“Holy shit, what’s going on?”

Muen had just pulled his senior sister’s small hand and stepped out of that darkness shrouded by the Moon of Silence’s fog, when the sight before his eyes startled him.

Everywhere he looked—people.

From the alleys to the rooftops, from the shadows where sunlight could not reach to the windows of buildings, men and women in trench coats, the Silent Ones, had long since surrounded this vast space in a solid ring. They carried an elite ❀ Nоvеlігht ❀ (Don’t copy, read here) aura, brisk and efficient, silently watching Muen and Anna as they emerged.

Yet this moment felt off to Muen.

It was like the way zoo visitors stared at a panda in his past life. He could even catch, in some of their eyes, gossip and excitement that didn’t fit their pale, stoic faces at all.

So I’m the panda here, huh?

The hell, are these Silent Ones this bored?

Believe it or not, I could report every last one of you bastards for drawing a salary while doing nothing!

Muen muttered a silent complaint, then snapped back to reality. He immediately yanked his senior sister behind him, his gaze locking sharply on the crowd as he said seriously:

“What are you trying to do? Look carefully—my senior sister is no longer a Snake-Man, and I even have proof that she wasn’t the one who killed that count’s son. You have no right to keep hounding her!”

The Silent Ones glanced at each other, falling into their habitual silence. At last Jinze stepped forward and said:

“We don’t mean to target anyone. We’re only here in case of contingencies.”

“Well, that contingency no longer exists. You can leave.”

“But someone wishes to see her.”

“Someone? Who?”

“You’ll know once you go over.”

The crowd opened a path, revealing a black carriage waiting silently at the end of the road’s shadow.

Muen swept his eyes over the carriage. Like most noble carriages used for shady dealings, it was pitch black, without any crest, even the horses specially trained—so unnaturally quiet they barely seemed alive.

This only made Muen more cautious. For someone who could command the deference of this familiar Silent One high-ranker, the person inside must be a heavyweight in the Silent Bureau.

And for such a figure to want to see his senior sister, who had been so closely tied to the Silent Moon—even if that moon was already dead—Muen couldn’t imagine anything good coming of it.

“No way! Senior sister has nothing to do with Evil Gods anymore. She’s no longer someone your Silent Bureau has the right to—”

“Enough, junior.”

Just as Muen was about to refuse, Anna gently tugged his arm from behind.

Looking at the broad back before her, shielding her as though it could block out any storm, Anna’s eyes immediately filled with tenderness and love.

Still, she interrupted Muen’s words, speaking softly:

“Let me meet him.”

“Is that... really okay?”

Muen turned back, frowning uneasily.

“The Silent Bureau did that kind of thing to you before, and... given how much power they wield, even the Ducal Estate can’t easily interfere.”

Muen knew well that all the tough words he’d just thrown out were just bluffs.

Although his senior sister’s Snakeification disease was cured, the very fact that she had once been the Silent Moon’s perfect vessel for descent gave the Bureau every right to interrogate and investigate her again.

After all, when Evil Gods were involved, no level of caution was too much.

“Don’t worry.”

Anna brushed aside the fringe at her forehead, her gaze sweeping across the black carriage, a charming smile playing on her lips.

“I think I know who’s looking for me.”

“Who?”

“I’m not certain yet, but you’ll find out eventually.”

“But—”

“No buts. I’m not a child. I don’t need you to shield me from everything, junior.”

Seeing that Muen still looked uneasy, Anna rose lightly on her toes, leaning close to his ear. Her fragrant breath brushed against him as she whispered:

“Besides... it may still take me a long time to fully adjust, but the me right now is far stronger than you imagine, junior. From now on, I can protect you too.”

“Stronger?”

The sweet scent brushed against him, tickling his senses, tugging at his heartstrings. But Muen still kept his face stern.

“How strong?”

“Well...”

Anna batted her eyes coquettishly and pecked his cheek. “Didn’t you just feel it a moment ago?”

Damn!

This little minx!

Muen gnashed his teeth, nearly dragging her down right then and there to properly punish this seductive temptress.

“That was because I was injured and not in good condition. Otherwise how could—”

“Alright, alright, I know junior is strong too.”

Anna flicked his forehead with her finger, smiling.

“Relax. I’ll be fine.”

“Really?”

“Really.”

“Then be careful. If anything happens, you must call me. Don’t shoulder it alone like before.”

Muen locked eyes with Anna, his tone earnest.

“If there’s danger, no matter when, no matter where, I’ll come save you.”

“Junior...”

At those sweetly shameful words brushing her ears, Anna froze for a heartbeat. Her gaze lingered on the handsome youth before her in the sunlight, her eyes rippling like autumn waters.

“Honestly... how can anyone escape from you like this?”

...

After a long stretch of tender sweetness, Anna finally walked toward the carriage.

Muen kept his eyes on her, making sure she safely boarded.

Since this was a Silent Bureau bigshot, they wouldn’t personally stoop to dealing with a fragile little girl.

Which meant that if his senior sister could board the carriage safely, there shouldn’t be any trap.

“So it really is just a talk?”

Muen let out a breath of relief.

But then he felt something off in the atmosphere around him.

He turned—and saw the whole crowd of Silent Ones glaring at him with bitter expressions, like they’d been force-fed dog food until they choked.

Thinking of what had just happened, Muen naturally didn’t bother showing them any kindness. He snorted coldly and sneered:

“What are you staring at? Bunch of single dogs!”

Silent Ones: “...”

“Uh... Muen Campbell.”

Even Jinze, who always prided himself on being emotionless, was now clenching his fists tight as he said stiffly:

“Someone wants to see you too.”

“Who? This young master’s in a foul mood right now, not seeing anyone!”

“Are you sure?”

Jinze’s tone carried meaning as he pointed aside.

Muen followed the direction of his finger...

There was another carriage.

But unlike the plain black one, this carriage was the height of luxury and nobility. Its gilded trim sparkled under the sun. Even the massive horse in harness had an arrogant aura, tilting its head as if looking down on everyone.

That wasn’t important though.

What mattered was the crest on the carriage.

A dragon-slaying sword—the crest of the Campbell Dukedom!

And at a time when he himself wasn’t at the estate, with the Duke and Duchess both absent, the only person qualified to go out in such fashion, loudly declaring the Campbell family’s presence to all...

Was from the Ducal Estate.

The Head Maid.

Anne.

Muen’s legs nearly gave out, his vision went black, and he almost fainted on the spot.