The carriage rattled along the uneven road, its wheels splashing through shallow puddles left behind by the earlier rain. Inside, the girl with the clear black hair sat in silence, her face impassive but her fingers tapping lightly against the armrest. Her maid sat across from her, her posture composed but her expression tinged with frustration.
“Pointless,” the girl finally muttered, her voice cold but laced with disappointment. “This entire visit to Rackenshore was a waste of time.”
The maid hesitated before responding, choosing her words carefully. “We did everything we could, my lady. We were generous with our questions and courteous to the townsfolk, but…”
“But none of them knew anything worthwhile,” the girl finished sharply, her eyes narrowing. “All they could tell us was the same useless story. Lucavion appeared out of nowhere, dealt with the Korvan, and became their savior. That’s it. No history, no connections, nothing.”
The maid nodded, a sigh escaping her lips. “It seems his actions have elevated him to near-mythical status here. The people revere him too much to question or criticize. That made it impossible to dig any deeper.”
The girl’s gaze shifted to the window, her dark eyes scanning the horizon as the landscape blurred past. The frustration simmering beneath her calm exterior threatened to boil over. Lucavion was proving to be more elusive than she anticipated, and this setback only added to her mounting irritation.
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The maid leaned forward slightly, her calm tone cutting through the heavy atmosphere in the carriage. “At the very least, my lady, we were able to meet the knights of the Olarion family.”
The girl’s fingers paused mid-tap, her dark eyes shifting to meet the maid’s. There was a flicker of interest in her expression, though her frustration still lingered.
“Go on,” she said curtly.
The maid nodded, her voice steady and composed. “It was thanks to them that we learned about Lucavion’s involvement in the Andelheim Martial Arts Tournament. That is a lead worth pursuing.”
The girl’s fingers froze, her sharp eyes narrowing at the maid’s words. A bitter chuckle escaped her lips, dripping with disdain.
“Phantom Blade?” she repeated, her voice cold and incredulous. “That bastard couldn’t even swing a spear properly, and now he dares to call himself a swordsman? He must be up to his usual tricks again.”
The maid watched her lady carefully, knowing better than to interrupt when she was like this. The girl’s fury simmered just beneath her composed exterior, her disdain for Lucavion evident in every word.
“That’s right,” the girl continued, her tone growing colder. “The Olarion Knights mentioned both Valeria Olarion and Lucavion have made names for themselves in the Andelheim Martial Arts Tournament. Valeria’s presence is understandable—she has the Olarion legacy to uphold. But Lucavion?” She scoffed. “It’s laughable.”
The maid nodded slightly, her own thoughts carefully guarded. “The Olarion Knights wasted no time heading to Andelheim once they heard the news,” she said, bringing the focus back to their current situation. “And we followed as quickly as we could. But…”
“But the news we received is already days old,” the girl finished, her frustration clear. “By now, the tournament must have ended.”
The maid hesitated before speaking again. “We’re moving as fast as possible, my lady. If he’s still there, we’ll catch him.”
The girl clenched her fists briefly before letting out a slow breath, regaining her composure. Her gaze turned toward the window, the blurred scenery rushing past. “He won’t escape me again,” she said, her voice low but resolute. “I’ll make sure of it.”
The carriage rattled onward, the urgency of their mission driving them forward. The girl’s frustration was tempered by her growing determination. This time, she would not let Lucavion slip through her grasp. The next time they crossed paths, she would ensure that whatever game he was playing would end on her terms.
********
The Andelheim lands were as vibrant and chaotic as the girl expected. The streets teemed with energy, the festival-like atmosphere of the Andelheim Martial Arts Tournament spilling into every corner of the city. Yet the moment she heard the news, she froze in disbelief.
“Lucavion? The winner of the tournament?” she repeated, her voice sharp enough to turn heads.
A small cluster of townsfolk nearby turned at the sound, and she quickly composed herself, her expression hardening into one of cold curiosity. She strode toward the group, her maid trailing slightly behind. The girl’s piercing gaze silenced the chatter as she approached, her commanding aura unmistakable.
“What did you just say?” she asked, her tone clipped but unmistakably curious.
One of the townsfolk, an older man with a patchy beard, cleared his throat. “Ah, yes, my lady. You must have heard of him. Lucavion—the Sword Demon! They say he defeated the Cloud Heavens Sect disciples like it was nothing. And Varen Drakov himself fell to him in the final match. Quite the upset, I tell you.”
The girl’s dark eyes narrowed, disbelief flashing across her face. “Varen Drakov?” she echoed, incredulous. “The so-called prodigy of the Silver Flame Sect?”
The townsfolk nodded eagerly, their expressions a mixture of awe and excitement. “That’s right! It was a sight to see. The crowd couldn’t believe it.”
Her maid stepped closer, lowering her voice. “My lady, it seems the rumors were true. Lucavion has made a name for himself here.”
The girl’s hands clenched at her sides, frustration and confusion swirling within her. This didn’t make sense. Lucavion, the same man she had dismissed as an opportunist and a fraud, had bested some of the most formidable warriors of the region. It was laughable—and yet the conviction in the townsfolk’s voices made it impossible to dismiss.
“I need more information,” she muttered, her voice low but firm. She turned her sharp gaze back to the group. “Where is he now?”
The townsfolk exchanged uncertain glances. “Well, he left the arena yesterday in tatters and the Marquis’ People had taken him with them,” one of them said. “But no one knows where he’s staying. The inns are full, and there’s talk of him keeping to himself. You’d best try asking at the Iron Matron—that’s where the high-profile fighters tend to gather.”
She nodded curtly and turned on her heel, her frustration barely contained.
Lucavion.
Sword Demon?
The absurdity of it all made her blood boil. But if the rumors were true—if he had truly risen to such heights—then she would find him.
“Regardless….You will not get away after putting a stain on our family….