Dark Evolution Begins with Marrying an SSS-CLASS Blind Monster
Chapter 124: Dark Mark

Chapter 124: Dark Mark

This morning, bathed in the soft golden light filtering through the grand windows, Minhe traversed the labyrinthine hallways of the resplendent castle, her footsteps echoing against the marble floors. A sense of longing tugged at her heart as she fervently sought the presence of Nellas, her thoughts consumed by his image.

"I wonder where he is," she pondered, her mind a whirlwind of anticipation. "They mentioned he was headed this way, but alas, he remains elusive."

In her quest to find Nellas, Minhe found herself engaged in fleeting conversations with the diligent maids who diligently tended to the castle’s needs. On this occasion, she stumbled upon two maids who had earlier been engrossed in a fervent discussion, their voices filled with a curious mix of excitement and longing.

"Did you see?" one of the maids exclaimed, her voice tinged with an undeniable fervor. "That man was so hot!"

"Yes, simply irresistible!" the other maid gushed, her eyes shimmering with unfulfilled desires. "I yearn for another chance encounter," she added, her voice dripping with an alluring longing.

"Hey, stop it! You’re drooling!" the first maid scolded her companion, a hint of envy seeping into her words.

The two maidens blushed, their eyes averted in embarrassment.

Amidst their conversation, Minhe overheard their fervent musings and swiftly deduced the subject of their desires. "It seems they are speaking of Nellas," Minhe concluded, her mind piecing together the fragments of information. "I suppose I must ascertain their sentiments directly."

Summoning her courage, she called out to the startled maids, her voice resonating with warmth and sincerity. "Good day! It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance," she greeted them with a radiant smile.

The two maidens jolted in surprise, their widened eyes betraying their astonishment.

"Eh? Ah?! Good day! Indeed, good day to you as well," the second maid stammered, her words laced with a hint of awe.

"Forgive my intrusion, but might I trouble you with a query?" Minhe inquired, her countenance exuding a gentle and humble demeanor.

"W-What is it?" the second maid responded, her voice tinged with nervousness.

"Earlier, you were discussing someone, correct? A man?" Minhe inquired, her gaze fixed on them.

"Y-Yes," the first maid replied, her composure slightly flustered.

"Could you perhaps enlighten me about his whereabouts?"

"Eh? Umm, are you referring to the gentleman with silver hair?" the second maid queried.

"Yes, precisely!"

The two maids exchanged glances, their voices in perfect unison as they responded, "He is presently at the training hall situated at the rear of the castle."

"Thank you ever so much!" Minhe expressed her gratitude and swiftly departed from their presence.

As she ventured toward the back of the castle, an inexplicable throbbing sensation coursed through her palm, as though a force had struck it.

’Urrg!’ Her mind pondered the cause, grappling with the enigmatic pain. ’What was that?!’

Raising her hand with urgency, her eyes fell upon a startling sight. Etched upon her palm was a mysterious dark star bearing seven points, with a crescent moon nestled at its center.

’This...,’ Minhe thought, her gaze locked upon the perplexing mark, her heart quivering with unease.

A surge of recollection flooded her mind, transporting her back to the moment she first encountered this enigmatic symbol. It was a fateful occurrence, transpiring two years ago when she found herself ensnared by an unknown faction, shrouded in ominous black robes. The memory invoked a profound fear within her, causing her entire being to tremble. The haunting anguish and terror she endured on that ill-fated day resurfaced with vivid clarity.

But it was not solely the memory that plagued her. Strange voices began to echo within the depths of her mind, akin to fragmented sentences or an incantation from a forgotten realm.

"-#×’;$!#×#;|"!¶|~)@!°!"

"÷{™€¶℅=¶"

The moment those peculiar voices reached her ears, her vision blurred, her heart rate decelerated, and then...

.

.

.

.

.

The sun, now soaring high above the heavens, bestowed its gentle rays upon the sprawling forest, enveloping it in an ethereal cloak of warmth.

Princess Diana, lost in contemplation, allowed her gaze to wander through the dense undergrowth, her heart brimming with anticipation. "I wonder how much further we must venture," she mused, her poised figure exuding an air of relaxation and unwavering confidence.

’I can’t wait to see him.’

Her posture was comfortable and confident as she sat elegantly in the carriage and traveled the forest route.

In the midst of her reverie, a soft knock resonated at the carriage window, accompanied by the melodic voice of Yujin.

"Princess," he called out, his trusty steed contentedly grazing on a patch of verdant grass adorning the roadside. "The horses have grown tired, and the noonday sun is now upon us. Perhaps we should rest here briefly."

The princess turned her gaze towards the window, her eyes meeting Yujin’s visage. A moment of consideration passed before she nodded gracefully.

"Yes, indeed," she acquiesced, her tone betraying a touch of agreement. "A respite seems most prudent in light of the circumstances."

With agility and purpose, Yujin dismounted his trusty steed, expertly fastening the reins to a nearby tree.

His comrades followed suit, swiftly alighting from their horses and joining him in their designated tasks.

"Fetch wood and establish a camp," Yujin commanded, his voice infused with authority.

The guards sprang into action, diligently scouring the area for suitable timber, kindling a fire that soon crackled to life, and attending to the preparation of sustenance and beverages.

Meanwhile, ensconced within the confines of the carriage, Princess Diana observed the unfolding scene.

Her discerning gaze honed in on Yujin’s unwavering competence, inciting within her a niggling sense that there existed more to this man than met the eye.

’He possesses a remarkable level of training,’ she deduced, her musings laced with curiosity. ’It appears as if he has been through quite a lot.’

A wistful smile tugged at the corners of her lips. ’Well, it is understandable. As the apprentice of the kingdom’s most formidable figure, it is only natural that one would acquire a vast repertoire of skills,’ she mused, her thoughts drifting into realms of speculation.

Before long, Yujin approached the carriage, his gait purposeful and his bearing respectful.

With a slight inclination of his head, he opened the door, his right hand extended while the other remained poised at his back—a gesture denoting his intention to assist Princess Diana in disembarking.

"Princess, please allow me to help you," he said with utmost refinement, extending his right hand in a gentlemanly gesture.

"Very well," Princess Diana responded, her movements exuding grace as she gracefully accepted Yujin’s offered assistance.

The moment their hands touched, a startling jolt coursed through Yujin’s being, catching him off guard.

His attention was drawn to their connected hands, where a slender wisp of smoke delicately rose into the air.

’This... could it be?’ Yujin’s eyes widened with realization, a faint glimmer of recognition flickering within him. ’It can’t be! I must confirm this revelation with the aid of my Golden Eyes.’

Without a moment’s hesitation, Yujin summoned his magical powers, his coal-black eyes transforming into a mesmerizing shade of gold, emanating a gentle luminescence.

As Yujin’s eyes underwent this ethereal transformation, a mysterious mark, resembling a seven-pointed star with a crescent moon at its center, same as the one which appeared on Minhe’s hand, materialized on the back of Princess Diana’s hand.

The sight of this mark caused Yujin’s entire body to stiffen, as if an electric current had surged up his spine, reverberating through every inch of his being.

"This... The Dark Society?!" he stammered, his gaze transfixed upon the enigmatic mark adorning the back of Princess Diana’s hand.

"Hey, you can let go now," Princess Diana interjected, a perplexed furrow marring her brow. "How much longer do you intend to stare at my hand?"

"Huh?" Yujin uttered, abruptly shaken from his reverie. He realized that she had already disembarked from the carriage, patiently awaiting his release.

Without delay, he relinquished his hold on her hand, his words stumbling out in a hurried apology as he regained his composure.

"I beg your forgiveness, Princess," he offered, his head bowed in a gesture of contrition. "For a fleeting moment, my thoughts wandered astray."

Princess Diana’s gaze sharpened, her scrutinizing eyes studying Yujin’s demeanor. "That may be so, but I fail to comprehend why you would fixate upon my hand so intently. Surely, it wasn’t a mere admiration of its aesthetic appeal?"

"Yes, um... I apologize," he replied, averting his gaze in mild embarrassment. "I was captivated by your resplendent beauty, which stirred within me a desire to express my profound admiration."

A flicker of suspicion danced within Princess Diana’s eyes as she observed Yujin’s words and conduct. "Hmm, very well. I accept your apology."

As she proceeded to stride forward, Yujin’s thoughts gravitated toward the mysterious mark etched upon her hand.

’How can it be that the mark of the Dark Society graces her delicate hand? Wasn’t the organization obliterated completely two years prior?!’ He pondered, his countenance etched with bewilderment. ’It defies all logic. Could survivors have emerged from the annihilation?’

Shaking his head dismissively, Yujin brushed aside the lingering thoughts that plagued his mind.

’Whatever the truth may be, I must take action before the mark’s influence manifests upon the princess,’ his musings shifted, focusing on Princess Diana. ’I shall carefully observe her behavior and seek out further clues,’ he resolved, his determination fortified.