Published at 21st of July 2026 9:14 am

Chapter 1862: Adam’s Decision

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Adam returned home shortly after.

He informed Channing that he needed time to weigh the pros and cons before making a decision.

Despite the dangers surrounding the expedition, the potential rewards were substantial. Channing had explained that adventurers sponsored by Esmond received fifty percent of all treasures recovered from the ruins.

Now that could either amount to a fortune... or nothing at all.

Either way, both sides bore considerable risks.

For Esmond, the risk was financial. He invested large sums of money into these expeditions with no guarantee of returns.

The adventurers, on the other hand, were risking something far more valuable.

Their lives.

Adam still had a few days to think it over.

If he ultimately agreed to take on the mission, he would need to report to Esmond’s manor in North Ward in five days. The other adventurers selected for this expedition would also be gathering there for the first time to extensively discuss the mission.

If he declined, then he would simply move on. There were other avenues for him to make money. The Adventurers’ Guild was one of them. A safer one was selling potions. These would offer him a steady source of income.

A rescue mission, huh?

He sat atop the sloped, tiled roof of his townhouse, gazing out over the city.

Before him stretched a sea of terraces and rooftops, their chimneys spewing thin trails of smoke into the cool night air. Far in the distance lay the urban canopy of Blue Borough, peaceful and prosperous beneath the moonlight.

Beyond even that, the dark waters of the ocean kissed the horizon.

Overhead, giant figures darted across the skyline. They were the sky cavalry — soldiers of the Guard riding griffins — patrolling the skies above Davos. Their silhouettes occasionally crossed the moonlight before disappearing into the darkness once more.

And above them all hung the beautiful moons of Myrrandor, suspended upon the heavenly canvas like silver lanterns, bathing the city in their cool and gentle light.

Now I realize why Esmond was so reluctant to part with that chest, he thought with a wry smile.

A bottle of half-finished ale rested in his hands. Half a dozen more sealed bottles were kept beside him. He had bought them from the Rabbit Hole on his way back home.

He took a swig of the bottle, slipping into deep thought.

But why are the vampires after that ruin as well?

Definitely related to them, or those brothers wouldn’t have tried so hard to retrieve that map from Esmond.

When his thoughts drifted to the two vampires, Louis and Dorian, and how the latter was still alive somewhere, Adam’s expression turned cold and dark.

His eyes gleamed with a sharp light as he concealed the killing intent flickering in them.

He’s out there somewhere.

Recouperating... sharpening his claws... baring his fangs!

He despised leaving enemies alive. He had suffered greatly because of it in his youth. That lesson was still fresh in his memory. As a result, he made it a point to eliminate anyone who posed a threat to him.

Dorian had managed to slip through his grasp, and Adam did not like it one bit.

The soft sound of footsteps reached his ears. Adam turned around and saw Valerian emerging from the attic’s window. His dark expression quickly changed to that of love and warmth.

"Come here," he said gently.

"Myu!"

Valerian dove into his embrace. Then he comfortably sat in his lap and stargazed with him.

"Brother," he called out softly after a long moment of silence.

"Yes?" Adam gently rubbed the little guy’s ears.

Valerian deliberated for a while before saying meekly, "Can we... can we go outside the city?"

Adam arched a brow. "Why the sudden interest?"

The little guy was silent again. Then he replied in a soft voice, "It’s the only time I can move about freely. I... I don’t like staying in the city."

Adam felt his heart ache a little when he felt the sadness in Valerian’s words.

He fell silent.

He had restricted Valerian’s movement within the city for his own safety.

Davos was a city of hidden power. Beneath its peaceful exterior lived countless experts, influential figures, and old monsters whose strength Adam couldn’t even begin to measure. He had no way of knowing how many of them could see through Valerian’s disguise and uncover his true identity.

Adam wasn’t willing to take that risk. Not with his little brother.

The bitter truth was that Adam was still weak. Far too weak to protect Valerian if something truly went wrong. And that was what troubled him most.

He knew his restrictions were making Valerian unhappy. He could see the growing restlessness in him, the longing whenever he looked at the city and the world beyond.

Adam hated it.

He hated that his attempt to protect his little brother had become the very thing causing him sadness.

Seeing how Adam had fallen silent for such a long time, Valerian forced a smile and quickly said, "Actually, Dorothy is not a bad flatmate. I love it in our new home—"

"There is a mission next week," Adam interrupted him.

Valerian’s eyes widened slightly, and he whirled and looked at Adam. "Outside the city?"

Adam smiled fondly. He nodded as he asked, "Wanna go?"

"Let’s go!" Valerian put his arms around Adam and tenderly licked his cheeks. "Let’s go! Let’s go!"

Adam laughed warmly. "Okay, okay! Calm down!"

"Myu! Myu! Myu!"

Several minutes later, Valerian fell asleep on Adam’s lap, purring contentedly.

The raven-haired youth gently stroked his fur, dotingly smiling at him.

I’m sorry for hurting you, Val.

But you know I love you the most.

Adam finished the bottle of ale, then popped open another one. He took a mouthful, then stared at the moons.

Going on that expedition shouldn’t be such a bad idea.

He slowly turned southwest.

For some reason, he couldn’t help but think:

I wonder if she’ll come...

***

Sapphire Tower, Lords’ Borough.

The spacious studio apartment was one of the countless student residences scattered across the sprawling campus.

Everything was neat and meticulously organized. Books rested upon shelves, fresh flowers decorated a small table by the window, and delicate curtains framed the moonlit view outside.

The flat was undeniably feminine. It was elegant without being extravagant, warm without being cluttered. It was a quiet little space that felt distinctively like Genevieve.

She sat before a vanity mirror, slowly brushing her auburn hair as the soft glow of the lamp illuminated her room. Clad in a simple white nightgown, she gazed at her reflection while lost in thought.

Amidst thoughts of her studies, the upcoming expedition, and the various social obligations that came with life at Sapphire Tower, Genevieve found her mind wandering back to the strange young man.

The color of his hair. His dark eyes. His hidden pride. His unusual background.

He was unlike any other man she’d ever met.

For reasons she couldn’t quite understand, Adam refused to leave her thoughts.

She set down the brush, suddenly impatient with herself.

It was absurd, really.

A stranger she’d spoken to for the first time, and yet here she was, dwelling on him like a teenager.

She turned down the lamp, as if darkness might quiet her thoughts.

It didn’t.

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