystic, presumably a powerful one.

Citizens were advised to stay in their homes and to not get any funny ideas in attempting to hide the culprits.

An attempt to do so would be met with swift retaliation once caught.

Shops and other establishments were closed down, some voluntarily and the others forcibly with one of the latter being the Nightingale Clinic which was the only medical establishment in the city, save for the one inside Farfouth.

The Imperial Guards didn’t hesitate to swarm in, keeping an eye out on every possible entrance and exit someone could use to access the building.

It was for a simple reason.

Ms. Rose Williams, wife of Professor Albus Williams.

She was currently admitted to the clinic though this wasn’t always the case and had only been moved after Albus lost his position to Lucius.

All were aware that the reason for Albus’s shenanigans was due to her state and guessed that perhaps, he would wish to see her one last time before fleeing the city.

They were right about one thing; Albus was in the hospital, seated beside the love of his life.

"Albus, what’s happening?" Rose asked hoarsely, her frail physique trembling ever so slightly.

Albus hesitated before replying. "A criminal went loose in the city, they are trying to catch him."

"... I see. What are you doing here?... Shouldn’t you be studying right now?"

"Is my whole life meant for studies, my dear?... Even when you are like this, you still support my studies, so allow me to support you now."

"... I can feel myself dying, Albus."

"Please... Just a little more time. Hang on, for my sake."

"..." Rose stayed silent but ultimately nodded in response before drifting back into a deep sleep.

Albus bit down on his lower lip as his hooded companion broke off their invisibility to appear in the room.

"So old yet so romantic, I wouldn’t have guessed you were such a man."

"I’m only 50 and my wife is 42. We aren’t that old yet."

"Ah, my apologies. However, I believe it’s time we take our leave."

"... Will this mystery liquid you spoke about heal her?"

"Perhaps, I am not one to give empty promises I’m not sure about."

"Then..."

"But it can keep her alive. You know it, don’t you?... Even as she sleeps, she dies. The Blight is such a disease."

Albus said nothing as he glanced at his sickly wife, taking in the beauty that was now marred with the deadly disease known as the Blight.

He’d done everything he could, including liaising with a Monster Wheel Mystic adept in the Blood domain and even trying to get a member of the Church adept in the Domain of Light, unfortunately, neither had worked successfully.

It was understandable though, if not, if it were so easy, would the Blight be considered a death sentence comparable to the Gloom that ravaged humanity during the Dark Ages?

He’d always questioned why it had to be his Rose but he could guess that if not for it, he would have never realized just how much he loved her.

Tears welled up in his eyes as he rubbed her palm before planting a kiss on it.

"Please, anything you can do, save her." Albus pleaded.

"Don’t worry, as we are in a mutually beneficial relationship, I’d rather not lose the bargaining chip I have over you."

With that, the hooded figure moved to the bedside only for the door to suddenly open, revealing a nurse bearing a tray.

Her eyes went wide at the sight of the wanted criminal Albus Williams and the hooded figure that was most likely the accomplice the Royal Blue had mentioned to be dangerous.

"Please." Albus immediately rose to his feet while clasping his hands together. "I just want to leave with my wife. Please don’t do it."

The nurse’s lips quivered, her gaze alternating between the pleading husband and the nonchalant accomplice he had with him.

Weighing her options, she ultimately nodded, for fear of losing her life.

Taking a step back, she closed the door and then... "Help, they are over here!"

The sound of hurried footsteps echoed in the hallway with the hooded figure remarking in amusement. "She’s smart."

"We have to leave," Albus said with a tone of underlying urgency.

"Calm yourself." The hooded figure muttered as they placed a hand on Rose and gestured for Albus to place a hand on her as well before continuing. "We already left."

***

They appeared in an imposing hall where towering pillars with incredibly structured chairs abounded.

Illuminated by flowers, Albus found himself drawn to the crystal-lit sky above.

Blinking in confusion, he couldn’t help but inquire. "What is this place?"

"You are in the Court of the Shadowless, you would be wise to not use that scholarly brain of yours to ponder anything here. I am not in the mood to clean up brain matter."

There was a nonchalance to the way they spoke that caused Albus to reign in his curiosity almost instantaneously.

It was a skill every scholar was taught to cultivate.

As a pursuer of knowledge, one’s curiosity would always be piqued when encountering new things and though this was a good thing, there were times when that ended up costing the scholars their lives.

Albus, though curious, had better things to worry about than risk dying all because of a recent curiosity.

Meanwhile, the hooded figure picked up Rose’s unmoving body and took her to the center of the great hall where a pool of black water with numerous twinkling lights abounded.

Albus watched nervously as his wife was dipped into the water and then submerged.

"Won’t she drown?" He worriedly inquired.

The hooded figure shook their head as they replied. "This isn’t ordinary water, I can decide if I want someone to die by drowning or by something worse."

"So right now..."

"Rose will be sustained by the water. Even if she doesn’t get better, she won’t get worse."

"I have to be certain of your claims before doing what you want," Albus remarked with the hooded figure nodding.

"That is your right. Come with me, I’ll take you to suitable lodgings for the time being."

"Thank you."

"No need to thank me, as I said, a mutually beneficial relationship."

Nodding in understanding, Albus inquired. "Forgive my insolence but, I haven’t had the opportunity to ask; who are you and why are you doing this?"

"Why did I do this?... Well, it’s to fulfill a task and as for my identity, you are free to refer to me as Lord Shadow."