NOVPUBEven while Ludger was asleep, his senses were sharper than usual.
A price—and a fragment of grace—for borrowing the power of a goddess.
Contact with a divine being had left its mark on him.
He saw it.
The small and large auras that people carried.
Presence.
The size of their soul.
The weight of their power.
To him, it appeared like pure white flames burning in the dark.
His body was resting, but his consciousness was witnessing the fire of their souls.
Ordinary people’s flames were like tiny candles.
Those slightly more capable—what the world might call “average talent”—burned with the size of torches.
And those who surpassed even that, the ones called geniuses—
Their souls blazed like towering bonfires.
And now, from a distant place, a single white bonfire was approaching the slums.
Accompanied by four torches.
The moment he recognized that—
Ludger opened his eyes.
* * *
At first, the members didn’t understand what Ludger meant when he said visitors were coming.
“Well then. We’re about to receive guests. Prepare to welcome them.”
Only after his firm tone did they start moving.
Ludger immediately began disguising himself.
Hans, still confused, widened his eyes as a rat came scurrying in and handed him a note with information.
“Boss... how did you know the Nightcrawler Knights were coming?”
“I just did.”
It might have sounded like an excuse, but he was serious.
He’d sensed it while in deep sleep—like a whisper in the dark.
“Shouldn’t we hide, then? If we get caught doing something suspicious, it could be dangerous.”
“If you’re willing to greet them as the ‘Owner’ in my place, then sure. But they’ll figure you out immediately.”
“...True. We’re dealing with the Nightcrawler Knights. They’d see through a weak trick in seconds.”
“Exactly why I have to go myself. Tell the others not to block them—treat them with full hospitality.”
“Got it.”
Ludger fastened his coat.
* * *
“This is supposed to be the slums?”
One of the Nightcrawler Knights muttered in disbelief as they looked around.
Terrina Lionhowl and the other knights shared the same reaction.
“This place looks nothing like it did before. I’d believe it if someone told me it was a different district.”
The filth-strewn alleys, the collapsed buildings, and the beggars hunched over in misery—gone.
In their place were smoothly paved roads and newly constructed, polished buildings.
The scent of freshly cooked food wafted through the air, and the sound of laughing children echoed between the walls.
It was more luxurious than most commercial districts.
One could easily mistake it for a vibrant, upscale part of the city.
Enya, who had been observing the transformation regularly, spoke up.
“As you can see, Captain, the slums are changing rapidly. Even now, it’s happening in real time.”
“All of this... the work of that man called ‘Owner’?”
“Yes. That’s right.”
By this point, Terrina’s curiosity had become personal.
What had started as an official visit to interrogate a suspect was now fueled by genuine interest.
She could tell this person was no ordinary man—and she needed to understand what kind of philosophy he followed, what kind of person he was.
Her instinct told her it was necessary.
A gifted individual with a dangerous mind was one of the greatest threats to any nation.
That’s precisely why the Nightcrawler Knights existed.
As they walked, someone appeared before them and blocked the way.
The knights stopped in sync.
“It’s an honor to meet the Empire’s Nightcrawler Knights. My name is Violetta, and I’ve been assigned to escort you.”
Dressed neatly to receive important guests, Violetta bowed respectfully.
Her composure, and the fact that she clearly knew they were coming, made Terrina study her with interest.
“You were expecting us, I see.”
“Owner instructed us to receive you with the utmost respect.”
Owner.
The moment that name was mentioned, the knights exchanged glances.
Enya leaned in to whisper.
“Captain... could this be a trap? It seems like they knew we were coming.”
“No.”
Terrina answered firmly.
If it were a trap, they wouldn’t have extended such an open invitation.
This wasn’t concealment—it was more like a challenge.
Nightcrawler Knights? The Empire’s feared enforcers? So what?
This “Owner” had nothing to hide, and «N.o.v.e.l.i.g.h.t» was boldly inviting them in.
“Fine. Lead the way.”
At Terrina’s nod, Violetta began walking ahead, with the knights following behind.
They had been wary at first, but when they saw their captain walking calmly, they relaxed their guard slightly and followed suit.
Of course, they didn’t let down their alertness entirely—who knew what could happen?
‘And this is supposed to be the slums...’
Terrina couldn’t help but admire the changed streets around her. 𝖓𝖔𝖛𝔭𝖚𝖇.𝔠𝖔𝔪
A place discarded by the city, once a den of filth and violence, had transformed in just a few months.
‘And all of this... possible?’
Eventually, she couldn’t hold back her thoughts.
“This Owner must be quite a capable man.”
“Yes, indeed.”
Violetta smiled gently.
“It’s all thanks to him that we’ve changed. If it weren’t for Owner, we’d still be abandoned—by the city, and by the nation.”
There was weight in her words.
A subtle jab: You abandoned us—but he didn’t. He led us here.
It was nearly an insult to the Empire, but Terrina, unlike a bureaucrat or a noble, didn’t get offended.
In this line of work, you learn to ignore petty provocation.
Still, she wasn’t going to let it slide entirely.
“Interesting. We’re here to apprehend a potential threat to the Empire.”
At that moment, Violetta stopped walking.
She turned slowly to face them.
“Well, if the Nightcrawler Knights have come all the way out here, I’m sure you must have your reasons. But I want you to understand one thing.”
Though she still wore a smile, her eyes glinted coldly.
“If you so much as touch Owner... we’ll all rise up. We’ll fight to the death.”
It wasn’t just words.
Silence fell.
The once-busy street fell quiet as death.
“C-Captain...”
“Mm.”
The shopkeepers preparing to open, the women drying laundry in the windows, the children playing nearby—
Everyone had stopped and turned to look at them.
Their stares weren’t curious. They were calm. But filled with a cold resolve.
The moment something happened to Owner, every single one of them was ready to die fighting.
‘This feels like walking into the jaws of a massive beast.’
Terrina decided to take a step back.
“I understand.”
A lesser knight might have flown into a rage and drawn their sword—but not Terrina.
In fact, she held a degree of respect for those who had rebuilt this abandoned place with their own strength.
“I’m glad you understand. I’ll continue the escort, then.”
Violetta began walking again.
The bystanders calmly returned to their business, as if nothing had happened.
That eerie, seamless shift in atmosphere gave even the hardened knights a slight chill.
“Here we are.”
They arrived at a modest three-story house, no different from the others around it.
Could the ruler of the underworld really be living in such a place?
The knights exchanged skeptical glances—but Terrina followed Violetta inside without hesitation.
Violetta knocked on the door to the first-floor reception room.
“Owner, your guests have arrived.”
“Come in.”
With permission granted, she opened the door and led them inside.
Terrina quickly assessed the room.
‘No places to hide for an ambush. No concealed passages. This room... is genuinely meant for receiving guests.’
Her gaze finally landed on the man waiting at the center of the room.
‘So that’s him.’
The one they called Owner was seated on a sofa.
His outfit wasn’t extravagant, but it wasn’t cheap either—clean, understated formalwear.
A wide-brimmed hat sat atop his head.
But what stood out the most was the pure white mask covering his face.
“It’s a pleasure to meet the esteemed Nightcrawler Knights. I’m the one people call ‘Owner’—though the title may be more than I deserve.”
“Terrina Lionhowl.”
“Oh—so you’re a noble. Please, have a seat.”
“I will.”
Terrina didn’t refuse.
She sat down across from the man known as “Owner” without hesitation, her posture firm, her presence commanding.
Behind her, Enya and the four knights lined up in formation.
“Violetta.”
“Yes, Owner.”
“Thank you for guiding our guests. You may leave us now.”
“Yes, understood.”
As Violetta exited and closed the door behind her, silence settled over the reception room.
It was Terrina who broke it first.
“You’re not going to have any of your people here with you?”
“My people are very busy. The slums may have changed a lot, but there’s still much to fix. They can’t afford to waste time on matters like this.”
Matters like this, he said.
Right from the start, this was interesting.
‘So he’s not like the usual riffraff who grovel when we walk in.’
And he was speaking that way to the Nightcrawler Knights—infamous as the Empire’s nightmares?
He was certainly bold.
Polite, yes, but deliberate with his words.
This man wasn’t ordinary. If she let her guard down, she’d be swept along.
Terrina’s assessment of this so-called Owner rose a few notches.
“Knights. You’re dismissed.”
“Huh? B-But Captain...”
“That’s an order. Stay nearby and rest.”
Faced with Terrina’s firm command, the knights couldn’t object further.
They filed out, one after another—except for Enya, who remained in place.
“Enya.”
“I’m sorry, Captain, but I’m your adjutant. I cannot leave your side.”
“I see. I suppose one person won’t be a problem?”
Terrina cast a teasing glance as she spoke.
Ludger nodded.
“I don’t mind. It’s fine by me.”
“I see. Then tell me—are you going to keep that mask on the whole time?”
Her gaze sharpened.
As if trying to pierce through the mask and uncover what was underneath.
“Or is there a reason you have to hide your face? Perhaps a status that must never be revealed?”
“You’re uncomfortable speaking to someone with their face hidden, I take it.”
“It’s hardly proper for a host receiving guests.”
“Well, this mask is actually for your sake.”
With that, Ludger lifted just the bottom of the mask.
Beneath it, a patch of grotesque burn scars could be seen.
He lowered the mask again almost immediately—but Enya and Terrina, both with sharp eyes, had already seen it clearly.
“I hope you’ll understand. I wear it because of severe burn scarring.”
Of course, the burned skin was fake—crafted by Seridan with her usual precision. Unless touched directly, it was indistinguishable from real flesh.
Terrina didn’t like it, but didn’t press further.
“Then let me ask something more direct. What’s your real name? You just appeared out of nowhere, yet you’re surprisingly capable.”
“My name?”
“We can’t keep calling you ‘Owner’ forever.”
“True.”
Owner—Ludger—replied without missing a beat, delivering the prepared alias smoothly.
“I’m someone named Oliver. Born and raised here.”
“Any proof of that?”
“Unfortunately, no. People born in the slums don’t tend to have such things.”
“You’re originally from here?”
“My mother passed away shortly after I was born. I grew up in an orphanage. When I got older, I went abroad to earn money. After some success, I came back to my hometown. Twisted life, but I’m doing well enough now. Does that satisfy your curiosity?”
“Not yet.”
At that, Terrina’s eyes narrowed.
“Let’s get to the real reason we’re here.”
“By all means.”
“Silver Sun vanished last night.”
She watched closely for Ludger’s reaction as she said it.
So it really is about Silver Sun, Ludger thought. He responded calmly.
“Yes. We heard about Silver Sun’s disappearance as well. Are you saying you came here because of that? That I’m the prime suspect?”
“Silver Sun had been making moves against your slums lately.”
“They hurt a lot of people. We took heavy losses.”
There was no need to hide it, not if the other side already knew.
“You don’t think we were responsible for something like that, do you? People from the slums?”
“I have my suspicions.”
“Only suspicions. You know how many people held grudges against Silver Sun.”
In truth, Terrina had come to the right place.
But Ludger was confident he wouldn’t be caught. The power he used that night was beyond ordinary detection.
Terrina, too, realized she wouldn’t get a confession by pressing further.
Still... this man is unsettling.
The man known as Owner—
There was something about him she couldn’t shake, some inexplicable certainty that he was more than he seemed.
Ludger noticed it, too—how she watched him, how she didn’t trust him.
Still as sharp as ever, I see.
Back then, too—when he raided noble houses to fund his operations, she came chasing without evidence, driven by nothing but intuition.
A hound with a beast’s instinct. A truly troublesome person.
But then again, I’ve done plenty to warrant suspicion around here.
He’d transformed a dying district into something unrecognizable. No wonder she was curious.
She probably came here expecting to force the truth out of him.
But she didn’t.
Or rather, she couldn’t.
“Silver Sun were criminals, weren’t they? Their disappearance can only be a good thing. I don’t see why the Nightcrawler Knights would come here just to hound me.”
Ludger’s jab hit its mark—Terrina furrowed her brow.
The Nightcrawler Knights might be feared like devils, but they were built on a foundation of justice.
Silver Sun was evil.
They exploited the weak, extorted them, and bribed their way up the ladder.
If anything, they were parasites muddying the waters of law and order.
Ludger’s unspoken question was clear:
—If you stand for justice, why defend evil?
It struck at Terrina’s pride.
“You’re right. I can’t deny that.”
To Ludger’s surprise, Terrina accepted the critique without resistance.
“But do keep one thing in mind. If we truly thought you were guilty, our blades would already be bloody.”
At her words, a heavy killing intent filled the room.
Terrina Lionhowl. Captain of the Nightcrawler Knights.
A master-class knight—one of the few in the entire Empire.
Her bloodlust was so thick, even seasoned warriors could collapse under the weight of it.
It was a warning.
A message not to cross the line, no matter how polite things seemed.
Suspicious man or not—he’s still underworld scum. Best to remind him who’s in charge.
And yet—
“I appreciate the courtesy.”
Ludger, the so-called “Owner,” nodded calmly as if nothing had happened.
Terrina’s eyes wavered slightly.
So did Enya’s behind her.
He withstood... my killing intent?
