Chapter 42: Raven's Lament, Crescent Town in the Shadows

I chatted with the Dragon Princess at the door for a bit, feeling my body had mostly recovered. Then, I headed straight for the magic lab on my own. I took out Cui's extremely dangerous magic crystal from my belt and examined it carefully in my hand.

"From the late stages of that fight, this is clearly a deadly explosive," I muttered. "But does its principle differ drastically from Monaluna's shattering crystal?"

I sensed intensely chaotic energy within it. This chaos didn't stem from elemental clashes. It felt more like... like a law—a law that stripped all energy of its original nature, twisting it into pure disorder.

This was undeniably dangerous. When chaotic energy met ordered energy, the clash was far fiercer than any elemental conflict. And as more power poured in, its destructive force would grow exponentially.

Theoretically, with enough energy, this tiny crystal could blow up the entire continent. Of course, no one could supply that much power. Nor would anyone give it such a long casting wind-up. Still, it was an extremely hazardous item.

Why would something this dangerous end up in the hands of a quasi-saint level mage?

Puzzled, I reached the door of the Old Mage's magic lab. I pushed it open. "Master, are you still here?"

"Brat, you're back? Did you win?" came his voice.

"Weren't you 'watching' the whole time?"

"Tch. Caught me. I was just worried you'd lose and embarrass this old master."

"A mage who lazes around in a massage chair all day has any face left to lose?"

"Cough, cough. Did you bring the thing back?"

"What exactly is this? It feels incredibly dangerous!" I handed the crystal to the Old Mage with care.

He took it, studied it closely, and his expression darkened bit by bit. After a long silence, he set the crystal down gently. He pulled a purple-gold shimmering magic scroll from the shelf behind him. With a surge of mana, he tore it open.

"That which was, shall be frozen; that which flickered, shall be etched; that which endless, shall be filled; that which restless, shall be soothed. Divine Ban—Requiem of Order."

As the Old Mage chanted, layers of Magic Arrays settled onto the chaotic crystal. The law of chaos within it slowly calmed.

Wiping his sweat, the Old Mage slumped back into his massage chair. He stared blankly at the crystal, exhaustion etched on his face.

"Hey! Master, explain what's going on!"

"Crescent Town... it's not peaceful anymore."

"That serious?"

"This crystal is called 'Raven's Lament.' It's a top-tier strategic weapon of the continent's premier assassin group, the Ravens of the Cold Night. It's only appeared three times. Each time caused catastrophic damage—wiping out villages at best, entire armies at worst."

"Tch! What's Cui's background?"

"His origins are clean. I've heard of him. A rising young magic prodigy from the Imperial Capital lately. He shouldn't have any ties to the Ravens!"

"This crystal likely requires a mage with matching mana reserves to unleash its full destructive power. So Cui was probably just here to activate it—a power source and trigger. That explains why he had it. He was merely a piece of their plan."

"Seems so. But why Crescent Town? Nothing here should interest the Ravens!"

"Coming for you?"

"I'm a legend, sure. But the Ravens likely have double-digit legends themselves. And this crystal poses little threat to me—I can't tank it head-on, but dodging it? Countless ways. Probably not targeting me."

"What's the reason then?" I picked up the crystal, examining it closely. "This thing is fascinating. I got some inspiration from it. I might uncover something. I'll take it for now."

"Be careful. Though I sealed it with a divine ban, it's still dangerous."

"Don't worry. I've got this!"

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"Sir! We didn't find it! I searched the arena thoroughly." A scar-faced man's voice echoed from the third floor of the inn.

"Damn it! That brat must have taken it! Got me scolded by Mister Bai just now!" A dwarf's voice hissed with venom.

"Sir, what now? We don't have 'Raven's Lament,' and Cui's crippled."

"Mister Bai sent a new low-tier saint mage. But without the crystal, Plan A can't proceed."

"What if the plan fails to meet Mister Bai's expectations? Then we..."

"If it comes to it, we'll use Plan B."

"But sir! You'll lose all your power!"

"Power can be regained. Life can't. Prepare to leave. Take little Stanth and Cui back first. Then return with the new saint mage. Remember—hurry! You must be back by Baptism Day."

"Yes, sir!"

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"Klath! You were amazing! I heard you won?" Monaluna came downstairs, standing cutely beside me.

"Yeah! Nearly killed myself out there." I stretched lazily on the sofa.

"You pushed so hard... Do you really like the princess that much?" Monaluna sat on the sofa arm, her expression a little gloomy.

"I was scared no one would tuck Nana in tonight~"

"Ugh! Can't you be serious for once?" Monaluna grabbed my cheeks and shook them back and forth.

"Ow ow ow! That hurts!"

"Regret it now?"

"Yep, yep. If the princess won't sleep with you, I will."

"Hmph! Dream on." Monaluna flicked my forehead and stood up.

"Where to?"

"To cook for you. A reward!" She skipped happily toward the kitchen.

"Sigh... Is my luck still this bad?" I leaned back, staring at the ceiling.

I spotted Helle on the second floor. Cold sweat instantly drenched me.

"Helle, good evening!"

"Hmm."

"Uh... Nice weather today, huh?"

"Oh." Helle descended to the living room.

"Er... Could you stop replying one word at a time?"

"Sure!" Helle suddenly leaned in close, her face inches from mine.

I felt scared. No clear reason—she was just a powerless maid—but her aura made my heart pound.

"You did well today. Protecting a girl from bullies... had a knight's touch."

"R-Really?" I sniffed my shirt. A whiff of sweat hit my nose.

"Since your stance was somewhat just this time... I'll save you a little." Helle turned toward the kitchen.

Whew~ Helle, you're so kind to me!

"Brother~"

"Little Bobo, slow down! Sister can't keep up!" Cindira's voice and Bobo's giggles came from the door. A blob of water element zoomed in with Bobo, Cindira chasing behind. I quickly pulled out the remote and paused Deep Blue Heart's power.

"Whoosh~" Bobo flew through the air from momentum and landed in my arms.

"Aerial acrobat~ complete~" I lifted Bobo high.

"Complete~" Bobo giggled, arms wide open.

"You spoil him rotten!" Cindira huffed, plopping onto the sofa.

"Why so mad, kid's mom~" I brushed Cindira's hair behind her ear. Picking up Bobo, I plopped him into her lap. "Bobo~ see? Sister's angry."

"Daddy, Daddy! Is this pretty big sister Bobo's new mommy?"

"You should ask Sister." I leaned back, grinning at the two beauties.

Cindira's face flushed crimson. She stammered, unable to speak. Heh, interesting. I took her hand in mine, cupping her burning cheek with the other.

"I've been so busy with work, I haven't had time for Bobo. All thanks to you, Cindira! If I can, I want to make it up to you!"

"I—I!" Cindira's face heated up rapidly.

"What are you doing?" The princess appeared untimely from the second floor.

"I need a shower!" Cindira yanked her hand free and fled upstairs.

"Oh! I forgot something on the second floor. I'll go get it." The princess, who'd just come down, turned to leave. I grabbed her arm.

"What now?!"

"Today, Nana's cooking dinner just for me."

"Nana cooks? Since when did she learn?"

"She learned this year. But she said she'd only cook for me."

"What?! That's unfair~"

"Well~ I might share... if you pay a price."

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Dinnertime arrived. Another silent war began. I eyed everyone mischievously. The Old Mage sat unmoved, absorbed in his magic newspaper. Helle remained expressionless. Nana beamed with anticipation. Cindira still seemed dazed. Komor glared fixedly at my plate. Only little Bobo and I looked relaxed.

"Today, to reward our hero Klath, I specially cooked dinner as a treat. Of course, only for Klath." Monaluna announced cheerfully to the table.

"Oh? Klath, don't waste Nana's kindness!" The Old Mage suddenly snapped out of his trance, happily throwing me under the bus.

"Of course I'll accept this reward!" I winked at the princess. "But everyone here has tasted Nana's cooking before. The princess is our guest from afar. I think I should give today's meal to her, don't you agree?!"

"Hmm! I'm looking forward to it. Thanks, senior brother!" The princess snatched my dinner eagerly. She shoveled soup into her mouth with a spoon.

"Delicious, Princess?" I smiled brightly.

"Uh... delicious!" She forced a smile, but her hoarse voice and widening pupils gave her away.

"Then eat up. There's more if you need it." I cooed gently.

Heh heh. Serves you right for leaving me alone at the door.