Return of the Legendary Runesmith

"How's it going?" Ariana asked, settling across from Jean in the resting area.

Juice and snacks had been served, but Ariana didn't touch them—it was already late.

Jean hummed. "Better than how I used to do things."

"And how so?" Ariana pressed.

The older woman leaned back. "Now, I can do what society actually expects from a Warden."

She sighed, her gaze dropping to her hands. "Back then, I was rarely forced to do things I didn't want to. I had to protect the people deemed important while watching ordinary folks get sacrificed. That pained me—it made me question my purpose."

"I always told people the reason I lifted a weapon was to serve them. But as a Warden… was I really?"

Ariana chuckled softly. "Well, we did serve the citizens. But when it came to the elite… we were made to take the hard choices."

Jean's brows rose. "So that's why you left?"

When Jean had been in service, Ariana had already started her work at the Academy, though she remained active in Warden affairs. Now, from what Jean had heard, Ariana was a full-fledged Headmistress who no longer took any side jobs.

"My passion died during… the ambush a few years back."

"Ah…" Jean remembered. That was the same year she vanished from the records. The Tower had attacked the Demonic Cult but was utterly defeated. Ariana had been among the defenders. That battle was also why Sarah had replaced Jean.

"So much changed during that war," Ariana continued, "including my mindset. I witnessed hundreds of soldiers sacrifice their lives before me—people who didn't deserve to be involved, yet the Tower recruited them because it was an emergency. Even children, barely fifteen, lost their lives during the operation."

She lowered her head, her voice quiet but steady. "That's when I realized the difference between us and them. Some say I stepped back because I was scared, but that wasn't it. I followed my teacher's path—to prepare future generations so that when they stand on the battlefield, they can make a difference."

Jean blinked, surprised by Ariana's words. She'd really changed in just two years.

After a short pause, Ariana asked, "What's your kill count since you joined Umbral?"

Jean chuckled. She'd always kept track of those things—writing down each one. With a small grin, she answered, "Four hundred seventy‑eight."

Ariana whistled. "Damn, that's dangerously high."

Jean shrugged. "I ran into a small gang making explosives. They'd been looting and burning towns. I beheaded fifty of them myself."

Ariana's eyes widened. "They attacked the capital a few weeks ago too. So you handled the rest."

"When you're not given orders," Jean said, "the whole world becomes a playground. You go out, find the plague, and eliminate it."

With a mischievous grin, Jean leaned closer to Ariana. "Wanna join? We could work together again."

Ariana only smiled, then shook her head. "My world is different now." She raised her hand, showing the ring on her finger. "…my goal has changed, Janet."

Jean blinked. "You're… engaged?"

Ariana nodded.

"To whom?" Jean tilted her head, curiosity sparking.

Ariana chuckled. "You didn't notice? It's Adrian."

"…!" Jean's eyes widened. "But—the Queen? She loves him, doesn't she?"

"Yup," Ariana admitted with a small nod. "But it happened recently. Our relationship goes way back, and once we confirmed our feelings, we got engaged."

Jean sat back, startled. She hadn't imagined that the man her Queen had chosen could already belong to someone else. In her eyes, any man Annabelle desired would naturally become hers. Any man she pointed to would surrender without hesitation.

But the man Annabelle wanted… was already taken.

"That's quite surprising," Jean muttered, folding her arms across her chest. "Well, I'm happy for you. Honestly, with the way you were back then, I feared you might stay single forever."

She hadn't forgotten Ariana's wariness toward love and relationships. Back then, a fellow Warden had pursued her relentlessly, showering her with gifts and shameless invitations.

One day, Ariana finally had enough. She challenged him outright, and after the duel, he never dared approach her again.

That was Ariana: whenever forced into a corner, she settled things with her fists.

Just then, the door slid open and Annabelle stepped inside.

Jean immediately rose to her feet, her full attention drawn to the raven-haired woman.

Annabelle's gaze shifted to Ariana. "Darling is staying here tonight," she said, her tone laced with complaints.

Ariana arched a brow. "Oh? And why is that?"

"He's busy with Eros!" Annabelle huffed, crossing her arms. Frustration curled in her voice as she added, "Isn't it wonderful? He finally found someone who thinks and talks on the same wavelength as him. Not like me… I'm just a plain idiot."

Ellie flinched at those words, quickly shaking her head. "No, boss! You're very smart!" She pumped her fists as if to drive the point home.

Annabelle patted Ellie's head, her lips softening into a small smile.

Ariana let out a weary sigh. "That man really frustrates me sometimes. Today was supposed to be a fun day. He should've been resting—not working again."

Jean leaned forward slightly. "Do you want me to tell Eros to delay the project? I can come up with an excuse."

"Yes!" Annabelle's face lit up, but almost as quickly Ariana interjected. "No… let him be."

Ariana's eyes narrowed, her silver gaze fixing on her.

Annabelle shifted uneasily under the stare. "But why?" she protested.

"What's the one thing that always brings a smile to his face?" Ariana pressed.

"Coffee?" Annabelle answered innocently, then winced at the look Ariana shot her. "…Smithing."

Ariana gave a firm nod. "Exactly. What better way for him to spend the day than doing what he loves? Let him enjoy it."

Annabelle puffed her cheeks, grumbling as Annie quietly pulled out a chair for her. Dropping into it, she muttered, "Then what are we supposed to do?"

Jean suggested, "Umm, if you would like, there is a uniform we have prepared for you as well, Lady Supreme."

Annabelle hummed, "What's that? Show me."

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A/N:- Thanks for reading