Chương 289: Distant Gala

Vale and Drago descended the endless spiraling stairway of the Royal Library in silence, their footsteps echoing softly against rough stone while dawn's light filtered through the towering windows above. Vale walked a step behind the old man, occasionally glancing down at him with an odd, thoughtful expression. He still had not fully processed the fact that Drago had decided to accompany him personally. Originally, Vale had only intended to inform the old librarian of the prison break. Nothing more.

He certainly had not planned to visit Illu again today, much less drag Drago into the matter directly. In truth, he had hoped to spend the morning preparing quietly, gathering information, refining routes, perhaps even speaking with Shade before making any larger decisions. Instead, everything had shifted the moment Drago chose to involve himself. Not that Vale particularly minded. It was simply… unexpected.

The old man continued descending the stairs with his usual composed posture, hands folded neatly behind his back, his expression unreadable as always. Then, without warning, he spoke.

"So," Drago said casually, eyes remaining forward, "how is that girl you like doing?" Vale blinked. For a moment he looked genuinely confused before realization struck him.

"You mean Nym?" Drago merely hummed in response. Vale rolled his eyes lightly.

"I haven't spoken to her in months," he answered with complete indifference. Drago glanced back briefly, his narrow gaze studying Vale for only a second before he turned forward again.

"I see," he murmured slowly. A faint smirk tugged at the corner of his lips.

"You know," he added, "you could have simply admitted you're terrible with women, boy." Vale stared at him in disbelief. Then he scoffed.

"That's rich coming from you," he replied.

"You don't exactly seem much better." Drago chuckled under his breath, waving a dismissive hand as if brushing the comment aside entirely.

"Say what you will," he said calmly, "but I have a wife and a daughter." His eyes narrowed with unmistakable amusement.

"What do you have?" he continued.

"A girl who barely knows of your existence. Very romantic." Vale opened his mouth immediately, fully prepared to retaliate, only to realize he had absolutely nothing. His face twisted into visible frustration.

"…Damn," he admitted after several painful seconds of silence.

"That was actually a good one." Drago's smirk widened ever so slightly.

"If you're struggling that much," the old man continued mercilessly, "you could always mention how I can no longer see either my wife or my daughter." Vale immediately waved a hand.

"How could I take a shot that low?" he replied with mock offense.

"I still have standards." Drago rolled his eyes.

"So you are a decent child after all." Vale laughed quietly.

"Have I not proven that already?" Drago did not answer immediately. Instead, a faint, almost imperceptible smile crossed his face as the two finally stepped off the final staircase and exited the library proper. The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident. Outside, the city of Irea had begun fully awakening beneath the rising sun.

The bridge connecting the Royal Library to the mainland stretched before them above the ocean waters, and together the two walked across it at an unhurried pace while the cold sea breeze drifted around them. By the time they reached the opposite side, however, Drago stopped abruptly. Vale glanced sideways at him. The old man looked thoughtful for a moment before speaking.

"Would it not be wise to bring Shade as well?" he asked.

"I assume he'll participate in the jailbreak." Vale froze. Then his eyes widened. A second later he slammed his fist into his palm.

"Damn," he muttered.

"That's actually a great idea." He frowned immediately afterward.

"I can't believe I didn't think of that sooner." Drago looked deeply unimpressed.

"Yes," he replied dryly, "your strategic brilliance continues to astound me." Vale ignored the comment entirely.

"Come on," he said while changing direction suddenly.

"We're taking a detour." The two diverted from the main streets and began making their way deeper into the slums of Irea. The atmosphere shifted almost immediately. Unlike the orderly upper districts, the slums carried a rough, restless energy. Narrow roads twisted between uneven buildings while merchants shouted over one another from crowded stalls. Yet despite the chaos, something about the district had changed compared to months ago. It felt… safer. Vale noticed it immediately.

Patrols moved through the streets regularly now. Several draconic beasts prowled the area alongside armored soldiers, their sharp eyes watching over the crowds carefully. patrols. The presence alone would once have terrified the people living here. Now, however, most simply ignored them. Vale continued walking quietly, observing the changes around him while Drago followed beside him in silence. Then suddenly,"Halt." The voice was sharp enough to stop both of them immediately. Vale opened his eyes and looked ahead.

Standing directly in their path was a woman dressed in a pristine white military uniform, her face hidden behind a demonic mask carved from pale ivory. Long black hair flowed behind her while an oppressive aura surrounded her naturally without effort. The Vice Commander of the Royal Guard. Vale recognized her. She stood perfectly still, her hidden gaze fixed upon the two of them while the surrounding guards subtly withdrew, clearly unwilling to interfere in whatever this encounter was about to become.

For several long seconds, nobody spoke. Then the Vice Commander finally inclined her head slightly toward Drago.

"I had not expected to find you here, Sir Drago." Drago sighed heavily, already irritated.

"I'm aware of the gala," he replied immediately.

"And yes, I know my attendance is required." The Vice Commander visibly paused.

"How do you already know that?" she asked slowly.

"The information only arrived this morning." Drago waved a dismissive hand.

"I know everything involving me," he answered flatly.

"Your task is complete. You may leave." An awkward silence followed. Even Vale could feel the irritation radiating between them. Eventually, the Vice Commander sighed beneath her mask.

"Very well." Then her attention shifted toward Vale.

"Your name is Vale, correct?" Vale blinked before nodding cautiously.

"Yeah," he answered.

"That's right." The masked woman stared at him for several seconds longer than necessary. Then, strangely, her tone softened.

"There is a café beside the colosseum," she said.

"Their drinks are excellent. I recommend visiting today." Vale tilted his head slightly.

"Uh… sure," he replied casually.

"Tomorrow probably. I'm busy today." He attempted to walk past her. The instant he did, her hand shot out and grabbed his shoulder tightly. Vale immediately stiffened. The strength behind her grip was monstrous.

"It was not a request," she said quietly. Vale recoiled slightly in surprise, finally understanding just how absurdly powerful the woman truly was.

"Alright," he answered quickly.

"I'll go in a few hours." The Vice Commander stared at him silently for another moment before finally releasing him.

"Very well." Then she whistled sharply. A deafening gust of wind exploded across the street as a massive crimson wyvern descended from the sky and landed nearby with enough force to shake the surrounding buildings. Its wings spread wide while heat radiated from its body in violent waves, nearly knocking Vale off balance entirely. Drago, meanwhile, remained perfectly unaffected. The Vice Commander mounted the creature effortlessly despite its enormous size.

Clearly, it had grown substantially since Vale had last seen it. Before leaving, she glanced toward him one final time. Then she tapped the wyvern lightly. The beast launched itself skyward immediately, disappearing into the clouds within seconds. Vale stared upward for a moment before finally exhaling deeply.

"…That felt more like a threat than a invitation." Drago resumed walking.

"Certainly," he replied with obvious sarcasm. Vale frowned suspiciously. The two continued deeper into the slums until eventually the crowded streets opened into a quieter district centered around a massive stone statue of one of Irea's former emperors. Before the monument stood a spear unlike any ordinary weapon. It resembled bone more than metal, its surface wrapped in shifting darkness that seemed to breathe faintly with every passing second.

Offerings surrounded it from every direction, flowers, candles, coins, handwritten notes, even small pieces of food left behind by the people of the slums. A shrine. Not to the emperor. To Shade. As Vale and Drago approached, nearby civilians began noticing them. Murmurs spread quietly through the streets while cautious eyes followed their movements from afar. Vale ignored them entirely. Instead, he stared toward the spear with visible relief softening his features. Then he stepped forward.

Several meters away from the weapon, he finally stopped. A gentle smile formed on his face as he slowly raised one hand toward the darkness surrounding the spear. The air itself seemed to grow colder. Shadows trembled. Then Vale spoke calmly, almost as though invoking something powerfull.

"Manifest," he said softly. His eyes narrowed slightly.

"Shade."