CHAPTER 126: CHAPTER 126 - KIDNAPPED IN MIDDLE OF NIGHT (2)

[Celestia – 1st Person POV]

The boy shrieked as I stood in the middle of his dorm room. "Y-You’re not Master!"

He pointed at me, trembling. Such a fragile thing. I remained still, watching him with indifference. Does this generation not prefer to wear clothes in their dorms.

"Hmm? Of course I am not Charlotte," I said calmly.

He stuttered, standing and bowing so fast he nearly fell over. "G-Greetings, Your Highness."

Finally, some recognition.

The usual panic followed—the kind they all show when they realize who stands before them. He scrambled toward the door. "I-I should go explain the scream before the others get suspicious—"

I cut him off. "You don’t need to. I’ve already cast a barrier. No one can hear or sense what happens here."

He froze mid-step. Good. He was starting to annoy me.

Then came the groveling. Pathetic. "I sincerely apologize for anything I may have done unknowingly, Your Majesty. Please don’t kill me!"

I tilted my head. Why would I bother killing him?

"...Why would I kill you?"

He peeked up, "You wouldn’t?"

"No."

His fear evaporated into confusion. Predictable.

"Then... may I ask Your Majesty’s reason for visiting me at this hour?"

"Hmph. Come with me," I commanded. No need to explain anything more. He would follow. He had to.

"...W-Where to, Your Majesty?" he dared ask.

"You don’t need to know."

He began protesting again. "How can I come in the middle of the semester, Your Majesty? I’m a very sincere student—I need to study, to train, to prepare—"

I rolled my eyes. Tiresome.

"It’s already being taken care of. Let’s go."

Still, he kept rambling. "But what about my attendance! My training regimen! My daily affirmations!"

Enough.

With a flick of my finger, I lifted him into the air. He flailed—ridiculous and noisy—but then...

His towel fell.

The room fell into absolute silence.

My eyes widened—just slightly—but my body wouldn’t move. I was frozen. Not because I wanted to stare, but because I didn’t expect this. The absurdity stunned me. I didn’t look away.

...And I should have.

"AAAAHAAHAHAHHAAA!" he screamed, twisting midair, flailing even harder to cover himself.

"L-Look away!" he shouted.

Only then did I snap out of it. My face felt warm—just a flicker of heat rising up my cheeks—and I turned away sharply, muttering, "Hmph. Nothing worth looking at anyway. Get ready faster. We’re leaving."

Stupid.

Behind me, I heard him shuffle awkwardly. And yet, I had no time for his embarrassment.

"Are you getting ready, or do you prefer to travel like this?"

—

We soared above the mountains atop the Vermillion Phoenix, my hair fluttering in the wind. I didn’t speak. I didn’t need to. The boy sat behind me, silent—for once.

Good.

...Though I could still feel the warmth in my cheeks from earlier.

Ridiculous.

Why did I freeze? I had faced demons, dragons, kings—yet that moment caught me off guard. I shouldn’t have looked. I certainly shouldn’t have hesitated. I am the Empress of Astravia. I do not "freeze."

And yet... a slight heat still lingered.

I shook the thought away and focused on the land ahead.

The world below had shifted—black forests, dead cliffs. We were getting close.

"...Why are we in this place?" he muttered behind me.

My ears caught it, of course.

"You seem to know this place?" I asked, turning my head slightly. He stiffened.

So, Darian had spoken to him.

"It seems Darian told you everything," I continued. I could feel his silence behind me. Of course, he wouldn’t respond.

"As you know," I went on, "this is one of the forbidden places... connected to the past heroes from seven thousand years ago."

He stayed quiet. That was for the best.

Still—without meaning to—I found my thoughts drifting back again.

That moment.

That stupid towel.

Ugh. Why did I react? He’s just a boy. And it was hardly impressive. Not like I have seen one before, but are they supposed to be this big?

I didn’t pay much attention anyway.

I clenched my jaw and focused forward as the Phoenix began its descent into the cursed vale, its trees like bones reaching out of the earth.

This was no place for the unworthy.

We landed outside a village, the air heavy with mana and memory.

"Follow me," I ordered. "We have to pass through this town walking to reach our destination."

The boy obeyed—finally learning.

Still, his voice came again, cautious and uncertain. "I think I’ve earned at least some answers by now. Why am I here, Your Majesty?"

I didn’t answer.

Not yet.

Let him walk. Let him wonder.

He’ll understand soon enough.

And I would most certainly forget about that... moment.

Eventually.

***

[Back to Present]

Sigh. She’s still not answering.

Luca kept following her down the dirt path, footsteps crunching over loose gravel. The moon hung high in the ink-black sky, casting pale silver light over the horizon. Before long, the trees parted—and they arrived.

A village.

And not just any village. Even at midnight, it pulsed with life. Market stalls lined the winding streets like rows of vibrant tents. Warm orange lanterns floated overhead, their soft glow shimmering across cobblestone paths and fluttering banners. Vendors shouted over one another, hawking potions, smoked meats, enchanted trinkets, and glittering armor. Adventurers bartered, old men played dice under flickering light, children darted through legs. It was chaos—but organized, lively chaos.

Luca blinked. It’s midnight... but this market’s still as bustling as ever?

Just like in the game. He remembered this location well—it was coded with detail, an aesthetic memory. But... why was it always so active, even at night?

Wait, why’s no one reacting? I mean... Her Majesty herself is walking in plain view, right?

"Your Majesty," Luca asked, quietly, glancing around. "Why is no one reacting to you being here?"

"I’m using an artifact," she replied without slowing. "Only you are visible to people outside."

His eyes widened as he took in the sea of unconcerned faces. No one even glanced in her direction. Not a single bow or whisper. It was as if she were a ghost walking among the living.

Luca exhaled. "Ah... makes sense." He gave a slow nod, letting that sink in.

As he asked again, "Then how can I see you?"

Then she spoke again, voice calm but resolute:

"Because I allowed you to. Enough with the question. Buy any supplies, potions, armor—whatever you require. You’re going to need it."

That line hit him like a cold splash of water.

Wait. We’re going to need it?

The villagers haggling over enchanted gear, the mercenaries stocking up on magic grenades and phoenix feathers—this wasn’t some flavor-text market anymore.

Just what the hell am I walking into?

His head dropped slightly, eyes dulled. "I already packed everything," he mumbled in a depressed tone.

Of course he had. Luca always restocked his potions and supplies the moment he got even slightly low. In a world as brutal as this, being over-prepared wasn’t paranoia. It was survival.

But before he could sink deeper into self-pity, a furious voice rang out in his head.

"Papa! Papa!!"

Luca froze.

Oh fuck.

His eyes twitched, shoulders stiffening.

How could I forget about her?

Luca stopped in his tracks, sighing internally. She didn’t like staying in the beast space for too long—especially not when asleep. She must have dozed off inside, and now she was awake, confused and alone.

But what should I do now?

His eyes flicked around.

This wasn’t Arcadia.

They were far from the safety of the academy, and the last time she’d been out in the open...

He still remembered the chaotic swirl of mana and the way she’d lashed out defensively when startled.

What if something like that happened again?

"Papa... woohowhowoh..."

The voice echoed in his head, small and distressed.

Luca winced slightly.

That tiny, wailing sound. That soft desperation tugged at something deep.

I guess... I can take her out for a little while.

He took a breath, rubbing the back of his neck.

Her Majesty already knows of her existence. And with her around... who would even dare to try anything?

With a flick of his wrist and a whisper of light, a small figure appeared in his arms—a baby girl with golden hair and red eyes, with a tail on her back, as Luca quickly pulled a cloak over her.

She blinked, confused at first. Then, sensing his warmth, she curled close—though her gaze drifted side to side, as if searching for something.

"...What is it?" Luca asked gently.

But she didn’t respond—only squirmed and glanced around with a kind of growing frustration.

They came to a slow stop before a quaint little house tucked beside a quiet grove, modest yet elegant. There was a courtyard, a stone path, and the subtle scent of fresh herbs in the air.

Luca tilted his head. "Where are we?"

Celestia turned, her gaze thoughtful. "Follow me inside."

The baby dragon suddenly perked up.

Luca blinked, cautiously stepping into the courtyard behind Celestia. Seated there in the shaded veranda was an old woman—elegant in posture, with long snow-white hair braided down her shoulder, and a face that bore the grace of years and wisdom.

Her sharp gaze flicked to him in clear confusion.

Celestia took a step forward—and with a shimmer of light, something invisible was undone.

A concealment artifact.

Luca watched, puzzled, as her form became fully visible to the woman. Then—Celestia bowed.

"...Grandma."

Luca stiffened.

W-What?

Grandma?

Before he could even begin to process that, something warm left his arms in a sudden burst of movement.

The baby dragon leapt forward with a delighted squeal.

"Mama! Heheh~!"