Chapter 54: Shadows Before Departure

When Nolan decided to act, he shed his lifeless, idle routine.

Like a donkey spurred by a whip, he surged forward swiftly.

I didn’t know how he convinced Mr. Leyak to let him travel.

I only saw Nolan bustling in and out, preparing.

Kritiya helped quietly, packing luggage, buying provisions.

At Leyak’s, they exchanged a few gold coins for silver bits and coppers.

From dawn’s hustle to dusk, in a blink, everything was ready for departure.

“They say the water route’s faster—take a ship from the port to Kadro Harbor, then travel by land along the Kingdom’s Way west to the capital,” Nolan said slowly, as if reminding himself.

In the evening’s lull before sleep, he checked his packed bags one last time.

Sorting small items took ages, yet the pile seemed modest—hard to believe it consumed a whole day.

“Got the ship tickets?”

Kritiya stood nearby, asking softly.

Getting a nod, she leaned against the suite’s doorframe.

The back rooms of Magic Goods were a large and small suite.

The smaller one was set up like a study, but books and clutter filled the larger room.

The small room, with just a bed, felt more spacious.

Kritiya had been sleeping there, rising early each day.

Nolan glanced at her:

“We need to wake early for the ship tomorrow.”

Kritiya smiled:

“Sleep soon, then.”

“Hm.”

Kritiya nodded slowly, closing the door.

The room lacked its own hearth, but a clever vent carried warmth from the main house.

The girl took a slow breath, then lay flat on the bed.

“Time to sleep,” she muttered, as if casting a sleep spell.

Soon, her breathing grew even and steady.

I thought, if tomorrow’s plan goes through, today’s our last day in Romern.

So much remains unresolved—Black Mage Ross’s corruption, the truth of the ancient Roen ruins, the demon deceiving all.

These veered far beyond the novel’s plot.

One or two mysteries, I might unravel, but with half a day left, I could only take it step by step.

Kritiya soon slept.

I had no urge to stir.

Snug in the bed’s warmth, I let myself sink into drowsiness.

Yes, the road ahead was long—I needed to conserve strength to avoid mishaps.

So, tonight, I’d rest well—or so I planned.

Until a tapping on the glass window broke the silence, mixed with the wind’s howl outside.

Like a scene from a grim tale, a faintly sinister face appeared, pressing against the window.

I stared, wide-eyed.

It wasn’t a ghost—Leyak’s shop, though small, was a magical haven, likely warded against spirits… probably.

“Hey, you awake? Come here, I need to talk.”

Darryl’s voice came from outside.

Ah—she’s finally here, I thought.

Dragging the oversized nightgown like a robe, I climbed out of bed.

I reached the narrow window, gazing at the familiar face.

It wasn’t truly long since I’d seen Darryl—we’d met several times recently.

But those were Kritiya’s talks.

My last real conversation with Darryl felt like a lifetime ago, blurred by all that happened.

Darryl saw me staring silently and spoke after a pause, her muffled voice coming through the glass:

“Can you hear me? Can you open the window?”

“Hm.”

I slowly cracked the window, eyeing the half-elf warrior wrapped in a black cloak, then asked:

“What’s up?”

“Listen, I’ll be quick—two things I have to tell you,” Darryl said urgently.

“Uh, go ahead, I’m listening.”

I inhaled the cold night air to clear my head, catching a whiff of trouble in the damp breeze.

“First thing—last time was rushed, I forgot to ask. That scroll, the ancient ruin scroll, is it still with you?”

“You want the scroll?”

I blinked, asking.

“It’s a trap, a decoy, not a treasure. It’s useless now—what do you need it for?”

“It’s evidence, a clue,” Darryl said softly.

“So many got tangled up over this prank of a scroll. How can we let it go unresolved?”

“Alright… so it’s useful to you, right? Hold on.”

I paused, understanding her intent, then turned to the bed.

Kneeling, I pulled out a sealed, slender wooden box from underneath.

“Here it is.”

I returned to the window, handing the box over.

I’d hidden it in the attic of our old place, but the night after escaping the ruins, I hurriedly moved it here.

“Oh… it’s in there, right?”

Darryl took it, examining it.

“Hm… yes, that’s it.”

She drew out the scroll, studying it.

My pupils shrank, my face darkening for a split second.

“Alright, that’s the first thing. Now the second,” Darryl said, tucking the scroll under her cloak.

I forced a smile, steadying myself, hoping she hadn’t noticed my expression.

“The second thing’s about you. You’ve got talent, kid. I thought it over—you shouldn’t be buried here. So, I’ve got a proposal: want to leave with me, travel the continent, north to south?

Don’t let my looks fool you. I’m not one of those pompous big shots, but ask around—I’ve got a reputation. You’ve seen my skills. Stick with me, and I won’t let you down.”

Darryl stared earnestly, her tone sincere.

But I felt a chill, like centipedes crawling over me.

“Uh… thanks for the offer, but I’m busy lately. Maybe another time…”

I spoke politely, glancing up subtly.

“If that’s all, I’ll go—need the bathroom…”

“Wait!”

Darryl cut in, her gaze turning strange.

“What’s wrong?”

I stepped back half a pace, raising my head calmly.

“What’s in your eyes?”

“Darryl’s” voice turned cold.

Through my Eye Within Eye vision, the half-elf’s form twisted like a mirage.

Her cloaked, grim face flickered in rippling distortions—

Without hesitation, I drew magic from my heart.

My fingers aligned like a blade, nails glowing red with surging blood energy.

A layer of blood-like magic swelled, and my right hand slashed like a knife—

Pfft!

I aimed for the heart, but felt no flesh.

Pulling back, I saw the illusion shatter.

A tall, thin black mage emerged from the shadows—

Tch!

I cursed inwardly at this persistent Black Mage Ross.

From the gash in his chest poured not blood, but viscous black mist.

No doubt, this was a magical doppelgänger.

Ross flicked the mist with his fingers, smearing it like glue to seal the wound.

“How did you see through it?”

“Hmph… your acting’s too poor.”

With Eye Within Eye, my dark magic pierced his clumsy tricks in supernatural sight.

“No—from a technical standpoint, it was flawless.”

Unfazed, Ross didn’t panic—perhaps relying on his doppelgänger’s fearlessness?

He mused, chin in hand, like pondering an academic puzzle.

“I see—the seal on that scroll box. You handed it over so naturally, without explanation. I thought not breaking the seal on the spot would raise suspicion, but that wasn’t it.”

Ross spoke as if enlightened.

I snorted, giving no reply.

No question, his illusion was masterful—I hadn’t suspected at first.

But that scroll was dangerous, not stored carelessly under a bed.

From the evil god’s dark magic, I’d chosen a mild, harmless ward, adding a safeguard to the box.

I’d handed it over out of concern for Darryl, only for the seal to break instantly—

No one but a skilled black mage could undo it.

Even a high mage would struggle.

The answer was clear—the black mage haunting me was Ross alone.

Just one night before leaving this city, he shows up.

Facing his doppelgänger, I felt the evil god’s seed pulse, entwined with my heartbeat.