Published at 29th of July 2026 6:48 am

Chapter 1885: Guiding Star

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Inside the vast underground hall, Genevieve sat with her back against the wall in one corner. Before her, Valerian lay sprawled lazily in his giant panther form.

The two had turned that corner of the hall into their temporary camp.

On the other side of the hall sat Darren. From time to time, his gaze drifted toward the seemingly frail, auburn-haired woman. But whenever it lingered a moment too long, a pair of predatory eyes filled with unmistakable hostility would lock onto him.

Valerian flashed his sharp teeth at the Paladin, sending him a clear warning. Adam had instructed him to stay behind with Genevieve. He had also told him to keep an eye on Darren. And so the young dragon dutifully carried out his instructions.

It had been three days since Adam had left to scout the lands above.

Although Genevieve confirmed Adam’s vital signs from Valerian frequently, she still couldn’t help but worry about him. However, she did take slight comfort in knowing that he was alive somewhere out there in the mist.

But Darren didn’t know about Adam’s status or Valerian’s familiar connection with him. According to the Paladin, the panther was but a mount.

His voice suddenly echoed in the vast, dimly lit hall.

"It’s time we accept the worst-case scenario," he said. "The sun is about to rise. He’s been gone for three days already. We need to plan ahead without him!"

Genevieve shifted her attention from the book in her hand to the towering man draped in shadows in the corner of the hall.

She did not have a good impression of Darren. There was something about him that gave her the creeps.

Still, she offered a faint, polite smile and replied, "He’ll return. I’m sure of it."

Darren felt anger rise in his chest, and he barked the words, "Why are you so taken with him? Can’t you see him for what he is! Clearly, he’s not human! Anyone who can traverse the battlefield at night isn’t. He’s a monster, I tell you! A damned monster!"

Valerian growled menacingly. He was about to rise on all four, but a gentle pat by Genevieve calmed him down — albeit a little.

She was a little amused by Darren’s words. With the same smile on her face, she asked, "Do you have an alternative?"

"What?" Darren frowned.

"The monster that you refer to," Genevieve began, "is out there searching for a way out of this predicament."

She paused. The tone in her next words wasn’t as polite.

"What have you done since arriving here? Except complain."

Darren clenched his jaw. "You—"

A low growl echoed in the chamber. Valerian’s topaz eyes gleamed with a dangerous light as he glared at the man.

Darren swallowed the words.

"Oh, sure," he retorted after a moment of deliberation. "But what have you done?"

"You’re right," Genevieve said. "I haven’t contributed much either. But I also haven’t spent my time complaining or tried to sow discord within our party."

A tense silence settled in the hall.

Darren’s expression slowly darkened. In his mind, he was already thinking about his chances of attacking Valerian and then Genevieve before the latter had time to cast her magic.

But when he thought about the sheer number of artifacts on her person, he discarded the idea.

Instead, he slipped into silence.

To someone like Genevieve, it was glaringly obvious what was going on inside the Paladin’s mind.

For most of her life, she had been the subject of envy and jealousy and occasional unkindness. But this was the first time she had been met with such open hostility and malice.

After all, she had spent nearly her entire life within the safety of the Citadel of Knowledge or behind the towering walls of Davos.

Even the initiation mission assigned to her by the Adventurers’ Guild hadn’t been particularly perilous. Thanks to Channing Oakley pulling a few strings, she had been given a simple assignment that took place within the city.

This was the first time she had ventured into the wilderness. And without a doubt, it was also the first time she had truly feared for her life, not only because of the monsters, but because of another human.

She was sensitive to the intentions of others. Despite Darren concealing them behind a stoic mask, she could sense what had crossed his mind.

In contrast, she had never felt anything like that from Adam. He looked at her with appraising eyes. More than that, he respected her. Genevieve could feel it. Although she didn’t believe she had done anything worthy of admiration since embarking on this adventure, Adam seemed to respect her nevertheless.

She couldn’t help but find it ironic that someone like Darren would call Adam a monster.

Genevieve had spent the last three days worrying about Adam, but Valerian insisted he was doing just fine. He even claimed that Adam was moving closer toward them with each passing day. That Adam always moved at night and rested during the day.

It was why she didn’t worry much. Instead, she used the time to get to know him better. For some strange reason, she wanted to truly know about the man named Constantine.

And who better to ask about Adam than Valerian?

She shifted her attention from Darren to the grey panther lying before her. She gently stroked the fur on his back and continued her silent conversation with him.

’I still cannot believe Adam was able to accomplish so much,’ she spoke mentally.

Valerian lowered his head, his gaze still locked onto the Paladin. He replied through [Mind Whisper].

’It’s true,’ he said.

’In Tron, there’s not a single person who doesn’t know of my brother. They called him the Dark King. He was born to a family of farmers, you know. He came from nothing and carved his legend with his own hands.

’Through blood, sweat, and tears, and he rose to become unrivaled in our homeworld!

’My brother united the Magi of Tron and led them into a battle against the devils. Yes, it is true that he had loyal and trustworthy allies. But I truly believe that if it hadn’t been for him, our homeworld would have fallen to the devils of Hell.’

Genevieve was truly fascinated by Adam’s story. It felt like listening to the epic of a hero’s journey she might have read about in storybooks in her childhood.

Unbeknownst to her, a small smile bloomed on her face.

Then she suddenly realized something and couldn’t help but remark:

’It’s so fitting that someone with his name would have such a story. Truly fascinating!’

’Hmm?’ Valerian tilted his head. ’How so?’

Genevieve absentmindedly scratched the panther behind the ears before replying:

’In the night skies of Myrrandor, there exists a constellation that people have nicknamed the Guiding Star. Its central star shines with an unwavering light, serving as a trusted beacon for travelers, sailors, and wandering Magi alike.

’Legend says that no matter how lost someone is, following the Guiding Star will always lead them toward hope... toward home. It has long stood as a symbol of the belief that, even in the darkest night, there is always a path forward.

’That constellation bears the name Constantine.’

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