The ancient fortress, as if perpetually shrouded in darkness, stood perched on the edge of a cliff, bathed in the cold light of the moon — solitary, weathered by ages, a relic apart from the world.
Lucian had transformed into a dark-furred werewolf, lurking in the primeval forest below the cliff, carefully studying the Observer's Keep whose towers seemed to reach into the silver moon itself. All around, within the forest and among the craggy cliff faces, lurked numerous dark creatures, their gazes fixed on the fortress with a faintly feverish intensity.
Any being with even a modicum of experience and intelligence would have no trouble recognizing the extraordinary nature of the Observer's Keep. It was easy to imagine that some greedy dark powers had already tried to break into this apparently ownerless fortress and perished, while the rest circled at a distance like wolves waiting for prey, drifting back and forth, ever patient, biding their time for the right moment.
With them serving as his cover, Lucian felt considerably more at ease. He no longer had to worry that his own surveillance would stand out like a beacon in the dark. The reason he hadn't rashly entered the Observer's Keep was his suspicion that Prince Dracula would be keeping close watch on the area. As the most powerful vampire, Dracula had more than enough ability to create simulacra, projections, and similar constructs to monitor key locations — and the moment he detected Rhein, he would descend in person.
But where would his true body be? Lucian reasoned with a sigh that if he were in Dracula's shoes, the Observer's Keep itself would be a likely choice. After all, Rhein had vanished into the southern deserts of the Gustav Empire, and there was no record of him entering the "Night Highlands." Even if one were to lie in wait for the rabbit to stumble into the trap, this was the most probable place for the rabbit to run.
As for Dracula's patience, Lucian had not the slightest doubt — a legendary powerhouse who had lived for countless years was never lacking in that regard.
"I need to find another way…"
The dark-furred werewolf that Lucian had transformed into slowly withdrew from the forest below the cliff. Betting on the chance that Dracula wasn't here, risking an uncontrollable danger by barging in — that simply wasn't his style.
Fortunately, activating the magic circles at the previous three locations had taken far less time than anticipated. Lucian had ample time to plan and strategize. Moreover, the final step required the brightest night of the silver moon, so even if he were pressed for time, he would have to wait another eight days.
Only after putting considerable distance between himself and the Observer's Keep did Lucian halt his concealed form, his mind racing as he made final refinements to the plan he had been preparing these past few days.
"If there were someone completely trustworthy, someone willing to help without knowing the secrets behind all this, the chances of success would increase enormously…" A certain figure flashed through Lucian's mind, but he hesitated. "That would put her in danger."
Stepping on the soft, rotting earth, Lucian paced back and forth, unable to make up his mind for the longest time.
"What would she say?"
As the debate raged within him, Lucian looked at a gnarled old tree in front of him, imagined it was Natasha, and pictured what her answer would be.
That valiant woman in her ivory full-plate armor would surely reply with a smile: "Sure, it's settled then. But you'll have to compose a piece of music as a gift for me."
Simple, decisive, clean — not a single unnecessary question.
And if he chose not to burden anyone, tried to carry out every step on his own, and she found out about it later, she would say with a half-smile: "I know the only person you can ultimately rely on in this world is yourself, but not everything can be accomplished alone. People who don't value their own lives never live long. I'd like to think I'm a brave and trustworthy knight — or perhaps you don't consider me a real friend?"
Lucian took a deep breath, dismissed his transformation, put on his monocle, and activated "Fernando's Electromagnetic Telephony."
The crackling static hissed through the deep quiet of the dark forest, sounding abnormally clear to Lucian's ears. As the sound continued, seconds and minutes ticked by.
"It's the middle of the night — Natasha may have already removed her earring and gone to sleep… I'll try again in the morning." After about two minutes with no response, Lucian was about to end the telephony.
Just then, the crackling static suddenly cut off, and a clear, composed feminine voice, deliberately kept low, came through: "Lucian?"
"Yes, it's me." Hearing that familiar voice, Lucian's mood settled into calm.
Natasha spoke, amused and faintly pleased: "You're near the Vorlite Principality again? I only just finished reading the letter you sent at the end of June, and now here's your telephony. You gave me quite a fright just now — I had a terrible time sneaking past Aunt Camille to get to the garden."
There was almost the feeling of sneaking a phone call behind one's parents' backs. Lucian smiled. "I'm in the Dark Mountains."
"Oh, you've run into trouble and need the help of this brave and upright knight?" Natasha chuckled softly.
Lucian's tone grew serious. "There's something I need your help with, but it could be very dangerous."
Natasha clicked her tongue and said outright: "Your location. I'm heading there right now. It's decided."
A faint sense of understanding and warmth rippled through Lucian's chest, and his voice softened. "You can bring Aunt Camille along, but you'll need to keep what we're doing from her."
Lucian understood perfectly. As the Countess of Violet and the heir to the Vorlite Principality, Natasha bore the Duke's affection and the expectations of the loyal nobles. Much of the time, she could no longer act entirely on her own whims. Even when adventuring, she needed to bring guards. Since he had no intention of telling her the secret behind all this, letting her bring Camille was a mark of respect and understanding.
"I was just about to ask whether you could tell Aunt Camille," Natasha said, her laughter gentle as well. "All right, now tell me the location and the surrounding landmarks."
"No — we'll move simultaneously and meet at the foot of Mount Skarn in the Dark Mountains." Lucian chose a location with distinctive features, and the route from Altor to Mount Skarn wouldn't pass through any particularly formidable dark creatures.
…………
Flying from Altor to the edge of the Dark Mountains took no great length of time, but once one entered the mountains, the speed dropped dramatically under the threat of countless hidden dark creatures. Sometimes one even had to land in the forest and dash through it under cover. Flying high and openly without a care — the various Sky Knights and Golden Knights who had fallen in the Dark Mountains served as the ultimate example of why not.