Hunter of the Evernight
Chapter 276: A Peaceful Night

Chapter 276: A Peaceful Night

"Master," Victoria called out lightly as she appeared in the observatory alongside Alex and Ana.

Alex casually replied. "Yes, Victoria."

"I have a question."

"Go on..."

"Why did you do it?... Swearing an oath based on your Avatar is no small thing, your words have been embedded into the Will of the World, and going back on it would result in dire consequences."

"I agree. There should have been other ways to convince the Rey." Ana commented.

Alex chuckled. "Should I have not done it?"

"I do not question your judgment, Master. I am merely curious." Victoria muttered while Ana remained silent.

"It’s fine. I understand. In a way, I put myself at a disadvantage but that’s only because I know the people I’m dealing with." Alex intoned calmly as the trio walked out of the hall and into the pathway leading outside.

"How so?"

"The BeastMen aren’t capable of seeing anything apart from their honor and their terrible dislike for deception. In any case, I need them to completely trust me for what I’ve got planned. So this in a way, was necessary."

"But still, even if the BeastMen are honorable, not all are like that. Arthur is a good example." Ana pointedly said.

"That is correct but I want to believe that my gamble is spot on. Even if it’s not, all I said was that I won’t hurt the BeastMen. I never said I would accept his orders or that you guys can’t attack them."

Victoria paused before slowly replying. "That... is correct."

"Indeed it is. Alejandro would surely figure out the loopholes in my oath but considering we are in agreement, he can’t exactly go back on his word, which means he’s stuck with me until this is all over."

"But still, facing off against the Abyss..." Ana trailed off, her expression somewhat complicated.

Alex could understand her feelings considering it hadn’t been long since he helped her escape the corruption that had plagued her for so long.

Taking a moment to consider, he suggested. "How about you stay out of this, Ana?... There are several other missions we’d be carrying out after this that won’t involve the abyss so it would be fine."

"No." Ana immediately replied with a firm shake of her head. "I know what you are trying to do but it’s fine. I’m fine."

"Are you sure?" Alex inquired as he glanced at her.

"... Yes." Ana muttered after a brief hesitation before continuing. "If I don’t face it now, does that mean I’d always be running away from the Abyss?... So no, I’ll face this and defeat it, just like every other thing I’ve faced before now."

"... Alright then." Alex said, acknowledging Ana’s determination.

He wasn’t one to disparage her and even actively encouraged it as he didn’t want it to be that during certain missions, members of his group would end up useless.

Nodding in satisfaction, he remarked. "Since all is settled, you guys retire to your quarters and prepare for tomorrow, from all indications, it might end up being quite a busy day."

"Understood." Both ladies echoed in unison just as they exited the pathway to stand underneath the night sky, the moon and stars overhead bathing them in a cold but serene light

Ana and Victoria promptly took their leave, giving Alex some much needed space.

He’d been quite busy ever since he’d, no, Nyx had gotten hold of the Mantle of Darkness.

Hardly had he gotten the time to relax and now, it seemed starting tomorrow, he would be choked with even more work.

It was exhausting but it was for good reason and so though Alex felt the urge to rest, he couldn’t afford to do so.

Closing his eyes to reminisce on the images of his loved ones, he let out a sigh.

"It’s been a while, hasn’t it, Bella?" He muttered softly as he reached out into space while imagining his wife standing before him.

...And beside her, his ever mischievous daughter, Mary-Jane.

When he opened his eyes, he decided on where he would be spending his night.

Without hesitation, he returned to his private quarters and promptly dove into his memories to enjoy the warmth of those he badly missed.

It was a long night, it was a peaceful night.

***

The Lightbringer opened its doors to a new day however, the Wandering Forest was still shrouded in a thin fog that caused the surroundings to be darker than usual.

As ever, the pervasive aura of the Abyss lingered, causing each BeastMan to take a few seconds adjusting their mental state to avoid falling prey to the corruption of the mind.

Alejandro stepped out of his tent, donning iron armor covered in symbols with a large axe hanging across his back.

He wielded a hammer which was equally large and his face was covered in ash, a tradition the BeastMen performed when heading out to battle.

Seeing their leader, the BeastMen immediately gathered in formation, standing at attention as they awaited his orders.

They, too, had their faces covered in ash.

"My people!... We are about to go into battle today. The Wandering Forest is the heart of our economy, we cannot let it fall into the hands of the enemy, especially one like the Abyss. Our families at home are waiting so let us march on, let us go forward and without fail, we shall cut down all adversaries and retake what is ours. Are you with me!?"

"Awoo, awoo, awoo!" The BeastMen echoed at the top of their lungs, their voice spreading across the eerily silent forest area.

With the words of their Rey, they grew even more agile, their eyes glowing with excitement as they prepared to march into battle.

Just then, a black and white light flashed with Alex, Victoria and Ana appearing.

Both Victoria and Ana wore full body leather suits, the former black and the latter red.

Meanwhile, Alex wore a brown shirt with leather pants and shoes to match.

Though dressed simple, it did nothing to lessen the charm he radiated.

Perhaps, due to his pretty boy appearance, the BeastMen couldn’t help but make jest of him.

Compared to them that had bulkier physiques filled with muscle, Alex looked like a twig that would faint with a simple slap to the face.

Ignoring their jokes, Alex walked up to Alejandro in the company of Ana and Victoria.

"You came." Alejandro remarked, half surprised that Alex lived up to his words.

Alex mustered a grin as he joked. "You doubted me?... I feel hurt."

Snorting in response, Alejandro turned away to face the portion of the forest they were about to advance into.

Though he wouldn’t say it, for the love of protecting his pride, he appreciated the fact that Alex had come.

He didn’t know why but ever since he’d arrived in the Wandering Forest to take care of the corruption destroying it, a nagging feeling had caused him to feel like the situation wasn’t as simple as it appeared to be, that there was more and that more could very much lead to Aragon’s destruction if care wasn’t taken.

Clenching his fist tight, he hoped the feeling was wrong for if it wasn’t, then he needed all the help he could get.