Path of the Extra Chapter 408: Measured and Judged
Previously on Path of the Extra...
A soft sound escaped Lumine’s lips as he felt the cold eyes of both Caleus and Azriel settle on him.
Tightening his grip on the doorframe to prevent his body from trembling too much, Lumine steeled himself and stepped farther inside.
His gaze flickered briefly to the unconscious prince lying on the floor, but he forced himself to look away.
“You… you are the boy who ranked second in Azriel’s year, aren’t you?” The Nebula prince spoke with a scrutinizing gaze that made Lumine’s heart pound even faster in fear.
“Y-Yes, that is me. My name is Lumine Versille. It is… an honor to meet you, Prince Caleus.” Lumine saluted respectfully, trying to appear as harmless as possible.
“You had better have a good reason for barging in here like this,” Caleus said. “Otherwise, there will be severe consequences.”
Looking back up, Lumine paled at the word
"Well?" Lumine inquired once more, his tone carrying a distinct edge of apprehension.
"You desired their lives be spared, did you not?"
Azriel shifted aside, creating an opening.
Hioren’s gaze immediately found Lumine, a flicker of gratitude appearing before he hurried to his brother’s side.
"Th-thank you..." Lumine murmured, his voice soft.
Lumine made a mental note of this interaction.
Then, Azriel uttered words that caused Lumine’s heart to falter.
"Bring Yelena along with us."
Lumine’s eyes widened in shock.
"What? She—she must not! It is too dan—"
"Her [Instincts] will prove invaluable if we intend to enter and exit this place alive."
Lumine fell silent, the argument dying on his lips.
Despite this, the prospect of exposing Yelena to such peril filled him with dread.
"You may reveal yourself now, if you wish."
A crease of confusion formed on Lumine’s brow at Azriel’s abrupt statement. He then heard the soft padding of footsteps behind him. Turning, his eyes widened in astonishment.
"H-hello..." Yelena offered a hesitant smile and a small wave from the doorway. Standing beside her was another striking young man, his hair the color of copper and his eyes a warm hazel.
Azriel directed his attention to Yelena.
"Are you amenable to accompanying us, Yelena?"
Yelena nodded firmly, her expression becoming resolute.
"I am indebted to Princess Celestina, Princess Jasmine, and yourself beyond measure. I will lend my aid in any capacity possible."
She clenched her fists, her resolve palpable.
Recognizing the futility of dissuading her, Lumine released a quiet sigh. He then noticed Azriel’s questioning gaze fixed upon the other young man, who appeared visibly apprehensive.
"Ah." Seizing Azriel’s attention, Lumine quickly made the introduction.
"This is Jeremy, a fellow student and a nobleman hailing from the Cesk clan. We encountered each other during the... well, the trial that an angel imposed upon the participants. He possessed a green marker, and we decided to stick together."
"Cesk?" Azriel tilted his head slightly, a hint of curiosity in his expression.
Simultaneously, the sound of Vioren coughing, signaling his gradual awakening, drifted from behind them.
Jeremy stepped forward, executing a bow with impeccable grace and proper etiquette.
"It is an honor to make your acquaintance, Prince Azriel."
"Mhm."
Gazing down at the young man, Azriel inquired,
"Under which esteemed great clan does your lineage fall?"
"...The Frost Clan, Your Highness."
Azriel’s eyes narrowed slightly as he regarded Jeremy, who kept his gaze lowered in a show of humility.
"Do you possess any particular value?"
Value?
Both Yelena and Lumine stiffened at the stark question, as if Azriel were poised to harm the young man on the spot. Jeremy pursed his lips before finally responding,
"I... I am a healer..."
Azriel’s gaze shifted toward the Dusk twins.
"Well, is there not someone here in need of healing? Should it not be your noble obligation to assist in the rescue of a prince?"
Jeremy’s eyes widened in surprise. He looked from Azriel to the twins. Hioren, still visibly pale and shaken, silently conveyed a look of desperate appeal to the young nobleman.
The imperious arrogance of a young prince had vanished entirely.
All that remained was a frightened royal, too overcome by fear of Azriel’s potential reaction to utter an careless word.
"R-Right, Your Highness..."
Bowing once more, Jeremy quickly moved to attend to the twins.
Azriel proceeded past them, his steps measured.
"Although our objective is to infiltrate and liberate them from their confinement, remain prepared for the possibility of combat. For reasons unknown, Nol was unable to extend an invitation to [White Haven] for them either. Be ready for any eventuality."
The two nodded in acknowledgment of Azriel’s solemn warning.
As he walked away, Lumine watched his retreating figure, his lip caught between his teeth.
He still hadn't found an opportunity to speak with Azriel properly since their last encounter.
A wave of frustration washed over Lumine, and he clenched his fists.
Then, he felt Yelena’s gentle fingers twine around his arm.
She met his gaze, her eyes brimming with concern, and whispered in a low tone intended solely for him,
"You have been acting strangely..." She then shook her head. "...No, your recent actions have been peculiar. And now this, with the princesses requiring rescue... You could have met your end barging into that room like you did..."
Her gaze flickered toward the apprehensive Dusk twins.
Lumine found it difficult to hold their gaze for any length of time.
"I... I had no alternative."
With visible distress clouding her features, Yelena inquired in an even softer voice, meant only for his ears,
"Has it finally returned?"
The system.
Lumine nodded without hesitation.
That single gesture provided sufficient confirmation, and it only amplified her growing anxiety.
"...The last occasion we heeded its guidance..."
"I am aware..."
"But—"
"However, circumstances are different this time..." Lumine interjected swiftly.
"It... it bears no resemblance to our previous experience."
"Does this involve Prince Azriel?"
Lumine shook his head, then paused, leaning in closer.
"...But I intend to confront him. I must ascertain the true nature of our situation with him. It is consuming my thoughts."
Yelena’s eyes widened at his declaration. She then pressed her lips together, as if contemplating a matter of great weight.
"If you are truly resolved to confront him directly..." she finally stated, "then you ought to be aware that he already knows."
Lumine’s brow furrowed, completely caught off guard by her words.
"He revealed it to me when we journeyed into the Void Realm together. It was during a moment when I was alone with him. I... I intended to tell you sooner, but I found myself uncertain. Fear and confusion clouded my mind. And even when I inquired about his knowledge, he stated he would only share it if I met a peculiar condition—I had to impress him during the Tournament of the Greats..." Her gaze dropped. "I apologize, Lumine... I believed it would be acceptable to delay until I had processed my feelings concerning him. At one instant, my [Instincts] urged me to maintain a significant distance from him... and the very next, they assured me he was the most secure presence around. This internal conflict bewildered me profoundly. It's the reason I persistently advised you to keep your distance from him all this while..." Lumine's brow furrowed further, finding it difficult to grasp the sudden outpouring of her confession. "What exactly are you referring to?" "..!" Abruptly, Yelena seized his robes with a firm grip and drew nearer, catching him off guard. Her lips neared his ear as she uttered the words that momentarily halted Lumine's entire world.