Two Carriages

“What the hell is going on?!”

Ewan, having just led Senior by her small hand out of the darkness shrouded in the Mist of the Dark Moon, was startled by the scene before him.

As far as his eyes could see, there were people everywhere.

From the winding streets to the rooftops, from the sunless shadows to the hidden nooks of windows, Silent Watch members in trench coats had already encircled the periphery of this vast space.

Exuding an aura of elite competence, they silently watched Ewan and Anna emerge.

Yet, at this moment, Ewan felt a strange awkwardness.

It was as if he were a giant panda being gawked at by tourists in a zoo from his previous life. Ewan could even discern gossip and excitement in the eyes of some of them, expressions that utterly contradicted their pale, introverted faces.

‘Am I really just a giant panda to them?’

‘What the hell? Are the Silent Watch members really this idle?’

‘I swear, I’ll report every one of you for being dead weights, you bastards!’

Ewan muttered a silent complaint, but immediately snapped back to attention. He pulled Senior behind him, his gaze fixed on the crowd.

“What do you all want?” he demanded, his voice stern. “Look closely! Senior is no longer a Serpentfolk, and I have evidence proving she is not the killer of the Count’s son. You have no right to keep hounding her!”

The Silent Watch members exchanged glances, habitually choosing silence. Finally, Jinze stepped forward.

“We mean no ill will,” Jinze stated. “We are merely here as a precaution.”

“That precaution is no longer necessary. You may leave.”

“But someone wishes to see her.”

“Someone? Who?”

“You will know when you arrive.”

The crowd parted, revealing a black carriage waiting silently in the shadows at the end of the road.

Ewan’s gaze swept over the carriage. It was pure black, devoid of any markings, much like the carriages most nobles favored when engaged in illicit activities. Even the horses were specially trained, so quiet they seemed lifeless.

However, Ewan grew even more wary. For this familiar Silent Watch senior to be so respectful, it was highly probable that a high-ranking figure from the Silent Watch was seated inside.

Given Senior’s intricate connection with the Silent Moon, even if the moon had already perished, it was difficult to imagine anything good coming from such a person wanting to meet her.

“No! Senior is no longer involved with the evil god. She is beyond the jurisdiction of your Silent Watch…”

“It’s alright, Junior.”

Just as Ewan was about to refuse, Anna gently tugged his arm from behind.

Her eyes instantly filled with tenderness and affection as she looked at the broad figure shielding her, as if he could block any storm.

Still, she interrupted Ewan’s words, softly saying, “Let me go see him.”

“Are you… sure about this?”

Ewan turned, his brow furrowed with unease. “The Silent Watch did… *that* to you before. And after all, the Silent Watch wields immense power, enough that even the Duke’s mansion would struggle to influence them.”

Ewan knew his earlier words were merely a bluff.

Although Senior’s Serpentfolk affliction had been cured, the mere fact that she was once designated by the Silent Moon as a perfect vessel for its descent granted the Silent Watch the right to re-investigate and interrogate her.

After all, with an evil god involved, one could never be too cautious.

“Don’t worry.”

Anna brushed a strand of hair from her forehead, her gaze sweeping over the black carriage as well, a captivating smile playing on her lips. “I think I know who wants to see me.”

“Who?”

“I’m not certain yet, but you will know later.”

“But…”

“There are no ‘buts,’ silly. I’m not a child; I don’t need you to protect me in every little thing, Junior.”

Seeing that Ewan was still worried, Anna tiptoed, leaned close, and whispered into his ear, her breath carrying a delicate fragrance. “Besides… although it might take a long time to adapt, I am much stronger now than you imagine, Junior. In the future, I can protect you instead.”

“Much stronger?”

The fragrant breeze tickled him, stirring his heart. Yet, Ewan maintained a stern expression. “How strong?”

“Well…”

Anna winked coquettishly, then pecked him lightly on the cheek. “Didn’t you just feel it, Junior?”

Damn it!

This little minx!

Ewan gritted his teeth, wishing he could once again ‘discipline’ this teasing little siren on the spot. “I was injured just now, not in top form. Otherwise, how could I possibly have…”

“Alright, alright, I know Junior is very strong too.”

Anna poked Ewan’s forehead with her finger, smiling. “Rest assured, I’ll be fine.”

“Really?”

“Really.”

“Then be careful. If anything happens, you must call for me. Don’t try to bear it alone in secret like before.”

Ewan stared into Anna’s eyes, speaking earnestly. “If there’s danger, no matter when, no matter where, I will come to rescue you, Senior.”

“Junior…”

Listening to his words, which made her blush, Anna was momentarily lost in thought. Her gaze fixed on the incredibly handsome young man bathed in the sunlight before her, her eyes shimmering like a pool of autumn water.

“Honestly, how can anyone pull themselves away from you when you say things like that?”

****

After a moment of sweet tenderness, Anna finally walked towards the carriage.

Ewan watched her continuously, ensuring she safely boarded the carriage.

As a high-ranking figure of the Silent Watch, they would certainly not lower themselves to personally deal with a delicate, powerless girl. Therefore, Senior safely boarding the carriage meant there would be no traps.

“Is it really just for a talk?”

Ewan breathed a sigh of relief.

Only then did he notice the strange atmosphere around him.

Turning his head, he found the large group of Silent Watch members glaring at him with expressions of utter misery, as if they had been force-fed dog food.

Recalling the earlier events, Ewan naturally had no pleasant feelings towards the Silent Watch members. He let out a cold snort, disdainfully remarking, “What are you looking at, a bunch of single dogs!”

The Silent Watch members: “…”

“Uh… Ewan Campbell.”

Jinze, who always prided himself on being emotionless, now clenched his fists tightly. “Someone else… is looking for you.”

“Who? This young master is in a bad mood right now. I’m not seeing anyone!”

“Are you sure?”

Jinze’s voice held a deeper meaning as he gestured to the side.

Ewan followed the direction of his finger…

It was another carriage.

However, unlike the previous black one, this carriage was utterly luxurious and regal, its gilded contours sparkling in the sunlight. Even the exceptionally tall horse had an extraordinary, arrogant aura in its eyes, looking at everyone askance.

But none of that mattered. What mattered was the family crest on the carriage.

The Dragon-Slaying Sword, the Campbell Duke’s family!

At this moment, with Ewan away from the Duke’s mansion and both the Duke and Duchess absent, the only person usually authorized to travel in such a manner, announcing the Campbell family’s presence to all, was…

The Duke’s mansion’s Head Maid.

Ann.

Ewan’s legs turned to jelly, his vision blurred, and he nearly fainted.