That night.
Elvie quietly opened her eyes and looked toward her master.
Leon lay still with his eyes closed, breathing steadily and calmly.
Elvie stared at her master’s handsome profile, her heart suddenly racing.
Realizing he was asleep, she lay on her side, motionless, observing him.
She had wanted to do this for a long time.
But this time, she could do so without hesitation.
Whenever she saw her master, she always wanted to be closer to him.
There was something almost magical about him—he always gave her a profound sense of security, as if having him nearby meant nothing could ever harm her.
Once she confirmed Leon was asleep, Elvie slowly shifted closer toward him, reducing the distance between them.
But she made no further move; she stopped when her shoulder gently touched his.
She was very well-behaved and would never deceive her master.
Under the moonlight, the girl lifted the corner of her lips, closed her eyes, and breathed in her master’s scent as she drifted off to sleep.
When her breathing evened out, Leon—who had been pretending to sleep—slowly opened his eyes and looked away with a hint of helplessness.
He hadn’t trusted the girl, so he’d been feigning sleep all this time.
He hadn’t expected her to be so well-behaved tonight.
Moonlight streamed through the window, casting a gentle glow on the girl’s soft bangs.
The quilt wrapped around her petite frame, leaving only her delicate face exposed.
Her long eyelashes cast faint shadows.
Leon recalled a book from his past life, in which the male lead secretly counted the female lead’s eyelashes one by one while she slept, as if they were a timer.
Back then, he had found it incredibly romantic, but later, his illusions about love were shattered by Vesilia.
Elvie was adorable, but Leon had to harden his heart and remind himself this was only a simulation; his real mission was to save his sister.
Back in reality, this Elvie the knight had nothing to do with him.
Thinking this, he felt a strange emptiness in his chest.
At that moment, the sleeping girl suddenly trembled, her face showing fear.
Was she having a nightmare?
Had she dreamed of her father?
Leon suddenly realized that her earlier fear of sleeping alone might not have been just a joke.
Seeing cold sweat on her forehead, Leon turned to his side and gently placed his right hand on her back.
Sensing his comfort, Elvie’s emotions quickly stabilized.
She unconsciously leaned closer, her head almost buried in his arms.
“Master… don’t go…”
Hearing her whispered plea, Leon’s hand paused.
Under the night sky, moonlight streamed through the window, illuminating the master and disciple nestled together—a beautiful, peaceful picture.
A time of tranquility.
***
The next morning.
Elvie woke with sleepy eyes to find the space beside her empty.
The bed where her master had slept was neatly made, but the man himself was gone.
Her heart panicked, recalling the scenes from her dream.
She hurriedly got out of bed and left without even putting on her shoes, stepping out into the courtyard.
It was still empty.
She quickly noticed a note on a nearby table.
Recognizing her master’s handwriting, Elvie breathed a sigh of relief.
“I had some business to attend to. I’ll be back late.”
Elvie folded the note and pouted.
“Stinky master, you couldn’t even say a word before leaving.”
After quickly freshening up, she grabbed her sword and stepped out into the street.
She planned to complete the public tasks assigned by the knights’ order while looking for a way to cure her master’s illness.
In the days that followed, Elvie noticed they met less and less.
Leon would often disappear early in the morning and return late at night.
Even when he was home, he stayed locked in his room.
Elvie herself became visibly busier.
For some unknown reason, Ashen City had recently seen a rise in disappearances, many with traces of cult activity.
Many of those missing were people who had looked out for her.
With the knights’ order short-handed, Elvie had been overwhelmed with work.
“Miss Elvie, please help me!” a woman knelt and sobbed, “He’s my only child…”
“Please don’t worry,” Elvie reached out, using the power of wind elements to gently lift the woman.
“I promise I will find your child and bring those cultists to justice.”
She clenched her fist over her heart.
“In the name of the knights.”
After comforting the woman and watching her stagger away, Elvie felt an unexpected weariness.
“Why are there suddenly so many cults? What are they trying to do?”
If only Master were here…
Within Ashen City, Elvie’s reputation had grown far beyond that of the Ashen Order.
Compared to those knights who looked down on everyone, Elvie appeared much more approachable.
Dragging her tired body back to the small courtyard, she felt exhausted, but the thought of seeing her master soon lifted her spirits.
Opening the door and seeing his face was her happiest moment every day.
Creak.
“Master, I’m home…”
Elvie’s excited voice suddenly stopped as she scanned the empty courtyard.
Her joy faded like cold water doused on a fire.
She silently stepped inside and closed the door.
Master still hadn’t returned…
“It’s okay! He must be hungry when he gets back. I’ll make dinner first.”
Elvie forced herself to perk up and headed into the kitchen.
***
Outside Ashen City, underground.
“Are you really sure about this? No matter what happens, there’s no chance of saving her now.”
Chris, cloaked in black robes, looked at the unconscious crowd nearby, his scalp tingling.
These people were those who had gone missing recently in Ashen City—and all because of this man beside him.
“Stop talking nonsense. Has Elvie found anything?”
Leon pulled out a crystal from the ground and compared it to the book in his hands, carving intricate magical runes.
The book detailing the Life Drain Ritual was a forbidden tome—not only usable on one person but describing methods for mass sacrifice!
However, he was currently inscribing not that exact sacrificial formation, but something similar.
Chris’s eyes glimmered with greed as he looked at the book.
He had already learned from Leon what the ritual could do.
If he had this, wouldn’t it mean endless lifespan and rapid strength gains?
His breathing quickened at the thought, but he quickly suppressed his excitement.
“Your apprentice is smart. She’s already discovered the clues we left and should find this place soon.”
Chris’s face showed a hint of admiration.
“According to your plan, after this incident, she’s bound to soar. Haha, I’m looking forward to seeing her reaction then.”
Leon finished the last stroke and didn’t answer Chris’s question. Instead, he asked, “Did you send the letter I gave you?”
Chris raised an eyebrow.
“Sent. By now it should have arrived. Given the distance from the capital, they should be close.”
“I see.”
Leon nodded and then turned to leave.
He was coming home late today and wondered what that brat Elvie was up to.