Nether Sovereign Reborn

Chapter 9

The tension in the air increased drastically, a calm, knowing smile hanging on Davon's lips.

'The attack... it wasn't random. Just as I thought.'

Lux had been unable to stop thinking about the attack at the docks, and for quite a number of reasons.

The first was the fact that the assailant moved with purpose, like he knew exactly what he was meant to do.

Lux initially thought that perhaps it was an enemy Twilight and the rest had provoked, but now he was having second thoughts about that notion.

The second was how he knew exactly where they were.

He couldn't have possibly followed Twilight and the rest considering how experienced they seemed to be in the Totem World.

So that left just one last option.

They had tailed him.

And the missing piece had finally clicked into place.

The man was sent by Davon.

Davon probably found out about him surviving and sent the middle-aged man to finish him off, leaving the matter hidden forever.

Lux was thinking of the best way to reply without giving away any information when Twilight's voice cut across the table.

"To think the Sungate young master heard about my little underground party at the docks last night. If I remember correctly, it was for underground factions and morally gray operatives. I wonder how a righteous and prestigious family such as the Sungates—"

"We have ears everywhere... safety precautions."

"Safety precautions indeed," Twilight responded with a slight nod.

"Though... I do wonder why Lux would be at a party for the underground and morally gray. Isn't that right, Feds?"

Davon dragged his gaze across everyone at the table before settling on Fedora, who wore a dumbfounded expression.

Fedora didn't understand what they were talking about, but she pieced together a conclusion from the bits and pieces she had gathered.

A young master from the Hestia Family—a powerhouse of the Neutral Faction—had hosted a party for outlaws.

That was understandable.

He was in unfamiliar territory, and being on good terms with the city's underground world would improve his chances of safety.

But the issue now was...

What was Lux doing there?

"Lux, tell me, did you join any gang or evil association? Are they threatening you or anything? Talk to me. My family is strong. We can help you get rid of them."

Fedora's gaze zeroed in on Lux, who wore an equally dumbfounded expression.

"I took him there."

Just as Lux was about to speak, a cold voice came from Davon's direction.

Davon, who had been enjoying the chaos with a smirk on his face, froze.

This voice...

He recognized it very well.

It was a voice that had haunted him in his nightmares ever since he returned from his first field mission after awakening his Totem.

Davon slowly turned around.

Behind him stood Danzai, wearing a smile that somehow felt more threatening than reassuring.

Davon's knees buckled slightly under Danzai's gaze.

"I-is that so...? I'll take my leave then. Heh."

Davon tried to maintain a neutral expression as he walked away.

"Huh? What's wrong with that guy?"

Danzai asked, looking around the table with a dumbfounded expression.

He held a tray filled with various dishes from the school menu.

"Is he going to finish that?"

Lux asked, noticing that everyone's attention had shifted away from the dock-related discussion.

He quickly took the opportunity to change the topic entirely.

"He has conquered culinary armies of greater numbers than this."

Aurmir spoke in a serious tone, his face bearing a stern expression.

"Can everything you say not be related to war?"

Lux's expression darkened.

"As expected of a Grimwort. Always about battle."

Fedora sighed helplessly.

"I don't always talk about war."

Aurmir replied in a calm, sharp tone, stunning Lux.

"Then what else do you talk about?"

Lux raised an eyebrow.

Aurmir maintained his stern expression before answering with bone-cutting precision.

"A good massage."

"..."

The whole table fell silent.

Twilight lifted his gaze from the book he was reading, stared at Aurmir for a few seconds, shook his head slightly, and returned to reading.

RIIINNNGGGG!

The school bell rang, signaling the commencement of lessons.

The rest of the day was uneventful, with Davon causing no further trouble and Lux having no run-ins with Danzai or Aurmir, who were in different classes.

Time flew by, and soon enough the bell rang again, signaling the end of classes for the day.

Lux grabbed his bag and headed home without sparing a glance behind him.

He wanted to leave before Twilight, Aurmir, or even worse...

Danzai!

...found him.

He boarded the first bus heading toward his district.

As soon as he got on, he let out a relieved sigh.

---

"Father, I have a report to make."

Davon's voice came from outside Mark's study.

"Proceed."

Mark's calm voice resounded from behind the door, causing Davon's heart to skip a beat.

Creeaaakkk.

Davon walked into the room, his gaze fixed on his father.

"You addressed me as Father instead of Lord Patriarch. You had better have brought something worthwhile."

Mark closed the book in front of him and focused his gaze on Davon.

"Main-line heirs of three First-Tier Families are here. Two from the Neutral Faction and one from the Righteous Faction. They seem quite close to the Raizen heiress. I'm afraid they are planning something."

"Which families, if I may ask?"

Mark's expression remained neutral.

"The Crusoe Family, the Hestia Family, and... the Grimwort Family."

The final name resounded like thunder in Mark's ears.

"The Grimworts are known for war. Wherever they go, they conquer."

Mark paused briefly.

"You may leave. I'll put preparations in order."

"Yes... Father."

---

"Finally, I'm home."

After the long journey, Lux had finally returned home.

He pulled his keys from his bag and sorted through them before attempting to unlock the door.

Or at least, that was the plan.

The door to his apartment was already unlocked.

And the smell of grilled meat filled the house.

Lux's face darkened.

He stepped inside, ready to activate his Totem in case an assailant had broken in.

But what he saw was somehow worse than anything he had prepared for.

"Oh, you're back."

Twilight's calm voice came from the kitchen, drawing the attention of Aurmir and Danzai, who were grilling and eating the little beef Lux had left behind, respectively.

"YOU BASTARDS!"

Lux yelled as he snatched the half-grilled meat from the grill and stole the remaining pieces from Danzai's plate.

"Are you all insane? You're supposed to be second-generation rich kids, yet you devour the little I have! Do you have no conscience?"

"And you..."

Lux turned toward Twilight, who was staring at the ceiling as though none of this had anything to do with him.

"How can I help you?"

Twilight turned his head slightly toward Lux.

"You're supposed to be the sane one among them! What is wrong with all of you? I—"

"I'm sorry."

Lux was about to continue shouting when Danzai's voice interrupted him.

Danzai wore a genuinely apologetic expression, his gaze fixed on the ground.

Lux exhaled.

He was about to respond when Danzai continued.

"But where is your milk...? The beef was quite spicy."

"I'LL KILL YOU!"

"Enough, you two."

Twilight, who had been quiet until now, finally spoke up.

"Now that Lux is back, it's time for him to see our personal base."

Twilight closed his book and stood.

"But first things first."

A faint smile appeared on his face.

"Time for him to see the organization's headquarters."