Stepping In

The moment the pen touched the paper, the golden patterns on the parchment suddenly lit up.

A strange fluctuation emanated from the contract.

Invisible and silent.

But Lu Yuan could clearly feel that the fluctuation penetrated the walls, the streets, and the entire city.

It was like a declaration, an inviolable vow, falling upon every Night Watcher.

At the same time.

In a corner of Bronze City, a Night Watcher captain on patrol suddenly stopped.

His expression changed slightly, as if he sensed something, and his hand involuntarily pressed against the emblem on his chest.

In the meeting room of the Night Watcher Branch, several mid-level Night Watcher were having a discussion fell silent simultaneously.

They looked at each other, their eyes filled with surprise and confusion.

"Did someone break their Oath?"

"That's rare."

"Looks like the Night Watcher needs some exercise."

"Go and find out the truth; don't worry about the Tower of Erudition for now."

In a tower on the outskirts of the city, an elderly man with a full head of white hair opened his eyes.

His eyes were like the Abyss, eerily calm.

Every Night Watcher with a communication device received a message the next moment.

"Bronze City, Laurina Caster, Contractor."

The Night Watcher Branch.

Klaus put down the communicator, his brow furrowing slightly.

The elderly man with gray hair wore a dark gray uniform with a gold stripe on his badge; Deputy Chief of the Bronze City Night Watcher Branch.

"Laurina Caster..." he murmured the name, then turned to his adjutant beside him, "Who is this woman?"

The adjutant quickly flipped through the files and soon found the relevant record.

"A student from the Tower of Erudition, Alchemy Department," the adjutant said quickly. "A well-known alchemical genius, ranking very high among his peers."

"He's also one of the three we brought out of the Tower of Erudition this time."

Klaus took the file and glanced at it.

"Sir, what do you think?" the adjutant asked.

Where is she now?

"At the Alchemy Workshop," the adjutant replied. "The Night Watcher beside him is... Lu Yuan."

Klaus paused for a moment.

"Oh? Lu Yuan?"

He raised his head, a meaningful glint in his eyes.

"I remember him."

The adjutant nodded. "The one with the distorted file. But he's definitely clean; Headquarters is still investigating."

Klaus remained silent for a few seconds.

Then he stood up and put on his coat.

"Walk."

"Grown ups?"

"Don't let those bastards from the Tower of Erudition take him away."

Klaus strode out of the office, his adjutant quickly following.

In the corridor, Hogger happened to be walking towards him.

"Deputy Chief." Hogger bowed.

"Come with me." Klaus didn't stop. "To the Alchemy Workshop."

Hogger paused for a moment, but didn't ask any further questions, and turned to follow.

The group quickly walked out of the branch office gate.

Alchemy Workshop.

Lu Yuan sat by the window.

The contract has taken effect.

But he wasn't sure what would happen next.

Will the Night Watcher acknowledge this covenant?

Will anyone come?

He didn't know.

All he could do was wait.

Time passed by, second by second.

The sunlight outside the window gradually brightened, and pedestrians began to appear on the street.

Just then--

Footsteps sounded outside the door.

Many people.

Lu Yuan stood up and walked to the door.

Through the crack in the door, he saw a group of Night Watcher walking toward him.

The leader was an elderly man with gray hair, wearing a dark gray uniform with a gold stripe on his badge.

Lu Yuan didn't recognize him.

But judging from the style of that badge, it was of a very high level.

Several Night Watcher followed behind him, one of whom...

It's Hogger.

Lu Yuan opened the door.

Hogger saw him, nodded slightly, then stepped aside and said in a low voice:

"This is Lord Klaus, the Deputy Chief of the Night Watcher Branch in Bronze City."

Deputy Chief.

Lu Yuan's expression shifted slightly, but he quickly regained his composure.

"Deputy Chief." He nodded in greeting.

Klaus stood in the doorway, his gaze lingering on Lu Yuan for a few seconds.

His gaze was deep, as if he were scrutinizing something.

"You're Lu Yuan?"

"Yes."

"Did you activate the Oath?"

"Yes."

Klaus looked at him and remained silent for a moment.

Then he nodded without asking any further questions.

Where is the contractor?

"Upstairs."

As soon as he finished speaking, soft footsteps came from the stairwell.

Laurina had come down at some point.

She stood at the top of the stairs, still holding that simple package in her hand, her face pale.

She froze, seeing a group of Night Watcher standing at the door.

"What... what is this...?"

Klaus's gaze fell on her.

Then he stepped into the Alchemy Workshop and stood still.

The Night Watcher followed him in and lined up behind him.

Hogger also came in and stood to one side.

Klaus looked at Laurina with a solemn expression.

Then he spoke.

The voice wasn't loud, but every word was crystal clear, carrying an unshakeable power.

"Laurina Caster."

"Upon investigation, you have not violated any imperial regulations."

"From this moment forward, you are officially Night Watcher contractor."

He paused, his tone becoming more serious.

"The Night Watcher hereby solemnly declares—"

"We will uphold an ancient oath, and no matter where he is or what hardships he faces, we will provide the contractor with complete protection."

"For this, the Night Watcher will give their lives without hesitation."

The words had barely left his mouth.

The Night Watcher behind them all bowed their heads in unison as a sign of their witness.

Laurina was stunned.

She looked at Klaus, then at Lu Yuan, her eyes filled with confusion and helplessness.

"What... a contractor? What Oath?"

"I do not understand..."

Her voice carried a hint of confusion, as if she had no idea what had happened.

Just then...

Suddenly, a commotion arose outside.

Klaus's expression darkened slightly.

"They've arrived."

He turned around and walked towards the door.

Lu Yuan followed behind and walked to the door.

At the entrance to the Alchemy Workshop, several Night Watcher were already blocking the way, their faces grim.

Opposite them stood two people dressed in Deep Blue robes.

One was a middle-aged man in his forties, with a gloomy face, deep-set eyes, and a monocle that reflected a cold light in the sunlight. Lu Yuan recognized him as Calvin.

The other one was older, around fifty or sixty years old, with a dignified demeanor and an aura of authority that commanded respect without anger.

Judging from the patterns on his robe, he should be the Vice Dean of the Tower of Erudition.

The Vice Dean's expression changed slightly when he saw so many Night Watcher standing at the entrance.

His gaze swept across the crowd and landed on Klaus standing inside the door; his pupils contracted slightly.

"Klaus?"

His tone carried a hint of surprise, and also a sense of foreboding.

"What... what are you doing here?"

Klaus stood in the doorway, expressionless.

"Vice Dean," he said indifferently, "You've arrived quite early."

The Vice Dean's face turned grim.

He suppressed his unease and took a step forward.

"I'm taking the man with me." His voice carried suppressed anger. "I can drop the matter of the Bronze City branch violating the order."

Klaus stood in the doorway, motionless.

He simply stared coldly at the Vice Dean, his voice eerily calm:

"Take one more step, and you're dead."

The Vice Dean's expression changed drastically.

His mentor's expression changed, and he subconsciously took a half step back.

"Klaus!" The Vice Dean's voice suddenly rose, "Do you know what you're saying?"

"I understand perfectly."

"Cut off your supplies?" The Vice Dean sneered. "Looks like the warning wasn't enough!"

Klaus chuckled.

The laughter was soft, yet it sent a chill down the spine of everyone present.

"The contract has taken effect."

His gaze was sharp as a knife, staring directly into the Vice Dean's eyes.

"You'd better pray that your actions will succeed."

"Otherwise--"

He paused, his tone turning icy.

"You will all be condemned as Heretic and executed."

The Vice Dean's face turned pale and then red.

"And one more thing," Klaus stepped forward, "Say it again."

"Laurina has become our contractor."

"Take one more step, and you're dead."

The air seemed to freeze.

The Vice Dean's lips were trembling, as if he wanted to say something, but he didn't speak for a long time.

Just then...

A figure appeared at the end of the street.

His hair was completely white, and his face was expressionless.

He exuded an incredibly powerful aura of Mutation, so much so that even the suppression Formation of Bronze City could not hold it back.

He walked slowly towards us, something twisting and wriggling beneath his body.

Lu Yuan stood inside the door, his gaze fixed on the old man.

At the edge of vision, grayish-white text appeared:

[Target detected: Night Watcher (Alienated Transcendent)]

[Status: Beyond comprehension...]

[You have discovered a new Pathway beyond cognition, Forbidden Studies - Seeker: +1...49.5/50]

Lu Yuan's heart skipped a beat; the Forbidden Studies had actually improved by one point?

This was the first time he had seen such a prompt.

Beyond comprehension.

Upon seeing this, Klaus immediately bowed his head in respect.

"My lord, you've arrived."

The Night's Night Watcher present immediately bowed respectfully and said in unison, "Sir."

The old man did not speak.

He simply stared coldly at the two people in the Tower of Erudition.

That gaze was eerily calm, as if he were looking at two ants.

The Vice Dean's face turned deathly pale the moment he saw the old man.

Calvin didn't recognize him, although he could sense the aura emanating from him.

But I was still unwilling to give up. I was so close! I could have taken away this perfect offering!

Just as he was about to question this old man who had appeared out of nowhere...

But the Vice Dean suddenly grabbed his arm.

The Vice Dean's lips trembled, his voice filled with barely suppressed fear. "Go. Leave now."

"What?" Calvin asked, his face full of resentment. "But—"

"Shut up!" the Vice Dean practically roared. "Let's go!"

He grabbed his mentor and hurriedly left.

The two figures quickly disappeared at the end of the street.

The Guardian remained silent throughout.

He simply stood there, his gaze calmly fixed on the direction in which the people of the Tower of Erudition had disappeared.

He only turned and left after the two figures had completely disappeared.

The footsteps faded into the distance.

It was as if they had never existed.

Inside the Alchemy Workshop, Laurina stood by the window, staring blankly outside.

She saw everything that had just happened.

Klaus's announcement, the Vice Dean's threat, the appearance of the white-haired old man, and the figure fleeing in panic.

She didn't know who the old man was, but she could sense that he was an extremely terrifying being.

He was someone even the Vice Dean of the Tower of Erudition feared so much that he dared not utter a single word.

And all of this...

Klaus has already left, taking the Night Watcher with him.

Before leaving, he glanced at Lu Yuan:

"The contractor's information has been sent back to Headquarters, Headquarters will make further arrangements based on the situation."

"Lu Yuan, fulfill your duty and take good care of her."

Then they left.

When Hogger left, he patted Lu Yuan on the shoulder without saying anything.

Now only the two of them remain in the Alchemy Workshop.

Laurina stood still, motionless.

She was still carrying the package in her hand.

The packages I packed in preparation for being taken away.

She just stood there, as if she hadn't quite reacted yet.

"... it's over?"

Her voice was somewhat ethereal, as if she were asking Lu Yuan, or perhaps herself.

"It's over," Lu Yuan said.

Laurina did not move.

She looked down at the package in her hand for a long time.

Then she slowly loosened her grip.

The package fell to the ground with a soft thud.

She remained standing there, her shoulders trembling slightly.

It's not crying.

It's that kind of trembling that comes from being tense for too long and then suddenly relaxing.

Lu Yuan neither stepped forward nor spoke.

He simply stood there, waiting.

After about ten seconds, Laurina's breathing gradually calmed down.

She raised her head and looked at Lu Yuan.

Her eyes were a little red, but there were no tears.

"I don't quite understand."

Her voice was hoarse, carrying the fatigue of not having slept well for several days.

"Just now... those people, that announcement, and that old man..."

She paused, as if trying to organize her thoughts, but clearly couldn't.

"... What exactly happened?"

Lu Yuan walked to the table, poured a glass of water, and handed it to her.

"The Night Watcher has a mechanism that allows them to provide shelter to specific individuals."

His tone was very flat.

I've applied for it for you.

Laurina took the glass of water, but didn't drink it.

She simply held the cup, staring at Lu Yuan.

"... that's all?"

"That's all."

Laurina fell silent.

She's not stupid.

It could attract the Deputy Chief to personally visit, make that terrifying old man appear, and even make the Vice Dean of the Tower of Erudition flee in terror.

The three words, "That's it," couldn't fool her.

But she couldn't ask any more specific questions.

Because she had no idea about the rules within the Night Watcher.

She didn't know what to ask.

"... Why?"

In the end, she only managed to utter this one word.

Lu Yuan looked at her.

"You teach me how to make medicine, and I'll help you solve your problems."

"Fair trade."

Laurina stared at him, her lips moving slightly.

She wanted to say that this couldn't possibly be a fair deal.

She meant to say that you must have put in a lot of effort.

She wanted to say, "I owe you."

But these words, once on the tip of his tongue, were swallowed back down.

Because she was too tired.

I was too tired to ask questions, to argue, or to say those polite words.

She simply lowered her head and looked at the water glass in her hand.

"... good."

She said softly.

"Fair trade."

She put the cup on the table, bent down to pick up the package from the floor, and put it back in the corner.

Then she sat down on the chair by the window.

He neither went to get the Mortar nor went to the workbench.

I just sat there, looking out the window.

The sunlight shone on her face, revealing the deep blue lines beneath her eyes.

Lu Yuan didn't urge her.

He walked to the workbench and began processing the medicinal herbs on his own.

The sound of the Mortar softly echoed in the room.

Laurina just sat there, motionless.

A long time passed.

It took so long that Lu Yuan had already processed both portions of Silverleaf Grass.

She then stood up and walked to the workbench.

"I'll do it."

Her voice was still a little hoarse, but it had become steady.

Lu Yuan handed her the Mortar without saying anything more.

Laurina took the Mortar and began grinding.

The movements were a bit stiff at first, but gradually became smoother.

The familiar feel, the familiar rhythm.

Her breathing also calmed down.

Neither of them spoke; they were both focused on their work.

At the same time.

On a carriage in Bronze City.

The Vice Dean stood by the window, his face terribly grim.

Calvin sat beside him, still looking resentful.

Who exactly is that old man?

His voice was low, but it couldn't hide the anger within.

"We were so close... we even got the order, and we'd already spoken to Headquarters... how could this thing suddenly appear?"

The Vice Dean did not turn around.

"Guardian."

His voice was very soft, but every word seemed to be squeezed out from between his teeth.

Calvin's expression changed.

"Why would someone of that level step in for a student?"

"Because someone has kept their Oath."

The Vice Dean turned around and his gaze fell on Calvin.

"You must have heard of the Night Watcher's Oath."

Calvin fell silent.

Of course he had heard of it.

It was an ancient covenant, and once it took effect, the Night Watcher had to protect the covenantee at all costs.

"So... Laurina won't get it?"

"Otherwise what?!"

The Vice Dean spoke calmly, but a hint of ruthlessness flashed in his eyes.

"However, she is not irreplaceable."

He walked to the table and picked up a list.

"Haven't those nobles in the inner city already cooperated?"

His finger lightly traced across the list.

"Now that we're cooperating, how can we not put in the effort?"

Calvin's eyes lit up.

"You mean..."

The Vice Dean handed him the list.

"And those students who evacuated early, bring them back one by one."

"This mission absolutely cannot fail! Otherwise, you, me, and all those others will be traitors to the Empire!"

Calvin took the list and lowered his head.

"Yes."

Outside the window, night was deepening.

The lights of the inner city still shone brightly, illuminating the silhouettes of those grand mansions.

The people under those lights were unaware that a pair of eyes were watching their children.