Chapter 251: Ch251: Invitation to the Upper Citadel

Silence settled over the underground cave. There was no trace left behind. It looked as though nothing had ever been there — no cracks, no holes, just a plain ground.

"Does every dungeon go underground?" Daniel asked, a slightly curious expression tugging at his face as he brushed dirt off his arms.

"The real question is, did you find any books inside?" Alucard asked, voice low and sharp.

"Books? No," Zero replied, his tone flat.

"Not even one? Daniel? Floryn?" Alucard pressed, tone curious but edged with something darker.

Daniel shook his head. "Not really."

She placed a finger against her chin and tilted her head slightly, thinking. "I did see one once."

Alucard stepped closer to her immediately. "Like, really? You’re not joking, right?"

"No. It was like an eye was drawn on the cover. Yes, something like that," she added, her tone soft and innocent, sounding completely honest.

’Nice... One is gone. Four more now. The book should’ve returned to its original place,’ Alucard thought, lowering his gaze as the pieces clicked in his head.

With that, they climbed out of the underground cave and followed the faint light source upward. Outside, the sun was sinking hard toward the western horizon, while a cold wind brushed against their skin and tugged at their clothes.

"Mm... haa..." Daniel exhaled deeply into the cooling air, chest still tight from everything that had gone down.

The four of them walked toward the kingdom’s gate. As soon as the guards saw Floryn from a distance, they lowered their heads in instant respect, armor clinking, eyes down.

’Wow, so this is the respect you get being a royal blood,’ Daniel thought, eyes locked straight on her swaying ass as she walked ahead of him.

The way her hips rolled with every step, the firm cheeks shifting under whatever fabric she wore, made his cock twitch against his pants.

’At least I’ve a strand of her hair.’

"Status," Daniel whispered under his breath.

——————

Name: Floryn Hawkins

Age: 34

HP: 1420/1600

Mana: 499/560

Essence: 100%

Quality: Excellent (100%)

Description: A woman of royal blood who lives in the Upper Citadel. Wife of Alexandre — a Royal Knight, and daughter of Leonardo D. Blake.

Despite never having to worry about money, her deepest, most suppressed desires were never fulfilled. And she always dreamt that one day a prince would come and fulfill her desires, until she got married and had to suppress them till this day.

——————

*Grrrumble...*

The sky above them darkened as thick clouds crawled across the pale moon rising in the east, swallowing its light and casting the streets below into deep shadow.

"I guess I’ll go my own way now, then," Zero said as he stepped aside.

"Wait!" Floryn called out, voice carrying a hint of urgency.

"Wait. I know this is a little random, but why don’t you all stay at my place for the night? I want to thank all of you for saving me." She clasped her hands together, her fingers tightening as she looked at them with a pleading expression.

Zero shook his head slightly. "Thanks, but I’ve got to go. besides, saving you was just a coincidence. It wasn’t a big deal."

Alucard nodded. "Same here. Not to be rude, Mrs. Hawkins, but it’s getting late, and I need to head home. If it were still afternoon or something, I’d be happy to stay, but my wife will be waiting for me. So... maybe someday."

Floryn’s gaze shifted to Daniel, a faint glimmer of hope lighting up her eyes.

’Damn, am I really the only one left? Okay. Stay calm, Daniel. Take a deep breath,’ he thought, tilting his head slightly before offering her a soft nod.

"Ahm, Lady Floryn, not to be disrespectful, but..." he paused, carefully choosing his words. "Tomorrow, I have training at the Royal Academy. And I would be more than grateful if I could stay for the night."

Floryn’s face brightened with a warm smile. "Well, of course! Then let’s head home."

...

People turned their heads as they caught sight of Floryn, their eyes following her as she walked through the streets with Daniel beside her.

Some whispered among themselves, while others openly stared. A few men looked at Daniel, their gazes lingering on him as though they couldn’t understand why he was walking so close to her.

She must be famous around here.

Daniel tried to ignore the attention, but the stares seemed to follow him wherever he went. One man stood outside a nearby shop, his eyes wide and unblinking as he stared directly at Daniel.

’Why the hell are they looking at me like that? So creepy. Ugh.’

A faint sense of unease crawled over Daniel’s skin. He glanced at Floryn. She remained completely unfazed, walking beside him as though the countless eyes following her were nothing unusual.

Clearly, she was far more used to this kind of attention than Daniel.

As they approached the entrance to the Mid-Citadel, the surrounding voices began to fade.

"Mrs. Hawkins, Where have you been? Mr. Hawkins said you disappeared this afternoon. The other guards went looking for you," one of the guards asked, gripping his spear.

Floryn gave him a warm, reassuring smile. "I’m sorry for worrying everyone. I ran into a little trouble outside the kingdom and couldn’t return until now. I’m fine, though, so please don’t worry."

The guard gave a small nod before turning around and opening the gate.

Just beyond it stood a horse-drawn wagon, pulled by two white horses. A wagoner sat at the front, holding the reins as he waited for them.

They climbed into the wagon, and it soon began rolling toward the Upper Citadel.

As they approached, a huge gate came into view, towering against the pitch-black sky. More guards stood before it, dressed in gleaming white armor.

Each held a white sword that emitted a faint glow, casting pale light across their armor and illuminating the ground around them.

"Stop!"

A man’s voice suddenly rang out from a distance.