Hunter of the Evernight
Chapter 258: Coincidence or not?

Chapter 258: Coincidence or not?

The development of housing in Evernight had experienced a large boom with the usage of Victoria’s and in extension, Anastasia’s wealth to purchase materials needed for living.

There have been 7 housing units built so far, allowing for convenience between the Constellation members.

Currently, Alex was in his residence, standing over a table with a map placed over it.

If one looked closely, it would quickly grow apparent that the map was a representation of Thebes.

Of course, only the outer and middle sections were marked with the inner section left unmarked.

The sight of ink stains moving through the map, from one place to another, represented those that had been marked by Alex and Douglas during the last two weeks since their arrival in the city.

"I told you it was hopeless," Arthur said casually as he leaned back in his chair.

Alex glanced at him before looking back down at the map and pointing at a certain location. "The BeastMen we saw are still in town so we can only assume the culling isn’t over."

"Hah, but who knows how long it would take?... Are you willing to wait for so long?"

"...." Alex remained silent as he fell into his thoughts.

He’d brought Arthur along due to his familiarity with the situation in Thebes.

Of course, the latter only agreed to come along on the condition that he wouldn’t have to step into the soil of his motherland.

He seemed quite adamant about remaining an exile.

But then, unlike the members of Constellations marked by Alex, Arthur wasn’t recognized as a denizen of Evernight and so, had to settle for spending a few hours helping Alex navigate the city before returning to Livermore.

With the situation on hand, according to Arthur’s account, the culling was almost over.

Normally, a group of 500 Beast Wheel youths would be sent over from Aragon to compete in the culling but with only 13 left, it was clear that the culling was already over.

Perhaps it was their bad luck that on the day they arrived, the last of the gold dust humans ( named thusly by Arthur ) was culled.

Taking a deep breath, Alex inquired. "What are the chances that the person your kin are looking for hasn’t revived yet."

"I doubt it," Arthur replied. "We don’t understand the mechanics behind the revival so I can’t be sure but the manifestation normally happens in groups and at a specific period, but then again....there has been one that has always given my people problems based on our records."

"The one you said looks a lot like the princess of Thebes that reigned before the disappearance?"

"Indeed. She is a unique one amongst the gold dust. I won’t put it past her to revive at a time different from normal."

"Hah, if this continues, we might have to figure out..."

Bam

Alex frowned at Victoria’s sudden barging into his place.

"Master, we have news!"

"It better be worth what you just did."

"Ah." Realizing her oversight, Victoria quickly knelt with her head bowed. "Forgive my enthusiasm master, please punish me."

Arthur glanced at Victoria, then back to Alex. "I didn’t know you were that type of man."

"..." Alex’s eyebrows twitched slightly.

Victoria looked up at Alex, a rather innocent expression on her face.

"... What was the news?" Alex muttered through gritted teeth.

A seductive smile quickly adorning her lips, Victoria replied. "It is Douglas, he claims to have made contact with the one we’ve been searching for."

"Huh?"

"But he said that it was strange. He’d already planned to move to the inner city today as was planned and only went to a tavern to get something to eat when the girl suddenly appeared and what’s more, she seems to also be headed toward the inner city."

"This..."

"He has made contact but he worries that it is too convenient."

"And I wholeheartedly agree. Such convenience is too uncanny, almost bordering on an impossibility. How is it that she appeared just as we were planning this?"

"Do I tell him to withdraw?"

Alex glanced at Arthur, seemingly seeking guidance on the matter but the latter put up his hands nonchalantly as he replied.

"Don’t look at me, I told you, that girl is terribly unusual."

Taking a deep breath, Alex nodded thoughtfully. "Tell him to keep her safe and for the time being, try to figure out if she has any intentions."

"You’d best move fast. If she has revived, I won’t put it past my people to have already seen her. You’d have a tough fight on your hands."

Alex shook his head. "That’s fine. We need to be sure before pulling her into Evernight. We can’t risk taking in such an anomaly."

"Fair point," Arthur remarked as he got to his feet. "Then I believe it’s time I take my leave."

"You won’t be staying?"

"You tend to forget that your domain doesn’t exactly like my presence."

"... You can..."

"Join you?... No, I’d rather not. I’m in retirement, how can you think about pulling such an old man out of retirement..." Arthur joked.

Letting out a sigh, Alex managed a smile. "Then, be careful and..."

"I know, I know, watch after Emily. If one were to hear you, they’d think you were her real brother."

With that, Arthur turned and left the building.

Alex glanced at Victoria. "Ensure he gets home safe."

"Yes, master."

"And return immediately, we might have to provide support for Douglas later."

"As you wish."

Victoria promptly got to her feet and left the house, leaving Alex to himself.

He walked over and closed the door before moving back to the table to peruse the map, his gaze quickly locking in on a portion of the map that bordered the gates of the inner section.

Placing his finger over it, he couldn’t help but wonder. "Am I overthinking it?"

***

Despite meeting him for the first time, Elena felt strangely calm around Douglas.

The annoying murmurs reduced and the disorientation was completely gone.

As they engaged in light conversation, the tour guide returned with a BeastMan, his build towering over the former, giving him a rather imposing air.

He walked over with a list, his gaze quickly passing over everyone before returning it to the list he held.

Then he muttered. "I see a 100 names here yet... there are 101 guests?"