Fallen Radiance

The door of the tavern closed slowly behind Natalie, the air outside had the chill of the border, and the people in the street were in twomes and threes, hurried and cautious. Natalie looked up, took a deep breath, and calmly adjusted her emotions. Her fingers habitually touched the dagger at her waist, as if it would make her feel more at ease.

The information had given her some insight, but more, a sense of danger.

"The meeting of the Angels' camp..." "She murmured, a cold look in her eyes." It's a chance, but it's also a big gamble."

She pulled the cap of her cloak even lower, trying not to attract attention, and was about to cross the street when a familiar voice came from behind her.

"This lady, wait a minute."

Natalie's footsteps slightly paused, she did not look back, but subconsciously pressed the short sword around her waist. The voice was low and gentle, but with a hint of scrutiny. She did not answer immediately, but turned slowly and looked up at the passer-by.

A man in a dark military uniform was standing in the middle of the street. His figure was tall, his face cold, his eyes as sharp as a hawk, and he had a majesty that could not be ignored.

Natalie's pupils contracted slightly.

Kane Ophelia.

Though she had not seen him for years, she recognized him at once. The face had not changed much from what she remembered, and was still dignified and calm in the royal family. However, at this moment, Kane's eyes more than a trace of deep fatigue and doubt.

"This lady," Kane slowly approached, looking at Natalie with scrutiny, "haven't we met somewhere before?"

Natalie was shocked and quickly hid her emotions. She knew her appearance had been completely altered by the High Priest's prop, but Kane's eyes still made her feel a little uneasy, as if he could look straight into her soul.

"I'm afraid you have mistaken me for someone else, Sir." Natalie lowered her voice and replied with false composure, "I'm just an ordinary mercenary. I've never seen you before."

Kane stood still, his eyes still fixed on her, and there was a thoughtful light in them. "Really? But your voice... That sounds familiar."

Natalie's heart was tight, but she still maintained a calm expression: "There are so many mercenaries on the border, your excellency can not remember all of them." Maybe it's just a coincidence."

Kane did not rush to rebut, his brow furrowed slightly, as if trying to remember something. But no matter what he thought, he could not connect the strange woman in front of him with the wanted face.

"Maybe." Kane whispered, but there was still a hint of disbelief in his voice.

Natalie realized that she could not stay any longer, she nodded slightly and politely said: "If there is nothing else, I have some important things to do, I would like to say goodbye first."

"Wait a minute." Kane stopped her, his eyes deep, his voice quiet but tentative, "Where do you come from? What are you doing here?"

Natalie quickly thought quickly in her mind and then replied calmly, "I'm from the north and I'm looking for an employer." Isn't that what border mercenaries do?"

Kane stared at her for a few seconds, then finally nodded and stepped back: "I see. I'll leave you alone, then. Good luck."

Natalie sighed and nodded. "Thank you, Sir."

Natalie turned to walk away, her pace steady, but her heart pounding. Kane, she knew, did not fully believe her, but there was no proof. The royal alertness made him wary of anyone suspicious, and her presence had clearly aroused his suspicions.

"Kane..." Natalie silently said the name in her mind, her eyes flashed with mixed emotions.

He had been one of her most trusted Allies, a brotherly presence to rely on both on the battlefield and in royal battles. Now they are on very different paths.

"Can't be found... Absolutely not." She clenched her fists and whispered.

It was clear to her that Kane's intelligence and subtlety were far beyond the average. If she's not careful, this infiltration could have been exposed before it even started.

Kane, standing in the middle of the street, did not leave for a long time, his eyes following Natalie's back, his eyes full of doubts.

"That feeling... It's so familiar." He whispered to himself, frowning, "but her face and voice were so different. Am I being paranoid, or..."

He shook his head to suppress this doubt, but the unease in his heart could not go away.

"If it were you... Elena..." Kane muttered, with a tinge of mixed emotion in his eyes, "What will you come back to do?"