The Kingmaker System-Chapter 383 - 382. Un-Resolved (3)

The chilly breeze played with both our hair as we were on the balcony. I sat on the railing, and he leaned casually beside me, arms braced against the stone. He wore a simple white dress shirt with the top three buttons undone, paired with black pants. His hair was tousled—messy, but in that annoyingly attractive way that made him look like he’d just stepped out of a dream meant to ruin hearts.

He stood with the easy confidence of a man who knew his beauty was criminal—and didn’t mind using it as a weapon.

I guess I had one more task waiting when I returned. I had to find the girl who had made a home in Davian’s heart.

That would be... exciting.

"Besides," he said, eyes still on the horizon, "what had you so distressed that you didn’t even realize you weren’t invisible?"

I exhaled deeply, my breath catching in the wind.

"That’s quite the sigh," he noted with a faint smile. "Is it that bad?"

"Don’t ask... personal matters," I murmured.

He tilted his head. "A personal matter? Here?"

My eyes shifted to the pendant hanging from his neck—the one with the carvings of Saintess Mirielle and the Water Dragon. I didn’t expect him to be the type to wear such things besides, it could cause some trouble if anyone in Sestia saw him wearing the Dragon’s figure on his neck.

Still, it kind of gave me a strange feeling watching the pendant on his neck, I reached out and took it between my fingers, observing the craftsmanship.

"Do you want it?" he asked, brows raised slightly.

I shook my head. "Why would I need a pendant carved with my own forms?"

He chuckled under his breath.

I closed my hand around it and let my mana flow into the piece. A soft, glowing pulse passed through my fingers.

His eyes widened faintly. "What did you just...?"

"It’s a blessing," I said quietly. "If you’re going to wear my two forms on your chest every day, you should at least have some protection from it."

I let it fall gently back against his collarbone.

Davian touched it with surprising care, as if it had suddenly become something sacred.

"I should take my leave now," I said, rising.

"Master," he called, and I paused, glancing over my shoulder.

"Yes?"

"...Will you help me woo the girl I like?" he asked, voice low and hesitant. "I... might not be able to do it myself."

A soft smile curved my lips. "Let me find out what kind of girl she is first, and then I’ll guide you properly. Until then—"

I stepped closer and placed my hand on his head, gently ruffling his soft hair. His eyes widened slightly at the gesture.

"Just be yourself."

I activated the invisibility spell, and as I lifted into the sky, the first rays of dawn broke over the horizon. The sky burst into a breathtaking canvas of golden pink and lavender hues, painting the world in a light that promised new beginnings.

Lyall assisted me in getting ready. Though we were departing in the early morning, our real journey would only begin at night. We’d travel from the capital to the border by carriage, and from there, continue the rest of the way by flight.

"We’re ready to depart, Master," Lyall said, and I turned to him with a quiet nod.

"Hm..." I stretched my arms with a long breath. Nox, who had been perched on the windowsill, flew over and settled neatly on my forearm.

Finally... I was going home.

The carriage waited at the entrance of the mansion, Lyall already standing beside it. I stepped outside, adjusting my hood, only to feel a sharp prick of awareness crawl up my spine.

I turned my gaze upward.

There—perched on the edge of the highest roof—was a figure cloaked in black, their face hidden beneath a hood. Though I couldn’t see their expression, their posture was relaxed, far too comfortable for someone trespassing. They were looking straight at me.

They’d been there at the parade too, watching. No hostility... just eerie stillness. Almost like surveillance.

"Master," Lyall murmured, appearing at my side. He was also staring at the figure.

"They’re still loitering," I muttered.

"Should’ve gotten rid of them the first time," Lyall said, his voice sharp. His hand hovered near the hilt of his sword—waiting for my command.

Before I could reply, a familiar voice called out.

"Lord Ace!"

I turned to see Anastasia, Beatrice, and Damon approaching.

"So you’re really leaving," Anastasia pouted.

I smiled faintly. "I wouldn’t lie about that."

"You could have stayed longer, Lord Ace," Beatrice added.

"Yes! Even while you were here, you hardly spent any time with us. You were always working," Anastasia said with a gentle frown.

I offered them an apologetic smile. "Forgive me, Young Miss."

Damon stepped forward. "I hope your stay was comfortable, Lord Ace."

His formality was almost amusing, considering he outranked me.

"It was. We were very well looked after—thanks to you, Your Grace," I replied.

"My Lord, when will you visit next time?" Anastasia asked.

I tilted my head thoughtfully. "Well... perhaps sometime in the future."

"Then I hope you’ll stay with us again. You too, Sir Zoro," Beatrice said warmly.

"We gladly accept your generous offer, My Lady." I took her hand, pressing a light kiss to her knuckles, and did the same with Anastasia. Then I turned to Damon, offering a firm handshake before stepping away.

"Have a safe journey!"

"Please write to us!"

I gave them one last wave before climbing into the carriage, Lyall settling across from me.

The wheels turned, and just like that, we were on our way.

I leaned back into the seat as Nox returned to the windowsill, his eyes focused on the passing scenery.

"I’m sure he’ll forgive you, Master," Lyall said after a while.

I sighed, the weight of his words dragging at my chest.

"I really did cross the line, Lyall. I didn’t have any need to... It’s his personal life... The kingdom and the empire is one thing but the personal life of my people is another... I don’t have any right."

I saw Lyall tense, his fists curling as he leaned forward.

"God has every right to decide what happens in everyone’s life, Master."

"Yes... He does," I murmured, eyes closing briefly. "But I’m no God."

"For us, you are."

He said it without the slightest doubt.

And in that moment, the reverence in his voice felt almost too heavy to carry.

After traveling all day, we stopped at a small town on the kingdom’s outskirts. That night, we stayed at a modest inn, and I lay in bed, eyes closed, only to be met with Rune’s cold, expressionless face in the dark.

Sleep refused to come.

Eventually, I gave up trying. I slipped on my cloak and climbed out through the window, scaling the inn’s roof in search of some quiet solace.

[Giver of Gifts assures you that your brother will forgive you.]

[Goddess of Wisdom agrees, adding that you shouldn’t be so worried.]

[Defender of Divine Glory sides with them both.]

"Since when did you guys start caring?" I muttered, tilting my head up to the night sky, my feet spread across the cool roof tiles.

[Goddess of Wisdom says they’ve always cared about you.]

I scoffed. "Then you all suck at consoling. And anyway, you’re comforting the wrong person. You should be comforting my brother."

Silence.

I sighed and stared at the stars, their light too distant to warm the ache in my chest. Then I felt it—that presence. A faint prickle at the edge of my awareness, like a whisper brushing across my skin.

"For how long will you keep watching?" I said, not bothering to turn. "If you have something to say, come over and say it."

The presence moved closer—still distant, standing near the edge of the rooftop while I sat at its center. It radiated something... unstable. Like fire clinging to dying embers, desperate to keep burning.

"What do you want?" I asked quietly.

"...Just wanted to watch over you," came a male voice.

I huffed a humorless chuckle. "Watch over me?"

"...You didn’t do anything wrong."

My jaw tightened.

"Dragons aren’t conditioned to feel the way humans do," he continued. "They will always stand above other creatures."

"Oh, so you know who I am—and still decided it was a good idea to come throw philosophy at me?"

He let out a low, quiet chuckle.

"Scion of the Supreme Aqua Dragon," he said, reverently, "you are the chosen one."

I finally turned, my gaze narrowing as I studied the cloaked figure still standing at a distance.

"Your human side and your Dragon blood shall move the cogs that were rusted and bring this world to an era... The era that is nothing but the will of the divine." He announced.

He paused, then added with soft finality:

"And you are the medium through which it shall come."

I frowned, narrowing my eyes at the cloaked figure. Instinctively, I activated my Mana Eyes—only to be met with nothing. No name, no stats, no nothing. I hated that I was still unable to use the Mana Eyes function of watching every person stats.

"Who are you?" I asked, my voice steady but cold.

"I don’t have much time left," he said, tone laced with something mournful. "But I shall guide you... for as long as my fleeting life allows."

He took a step back toward the shadows.

"I only hope you won’t fall short of the expectations now resting on your shoulders, Scion of the Supreme Aqua Dragon."

"What do you mean? Wait! Who are you!?" I shouted, lunging forward—but it was too late.

He leapt off the roof.

I didn’t hesitate. I jumped down after him and gave chase, my cloak billowing behind me as I darted through the quiet streets, across the dimly lit town, toward the outskirts.

But when I got there—he was gone. Vanished. As if he had never existed at all.

I stood there, under the starlit sky, scanning every shadow, every rooftop. Nothing.

His words clung to me like frost.

What did he mean by that?

Just what the hell was this new problem now?

Why can’t I just be allowed to face one problem at a time?

The most uptodate nove𝙡s are published on fr(e)𝒆webnov(e)l.com