Chapter 144: The Mad Magus They Already Met [Part 4]

Chapter 144. The Mad Magus They Already Met [Part 4]

They approached the wooden bench with considerably more enthusiasm than they’d shown during their entire search for Rey Valen. Which was embarrassing.

Vera knew it. She could practically feel the excitement radiating from her subordinates, particularly Tessa, who had already adjusted her hair three times. Apparently, approaching a handsome stranger required more preparation than confronting an undead monster.

Still, Vera couldn’t deny her own curiosity.

The man sat beneath a flowering tree overlooking Lumenford’s harbor. One leg was crossed over the other, his elbow rested against his knee, and his cheek leaned against his fist. His eyes were closed. He looked completely relaxed, almost as though he’d fallen asleep while enjoying the sunset.

"Is he sleeping?" Syl whispered.

"Maybe," Nora answered.

Tessa tilted her head. "That’s a strange place to sleep."

"Not really," Maeve murmured. "The view is beautiful."

Rina smiled. "Yeah. The view is definitely beautiful."

Vera gave her a warning glance.

Rina immediately pretended to admire the harbor.

The captain returned her attention to the stranger. Something about him felt unusual. His posture was relaxed, but his breathing remained steady. There was none of the vulnerability normally associated with someone sleeping in public. More importantly, Vera couldn’t sense any obvious nervousness or tension. He appeared completely comfortable with his surroundings.

"Excuse me, sir," Vera finally said.

The stranger stirred. His eyes slowly opened, settling on the six women standing before him. For a brief moment, Vera felt an inexplicable chill. His gaze was calm, almost unnaturally so, as though he’d already noticed their presence long before she spoke. Then he smiled.

"Good evening, ladies." His voice was smooth and pleasantly deep.

Tessa immediately brightened. "Good evening!"

Nora offered a polite nod. "Sorry to disturb you."

"Not at all." The man glanced at their armor. "Although I must admit, six armed women approaching me at sunset wasn’t exactly what I expected."

Rina chuckled. "Did we frighten you?"

"Should I be frightened?" His lips curved slightly. "None of you have drawn your swords yet, so I assume I’m relatively safe."

Vera raised an eyebrow.

Was he joking?

He hadn’t even bothered standing to greet them. Not that Vera considered it disrespectful.

Tessa leaned forward slightly. "Are you enjoying the sunset?"

"Trying to."

"Trying?"

"Well, it was quite peaceful until six beautiful women suddenly interrupted my thoughts."

Tessa blinked. Then smiled. "Oh? Beautiful?"

"Would you prefer terrifying?"

Rina laughed. Nora covered her mouth. Even Syl couldn’t suppress a smile. Vera sighed inwardly. Now that she stood closer, Vera noticed several details she’d missed earlier. His clothes were expensive. Not excessively decorated, but clearly tailored from high-quality fabric. Subtle silver embroidery lined his dark collar, and his boots looked far too elegant for an ordinary fisherman. His hands were clean, his posture refined, and his manner of speaking suggested familiarity with nobility. He certainly wasn’t a sailor. Nor did he resemble Lumenford’s ordinary residents. Perhaps he was a visiting merchant or a nobleman enjoying a holiday.

"Are you visiting Lumenford?" Nora asked.

"Something like that."

"Business or pleasure?"

"Both, apparently." He sighed. "I came here for work. Unfortunately, work has a terrible habit of following me around even after I’ve finished it."

Nora smiled sympathetically. "That sounds exhausting."

"You have no idea."

Vera studied him. His answers were natural, but surprisingly vague. He wasn’t revealing much about himself. She cleared her throat. "We’re representatives of the Light Temple."

The man glanced at their white cloaks. "I noticed."

"We’re currently searching for someone."

He tilted his head. "Someone dangerous?"

Tessa opened her mouth, but Vera answered first. "Someone important."

"Oh?" His expression remained pleasantly indifferent. "Then I hope you find him."

Rina stepped forward. "Actually, perhaps you could help us. Have you heard of Rey Valen?"

The stranger paused. Then his smile widened slightly. "Why are six Holy Guardians searching for him?"

Tessa answered. "We have a mission."

"It’s an official Temple assignment," Nora clarified.

"I see." He glanced at them again. "To reward him?"

Vera frowned. "Reward him?"

"Well, he solved the missing brides case, didn’t he?" His eyes returned to Vera. "Surely the Light Temple wishes to congratulate him."

"Not exactly," Vera answered.

"Oh?" His eyebrow rose. "Then what?"

"We have separate orders."

"Ah. How unfortunate." The man smiled. "Imagine finishing a difficult assignment, only to discover that someone has already prepared another one for you."

Tessa chuckled awkwardly. "Well, when you put it that way..."

Vera gave her a look.

Tessa immediately fell silent.

The stranger glanced toward the horizon. The sun was almost touching the sea, bathing the harbor in warm crimson light. "It’s dusk already."

Vera followed his gaze. Unfortunately, he was right. They’d spent almost the entire afternoon searching for Rey Valen.

"You’re still planning to search for him tonight?" he asked.

"We have to," Vera replied.

"Why not take a rest?" He leaned back. "You’ve been traveling all day, haven’t you? And judging by the dust on your armor, you haven’t had much opportunity to freshen up."

Nora glanced down. Unfortunately, he was right again. Their cloaks were dusty, their boots dirty, and their hair considerably less presentable than they’d intended.

The stranger smiled. "Why not enjoy dinner and take a bath first?"

Vera shook her head. "Our mission is urgent. Besides, what if he tries to leave Lumenford?"

The stranger smiled faintly. "I don’t think he’s even considering leaving Lumenford."

"You speak as though you’ve known him for years." Vera studied him again, her suspicion growing. "May I ask your name?" she finally asked.

The stranger chuckled. "Ah. Where are my manners?" He unfolded his legs and slowly stood. The movement caused his dark cloak to slip free from the wooden backrest. The fabric opened behind him. And there, embroidered in silver and gold, was an unmistakable insignia. The royal crest.

Vera froze.

Tessa’s smile vanished.

Nora’s eyes widened.

The stranger casually adjusted his cloak, lowering his hand and revealing a smaller version of the same royal insignia embroidered near his chest.

"Rey Valen." He smiled. "I suppose we can continue our conversation at the administrative building." He adjusted his collar, looking completely unbothered by their stunned expressions. "I’d feel rather guilty leaving Lumenford without accompanying Lord Veymont and Chief Marr for dinner."

Six Holy Guardians stood motionless. And Rey Valen, the infamous Mad Magus they’d spent the entire afternoon desperately searching for, merely smiled at them as though nothing particularly interesting had happened.