Hunter of the Evernight

Nadia had a disgruntled expression on her face as she went about her morning routine.

"He didn't even bother to come home last night." She said while looking at the full-body mirror in her room.

Inadvertently, she began comparing herself to Natasha.

With blond hair cut in a boyish fashion with soft feminine features with a certain masculinity to it, Nadia had to admit that Natasha was indeed a rare piece.

More reason why she was uncomfortable with the fact that Alex had not returned after leaving with her.

Sure, he went out to meet a dragon but he should be back already!

Biting down on her lower lip, she wondered if she was maybe losing her appeal.

Never would she have thought that a day would come when she would question that.

As a woman from Emet, Nadia was born with natural self-confidence and her looks were by no means average.

Courted by men all over, she considered herself a queen.

However, Alex had somehow managed to pull her down from that high pedestal.

Was it healthy?... It remained to be seen.

Sighing heavily, she left her room and headed down for breakfast only to hear a knock at the door while moving to the dining hall.

She glanced to check if anyone would get it but seeing as no one did and the knock sounded urgent, she decided to answer it.

Opening the door revealed Alex standing at the other end.

She was first shocked before getting upset that he came back so late.

However, she quickly held her tongue upon noticing how pale he looked.

"Alex…"

He glanced up to meet her gaze and muttered. "... I'm home."

Before she could say anything else, He fell forward and into her arms.

Still confused by what was happening, she decided to take him inside first.

***

By the time Alex came to, he found himself laying in bed with his gaze on the chandelier hanging from the roof.

Compared to when he came back, his complexion had returned and the exhaustion he felt was gone.

Facing off against Basar had drained him more than he expected, leaving him in a sorry state.

Thankfully, Basar backed off when he did, else he would have no choice but to turn tail and run.

'I should really be more careful in such situations.' Alex muttered inwardly.

Glancing beside him, he found Nadia to be seated there with a worried look on her face.

Blinking a few times to get himself together, he inquired. "What time is it?"

"2 PM," Nadia replied softly. "You've been out for a few hours. I was worried."

Alex felt touched as he reached out and placed his palm on her cheek. "Sorry for worrying you. I'm absolutely fine now."

Though he meant to reassure her, Nadia remained worried as she stayed by his side, unwilling to leave.

Just then, Arthur walked into the room to the scene of Alex and Nadia being close.

Coughing awkwardly, the scene forcibly ended.

Alex sat up with the help of Nadia before meeting Arthur's gaze as he stood at the door.

Glancing at Nadia, Arthur remarked. "Leave us."

However, Nadia didn't attempt to do so as she replied. "I'd rather remain here."

"... Hah, fine." Arthur sighed before addressing Alex. "Tell me, boy…"

Trailing off, he revealed a great deal of hostility before asking. "Did Anastasia have a hand in your condition?"

It was clear that despite his fear of the dragon, Arthur didn't tolerate anyone harming his family.

It would be too late to restrain him if he blamed Anastasia for Alex's condition.

Taking that into consideration, Alex felt warm inside as he replied. "It has nothing to do with her. She helped me."

"... She did?" Arthur had a look of disbelief as he retracted his hostility. "So that means the meeting went well?"

"It did."

"So… what happened to you?"

Alex sighed as he quickly sorted out the best lie he could think of before slowly responding.

"It had to do with my trial. I went over to Marigold Avenue yesterday after the meeting with Lady Ana and that was where I got hurt."

"Marigold Avenue?" Arthur revealed a curious gaze. "I received news that the Gordon family was wiped out alongside the emergence of two evil gods. Currently, the city is on high alert with nobles crying out for law enforcement to bring the perpetrators to justice."

Taking a moment to consider, he inquired. "Did you have something to do with that?"

With a solemn expression, Alex answered. "I wish I could have saved them."

Then with a heavy sigh, he continued. "I met someone yesterday… he called himself Basar, a high priest of the Evil Eye brotherhood and Apostle of the Eye of Truth… he is the reason I was exhausted when I came back and also the culprit behind the Gordon family massacre."

"... Did you say, Apostle?" Arthur questioned with an apprehensive expression.

"...Yes?" Alex replied before inquiring. "What is an Apostle?"

Arthur revealed a complicated gaze as he glanced at Nadia first before replying. "... Do you understand anything about evil gods?"

"Apart from being creatures completely consumed by their yin, nothing much."

"That's enough." Arthur nodded. "When an evil god is born, it normally seeks out a person it resonates with to help spread its gospel.

"When that happens, faith is used as energy to grow by an evil god. People chosen to spread the gospel refer to themselves as Priests and borrow power directly from their worshiped deity to perform Miracles."

"So they are different from normal Mystics?"

"There is nothing abnormal in the supernatural world. Inexplicable yes, abnormal, no. Apostles are almost like Cryptids since they don't have to worry about the Rule of Triune. The unique connection they share with their god is enough to help them overcome the problems of the Wheels to utilize aether as they wish."

Alex noted the apprehension in Arthur's voice. "Did something happen?"

"If you faced off against an Apostle, how did you survive?" Arthur was forced to ask.