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Heir of the White Lotus (Web Novel) - Chapter 2184: Concerning Matter
Chapter 2184: Concerning Matter
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The dragon’s lair in the heart of Mount Davos reeked of death and terror.
Signs of battle were everywhere. The stone walls were cracked, pillars had collapsed, and the floor was littered with rubble. Deep gouges scarred the ground, evidence of the terrible struggle that had taken place here.
Ajax, the Dragon of Davos, had fought fiercely.
A score of Magi and Paladins had entered his lair, and the mighty dragon had managed to take eight of them down before he was ultimately defeated.
But his death had been a gruesome one.
The renegades had torn him limb from limb, leaving behind a scene of carnage that brought shame to his station. A dragon who had once commanded fear and respect had been reduced to little more than scattered remains.
It was a death that did not befit him.
Fortunately, Hannibal had arrived just in time to deal with the rest of the Magi and Paladins. If not for his intervention, Ajax’s corpse would have been turned into potions and artifacts.
Now, silence reigned over the lair.
Hannibal sat atop a broken pillar, his gaze fixed on the cracked floor below. Dark stains remained between the fractured stones, marking the place where Ajax had been butchered.
He stared at them without moving.
This lair had once been a place of overwhelming presence. Even the air had seemed to tremble beneath the weight of the dragon’s existence.
Now, there was nothing.
Only broken stone, dried blood, and the lingering stench of death.
A gust of wind swept through the lair.
The Witch of Davos suddenly appeared before the broken pillar. She wore a set of crisp Magus robes, though her pale face betrayed the injuries she had sustained during the Red Gala.
The moment she appeared, she dropped to one knee.
In the presence of an Emperor, she was but a subject.
And so, she bowed her head and offered Hannibal the respect his station demanded.
"It is my honor to be in your presence, Emperor."
Hannibal stared at her for a moment. Then he replied, "Drop the title."
Emily hesitated. But in the end, she obeyed. "Yes... Hannibal."
"Rise."
The Witch of Davos rose to her feet.
Then she cast a reverential look toward the Emperor Paladin.
Hannibal wore plain clothes, the kind one would expect from a commoner. No embellishments. No ornaments. Nothing that would distinguish him from an ordinary man.
He had a receding hairline, thick eyebrows, and a mustache framed by stubble. From the way he dressed to the way he carried himself, no one would believe that this man was an Emperor.
No one would believe that this tavern owner, who served ale to adventurers and listened to their mundane complaints, was one of the most powerful beings in this world.
Now that Emily knew the truth, it humbled her.
She had spent years navigating the treacherous world of Magi and Paladins. She had met powerful figures who flaunted their strength, adorned themselves with expensive artifacts, and demanded respect at every turn.
Hannibal was nothing like them.
A man of such renown and strength, a hero of the Imperium, had chosen to run a tavern.
He welcomed people whose strength and status amounted to little compared to his own. He poured drinks for them, listened to their stories, and allowed them to treat him as nothing more than an ordinary tavern owner.
He could have stood above them all.
Instead, he chose to sit among them.
Emily lowered her gaze, feeling a sense of awe she could scarcely put into words.
"May I ask you something?"
Hannibal sighed inwardly. He gestured for her to continue.
Emily looked at him and respectfully asked, "Are you... the Warden of the West?"
Though it was posed as a question, she already knew it to be the truth.
Why else would an Emperor be out here living in the Free City of Davos?
"Yes," Hannibal said simply. "But Emily..."
The Witch of Davos grew somber.
"You must not reveal my identity to anyone."
Emily nodded. "Of course!"
"Continue treating me as you always have," Hannibal continued. "I’m just a tavern owner. Just an Unknown Lord. Yes?"
"Yes, I understand." Emily nodded again.
"Good." Hannibal’s eyes suddenly narrowed. "Now, then. Since you know I’m a Warden, it should be self-explanatory as to why I have hidden my strength. But why have you hidden yours?"
"A trump card," Emily answered with a wry smile. "Prepared just in case for days like the Red Gala."
Hannibal sensed no lies. He nodded. "That is fair."
"May I ask another question?" Emily stated respectfully.
"Yes."
"Wardens are mysterious beings," she began.
"They are not known to interfere in mortal affairs. I know that without your assistance, Davos would have been doomed. Please forgive my insolence, but may I know the reason you chose to interfere? It is just my curiosity and nothing else."
Hannibal answered truthfully, "Because of my student. And you are to continue treating him the same way. No special treatment."
"Yes, I understand." Emily nodded.
"Now then," Hannibal said. "Do you know who is behind the attack?"
Emily’s expression turned dark.
"Nigel Norwood and the Iron Covenant."
Hannibal nodded.
"Ajax and Nicholaus are dead," he said. "They came for me, but perished. Only the Unknown Lords who supported you were attacked. This was a coup."
Emily nodded, her shoulders heavy with shame and defeat.
Hannibal looked deeply at the woman. He let out a soft sigh. "I won’t tell you how to handle this matter. You are the Known Lord of Davos. And there’s a reason for that."
"Thank you!" Emily bowed. "It... it means a lot coming from you... Hannibal."
Hannibal’s expression softened. In this moment, Emily Damon wasn’t the Known Lord of Davos. She was simply the teacher who had lost her student.
"The artifacts they used to conceal their movements are of Xelthari origin," he said.
"Xelthari?!" Emily’s eyes widened. "Are you suggesting Nigel Norwood has allied with the enemy?"
"I can’t say for certain until I have all the facts," Hannibal replied. "But this is a concerning matter. You understand, don’t you?"
"Yes, of course!"
"Then I can trust you to get to the bottom of this?" Hannibal asked.
Emily only needed to deliberate for but a moment before resolve flashed in her eyes.
"Yes, you can leave it to me."
"Very well, Emily." Hannibal gave her a nod of acknowledgment. "Good fortune and good speed."
And just like that, he vanished right before Emily’s eyes.
