Return of the Legendary Runesmith

"Don't expect cooperation from us again, Mister Albec." Ariana's voice was sharp, her anger barely restrained as they stood within the altar room.

Albec let out a long, weary sigh. "It was part of the contract, Miss Ariana. I couldn't allow Sir Adrian to harm them—unless I was ready to give up my own life."

The pact was ironclad. Should either side shed blood in this chamber, death would claim the offender instantly. And so, Albec had been bound to shield the Acolytes from Adrian's wrath.

Ruby's expression hardened. "How could you allow those people to stroll in here and talk so casually—as if centuries of bloodshed between us never happened?"

Albec's brows furrowed. "You're not blind to the situation outside, Miss Vermillion. You know well how the balance of power is shifting. We must… find a way to keep things steady."

Ariana arched a brow. "Do you understand that the beings who created this difference in society—were the ones you invited over today, right?"

Another sigh left Albec, heavier this time. "I know. But having one enemy is better than having two. With their help, we might have at least crushed the other cults."

No one in the room failed to see his torment. The man was caught in a tightening vise, especially after the calamity at the competition venue.

Acolytes were swelling in number, siphoning away followers of Light who were abandoning their faith for darkness. It left Albec stranded, powerless to win back the trust of the people no matter what he did.

The silence that followed was suffocating—until Adrian's voice cut through it.

"I can pull you out of this… or at the very least, ease the weight pressing on your shoulders."

Albec froze, eyes snapping up. "Really? Even after what happened today?"

Both Ariana and Ruby turned to Adrian, equally stunned.

But Adrian's words carried no charity. "Don't mistake me for a savior. I'm not here to defend the Tower, nor to ease your conscience. I simply want to rid myself of this gnawing burden… and ensure those people never again disturb my peace."

Albec slowly nodded. "I understand… then what should I do?"

It was a rare, almost pitiful sight—a Tower Master lowering his head before an outsider. Yet pride was the last thing on Albec's mind. If there was even a sliver of hope to bring safety back to his people, he was prepared to grasp it, no matter the cost.

Adrian remained silent for a moment, as if weighing the gravity of his own words, before finally speaking.

"Here. If you want to watch Skulth drown, then supply these materials to me as soon as you can."

He extended a folded parchment towards the man.

Albec took it, eyes scanning the list. The further down he read, the deeper his frown became—until one particular name made his heart skip.

"The… Heartstone? And in such heavy amounts?" His voice faltered. "What exactly do you intend to do with it?"

Adrian's eyes gleamed like steel. "Tell me, Albec—have you ever asked yourself why you lost the last time against the demonic cult?"

The question struck a wound that had never healed. Albec's jaw clenched, his mind dragged back to that bitter war… the war that had set the descent of everything.

Ariana's shoulders slumped as well, remembering the only failure she still regrets to this day.

Adrian didn't wait for an answer. His voice cut sharper than a blade.

"It was because you allowed them to slip through. They escaped, regrouped, and closed their jaws around your forces. That will not happen again."

His gaze turned frigid, death itself hiding in his words. "This time, I will not let a single one of them escape."

The silence that followed was suffocating.

Albec swallowed hard before murmuring, "Then… I will assemble a special team to support you—"

"No." Adrian's refusal was immediate, absolute. "I will take my own people. The ones I trust. You need not burden yourself with that. Just give me what I've asked for."

Albec bit his lip until he tasted blood, but he did not refute. He couldn't. Not when the Tower was rotting from within, its loyalty fractured. He understood Adrian's distrust, even if it stung.

All he could do now was comply—and hope that entrusting this man was not the same as placing his people's fate in the hands of a wolf.

Not long after, a Tower member entered to announce that the Altar was ready.

The trio stepped onto the circle and faced Albec one last time.

With a faint nod, Adrian remarked, "I trust you've taken something from today's lesson."

Albec let out a short chuckle but offered no reply.

Light engulfed them, and in the next moment their vision warped—the teleport carried them away.

When the world steadied, they found themselves in a small town just outside the academy grounds. Adrian had deliberately requested the change in destination.

Ruby, with no urgent duties awaiting her, was easily swayed by Ariana's suggestion to stay the night. In truth, she didn't mind at all—she wanted more time near Adrian.

As they walked out of the teleportation center, Ariana broke the silence. "When did you even prepare that list?"

Adrian shrugged lightly. "A few minutes ago. Inside the Time Chamber."

Ruby tilted her head. "Then… did you already have intel on the cult's base?"

Adrian's expression sharpened. "Bella found their headquarters."

Both women froze, their eyes widening.

"What? Really?" Ariana's voice was laced with shock.

Adrian gave a firm nod. "The cult leader is the one who keeps the base hidden. Until now, Bella only had rough traces. But today… she pinpointed the exact location. That's where we'll strike."

Ruby let out a dry laugh, half in awe. "Hah… that's the strongest Warden for you."

Adrian hummed, "Well, now that we know where they are, we just need to prepare the required tools and gather a few people who would help us to end this chapter once and for all."

Ruby suggested, "If you want I can bring people from my side as well."

Adrian shook his head, "Please don't misunderstand, Ruby but I don't want a single person to know about it."

With his tone turning heavy, he said, "I am not taking any chances this time. They have already caused too much mayhem."

It was apparent from his expression that Adrian was going for the kill this time.

Ariana suddenly held his hand and said, "You are not alone in this."

Albeit hesitantly, Ruby also held his other hand and said, "We are in this together."

Adrian's expression softened at the gesture.

°°°°°°

A/N:- God…I can't find how to end this chapter. Had to switch between so many endings.