Chapter 67: Hell Dungeon

The barrier had completely disappeared, leaving them exposed to everyone once again.

Evan could immediately see Leon already standing, his expression serious as he looked toward him. Their eyes met for a brief moment, and neither of them needed to say anything.

Something was wrong.

Reeta stood up as well, brushing her dress lightly before looking toward the emergency notification.

"Ah, it’s been a while..." She tilted her head curiously. "I wonder why the barrier didn’t work this time."

Then she glanced slightly at Evan. "Your mouth really does have a way of jinxing things."

Reeta looked around for a moment before slowly turning toward Evan. "You know what? Maybe I should’ve let you throw me into the Hell Dungeon right away this morning. At least now you’d have a legitimate reason."

They quickly began preparing to leave.

Leon was already heading toward the exit, his communicator in hand as he checked the latest information from the Committee. Reeta followed beside him, still complaining about the emergency call despite the seriousness of the situation.

Evan remained where he was for a moment, watching them leave.

His expression remained as calm as ever, but his gaze lingered on their backs until they disappeared from the garden.

Somewhere beneath that calm expression was a quiet disappointment.

He wanted to go with them.

He was an SSS-Rank Sentinel, after all. Being forced to stay behind while the others were called into an emergency involving the Hell Dungeon was probably one of the few things that could genuinely frustrate him.

Lumi noticed. She stepped closer and gently took his hand, clasping it tightly between both of hers. "Don’t worry. I’m sure the Committee will let you work again..."

Evan lowered his gaze to her.

Lumi looked up at him with a small, reassuring smile, then scrunched her nose adorably. "You’re the top Sentinel, after all..."

For a moment, Evan simply stared at her.

Then the corner of his lips slowly lifted. "Top Sentinel?"

"Mm." Her answer came without hesitation. "Number one." She said it herself, but her cheeks flushed.

Evan looked toward the direction where Leon and Reeta had disappeared before turning back to her. "Then I will take this time to practice and become better..."

Lumi smiled and squeezed his hand again. "Of course."

"Are you sure?" Esther’s voice came from down the stage. She looked worried as she held onto Celestine’s arm. "But the last time you went out, you were hurt so badly. You shouldn’t go..."

Celestine glanced at her mother before looking toward Lumi, her expression remaining calm.

Rei, already preparing to leave, adjusted his communicator.

"I’ll get ready first. Usually, they would request A-Rank Guide backup for an emergency like this." He turned toward the exit, already picking up his pace. "Just in case."

"I need to go too, Mother. I’m Raphael’s Guide." Celestine gently held Esther’s hand where it rested on her arm, offering her a reassuring smile. "Don’t worry. I’ll be all right..."

Esther already looked gloomy. She glanced toward Felix, her expression filled with worry.

"Shouldn’t you do something? That Raphael is crazy. You should change Celestine’s Fated Sentinel..."

Felix sighed in frustration, his jaw tightening as he glanced around to make sure no one else was listening.

"Don’t make a scene..." He lowered his voice, gritting his teeth. "Do you remember what happened the last time we provoked two major families? We almost ended up in a deep pit of hell."

Esther’s lips parted, but she couldn’t immediately find a response.

Felix rubbed his forehead, clearly irritated.

"Do you really want the Valen family coming after us too?" His gaze briefly shifted toward Celestine’s retreating figure.

"She is already Raphael Valen’s Fated Guide. Whether we like it or not, that connection is something we cannot simply change because you don’t like the Sentinel."

Esther lowered her gaze, still looking unhappy. "But Raphael is dangerous..."

"So is Evan Caesar." Felix’s voice became even quieter. "And look where that got us."

His eyes flickered toward Lumi and Evan standing a short distance away, his expression darkening. "We’re already struggling to keep the Caesar family from turning against us. Don’t give me another family to worry about."

Esther instantly turned toward Lumi and shouted.

"Lumi... can you help cover for Celestine this time? After all, your body is quite tough..."

The moment those words left her mouth, Evan flashed straight in front of Esther.

His hand instantly closed around her neck, his eyes darkening dangerously.

"How about you?" Evan glared at her coldly. "Are you tough?"

Lumi’s eyes widened.

"Evan!" She immediately rushed down the stage, nearly stumbling as she hurried toward them.

Esther’s face had already begun turning red as she struggled to breathe, both hands desperately gripping Evan’s wrist.

"E-Evan... let go of her!" Lumi shouted again.

Felix hurried forward as well, grabbing Evan’s shoulder and trying to pull him back. "Young Master Caesar, stop! She didn’t mean—"

Celestine quickly moved to Esther’s side, reaching for Evan’s arm.

"Young Master, please! Let go of my mother!"

But Evan didn’t move. His grip remained firm around Esther’s neck, his expression frighteningly calm as he stared directly at her.

"Tough?" His voice was cold. "What is the difference between this daughter and Lumi?"

Evan’s gaze shifted sharply toward Celestine. "You are that weak?"

Celestine’s face paled. "No—no! Young Master, I am all right. I will go. Just let my mother go! We are sorry!"

She immediately tried to pull Evan’s arm away from Esther.

"Move your hand!" Evan’s voice thundered through the garden.

Celestine flinched and instinctively stepped back.

The next moment, Evan released Esther and shoved her away.

Esther fell hard onto the ground, coughing violently as she desperately tried to catch her breath.

"Mother!" Celestine immediately dropped beside her, helping her sit upright while Felix hurried over.

"Esther!"

Lumi stood frozen for a second before turning toward Evan. His expression was still cold, but the moment his eyes met hers, some of the anger in his gaze faded.

"Evan..." She quietly reached for his hand.

"The next time, if you ever thought of replacing Lumi with your favourite daughter, be prepared." Evan then clenched Lumi’s hand gently and turned, "Let’s go."