Return of the Legendary Runesmith

"For real?" For a whole minute, Ariana couldn't find her voice. When she finally spoke, it was only to confirm she had heard Annabelle right.

The raven-haired girl tilted her head, confused at the reaction. "Yeah… but what's the fuss about?"

Ariana nearly gawked. "More than fifty people are following you, taking orders from you—and you ask what's the big deal?"

Not even most Towers commanded so many Wardens at once. And if they did, those Wardens demanded a fortune in return. Yet here was Annabelle, making people work simply out of devotion to her.

Adrian removed his glasses, his gaze sharp. "Who was that first person you saved? When did it happen?"

Annabelle paused, as though rewinding her memory. "Two years ago, I think. I saved her from a group of bandits who had captured her—and a lot of other women. They were going to sell them off to another country. Those smugglers had even hired high-ranking Acolytes. It turns out they had set a trap for that woman specifically, and ever since then she's been following me around like a lost kitten."

Ariana's brows drew together. Something about this tugged at her memory. And then—she froze. "Wait. Are you talking about the Black Dove incident? The gang smuggling women and weapons to foreign countries?"

She remembered it well. At that time, even though she had shifted her focus to being a Headmistress, she was still active as a Warden. That organization was notorious—kidnapping women from small towns, vanishing without leaving traces. Even when a few members were caught, they ended their own lives before revealing anything.

Annabelle gave a wry smile. "I don't remember the gang's name, but yeah… it must be that."

Adrian leaned back in his chair, a thought striking him. "Wasn't it the same year…the second-ranked Warden disappeared, and Sarah replaced her?"

The memory clicked for him too. The papers back then had been filled with that scandal. But Annabelle's name had never surfaced—probably because she worked in silence.

Suddenly Ariana slammed her hand against the table, eyes wide. "You mean to say… Janet is still alive?!" She turned sharply toward Annabelle. "Is that true?"

The blue-eyed girl sighed, exasperated. "I don't know her name. But yes, she's a nuisance. I usually just ignore her."

Ariana grumbled at the casual dismissal.

This time, Adrian pressed, his tone calm but intent. "Can you describe her appearance?"

Annabelle hummed, her irritation softening now that her Darling was the one asking. "Short silver hair. Blood-red eyes."

The description hung in the air like a knife.

"It has to be her," Ariana muttered, her heartbeat pounding in her ears.

She had worked with Janet a few times, and the memories flooded back with sharp clarity. To Ariana, Janet wasn't just a colleague—she had been a mentor. A steady hand who helped her overcome the butterflies of her early days, guiding her on which missions to take and how to survive the life of a Warden.

For years, Janet had been hailed as the strongest in the world. Her presence alone was enough to make even the most arrogant opponents hesitate. But after Annabelle's rise, Janet had been pushed down from her rank.

Yet she had never shown bitterness. Instead, she continued her work in silence, carrying the same resolve she always had.

When the news of her death spread, the entire world mourned. Janet had been more than a Warden—she was a spark in countless lives, a ray of hope who made people believe that no matter how deep the darkness grew, she would always be there, standing on the frontlines.

Naturally, the weight of it struck Ariana as well. The news of Janet's death had once left her depressed, guilt gnawing at her for not reaching out, for not being there when perhaps she could have made a difference.

Adrian, knowing how deeply Ariana valued Janet, leaned forward and asked, "Can we meet her, Annabelle?"

The raven-haired girl wasn't blind to the atmosphere. She could easily tell that Janet wasn't just a name to Ariana but someone precious.

So, with a light shrug, she replied, "If I remember correctly, she mentioned she's gathering with the others at the base tomorrow. She invited me as well."

Adrian arched a brow. "And… you weren't planning to go?"

Annabelle sheepishly scratched her cheek. "Ahaha… I never really paid attention to them until now, Darling."

That didn't surprise him in the slightest. This was just how she was.

Reaching out, Adrian clasped Ariana's hand. "Isn't this good news? She's alive."

Ariana's lips curved into a faint, soft smile. "Yeah…" Her gaze shifted to Annabelle, a mix of relief and gratitude shining in her eyes. "You lifted a very old burden from me, Bella."

She leaned forward and embraced the girl tightly.

Annabelle froze for a second, then helplessly glanced at her Darling. He was smiling warmly, eyes speaking what his lips didn't— I'm proud of you.

Her heart fluttered, her face blossoming into a smile of her own.

Her Darling was happy… and so, she was happy too.

….

Around midnight, Ariana, Annabelle, and Adrian slipped out of the campus.

Naturally, neither of the women was willing to let him go alone to meet with a Tower representative.

Even if Albec had shown no hostility the last time, trust wasn't something they were ready to extend twice.

The town lay in utter silence, the streets pale under the cold glow of moonlight. Winter was closing in, and at this hour, not a single visitor wandered—only shuttered windows and frost-kissed stone kept them company.

As they entered the narrow lane, Annabelle's presence suddenly melted away. She had disappeared into the shadows, trailing them unseen.

It had been her own idea to remain hidden, watching from a distance.

Adrian agreed—if this meeting turned out to be a trap, then their enemies wouldn't be expecting the strongest Warden to emerge from the dark.

They reached the store where Adrian was supposed to pick his 'package'.

Adrian looked around but couldn't find anyone, urging her to ask, "Did we guess it wrong?"

"No, you didn't." Rather than Adrian, someone else responded, walking out of the shadows with a faint smile on his lips.

He wore the familiar uniform of the Tower but the person was unfamiliar.

"Nice to finally meet you, Sir Adrian. Myself, Dallen. And I am the package you were expecting here."

He looked up and said, "I am here to relay you some information which the other Tower Members don't want you to know."

Adrian narrowed his eyes, "So you came here secretly?"

Aron nodded.

Adrian heaved a sigh, "Okay then, tell me."

Aron grinned before relaying the information, "A few Towers are planning to have a controlled terror attack to regain the trust of general masses…and for that, they have agreed to co-operate with Skulth."

"...!!"

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A/N:- Thanks for reading.