Greatest Legacy of the Magus Universe

Chapter 2165: Bold Claim

The couple silently entered the safehouse.

Genevieve remained silent. Aramen’s presence brought forth memories that she had long buried in her heart.

It was because of that man that she had to go through some of the darkest days of her life. The cold stones of the prison walls, the chilly air, and the shifting shadows somehow came alive inside her mind and made her shiver.

A gentle, reassuring hand clasped her shoulder. Adam spoke in a warm voice, "Are you okay?"

Genevieve inhaled deeply and nodded.

Her gaze then settled on the two Templars lying on the floor, their bodies a map of injuries, with blood pooling beneath them. Her eyebrows floated up as she studied the wounds.

A moment later, understanding dawned on her. "Illusion?"

Adam nodded. "Come, sit."

He gently set her down on a crate and studied her wounds. Most were minor, but two were deep—one on the side of her stomach and the other on her arm.

Genevieve watched him examining her wounds and smiled. "It’s healed now. No need to worry."

"It would appear so," Adam murmured as he examined the fresh scar on the side of her abdomen. "Good healing magic. There’s barely a scar there."

"Well, they do have ’longevity’ in their names," Genevieve said. "Their healing magic has to be something, at least."

Adam scoffed. "Those damned cranes. Always picking a fight with me."

Genevieve covered her mouth and giggled. "It’s less to do with you and more to do with your serpents."

"Hm?" Adam quirked a brow, intrigued. "They have enmity with the Coil?"

"I’m not sure about that." Genevieve shook her head. "A few of them said they don’t like the stench of snakes coming from you."

Adam grimaced lightly. "I smell of snakes? Ridiculous!"

"To them, anyway." Genevieve smiled.

She paused a moment, glancing at her beloved’s ragged figure. "Enough about snakes and cranes. How are you feeling?"

"Meh." Adam shrugged nonchalantly.

"Be honest." Genevieve stared at him intensely.

Adam relented. "Pulled my right hamstring hard. Cramps in my left shoulder and lats. The final exchange with Aramen took a toll. But it was glorious. You should have seen it!"

His eyes sparkled like those of a little child.

"I knew most of the moves Aramen reacted with because Hannibal trained me to counter thousands of them. The more I fight opponents with my blade, the more I realize just how profound Hannibal’s sword art is. Oh, arcana. Magnificent! Simply magnificent!"

Genevieve smiled tenderly. She caressed his sweat-covered cheek and praised him. "You really did well, Adam. I could not be more proud. Defeating a Transcendent without magic is... I’m truly awed."

Adam grinned from ear to ear. "You know what Hannibal once said to me?"

"What did he say?"

"That my talent with the sword trumps my talent in the arcane arts." Adam laughed. "I’m beginning to think there might be a kernel of truth to his words, after all."

"Did he now?" Genevieve was intrigued.

Adam might not know Hannibal’s true identity, but she did. Words like that from someone like Hannibal were never empty.

"He did." Adam nodded. "I thought he was teasing me."

He stared blankly ahead for a moment. He then looked into Genevieve’s eyes and said softly, "I wanted you to be the one to deliver the killing blow on that bastard."

Genevieve remained silent, slowly lowering her head.

"I, uh..." Adam awkwardly scratched the back of his head. "I got a little too excited and killed him in the heat of battle."

"It’s okay," Genevieve whispered. "By my hand or yours. It doesn’t matter. He’s dead, and that’s all I care about."

Adam glanced at her, his gaze lingering on her face.

He had never seen such vindictiveness from Genevieve before. But he understood where it came from.

Because of Aramen, she had been imprisoned in the Vampire King’s castle. She had been utterly helpless, unable to fight or escape.

The only thing she had any control over was her own life.

And so, fearing what the Vampire King might do to her, she had attempted to take her life several times.

Then came the long months of isolation in the prison cell. Those were horrible days.

Genevieve had told him everything. Every moment of fear, every ounce of despair, and every terrible thought that had crossed her mind during those dark days.

Adam understood her pain. Her anger. Her hatred.

He leaned forward and pulled her into his embrace. In that moment, he wished he could protect her from all the evils of the world.

A few moments later, he pulled away and found that Genevieve’s eyes had glistened with unshed tears.

He wondered if Aramen’s death had finally brought her some measure of catharsis.

It most likely had.

"How’re you feeling?" he asked.

"Good." Genevieve nodded, wiping her tears away. "Great, actually."

Adam smiled and whispered, "All right."

He rose to his feet and looked around. "Well, uh... let’s loot this place. Actually, forget the loot. It’s too risky to sell them in Davos. Or Dark Port, for that matter."

He thought for a few moments before deciding, "We’ll carry proof of mission completion, then head back home."

"...Proof?" Genevieve cast him a strange look. "Is that what I think—"

"Details. Details!" Adam waved his hand dismissively. "I’ll take care of that. By the way, there’s something else."

He quickly changed the subject. But judging by how serious his tone was, Genevieve couldn’t help but turn solemn as well.

"There’s something Aramen told me before our battle began," Adam continued. "It could have been him playing tricks. But that seems unlikely."

"What did he say?" Genevieve leaned forward.

"His exact words were: ’The Iron Covenant has great plans for the West Coast. Davos is doomed. The Free City Alliance is doomed. Don’t fight for the losing side.’"

Genevieve’s brows furrowed together. She remained silent for a few moments, analysing those words. She suddenly said, "You mentioned before that the Iron Covenant and the Night Guild have been fighting some sort of... shadow war, yes?"

"You think it’s related to that?" Adam asked. "But his claim that the Free City Alliance is doomed was a little bold, don’t you think?"

"We don’t know exactly how strong this mercenary organization is," Genevieve said.

Adam agreed. A moment later, he said in a low voice, "If what Aramen said is true..."

Genevieve’s expression turned grave as well. "We need to inform the higher-ups in the city. We can’t take any chances."

Adam nodded. He then said, "I would have taken this to the City Watch. But after my run-in with them..."

Genevieve knew Adam’s cautious nature, so she didn’t rebuke him. Instead, she suggested:

"I might have a way to get this message through to the top brass."