Chapter 430 - 202: "Lover

’You chose that name specifically to get one over on me, didn’t you?’

Sean retorted irritably, "I might dare to call you that, but would you dare to answer?"

He was referring to a situation where Elvire was present.

"To be honest, I don’t know either." Elise blinked. "How about this: after we get back, we try it out in front of Miss Flame Crow?"

Sean: "?"

"You try it."

’I’m not suicidal.’

"If Mr. Writer is afraid, you can call me Ravel instead," Elise said.

The name "Ravel" has many layers of meaning.

It can mean ’loved one’ or ’lover’. In a more formal sense, ’philanthropist’. Or, in the Old Tongue’s more romantic interpretation: "one who loves the world, and is loved by the world in return."

Sean deliberately taunted, "So, Miss Elise, you’re a woman of hidden depths? How did I never notice before?"

"Don’t you think this name suits us perfectly?" Elise’s smile was suggestive. "You are my beloved, and I am your lover. I love you, and I am loved by you."

The implication was clear: *You are my world.*

Sean: "..."

"I think I prefer you without the hidden depths."

He realized there was truth to a certain saying.

A scoundrel isn’t scary; a well-read scoundrel is.

He almost broke out in goosebumps.

"I’m going to bed. Take your time eating." Sean had no desire to keep bickering with this woman. He had watched over Elise for a full day and night, and he was exhausted.

Elise watched him go, a wide smile on her face. "Good night, Mr. Writer. Be sure to dream of me, okay?"

Sean: "Hah."

’I haven’t even dreamed about Olivia or Daeli yet. Dream about you?’

’Get in line.’

CLICK!

Sean cautiously locked the door from the inside, just in case she decided to launch a nighttime raid.

The sight made Elise chuckle.

’Isn’t he just fooling himself?’ she thought.

The hotel used ordinary locks. Never mind that she had just broken through to Tier Six; even back when she was Tier Four, a lock like this couldn’t have stopped her. She could use the Wall-Piercing Spell at any time and pop right into Sean’s bed.

She just didn’t feel like doing it right now, that’s all.

A little flirting was good for cultivating their relationship, but pushing too hard could easily backfire.

Besides, she and Sean still had plenty to do here. They wouldn’t be heading back anytime soon, which meant she had all the time in the world to slowly win him over.

HUM.

Just as Elise was lost in thought, an incredibly faint hum suddenly reached her ears, like a whisper of wind brushing past the windowsill.

At the same instant, a feeling of extreme danger washed over her, as if she had been targeted by something terrifying.

She snapped her head up, her gaze flying to the window as she barked, "Who’s there?!"

There was no response.

Elise narrowed her eyes. Lightning crackled in her palm as she rose slowly to her feet, taking one deliberate step after another toward the window.

The closer she got, however, the palpable killing intent vanished as if it had never been there at all.

Cautiously, Elise opened the window.

There was nothing outside.

Only the streetlights below were still lit, tracing the quiet contours of the street in the night.

"What’s wrong?"

Sean, who had already undressed and gotten into bed, heard the noise. He got up and opened his door to ask what was going on.

"I think someone’s watching us," Elise said.

"Really?" Sean shuffled over in his slippers and peered out the window for a good while. "I don’t see anything."

"Could it be because you just broke through to Tier Six? Maybe you haven’t fully adapted and your senses are playing tricks on you?"

Elise: "..."

She wasn’t sure.

In theory, the hum was familiar. It was the sound of Magic Power colliding with the air. It was certainly possible that she hadn’t yet gained full control of her Tier Six Power, and the sound was just a result of her own Magic Power leaking out.

"Besides, this is Blake City," Sean said. "Mr. Blake himself made an appearance just last night. Who would dare cause trouble here?"

Leaving aside the "fake" Mr. Blake, there were also real Grand Mages stationed in the city—more than one, in fact, like Mr. Gomez and Lady Lais. If an enemy truly was here, they wouldn’t escape their notice.

Elise frowned slightly.

’Could I have really been mistaken?’

Sean yawned. "This is your first time in the New World, and you haven’t provoked anyone. Why would someone target you? If they were going to target anyone, it would be me."

But he truly hadn’t sensed a thing.

He patted Elise’s shoulder and said, quite objectively, "Based on your behavior over the past two days, the only person who might want to murder you is Elvire."

"So, Miss Elise, let me offer you a piece of advice."

Sean teased, "If you live with a clear conscience, you don’t have to fear Miss Flame Crow knocking at your door in the night."

Elise: "..."

’That doesn’t even rhyme.’

"I’m going to sleep. You should get some rest too," Sean said, heading back to his room again.

This time he didn’t lock the door.

Even though he thought it was all in Elise’s head, he still took a small precaution, leaving his door ajar. That way, if there was any more commotion, he would notice immediately.

...

The night passed uneventfully.

The killing intent Elise had sensed did not return.

The "assassination" she had imagined never occurred.

It really did seem to be a figment of her imagination.

「The next morning.」

After breakfast, Sean and Elise headed to the church. They picked up two missions that happened to be along their intended route.

The first was to find Mountain Ghost Flower, a plant with hallucinogenic properties that could be used as an Alchemy Material. It typically grew near cliffs.

The second was to destroy a church in a small town.

The Church Court placed great importance on the faith of the masses—it was the very source of the Empire’s unity. Therefore, "Holy Sanctuary Remnants" like them often targeted churches. They didn’t necessarily kill anyone; the main goal was to destroy these sacred places in the public’s perception, thereby shaking their faith.

Whatever the enemy cherished was what they would attack.

Both missions were simple. Sean hadn’t accepted them for the reward, but for the official clearance to leave the city. He was also after the bank card issued before a mission. With some operating funds, he and Elise would no longer have to worry about money.

Lauden was the one to see them off this time.

After his promotion, Lauden no longer had to handle such minor tasks. But when he heard Sean was among those leaving the city today, he came in person.

"You really can’t sit still."

Lauden began to roast him the moment they met.

He remembered that Sean had only stayed in Blake City for a day or two last time, and this visit was proving to be just as brief.

The only difference was the mission.

Compared to assassinating the Saintess, searching for Alchemy Materials and raiding a village church was undoubtedly far simpler.

Sean chuckled. "You know how it is. While we’re young, we should get out and see the world. And with you here handling Mr. Blake’s business, I have nothing to worry about."

"Oh, thanks so much," Lauden said irritably. Just thinking about the list demanding 100 units of various Magic Potions made his head ache. They had already raised a good amount of funds, but how to actually spend it was still a major problem. After all, in the eyes of the Church Court, their money was illicit. Spending it in small increments wasn’t an issue, but a sudden large-scale expenditure would attract the Church Court’s attention and lead to significant trouble.

But Lauden didn’t tell Sean about these things.

There was no point in telling him. Sean’s very identity was a fake; he hardly seemed like the type who could help. He and Mr. Gomez would have to find a solution on their own.

"When will you be back?" Lauden asked.

"If all goes well, about half a month," Sean joked. "We’re not assassinating a Saintess this time, so it shouldn’t take too long."

Speaking of the Saintess, Lauden added, "I never did ask you what happened with her. Did you manage to see her on your last mission?"

"We did." Sean nodded, offering a sincere assessment. "She’s quite beautiful."

Lauden pressed, "How beautiful is ’quite beautiful’?"

As he spoke, he glanced at Elise next to them.

’Praising another woman’s beauty—an enemy, no less—right in front of your girl? Isn’t he afraid she’ll get angry?’

"It’s hard to describe. When you have some free time, you should take a mission to assassinate the Saintess yourself. Then you’ll find out," Sean said.

Lauden: "..."

’Yeah, I’d rather not.’

’Sean has Mr. Blake watching his back, but I don’t. If I went, I might not make it back.’

Lauden was actually very curious about how Sean had returned safely and whether Mr. Blake had intervened. But from Sean’s demeanor, it was clear he didn’t want to elaborate, so Lauden didn’t press the issue. He followed procedure, handing Sean the bank card and the missing persons’ portraits. "Stay safe. Come back soon."

"And one more thing."

Lauden glanced at a girl in the corner, Sean and Elise’s teammate for this mission. "She’s a rookie. Her Tier isn’t low, but this is her first mission. If the situation allows, look after her a little."

Sean glanced over at the girl. She was quite pretty, with a cool, detached air and a certain presence about her. "A friend of yours?" he asked.

Lauden first shook his head, then nodded. "All Wizards in Blake City are my friends."

Sean immediately put his hands together in a respectful gesture. "Mr. Lauden, you are a man of great principle."

"Get out of here with that," Lauden said with a good-natured curse. "Alright, I’ve got things to attend to, so I’m off. You all can get acquainted."

Sean already knew the procedure for leaving the city, and Lauden had already put in a good word for them, so no one would stand in their way.

Sean watched Lauden leave before walking over to the girl. He smiled. "Hello, beautiful. What should I call you?"

The young woman met his gaze and replied, "Anna."

...