Ascension of the Dark Seraph - Chapter 414

Chapter 414: Searching for the Book (2)

Leandra stared at the paper in utter loss before her hand dropped to her lap.

She was already sitting on the floor, troubled.

It was undeniable that this piece of paper belonged to the book that they were looking for, as it mentioned the Blessed Oracle. However, finding only a single page was a bad sign as it might mean that someone, likely Master Tobias, had already taken the book away.

This single piece of paper was forgotten here, or perhaps slipped from the book.

Either way, the book was not here anymore.

Or at least, the book shouldn’t be inside Master Tobias’ office.

“I hope the others found the book, but I doubt it,” Leandra sighed and looked at the paper again. “And besides, what’s this Endling Needle? What is its connection with Lucivar? And what is its power? From its name, it probably has the power to end things?”

Shaking her head, she headed outside to inform the others of her findings.

Even though she didn’t know what the Ending Needle was for, she was quite sure that the materials were tied to the Gods inside Lucivar. If that was really the case, then perhaps Lucivar could ask the Gods.

As she traced along the corridor, her steps slowed.

She could hear a distant whisper, like someone was talking in a hushed tone.

And since it came from upstairs, it must be coming from Lucivar.

Instinctively, Leandra suppressed her ether and continued through the corridor, looking up to the second floor with a clear frown, and then climbed the stairs. She tried to be as silent as possible—to hear what Lucivar was whispering.

Or who is he whispering to.

“Schedule it in a couple of days. Better yet, prepare for any day in the next week.”

“Fine, you can come too. As long as you did this perfectly, then I’ll allow it.”

Hearing this, Leandra frowned.

It sounded like Lucivar was talking to someone on the phone about planning something.

‘What is he planning to do? And—who is he talking to?’ Leandra bit her lower lip, finding it annoying that Lucivar had gotten used to using a phone. It was a lot easier—if he still hadn’t accustomed. ‘It also sounded like they were close. Let me get closer.’

Leandra climbed the remaining stairs and leaned her head forward to peek.

She noticed Lucivar was in the living area of the second floor, one hand in his pocket, while the other was holding a phone that was pressed to his right ear. Instead of searching for the book, he was on the phone—even facing out the window to soak in the view.

‘Isn’t he supposed to be searching for the book?’ Leandra thought suspiciously.

“Have I ever failed before? I think you’re getting too cocky now, since it has been some time since we met alone. I know you’re happy that you’re in this. But the truth is, I wasn’t really planning to bring you had it not been for your skills.”

“Alright. Stop giggling and make the arrangements.”

“Oh, also, exclude Sabrina. She’ll be going straight wi—”

Just then, Lucuivar stopped and turned towards the staircase.

Leandra immediately pressed her body against the handrail, trying to hide from Lucivar’s sight.

But she could hear Lucivar ending the phone call.

She was already caught.

“I wasn’t planning to eavesdrop,” Leandra said, stepping onto the second floor and heading towards Lucivar. Since she was already caught, there’s no reason for her to hide anymore. “I got something for you to see.”

Hearing this, Lucivar paused for a good moment as he pocketed his phone.

Then, he tilted his head, “Did you hear?”

“Will it make you feel better if I say I don’t?” Leandra asked back. “Who are you talking to?”

Lucivar scratched the back of his head, seemingly embarrassed either—from what he was planning or from the fact that Leandra managed to sneak behind him, “To someone I know. It’s supposed to be a surprise, but since you heard already, there’s no point in hiding it anymore.”

“I’m booking us a vacation.” He added flatly.

Before he said that, Leandra’s mind was going everywhere—guessing all the bad things he might do.

Never had she expected that Lucivar was secretly planning a surprise vacation.

“Vacation? Out of nowhere?”

“What do you mean, out of nowhere?”

Lucivar chuckled and took a seat on the sofa, crossing his legs and crossing his arms to the side.

“Master Tobias did promise us a vacation,” He added, reminding Leandra of the last conversation she had with Master Tobias before the birthday party. “Now we knew he was going to use that day to run away, and it left a sour taste in my mouth. So, why not go on a vacation for real?”

“Is that really what you were planning?” Leandra asked, also sitting across from him.

“Yep. What? We’ve gone through Hell, and it’s weird for me to enjoy the moment a bit? I’ve got the money, the time, and more importantly, the mood to go on a vacation. So, I say, why not? It’s going to be fun.”

“Sigh… It’s not like that. Maybe I’m still on edge with everything that was happening.”

“Don’t worry, you’re not alone.”

Lucivar nudged his chin towards the window, gesturing for her to check.

Confused, Leandra stood up again and looked out of the window.

She looked around the courtyard, finding nothing seeming out of place other than the emptiness that the mansion now holds. Pivoting around again, she raised a brow questioningly, “What are you trying to show me? I don’t see anything.”

“Look again,” Lucivar said nonchalantly. “Check behind the big plant pot to the left.”

Despite her annoyance, she checked again.

But this time, she noticed something, or someone.

Behind the big pot, almost hidden from where Leandra was looking from was Ravenna—she seemed to be looking down at the grass while holding the edge of the big pot with one hand. She looked to be searching for the book, but she was only standing there in stillness for a good half a minute.

It was clear that she had something inside her mind, and it was no doubt everything that happened.

Ravenna looked normal along the way, but she wasn’t.

How could she? After she saw the chamber with Bob’s corpse in it, she must not have been feeling well.

“Everyone is troubled like that, and I decided to let us have a vacation. Is that wrong?” Lucivar asked.

His tone edged on playfulness.

Almost like he was teasing the fact that he was doing something so uncharacteristic—like being more considerate to the others, Leandra expected Lucivar not to care, but he did, and that caught her completely off guard.

“No, it’s not bad,” Leandra exhaled in a huff. “But aren’t we supposed to be searching for the book? It’s about you, and you don’t seem to be as interested in finding it, unlike us. Why is that? Knowing your nature, you would’ve wanted to find the book.”

“I am very interested in the book, don’t get me wrong.”

“You don’t look interested. Look, even the entire second floor is unturned.”

“Did you forget? I’m an avatar. I can search for the book without flipping things over like you’re doing.”

Just then, a chuckle escaped Lucivar’s lips.

“What are you chuckling at?”

“At you.”

“Me? What’s so funny about me?”

“You’re really stressed, aren’t you? You even forgot that you have an attribute that could help you search for the book rather easily. But instead of using your attribute, you flipped and trashed the place,” Lucivar smiled and licked his teeth teasingly. “If that’s the case, aren’t you the one who wasn’t searching for the book properly?”

Upon hearing this, Leandra paused for a moment, stunned.

And then, she sat down on the sofa, “I’m really that shaken up, huh? How did I forget that?”

Lucivar leaned back on the sofa, his leg raised and dropped in the rhythm of his mood.

“So, what do you want to show me?”

“Oh… right. Here…”

Leandra handed Lucivar the ripped page from the supposed book they were searching for.

She then bent forward, burying her face in her hands.

It was an attempt to ease the throbbing headache that was assaulting her brain right now.

“It’s a single page from the book that talked about creating something called the Ending Needle. It was only half of the page. There’s no explanation of what the Ending Needle does, but only the materials to make it.”

“Ending Needle, huh…”

“Yes. I thought that the Gods inside you might know something about it.”

“Heh, you thought wrong.”

Confused, Leandra raised her gaze.

Since it was about the Blessed Oracle, the Gods certainly would know something about it.

Even if they don’t, they are Gods, surely, they could find out something about it.

“What do you mean, I thought wrong?”

“Asking the Gods would be meaningless. Your first mistake was thinking that the Gods are fully on my side. They’re not. All they wanted was for me to do their bidding, to defeat their enemies. Anything that I might find useful, they wouldn’t tell blatantly. At least not until I give them something in return.”

“But…” Leandra was at a loss for words. “But this could be a powerful weapon—or artifact, no? It can make you stronger.”

“Yes, but it could also help me learn what a Blessed Oracle really is, and that’s bad for them.”

Hearing this, Leandra could only smile acutely.

Her first mistake was treating the Gods within Lucivar like any ordinary named bloodline—assuming they wished to see the Hybrid succeed—when in truth, they desired the opposite. Worse still, she should have known about the arrangement between Lucivar and the Gods.

No chance Lucivar could be this strong without paying the price.

“I should’ve known.” She mumbled awkwardly. “Anyway, do you have a guess what it’s for?”

“Judging from the name, maybe it’s an artifact to end me for good?” Lucivar guessed.

The Ending Needle sounds suspiciously like a weapon that could kill him, especially considering that the materials to make it sound like divine materials. Lucivar could tell that they were from the Root of Ages, which was literally taken from the World Tree.

“But why would anyone need that?” Leandra asked, leaning back on the sofa in thought. “You’ll die from being decapitated or stabbed through the heart, like anyone else. Not even the strongest Hybrid could survive being beheaded.”

“Of course, this Ending Needle is probably used when you can’t do that to me anymore,” Lucivar replied with a small shrug. “Like when I become too strong to beat through normal means.”

Hearing this, Leandra’s eyes widened.

She never thought that far, and that’s clearly plausible.

Possessing the bloodline of the Gods meant the sky is the limit, so Lucivar would be so strong that none could match him. And at that point, if he went berserk, someone or something has to stop him, and this Ending Needle is one, if not the only way.

“Besides…” Lucivar spoke again, grinning. “Do you think if you stab me right now, I’ll die…?”