The Eclipsed Bloom
Chapter 93: Kubult territory

Chapter 93: Chapter 93: Kubult territory

Elarion World – Kubult Viscount Territory

Outside a modest branch of the Adventurer’s Guild, the air was thick with the scent of ale and roasted meat. Two women in elegant robes stood by the entrance, drawing curious glances from drunken patrons stumbling out.

Mia wrinkled her nose, watching a man trip over his own feet before slurring something incoherent and disappearing down an alley.

She crossed her arms. "Lily... are you sure Alex comes to a place like this?"

Her maid, Lily, kept her hands respectfully folded in front of her, eyes calm as ever. "Yes, Miss. from what I gather, he comes here either when he’s in a bad mood or when he takes on adventuring work."

Mia raised an eyebrow. "Adventurer work? But he’s the heir of the Kubult Viscountcy. Doesn’t he already have more than enough money?"

Lily nodded. "That’s true. However miss, ever since he lost some duel in the academy, he’s taken his training more seriously—especially physical training. Adventuring is considered the most practical method for honing real-world combat skills outside of formal knight training."

Mia clicked her tongue, half-impressed, half-annoyed. "So he does have some sense of pride, huh? I thought he’d just sulk about losing."

Lily smiled faintly. "He may act arrogant, but he’s not without discipline when pushed. And from what I’ve heard... he hasn’t lost a adventurer fight since he lost duel"

Mia’s brows knit together, eyes returning to the noisy bar.

"So that bastard’s not just a spoiled noble after all..." she muttered.

Lily tilted her head. "Are you thinking of going in, Miss?"

Mia sighed, brushing a lock of hair behind her ear. "No. I’m not interested in watching him drink or ogling girls... I just wanted to see what kind of person he really is to make my family think he is good."

She turned away from the bar, her cloak fluttering behind her.

"Let’s go, Lily. I’ll deal with this engagement my way."

Lily followed with a slight bow. "Yes, Miss."

Two drunken men, reeking of cheap ale, smirked as they spotted the robed women walking ahead. Their eyes gleamed with ill intent as they began to trail after them.

Mia’s eyes narrowed. She could feel their presence behind her, footsteps heavy and unsteady. She turned sharply.

The two men halted with dopey grins. One of them licked his lips and made an obscene gesture.

Mia’s jaw clenched. Frost crept along the cobblestone beneath her feet as her magic flared in warning.

Lily, quick to react, leaned closer and whispered urgently,

"Miss, please. We cannot cause a scene. This is the Kubult Viscount’s territory... and we’re here without formal permission."

Mia’s icy aura wavered. She gave the two men one last death glare, then turned away with a sharp huff.

The two drunken fools sneered and tried to follow—but before they could take a step, a firm hand clamped down on one of their shoulders.

"Huh? Who the hell—?" the drunk turned, slurring, "Hey, you don’t know who I am? I’m a silver-rank adventurer! I’ve had tons of girls! You think you can stop me from having a little fun? Heh... get lost, you bastard!"

As he turned fully, the bravado drained from his face. A tall man with black hair stood before him, expression cold and unreadable. His presence alone made the air feel heavy.

The second drunk stammered, "H-hiiieee... I told you, I’m silver rank! D-don’t touch me or I’ll kill you!"

The man didn’t blink. His voice came low and sharp.

"What were you planning to do... why following those girls?"

The first drunk tried to act tough again. "W-what would I do? Hah! Flash my silver badge, toss ’em a gold coin, and—" He leaned closer with a grin, "—fuck ’em. That maid too. Maybe kill her after, hehehe."

The man said nothing at first. Then he reached into his pocket.

The drunk blinked, confused, as something small and shiny was handed to him.

"A... a gold coin?"

He barely had time to register the gift before a fist crashed into his gut like a battering ram.

"Guh—!"

He collapsed to the ground, wheezing, eyes wide with pain.

The man stared down at him, voice like ice. "Here’s your coin. You won’t be needing it where you’re going."

His companion tried to flee, but froze as the man turned his gaze to him—one glare was all it took as fear took hold him.

"Take one more step, commoner, and I’ll kill you. How dare you think you can lay a finger on that girl?"

The second man froze mid-step, his legs trembling as Alex’s voice cut through the alley like a blade.

"AHHH!" the drunk screamed, panic overtaking him. He turned and fled.

Alex narrowed his eyes and raised his hand.

A serpent of fire—wide, hissing, and coiling—shot forward like a living beast. It wrapped around the fleeing man and ignited him in an instant. His scream barely lasted a second before being swallowed by flame.

The first drunk, still conscious enough to witness it, fainted on the spot.

Alex didn’t stop. With a wave of his hand, a second burst of fire engulfed the unconscious man, reducing him to ash.

Breathing heavily, Alex stood in the silence, the acrid smell of charred flesh lingering in the air.

’Tch. I shouldn’t have used a high-tier spell they die to easily... Damn it.’

He turned to leave, the adrenaline still burning in his veins, but his steps halted.

"I know you’re there, Liam. You can’t hide from me."

From the roof above, a figure sighed and leapt down. Liam landed with a graceful flourish, wind fluttering around him from flight magic.

"Damn, bro. Do you have a beast nose or something? Every time."

Alex shot him a glare. "You bastard. Why the hell didn’t you come out earlier? They were eyeing your sister like predators."

Liam raised both hands in surrender. "Relax. I knew you’d handle it. Besides,"—he smirked—"you say ’your sister’ like she isn’t your fiancée. And don’t tell me you don’t like her."

Alex flinched, a faint red rising to his ears. "W-What fiancée?! And I don’t like her, shut up."

Liam chuckled. "Right, right. Sure. But just a little brotherly advice—if you don’t make your move soon, and she falls for someone else... I won’t interfere with her happiness."

Alex’s glare deepened, but he said nothing. Instead, he turned and started walking away with a low scoff.

’How am I supposed to build anything when she’s spent the last three years hating me? We used to be friends... What did I do that changed everything?’

Liam seeing him leaving shook his head,

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