Hunter of the Evernight
Chapter 401: Retrieving the Godstone

Chapter 401: Retrieving the Godstone

"Are you mental?" Ana exploded as she stood a few meters away from the bed Alex was currently on.

Alex remained silent while massaging his temples, unwilling to give a response.

"You could have died." She added.

"But I didn’t."

"That is hardly the point!" She replied before glancing at the others who were also present in the room. "Don’t you guys have anything to say?"

None spoke until Douglas broke the silence. "Alex, Lady Ana is correct. What you did was incredibly dangerous."

"Does it matter if it was dangerous or not?... We got the Relic in the end, didn’t we?"

"But still..."

"Look, I appreciate the concern but right now, I’m not in the best mood for it. So unless you have anything related to what’s next on the agenda for Constellations, I’d appreciate it if you just let me rest." Alex said without mincing words, leaving no room for further discussion.

Clicking her tongue, Ana stomped out of the room, clearly still irritated before Douglas excused himself as well.

Arwen muttered a soft ’get well soon’ while Nadia managed a warm smile in his direction before exiting as well.

Soon, the only one left was a silent Victoria who busied herself with scrutinizing her Master.

"You wish to berate me as well?" Alex inquired with Victoria shaking her head.

"I wouldn’t dare. You forget that I am but a lowly servant, Master."

"Regardless, say what you want."

Victoria hesitated but ultimately replied. "Though I do despise the lack of respect shown by the others, I have come to understand that their concern for you is not to be taken lightly."

"... So what are you saying?"

"Nothing. It was merely an observation."

Letting out a sigh, Alex leaned back on the bed as he remarked. "I understand more than anyone else what’s at stake if I lose my life. To you guys, it’s just death, to me... it’s the end. So don’t think for a second that I would intentionally put my life on the line when there are options."

"... That would be for the best," Victoria replied before inquiring. "Would you like me to run a bath for you?"

"Much appreciated."

Nodding, Victoria rose to her feet and exited the room, leaving Alex to his thoughts.

It didn’t take long before his expression shifted as a terrifying pain coursed through his body while a sharp pain threatened to rip open his skull.

The effects of dying while corrupted by the whispers left scars that would take some time to heal.

Of course, that was hardly the only reason for the pain.

As his breathing turned heavy, Alex fell back into bed as he muttered softly. "It hurts."

***

"Incredible," Oswald remarked while seated in his office which was on the same floor as his living quarters.

Lit up by gas lamps and adorned with portraits of previous Family heads that had watched over the Archives along with several genuine antiques, the office was rather spacious, with enough room to fit almost 50 people.

Currently, it was occupied by two people; Oswald and the Homunculi, Lyra.

"Unbelievable." Oswald intoned yet again while recalling specific events from the day before.

Rolling her eyes, Lyra commented. "Can you stop that?"

"How do you expect me to stop it after what has happened?"

"We should be looking for him. He is a criminal, so instead of praising him, send out the hounds."

"I can’t even be mad, I’m just impressed."

"Are you even listening?" Lyra intoned in exasperation.

Oswald shook his head in amusement. "Lyra dear, you can’t tell me you aren’t the least bit intrigued by that man’s bravado."

"It doesn’t change the fact that he stole a Relic, so instead of praising him, once again I say, let’s go after him."

"Because of one Relic?" Oswald inquired with a raised brow.

"His usage of that relic could cause untold destruction."

Oswald shrugged. "If he’s smart enough to steal it, I doubt he’d be foolish enough to let that happen."

"You can’t be serious. You don’t even know what that man is capable of."

"I know what I saw. He is no madman, that much I’m clear about."

"Ugh, you are insufferable!... Fine then, since you won’t do it, I will."

"Wait," Oswald called out as he leaned forward. "You can’t just leave. The Archives is a mess right now."

"And who’s fault is that?" Lyra glowered causing Oswald to awkwardly cough as he fell back into his chair.

Realizing she was channeling her emotions in the wrong direction, she let out a sigh before remarking. "I won’t leave, but I can at least send a message to BlackWatch. Hopefully, that man doesn’t end up killing thousands for his cause."

With that, she turned and left, leaving Oswald to let out a tired sigh.

"Amazing."

***

/3 days later/

"We are here today for one reason and one reason alone, to discuss the retrieval of the Godstone from the Capital." Alex began, his voice booming across the starlit hall with towering pillars.

Currently occupied by all members of Constellations, the first to speak was Ana as she calmly intoned.

"Before that, I wish to know if you have recovered completely."

Alex glanced at her. "I have, you don’t have to worry."

"..." Nodding, she asked no further questions, enabling Alex to continue.

With a snap, a 3D image made of white and black light emerged at the center of the hall, depicting the capital.

"As we are all aware, this heist does not involve us engaging with the Emperor. Instead, we hope to take the Branch with as little interaction with that great figure. Unfortunately, what we want doesn’t always align with reality. I have been marked."

His words caused those present to question the meaning behind them with Alex proceeding to offer a simple response.

"The Emperor is aware of me and knows that I’m coming."

"This..." Ana began only to be cut off by Alex.

"However, this isn’t necessarily a bad thing."

"What are you talking about?... The Emperor isn’t someone you would want the attention of." Ana remarked, clearly panicking.

As the lighting in the room seemed to grow stronger for a moment, Ana was able to regain her calm with Alex glancing in her direction.

"I am well aware, Andromeda. Now, perhaps you would like to listen to what I have in mind?"