As we walked through, I noticed some people casting a few distasteful glares in our direction. Seeing that, the frown on my face deepened into a scowl.
“What’s their problem?” I asked, genuinely curious.
“Don’t mind them,” said the old man putting his hands inside the sleeves of his robes. Damn, that looked cool.
“Some people here don’t like our sect. A few months back, the Wright family and their knights were battling a vampire terrorist group that had infiltrated our defenses. It was a brutal fight. But since the Wright family and their knight order were outnumbered, they suffered a lot of casualties and many civilians lost their lives.”
“I see,” I responded, somewhat puzzled. “But what does Mount Hua have to do with any of this?”
The old man sighed. “Before going dark, the Knight order of the Wright family sent a distress call to us.”
“And?” I raised my brows.
“…And we declined their call. Naturally, since that day, some civilian groups have started to resent us.”
“I see now,” I nodded in understanding. “But why, though? Aren’t Sects and Ruling Families supposed to collaborate?”
“Under normal circumstances, yes,” the old man affirmed. “But for reasons entirely unknown to me, Selena Zenith, the current leader of the sect, refused to answer their call for help.”
“…Is that so?” I exhaled deeply. That name… Selena Zenith… It was definitely her name.
She wasn’t mentioned much in the story, but her name did appear quite a few times within the pages of the novel.
It was her other persona that was more famous in the world of Legend Of The Legendary Heroes.
“Whatever,” I muttered softly to myself.
Right now, I didn’t need to deal with her, and in truth, I hoped I’d never have to. But of course, even I knew that facing her someday was inevitable.
“Hmm?” The old man perked up his ears and turned to me. “What did you say?”
“Ah, nothing!” I shook my head, following him inside the building where the Gate was situated.
Usually, Teleportation Gates were set on the terraces of hotels or hospitals, all run by the government.
But this city’s Gate was located by the main train station to make travel quick in case of an emergency. 𝞸𝓋𝓵xt.𝚌𝑜𝑀
Walking up to a giant rectangular metal frame barricaded by steel bars and an iron gate, a guard signaled for us to stop right where we stood.
His comrade approached us to check our IDs, and only then did they relax. But by that time, their supervisor had arrived.
“Are you two idiots!” He scolded the two guards, as though berating misbehaving children. Then he turned to the old man and dropped his head.
“I apologize, Sir Zenith,” he said. “These two are new recruits.”
“Calm down,” the old man chuckled. “They’re just doing their job, no need for theatrics.”
The supervisor released a relieved sigh and nodded. “By the way, why are you here this late afternoon? Wait, don’t tell me, are you going to Silveserine for gambling again? What if your great-granddaughter catches you again?”
The old man coughed loudly and shot the supervisor a fierce glare, sending shivers down his spine.
“…O-Oh, dear me! I just remembered that I had some urgent business that I needed to attend to!” The supervisor exclaimed and instantly vanished from our sight.
The old man turned to me, twirling his thin mustache. “I don’t gamble. He was just spouting nonsense. In fact, I think that no one should gamble.”
I gave the old man a deadpan look before inquiring, “So, blackjack or poker, which one do you prefer?”
“Poker,” the old man blurted out instantly, then immediately realized that he had slipped.
“….”
“….”
“Damn it!” He cursed before placing his huge hands on my shoulders. “Remember, little one, if you tell my sweet angel that I still gamble, rest assured I’ll take extra care of you throughout the rest of your stay here.”
A wicked grin curled up on my lips as I said, “Are you sure that threatening the person who knows your secret is the best way to avoid a blackmail situation?”
“….”
“….”
“Damn it!” He cursed again before using his best card – begging desperately.
“Oh, little one, please! Please don’t tell her! I do not fear bloodsuckers! I do not fear aliens! But you know what I do fear? Her! My sweet little angel! I fear disappointing her!”
I rolled my eyes. The old man had quite the talent for emotional manipulation, huh? Who would’ve guessed?
“Fine,” I sighed. “I won’t tell anyone.”
And just right then, the Teleportation Gate lit up in an azure glow as the very fabric of space distorted inside its metal frame.
A dull metallic hum was heard throughout the area, and in the next moment, a feminine silhouette walked out from the portal created within the metal frame of the Teleportation Gate.
It was a young woman with a lithe yet athletic figure, so captivating to turn heads of anyone fortunate enough to lay eyes on her.
She had flowing silver hair that looked like molten strands of silver, cascading down to her slender waist.
Her perfect doll-like face was adorned with a pair of dull silver eyes, an angular nose, and thin lips.
She wore an off-the-shoulder top and jeans that left a portion of her waist exposed, showcasing her porcelain, jade-like skin.
While others were enchanted by her beauty, I was just confused. I knew this girl. It was Trish! Trish Zenith!
How did I not make this connection sooner?!
Zenith was a prominent clan name, so it was common for people, even outsiders, to share the same family name who belonged to Mount Hua.
The old man was Ifa Zenith, once the head of Mount Hua. Selena Zenith was one of his granddaughters. Trish Zenith, Selena’s niece, was often referred to as the Princess of Mount Hua.
I should’ve realized this earlier. They were related!
Rolling my eyes at my oversight, I inwardly applauded my genius-level intellect and sighed in resignation.
Meanwhile, as Trish walked up to us, a surprised expression formed on her doll-like face.
“…Uh, L-Lucas Morningstar?” She uttered in a soft, surprised tone, then turned to her grandfather, who was grinning like a fool, seeking an explanation.
“Oh, you two know each other?” The old man chimed in through his grin, obviously feigning ignorance.
“..…” This damned old man! He was definitely acting! He knew! He must have seen the King’s Tournament!
But if he knew that we had met each other before then why hadn’t he said anything to me?! What was this guy up to?
I narrowed my eyes at the old man as his grin grew wider before he turned to his sweet little angel.
“Anyway, it’s good that you two know each other. Trish, Lucas is my fiftieth and final disciple.”
“…Huh?” Just as Trish was processing that information with a dumbstruck look, the old man dropped another bombshell.
“Oh, and he’s your roommate! Well… perhaps housemate is a more fitting term? Yes, housemate it is.”