Limitless Fortune: I Collect SSS-Rank Skills as Payment-Chapter 170: Morvain’s Disappearance!

"Eh…? O-okay, princess. I am sorry."

Clara was, of course, surprised by Sera's advice and lowered her head in apology. But when she saw that smirk on Lucien's face from the corner of her eye, as if teasing her, she couldn't help but gnash her teeth in anger.

'Damn boy. Let me find you alone, and I will show you who you are teasing. I don't know what Sera saw in you, but I know your true nature.'

She thought while clenching her fist. She really didn't know what was so special about this man that made Sera love him so deeply.

"Haha… Sera, no need to be so angry with her for me. She's just thinking about you, nothing more."

Lucien laughed after having a little fun. He then finally looked at Clara and said lightly,

"About the upcoming awakening, I hope you take care of her as much as possible. Even if it fails, don't let her die. Don't worry, I'll look for other ways if normal methods aren't possible."

He suddenly advised Clara, surprising her in the process. From his serious look, he seemed quite concerned about Sera's well-being.

To be honest, Lucien wanted to enter the Phoenix Nest with Sera this time to make sure everything was alright.

But as the opening of the Domain Dungeon came closer and closer, he felt the call of the World of Origin more and more within him.

It was as if the moment the Shadow Kingdom opened, he would be immediately dragged there whether he wanted to go or not.

It was just a feeling he had these days, but a strong one nevertheless.

That's why he didn't want to risk going to another dungeon, as that might cause a change in his situation.

After all, he hadn't forgotten that he had awakened a Unique Class, and his situation was more special than someone else's.

"Tch… You don't need to order me. I know what to do."

Although Clara was surprised, she habitually answered him in a rude tone. But suddenly, she remembered Sera's outburst from before and looked at her princess.

Fortunately, she didn't seem angry anymore, as ordered by Lucien, of course.

"Yeah, as long as you know."

Lucien didn't mind. He nodded and finally decided to walk to the kitchen when a voice suddenly appeared in his mind out of nowhere,

"Lucien, Dorian is about to open the Shadow Kingdom ahead of time. Malcolm has asked you to make your final preparations and meet him outside."

It was from Velmara, who was conveying the news.

'About to open?'

Lucien raised his eyebrows at the sudden news. He thought there were still a few days left.

"Lucien? What happened?"

Sera, of course, noticed his pause and asked. But her face was already down, as she probably understood the time had come.

'Tell Grandpa that I'll come after eating. I'm starving.'

Lucien first replied to Velmara in the shadows, then hugged Sera in his arms with a smile.

"Let's go. Today, have dinner with me. Who knows how long it will be before we can eat together again?"

He said, then looked at Clara standing respectfully in front of him in her maid's costume.

"You join us, too. Good food might help you feel less irritable."

It was now clear that it was indeed time for their separation. Maybe realizing that, Clara didn't say anything and followed behind Sera, who looked downcast.

These few days spent with Lucien were the best of Sera's life. She really didn't want to part so soon.

But time didn't wait for them. All she could do now was to successfully awaken her physique, just like Lucien said. But how hard was that?

'No, I can't lose hope before even trying. Besides, Lucien is always with me, isn't he?'

Sera thought, remembering the essence of Lucien with her. She felt that with him by her side, she could go through anything, even if…

'Even if… I have to get burned alive again.'

***

"You are here? Did you eat your fill? Is your energy back now?"

Outside the Bellenford Capital, up in the sky somewhere, Malcolm asked Lucien, who came at the back of Velmara.

"Yeah."

Lucien felt a little awkward at his grandpa's look and stirred the topic.

"Is the Shadow Kingdom open already? Are we leaving now?"

He looked at Malcolm and asked.

"Umm… Dorian decided to open that Domain Dungeon ahead of time, using his own methods. I just got the news. So, we need to hurry before it closes again."

Malcolm nodded and said with a slightly serious look. Even Velmara seemed quieter than before.

After all, the last time Malcolm came back from that place, he was in a coma and badly injured.

Even though their preparations were much more thorough this time, they still approached that place with caution, where powerful people were as common as grains of sand.

Of course, they were excited too.

This time, they were both heading out for their class awakening quest in the World of Origin. If they succeeded, Malcolm and Velmara would suddenly rise to the level of lords.

"Then… what about father and mother?"

Lucien asked again, doubtful. Previously, Malcolm had told him that he would arrange a safe place for them before leaving.

But he had just seen them right before coming here to the mansion. It didn't seem like they were going anywhere.

"Don't worry about them. Duke Castor and I have already resolved our conflict. Besides, Prince Dorian is going to take Castor inside, too. So, there is no need to worry about their safety."

Malcolm heard his complaint and lightly explained.

"Besides, even if there is some emergency, nothing will happen to them. I have left some emergency measures, don't worry."

He waved his hand to show that everything was taken care of and climbed atop Velmara.

"Oh… then that's good."

Lucien also breathed a sigh of relief after hearing him.

"Okay, don't think too much about them. They will be fine on their own, as they aren't that weak."

Malcolm said and looked at Lucien.

"Instead, be careful after entering the Shadow Kingdom. That place is a war zone and extremely dangerous. I know you're quite strong on your own, but remember, there's always someone stronger."

He warned suddenly, his expression solemn. To be honest, after getting close to Lucien, he was surprised to feel a faint sense of danger from him. And this guy was still only an apprentice.

This grandson of his was truly a monster. He couldn't even be described as just a genius.

Although Malcolm was proud after realizing this, fear lingered beneath the pride. After all, a tall tree always attracts the wind.

He felt Lucien needed to be extremely careful inside; his presence could easily catch the eye of powerful beings like Zeyvyr, the dragon. Not everything would go as smoothly as it had before.

"Oh, by the way, I inquired about that Duke Morvain who tried to assassinate you."

Speaking of the powerful beings, Malcolm suddenly remembered the Duke Morvain of the Serenthis Kingdom.

According to Lucien, he was the one who was related to the demon and behind the Lionheart family's assassination attempt.

That's why Malcolm inquired about that guy himself, only to get the weird news all of a sudden.

"Hmm? Yeah, what happened to him? Do you know why he wants to kill me?"

Lucien raised his eyebrows and asked quickly. After all, an unknown enemy was far more dangerous than one you could see coming. 𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂

If not the time constraint, he also wanted to inquire. He didn't like being in the dark and sniped by such a powerful person.

"Eh…about that…"

Malcolm felt a little awkward at his grandson's expectant look, coughed lightly, and explained,

"I didn't get any definitive news related to your assassination or whether even Duke Moravain was behind it."

He said,

"That's because I heard Duke Morvain of the Serenthis Kingdom suddenly disappeared. And from my intel, his disappearance lines up with the day the massacre happened."

"Right now, I have no idea where he went. Even the royal family of Serenthis doesn't know. It's chaos over there."

Malcolm told everything to Lucien and went silent. Even though he didn't explain everything in detail, Lucien, of course, understood his meaning.

Basically, even without proof, the strange incident made Duke Morvain seem suspicious.

But with him disappearing like this, all leads were completely lost. Not to mention, Duke Morvain was a lone figure; Malcolm couldn't even use his family to dig up details.

So, essentially, they were right back at square one.

"Sigh… forget it. Let's just focus on the present. Since he disappeared all of a sudden, he might have sensed that he was exposed and went into hiding. There's no point in dwelling on it."

Lucien sighed at the lack of leads. To be honest, he felt a little frustrated. But what could he do when the person had simply vanished?

Besides, he had a hunch that this person was an extremely powerful figure from the World of Origin.

Even if he knew who he was, he had no intention of clashing just yet. It was better to forget about him for now rather than waste time.

"Good! Then let's go. Velmara…"

Malcolm smiled, happy that Lucien understood the priority. Without hesitation, he ordered Velmara to head north as the portal to the Shadow Kingdom Dungeon began to open.