Hunter of the Evernight
Chapter 468: What is your name?

Chapter 468: What is your name?

There was a flash of pale light and then an explosion followed, it’s shockwaves spanning for several miles.

The source of the flash, a deranged woman in a blue dress and wearing a lot of jewelry, grinned as she stared at the sight ahead obscured by a towering dust cloud.

With a wide grin, she inquired. "Did you like that, my Lord?... Was that a brilliant display?"

She squealed in excitement seconds later as though someone had responded to her question though the only sound that persisted in this desolate landscape was the sound of the earth cooling after the disastrous attack.

However, her excitement was short lived as she watched as the dust cloud cleared only to reveal a transparent shroud that resembled a woman’s scarf, albeit large enough to cover the entirety of the outpost.

The woman’s expression shifted as her gaze pierced through the shroud to land on the man on the other end.

Aiden met her gaze calmly, seemingly scrutinizing her before inquiring of his Homunculi assistant.

"Is everyone okay?"

"You stopped the attack, Master. What do you think?"

There was an underlying tone of something in her response but Aiden chose not to dwell on it.

Taking a deep breath, he remarked. "You will accompany me. No other person should go past Vivienne’s Shroud. The battle that is to follow isn’t something they can handle."

"You aim to battle without your most important defensive artifact?" His homunculi assistant didn’t seem quite pleased with that decision.

Aiden glanced her way, noting the expression she carried which bordered on worry for his well-being.

Flashing a reassuring smile, he remarked. "Come, my dear, this shroud may be the most effective but it is definitely not the only one. Let me show you something interesting."

With those words, he disappeared and when he appeared, he was meters away from the deranged lady.

Far behind, his homunculi assistant jumped down from the division wall before making her way over as quickly as she could.

"What is your name?" Aiden calmly inquired in Razan.

"Jeanne." The lady softly replied in a foreign tongue, licking her lips while trying to suppress the apprehension she felt while faced with Aiden’s pressure.

"Hmm, from Lothrusia, I presume." Aiden intoned in a similar tongue, recognizing the language to be Sacali which was the national language of Lothrusia, otherwise known as the birthplace of modern art.

"Indeed."

"Well, Jeanne, I have a few questions. Would you be willing to answer them?"

"How about..." Jeanne took a pose like she wanted to think only to suddenly pull out a card and disappear.

She appeared right next to Aiden with yet another card drawn, causing a blazing white hot blade to emerge, her intent being to end the Battle God in one fell swoop.

The next moment however, the weapon she held, turned and struck her instead, relieving her of her arm.

A terrified scream mixed with unprecedented pain followed as Jeanne took several steps back.

Heaving, she took hold of the stump that remained and cauterized it with blazing heat, letting out a pained grunt while keeping her eyes on Aiden who slowly turned to face her.

"Your first mistake was daring to come and face me without having achieved godhood and your second was attempting to use a weapon in my presence." He spoke coldly, almost as though he were speaking to a child he terribly disliked.

Jeanne trembled as she took another step back.

"So I will ask again, Jeanne." Aiden intoned as he took a step forward. "Would you be willing to answer my questions?"

At that moment, Jeanne experienced something she hadn’t experienced in her 30 years of living.

Fear... pure, unadulterated fear.

***

Protect the masses from the shadows without killing a human.

Be known as a hero by the populace.

Lead those in danger to a safe haven.

And finally, postulate a theory that would lead to human advancement.

These were the four Trials Alex had to complete before he could dare to continue on his quest for the Branches.

He wasn’t foolish enough to think that completing only one or two was enough.

But he also didn’t have the time to waste and so opted for a brilliant solution to kill two birds with one stone.

The Empire right now was a melting pot of chaos and wasn’t it in chaos that Alex had found opportunities to go further up his Wheel?

Hence, the only way to get what he wanted was to get himself involved, albeit unwillingly.

Having revealed his intention to join them in their training, the rest of Constellations revealed anticipation for the coming days with Arwen the most excited.

"When do we leave, Master?" Victoria inquired, barely managing to suppress the excitement bubbling within.

Alex didn’t wish to know what she was thinking as he remarked. "At once, if you all are up for it."

"We are!" Arwen immediately exclaimed with the others nodding in agreement.

"In that case, prepare to leave. Take what needs to be taken and do what needs to be done. We shall be leaving in two hours."

"As you wish."

Just as they turned to leave, Elena inquired. "Will Lady Ana be joining us?"

On hearing the dragon being mentioned, Victoria displayed a slight annoyance though she was quick to hide it away.

Deep down, she still held a competitive spirit toward Ana especially since the dragon had taken up the title of Alex’s right hand.

Ignoring her emotional display, Alex replied. "Unfortunately not. Ana is currently recuperating."

"From what?" Arwen asked out of curiosity.

"Don’t worry about it." Alex assured. "Just know that she isn’t in any danger but won’t be joining us."

"Alright."

As the group slowly filed out, Alex suddenly felt something in his pneuma causing him to frown.

It seemed someone connected to him was trying to get his attention.

Closing his eyes, he reached out to the connection.

"Arthur?"

He felt a hint of surprise from the other party as Arthur inquired. "When did you get this Ability?"

"Ever since I passed my Fourth Trial."

"You don’t seem to be a Fourth Lock Mystic though."

"How can you tell?" Alex inquired, taken aback by Arthur’s astute observation.

"I’ve been around long enough to tell."

Alex frowned as that could be a problem, especially since the last thing he wanted was to have others be aware of his current debuff.

Taking his silence as an opportunity to speak, Arthur remarked with a hint of urgency in his voice. "Come to my location as soon as possible."

"Why?"

"Emily is no longer safe with me. You need to take her."

Taking a moment to allow Arthur’s words settle, Alex nearly cursed aloud as he realized in slight horror that he had completely forgotten that Alexander Regulus had a sister.

"I’m on my way. Give me a moment."

"Alright."

With that, the connection went dead and Alex cursed yet again.

He had become quite forgetful lately.

Perhaps, he might have to consider utilizing his diary... or rather, journal more often.