The night rain poured, lightning split the night sky.
On the winding mountain path, a steed rushed through the rain.
Lightning flashed, almost tearing the entire sky apart, illuminating everything around as if it were broad daylight.
Raindrops slid across the rider’s face, soaking his leather armor and revealing half of a pale visage.
The night road was rugged, yet the steed galloped in the dark seemingly unaffected, the thunder roared and the rain grew heavier, until after a long while, the knight gradually slowed down.
At the edge of his vision, an ancient castle stood erect in the darkness, in the flickers of lightning making it look like a beast hidden in the shadows.
Before they even got close, the gate of the castle opened automatically, the knight dismounted, shaking off the rainwater.
"It’s already late, Miss Chloe."
From the shadow under the eaves emerged an elderly face, even in the dead of night, the old man’s black suit was worn neatly without a crease in sight.
His gaze was steady, his voice although not loud pierced through the night rain and fell into the newcomer’s ears.
Removing the hood from her head and shaking off the wet hair tips, Chloe appeared tired and weak but her gaze remained firm.
"I have come to submit the task!"
"Please follow me." The old man’s eyes flickered as if he was about to say something, but as his eyes fell on the mottled marks and the faint bloodstains on Chloe’s leather armor, he withdrew his gaze and nodded, his figure disappearing into the darkness.
The main door opened, the dim yellow light in the darkness seemed to have a warmth that could be felt, Chloe tied the reins and took down a package from the horseback, then quickly walked into the entrance hall.
The elderly man who spoke earlier was already waiting in the hall, Chloe quickly walked ahead and placed the package in her hand on the table.
"I have completed the Earl’s third secret order, this is the evidence, now I should get my reward, right?"
Having set down the items, Chloe said impatiently.
The old man put down the quill in his hand and leisurely opened Chloe’s package, then his gaze slightly condensed, "Did you complete this task alone?"
"Is there a problem?" Chloe inquired in return.
"No, but the price you paid to complete it probably already exceeds the gains from this task."
The old man deftly took the received package off the table, "The task is valid, you may choose any one from the reward..."
"The Spirit Summoning Potion!"
Chloe said without hesitation.
"Please wait a moment."
The elder did not seem surprised, he wrote something with his pen and then nodded at Chloe.
At this moment a somewhat extravagant voice came, Chloe instinctively furrowed her brow, maintaining her previous posture, not even interested in glancing up.
The interior decoration of the castle was simple, not filled with the luxurious and flamboyant decor of other nobles, the most eye-catching feature on the entire first floor was the long table directly opposite the door.
Behind the side of the table was a staircase leading to the second floor, at this time a sleepy-eyed man leaned on the railing, speaking indifferently.
"Mr. Dolan, I hope I can receive my reward immediately." Chloe urged.
The man beside the stairs spoke, "In the Earl’s Domain, by the rules, potions of precious grade or above cannot guarantee inventory, if delayed by a day or two, it should be permissible, right?"
Chloe pressed her lips slightly, she looked up at the old man in front of her and seemed to understand something from his eyes, moments later she turned decisively and walked towards the exit.
"Miss Chloe, you know better than I do how long it takes to get to the nearest town from here, there’s still a long time until dawn, are you sure you want to speed through the night rain despite your injuries?"
The man chuckled softly.
"Our souls are strong, but the body remains fragile."
As if she hadn’t heard his words, Chloe continued to walk forward.
"I heard about your brother..."
Chloe suddenly halted, though she didn’t turn back, anyone could feel the restrained power in her slender body.
"He was momentarily confused, which led to someone taking advantage, he remains loyal to the Royal Family."
"But I heard, he got very close to some people."
Chloe slowly turned around, her previously tense expression seemed to soften, "He paid nearly the price of his life for his negligence, I think that proves everything."
The man known as Havier smiled and slowly descended the stairs, "Why is it every time we meet it has to be like a drawn sword?"
"If you were willing to accept my affection, then I believe the Anglu family wouldn’t have fallen to such a state..."
"Unable to maintain even the last dignity of a noble."
"Dignity is never something given by others."
Chloe answered firmly, speaking no more.
"Get a grip, Miss Chloe, your brother really has no chance of revitalizing the Anglu family, even if he can barely go through the Initial Awakening, such a level of soul mutation can’t be inherited."
Havier spread his hands.
"That is my concern."
Chloe replied calmly, then turned intending to leave.
A blue light crossed, Chloe instinctively raised her hand, an icy touch met her palm, inside the transparent container was a brilliant blue liquid.