Legacy of the Dark Sage

A thought crossed Cyneah's mind, and she asked, "Does that mean you've never once removed your mask around me?"

"You are not other people," Kyran replied honestly.

Cyneah initially wanted to tease him by asking if he intended to wear his mask when she requested to see him. But his response just now shut her up. Her face reddened once more.

"I'm only wearing a mask because we're out in the open, and other people are behind us at the camp," he added.

What Kyran did not say, but Cyneah realized, was that if they were alone, then he would not wear a mask. Thinking of this, her face had gotten beet red from all her flushing.

Kyran did not even say anything worth feeling embarrassed, to be honest. But for some reasons that only made sense to Cyneah, she found the idea of being alone with him with no secrets between them too stimulating.

"If you really insist. I can warp us to a secluded part of the camp and—."

"N-No need! There is no rush at all!" Cyneah blurted while straightening her back. After that, she got up and prepared to leave, "I have to go check on the others now. I believe their body has fully absorbed the potion they drank earlier, and I have to check on them. Yes, that's what I'm going to do. Just in case."

What she said was obviously a lie, and Kyran knew that. After all, what was there to check? Everyone took that potion to ensure they were in tip-top shape once they started the operation. The potion itself was not meant to heal any injuries. If, for argument's sake, Cyneah was referring to any side effects the potions might have caused, then there was really no need for her to check because, with her Alchemy level, it was impossible for her to make a mistake during a concoction of such a simple potion.

Kyran could not help but be amused at Cyneah. She might have tried her best not to stutter, but how she repeated herself was already proof of how flustered she was.

"Okay," he replied, trying his best not to show amusement.

"I'm going now."

"Mm."

"You should rest, too."

"I will."

"Good night."

Without waiting for Kyran to reply, Cyneah turned and hastily returned to the camp.

Kyran smiled as he watched her almost trip as she scampered away. He wanted to tell her to slow down, but at that moment, he could no longer ignore the piercing glare he had been sensing for some time now.

"She already left. There is no longer a need for you to glare at me like that," he said without turning.

Nahir stepped out from a nearby tree with a deep scowl.

"Need I remind you she is still betrothed to me."

"Not for long," Kyran replied while finally looking at Nahir.

Nahir opened his mouth but closed it again, looking like he was internally struggling with his thoughts.

Kyran raised his brows. Was it his imagination, or did Nahir's attitude toward him seem to have changed?

"Be as it may, remember that she is the Saint, and everyone knows we are engaged. It is inappropriate for her to meet another man with no chaperone. Putting aside my people's opinion since they know you both are… acquainted, others did not know that."

"If you are referring to the Armakeans when you say others, I don't think it is a problem," Kyran replied with a shrug. "I don't think they are that bored to gossip."

"You underestimated their curiosity. The Saint's fame is known throughout Somuli. If they see her being… friendly with someone with your looks…"

"I get it," Kyran scratched his head inwardly. He found the Somulian culture and custom a little stifling. He and Cyneah were not truly alone, especially when plenty of eyes were observing them— or, to be precise, him. Besides, Kyran would never take advantage of Cyneah, even if no one was around.

"And?" Kyran asked while tilting his head. "You were not hiding in the shadows to spy on us because you have been there before Neah came. What do you want?"

Nahir did not respond at once. He walked over to Kyran first, and when he was satisfied with their distance, he replied in a hushed tone, "I came to talk about that woman."

"Oh, her?"

Kyran knew what Nahir meant about the woman and was not surprised at his apparent interest. Apart from her identity as an outsider, her appearance definitely made everyone who knew Cyneah uncomfortable.

"She is… honestly, her identity is a little complicated," Kyran replied with a sigh. He said this not only because Layla was the previous Soul Emperor but because he now understood her identity more after hearing Caelan's story.

Nahir pursed his lips in displeasure. Nevertheless, he sensed Kyran said that not because he did not want to explain her identity but because it was too troublesome.

For this reason, Nahir did not insist on knowing everything. Instead, he only wanted to know what was her relationship with Cyneah.

"At least tell me her relation to Sisi if you cannot explain her identity."

Kyran pondered for a moment. He knew those observing them from afar could not hear them. But they might know how to read lips. Thus, Kyran had to be careful about what he told Nahir.

"She is Neah's ancestor."

"Ancestor?" Nahir frowned. No matter how one looks at them, they look too much alike even to consider the woman as Cyneah's ancestor. Although their eye colors were different, everything else looked the same.

"I know you're not convinced," Kyran said as he stood up and looked at the castle from afar.

"I'll explain everything after resolving everything here."

"You say that as if our situation can be resolved easily."

Alas, Nahir did not see the smile that slowly crept on Kyran's lips.

As if on cue, a voice sounded in Kyran's head.

[Master, one of the Shadow Minions I left in the fort we've vacated has found the forces gathered by the Armakea King's family members.]

Gael reported as soon as he got the news from his minions.

'They're already at the fort?' Kyran asked in surprise.

[Not yet, Master. They are still at least two or three days away from the fort. However, my minions have been roaming outside the fort and discovered their temporary campsite.]

'Then, how far are they from the capital-?' Kyran paused after thinking of something. He then shook his head inwardly and said, 'No. Don't answer that. The distance doesn't matter because there are several ways for them to shorten their travel time.'

[I agree, Master.]

'Brief me on their numbers and line up.'

[Yes. They estimated their number is around a thousand. Most are Arch Magus, with 50 Legendaries. Low-ranked officers are all at the Exalted level.]

Kyran raised his brows. He did not expect the Royal Family members to possess so many Legendary ranked Knights.

It should be noted that among Kyran's force, there were only four or five Legendary Knights.

'How many knights possessed Space-based Divine Armaments?'

[They have only confirmed ten knights. Five are Arch Magus, and five are Legendary.]

Kyran sneered— no wonder they could travel so fast.

"How long has it been since the Armakea King sent one of his aides after you?"

Nahir was taken aback at Kyran's question. Initially, he had thought the latter's silence was due to him pondering how to respond to his remark. He did not expect the latter was already preoccupied with a different matter.

Nahir indeed found Kyran's nonchalance a little annoying.

"It has already been five days."

Although annoyed, Nahir still answered Kyran.

Kyran inwardly calculated every movement the King and his subjects might have made in those five days and could not help but let out a dry laugh.

"They sure move fast."

"What?"

"The group the King sent to deal with you guys is already close to the fort you have recently vacated."

"That's too fast!" Nahir exclaimed. "Even if they traveled without rest, getting close to the fort in five days is impossible."

"They have high-level knights with Space-based Divine Armaments."

Nahir frowned at what Kyran had said.

Mages possessing Space-based Divine Armaments were uncommon in Somuli, but Knights were. Apart from that, they were all high-level. Just how powerful were the Armakean knights?

"If the King can dispatch so many high-leveled Knights with rare Space-based Divine Armaments, it means he has the spare to do so," Nahir told Kyran.

"Are we really going to…" his voice trailed off, somewhat hesitant to continue what he was about to say.

Kyran looked at him and chuckled upon seeing his grim expression. "I think you guys misunderstood me earlier."

"What do you mean?"

"I never said anything about our side going on a head-on confrontation with the King's army."

"No?" Nahir looked at him in confusion. "Then… what do you intend to do?"

Kyran only smiled in response.