Re: The Villainess Does It With Class

Lukas could only watch with a calculating glint in his eyes as Nadia and Nathaniel got away. Nox started grumbling again. The familiar chaos within him was also back as they left but he wasn't paying attention to it. His mind was thinking about a different thing. 

He had seen the warning from Nathan's eyes and found it funny from how upfront the guy was being. He was clearly telling him to back off.

He thought back to the time when he ambiguously told him something about his sister and reflected on it. Maybe he shouldn't have said those words and riled him up. Now the guy doesn't trust him at all.

But Lukas hated explaining himself and so he just let Nathan think whatever he wanted. He's not a man of few words, he just doesn't like dealing with people. But it seemed like it was a really bad idea.

Ylmer suddenly appeared beside him out of thin air.

"Welcome back, master."

He then wondered why his twin brother wasn't around. Now that Lukas is back, he should also be here with them but he can't sense his presence.

Lukas's eyes didn't stray from Nadia's figure and only after they were gone did he turn to Ylmer.

"How is it?" He then started walking in the opposite direction with Ylmer following his tail.

Ylmer understood his question.

"I wasn't able to keep an eye on her for two weeks because she was staying at the tower during those times." 

He had experienced how tight the security the arcane tower has. Ylmer can't even get close to it within 50 meters around it. If he did, a strong oppressive atmosphere would immediately press down to him. And he could also vaguely feel a magic barrier that would get triggered if he crossed it. Ylmer doesn't want to take any chances. Who knows what the consequences would be?

He knew that he shouldn't take the tower lightly. So he remained far from the barrier and waited patiently until Nadia came out. Honestly, it was such a boring two weeks and he wishes that he could have spent it on some other things. But oh well, an order is an order.

"But I noticed some people lurking around when she went to the capital yesterday. Though I was unable to catch them. I also believe that her personal guard noticed them as well."

He was truly surprised by the red-haired man's sharpness. 

'Such a perceptive guy.' 

"These people, how many are they?" Lukas had foreseen this, hence why he sent Ylmer to look after her.

He just doesn't know the reason why they were following her though.

"I have sensed a small group of five, master. All of them are emitting the same breath as those intruders from the night of the founding ball."

"The same?"

Lukas frowned and fell into deep thought.

Why would those men follow Nadia? 

"Bring more people with you and don't let your eyes off of her," he instructed.

Ylmer didn't question it and noted it in his mind.

"Yes."

Lukas's face was serious now. He had searched the entire empire to look for these people's nests but nothing came off of it. So he thought that they were probably not staying in Rosenthal. 

He then recalled the day he coincidentally bumped into Nadia in the capital. There were lurking figures around as well but they weren't the same as those artificial mages.

The energy they gave off was faint but noticeable. He just can't pinpoint who and what it is. 

So if those artificial mages are making a move again, then…

Lukas's purple eyes narrowed.

He had thought they were from the eastern continent but it seemed that he had to rethink things. War is still on the table but there is probably another pressing matter than that.

"If they attack, bring me their leader," Lukas added.

"As you wish."

Now, why are they targeting Nadia?

Lukas pondered but could only think of one possible reason. Are they perhaps interested in Nadia's magic? If so, then their motive is probably not good.

Should he inform the emperor about this?

He contemplated for a while and after arriving at a conclusion, decided to roam the capital again to scour for these fake magicians. If they are following Nadia then they must be around right now. He will certainly catch them this time.

As he sets foot on the capital, another figure materializes before him. It was one of his men in the information guild that he deployed weeks ago to monitor someone.

"Reporting to master." He made sure that there were no other people around before he showed himself and knelt on one knee before Lukas.

Lukas stared at him with cold eyes.

"The bookshop?"

"We still can't infiltrate it. Something is driving us away whenever we try. The bookshop owner doesn't go out as well so we can't find anything about her." They had never even seen the owner's shadow, what about her face?

They were like sitting ducks for two weeks while trying everything to gain any piece of information but still failing. Heck, they even sent one person to buy a book but their efforts were futile. No one was there except for a young woman that was helping at the shop.

They never met anyone except her because according to the green-eyed lady, the owner was always out when they visited. And yet they have never seen her step even a foot out of the establishment. How did she escape their notice? They made sure to watch like a hawk!

One of Lukas's brows went up.

"Can't find anything?"

The man almost shivered, fearing that Lukas might suddenly get displeased by their incompetence and lash out. He started sweating cold bullets and gulped.

"Yes. There is no other information that we can dig about her aside from what the master has provided."

Woe them!

Contrary to the man's fear, Lukas was actually more mystified than angry.

The corner of his lips quirked.

"She's that mysterious? Heh."

Now that just made him more intrigued. 

If his men can't do it, then he will do it instead.