Chapter 592 The Intruder
Standing in midair, at the center of the hall, was a hooded fellow.
Their entire body was shrouded in a cheap-looking hooded cloak. Compared to the luxurious outfits that everyone had on, they might as well have been putting on rags.
The hooded cloak was faded white, and it obscured most of their body—just from the sheer size alone.
As the cloak danced in the air, the hood constantly hid their face while they looked down at the ones who currently challenged her.
Lucy, Trisha, Justin, Clark, Belle, and Yuri currently had her surrounded; each with their Skills activated and a look of determination on their faces.
The Royal Council Members were being safely guarded by Lucielle and Brutus, so while they too were ready to raise their weapons and activate their Skills to fight, they were more interested in safety.
Likewise, the security details present were guarding the Nobles who hired them, helping them escape the hall or to inconspicuous remain in a safe corner.
In this tension-filled room, the center-area of the hall was scorched and broken apart—almost as if it was caused by a culmination of Spells and Magic.
Still, the floating figure seemed unscathed.
"I believe I already told you… I'm not here to fight." They finally spoke up, and a feminine voice echoed from within the hood's shadows.
The build of the intruder was covered by the oversized traveler's outfit, but judging from their voice alone, it was easy to estimate that she was a woman.
What, then, did this woman desire?
Not only did she just crash into the most fortified area of the Alliance at the present moment, but even with so many powerful figures present, she was yet to be put down.
Yes, the current situation demanded that an evacuation and safeguarding of the important figures came first before any full-blown battle, so it wasn't in their best interests to go all-out.
Still, the fact that the stranger could push them to such straits meant she wasn't to be trifled with.
At the very least, it was safe to assume she was strong.
"W-who is that…?" Felicia whispered to herself, her eyes widening as she looked at the floating one.
There was something about her aura that made her shiver internally.
Felicia's Class was [Harlot], and it allowed her to determine the worth of someone or something by just a glance.
It was how she was able to turn her luck around after leaving the Capital.
Worth was mostly determined by Class and Level, but also on an individual's disposition and how much benefit they could offer her.
Right now, as she was looking at the hooded entity with glittering eyes, she could only see one thing.
—JACKPOT!
The lady was oozing power and good fortune. Plus, she also seemed to be of high standing.
It was difficult to put into words, but this was the first time Felicia felt something this intense. She knew instinctively that she had to take this chance while it remained.
"W-what do you want?!" She yelled out, causing the attention of the hooded lady and everyone else who faced her to look in Felicia's direction.
She instantly felt a pressure fall upon her, making sweat leak out of her skin.
A part of her regretted speaking up, but she also bit her lip and hoped for the best of results.
As a certified opportunist, she prayed for good luck.
But—
"Rey Skylar… I'm searching for him."
—It seemed the good fortune wasn't meant to be hers this time.
As soon as Felicia heard what the hooded lady was after, she glanced to the boy who stood by her side, standing a little ahead.
He was smiling.
'D-did he know all along? Does he know who she is? That she was after him?'
That would explain a lot—like why he was calm despite the unexpected explosion.
Felicia was dumbstruck at that moment. She wanted to seize the opportunity and get on the floating lady's good graces, but before she could say something—perhaps tell the woman what she wanted to know—the boy beside her stepped forward.
"The guy you're searching for is me."
"You…?"
Rey's smile broadened as he walked a few more steps. His confident stride was completely opposite from the tension in the air.
With a snap of his fingers, the glass cup he held vanished, and his now unoccupied hand went straight into his hair.
Upon straightening it, and staring high so he could lock eyes with the intruder, he made the declaration.
"I am Rey Skylar."
***********
Rey was initially annoyed when the explosion occurred.
He was about to be kissed by Felicia before it happened, and that was something he had been looking forward to since the beginning of their conversation.
Of course, it wasn't the kiss that excited him—at least, not for the most part.
It was the Skill he would gain from it.
'If she kisses me, her [Lover's Promise] Skill will activate. I'll be able to copy it then.'
The Skill's ability allowed the user to compel anyone to make an unbreakable 'promise' with them.
This promise could be anything—ranging from running an errand for them, or being their slave for life.
It all depended on the user and their intentions.
Since Rey had lost his Mind Control Skills, he figured it would be a very handy one to have. Unfortunately, right as he was about to get it, the explosion and commotion took over.
It was annoying!
Still, Rey remained calm and analyzed what happened—using his practically divine senses to completely assimilate everything that was going on in the hall at the timers
As it turned out, even though the Otherworlders, with the air of a few others, hanged up on the sole figure, they could not subdue her.
It made him curious.
However, this only lasted for a second. The moment his senses met her, and he got a whiff of her oddly familiar scent… he realized it instantly.
—The identity of the stranger!
And now, as he stood beneath her, indulging in the sweet fragrance only she could give off, his grin widened even more.
"You… are Rey?" The voice seemed a bit hesitant—almost as though surprised but also excited.
"Yes. This is my real face."
As soon as he said this, the hooded fellow descended, and the hood that covered her face completely flew away, revealing the pure white hair, pale skin, and absolutely gorgeous face that was hidden underneath.
Long ears perked up as her blue eyes widened, staring straight into Rey's exposed one.
"It's been a while, Esme. You really did come for me, didn't you?" Rey said as he took one more step forward.
His heart was racing despite his best efforts to control it, and he couldn't help himself from smiling just from looking at her face.
She was just as beautiful as he remembered, and even in silence… her face told him of a million words.
As he advanced, she advanced as well.
As this continued, the tension climaxed, until the two of them were mere inches away from each other.
Esme raised her hand, reaching for Rey's cheek.
'A slap?!' He initially thought.
He wouldn't be surprised if she did that. He left her stranded in a Dungeon for months, and here he was smiling so sheepishly at her.
Who wouldn't get annoyed?
However, contrary to his expectation, her fingers landed softly on his cheek and she gave him the softest kind of look a girl could give a boy.
She could see glitters in her eyes as she stared at him, not even caring about the people around.
"You don't look as bad as I imagined." She whispered, her smile broadening.
"You don't look bad at all."
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[A/N]
Thanks for reading!
I'm sure some of you expected this Arc to be all about finding Esme or something.
But no… not even close.