The Invincible Young Master-Chapter 205 - Pooella’s Report

[A/N: Hello there~]

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The empire had been restless in recent days.

Rumors of a greater ruin had spread like wildfire, unsettling the hearts of both commoners and nobles alike. Though the ruin itself lay near the empire’s distant borders, far from the safety of the central states, its mere existence sent ripples of unease through the land.

The streets were alive with anxious murmurs, flickering lanterns casting elongated shadows as merchants and travelers huddled in quiet conversation.

Some talked of the ancient treasures hidden deep within, relics of an age long forgotten, their powers beyond mortal comprehension. Others spoke in hushed, fearful tones, warning of the horrors that lurked inside, waiting for the foolish and the greedy to step into their domain.

At the heart of every major state, the teleportation altars were activated. Nearly every day, their towering structures pulsed with radiant light, swallowing regiment after regiment of soldiers and ascendants as they stepped into the swirling portals, marching toward the ruin.

In Dwight State, the scene was no different.

Beneath the towering spires of the city, squads of armored men moved in unison, their footsteps echoing against the stone-paved roads. Sunlight gleamed off their polished weapons, their steel-plated armor reflecting the golden hues of the setting sun.

The crowd, civilians, merchants, and weaker ascendants, watched from the sidelines, unease stark on their faces. Children clung to their mothers’ robes, their wide eyes filled with silent questions. Some elders muttered quiet prayers, gripping protective talismans as they observed the soldiers vanishing into the altar’s shifting glow.

For mortals, the emergence of a ruin was never a blessing.

It was a death omen.

For ages, they have heard of ruins as cursed battlefields, remnants of an ancient war fought against The Mother Witch.

They were said to be places where the boundary between life and death had frayed, where the souls of the fallen still wandered, vengeful, bound by hatred, forever searching for the living to drag into the abyss alongside them.

No matter how many riches lay buried beneath those crumbling halls, no matter how tempting the promise of power and fortune, there was one unspoken truth.

No sane mortal would dare step foot inside.

…

In the grand halls of Dwight Mansion, little Alice sat by the window, her legs swinging off the edge of the cushioned seat. Her bright eyes shimmered with excitement as she gazed at the small flickers of magic dancing at her fingertips.

"Grandma Poo, look! Alice can send messages now!" she beamed, lifting her tiny hand as magic swirled around her fingers, glowing softly like fireflies at dusk.

Standing beside her, Pooella crossed her arms, watching with quiet amusement. A small, approving nod was all she gave in response.

Alice’s grin widened. "Alice will tell Father!"

She hopped off the seat, ready to dash off in search of her father, but then, a thought struck her, freezing her mid-step.

"Wait!" She clapped her hands together, her eyes twinkling with an idea. "Alice can just tell him with magic!"

With enthusiasm, she lifted her finger again, summoning the glowing energy. Wisps of light intertwined at her fingertips, weaving into a delicate shape, a butterfly, its wings shimmering with soft, golden luminescence.

It fluttered, circling her playfully before taking off.

The tiny messenger twirled through the air, dipping and soaring like a real butterfly before vanishing into a fine mist, carrying Alice’s words away.

Moments later, another butterfly appeared, glowing with familiar warmth, but its magic felt different. This one carried a response.

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It floated toward Alice before dissolving into mist.

Alice’s face lit up, her eyes sparkling like stars. "Father said Alice did great, and Alice is a genius!"

Pooella let a rare smile cross her lips. "Of course, little Miss is a genius."

Alice puffed out her chest, nose flaring with pride. "Hehehe, of course! Alice is the best!"

Then, as if remembering something important, her excitement dimmed just a little. She twiddled her fingers, her lips pressing into a small pout.

"If Alice knew Mother’s energy… Alice could have sent her a message too..."

Pooella’s gaze softened. "I can help little miss."

Alice’s head shot up, her eyes filled with hopeful wonder. "Grandma Poo knows Mother’s energy?"

"Yes." Pooella extended her palm. "Hold my hand."

Alice eagerly placed her tiny hand over Pooella’s, the warmth of magic immediately wrapping around them. The air shimmered, and from the flow of energy, something began to take form.

A glowing fish appeared, its slender body carved from light, its long, sharp beak giving it a regal presence. It swam through the air as though gliding through water, leaving trails of luminous ripples.

Alice gasped in awe, her mouth forming a small "O". "Ooooh! So pretty!"

The little fish circled them gracefully, its glow pulsing in sync with the magic surrounding it.

Pooella chuckled softly. "Now, little miss, send your thoughts."

Alice took a deep breath, pressing her hands together. Her heart swelled with emotions she couldn’t quite put into words, but she didn’t need to. The magic would carry them for her.

The glowing fish flickered for a moment, as if absorbing her wishes, before swimming upward. It twisted and turned in the air, then disappeared into the unseen currents of magic.

She watched it go, her tiny hands clasped together as if in prayer. Then a moment later, another idea struck her mind.

"Alice wants to make a fish." The little girl said enthusiastically.

Pooella said nothing, only watching the little girl’s expression.

The soft glow of magic flickered between Alice’s fingertips, struggling to take shape. It wavered, almost forming the image of a fish before dissolving into a misty shimmer.

Alice let out a small huff, her golden brows furrowing in frustration. But the fire in her eyes didn’t dim.

"I will get it right!"

Pooella’s lips curved slightly. How many times had she seen this very scene over the past six years? Alice, stubborn, bright, and relentless, never gave up once she set her mind to something. No matter how many times she failed, she would try again until she succeeded.

It was this same willfulness that had kept her safe, even without knowing it.

For six years, Pooella had hidden Alice among mortals, watching over her in the heart of the Human Empire, far from the reach of those who sought her. Though life on the surface seemed peaceful, Pooella had never let her guard down.

For a long time, the threats had been distant, spies lurking in shadows, assassins slipping among crowds, their presence easy to erase. But now things had changed.

The ones who came were no longer ordinary. They were stronger and more persistent. The red-robed man had been the final proof, an elder-level figure, far beyond the usual pests she had eliminated before.

Next time, they wouldn’t send just one. They would come in force.

If this had been the work of a corrupt sect or an ambitious noble house, she would have already erased the source. But these people weren’t ordinary factions.

They were from a Holy Land.

That changed everything.

Even for her, challenging the Holy Land alone was impossible.

She glanced at Alice, who remained oblivious to the storm building around her, still focused on forming the delicate magic. Let her have this innocence for a little longer.

Along with Alice’s message, Pooella had sent her own detailed report of everything she had observed over the past months.

The Dwight Family is strong. Duke Dwight, Alice’s grandfather, is one of the most respected swordsmen in the empire.

Beneath his rigid discipline is an undeniable warmth, he adores Alice, as does his wife, the Duchess. They spoil her whenever they can, showering her with the love of doting grandparents. Alice, in turn, loves them fiercely.

But her father is harder to read.

He is neither cold nor affectionate. He did not push Alice away, nor did he embrace her with warmth. He simply acknowledged her presence as fact, neither a burden nor a blessing. A man of power, used to getting his way, the youngest son of the Dwight family, spoiled in his own right.

And then there are his siblings.

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Recently, I have met the eldest son of the Dwight family, and something about him unsettles me. His presence felt wrong.

His art does not follow the normal paths. His ascendant arts are twisted, straying from the natural order. He is a dangerous man.

Then, there is the butler, a complete mystery.

He is not a native of this land. That much was certain. I have watched him closely, searching for any hint of treachery, but found none.

If anything, he has been training Alice, guiding her through unusual breathing techniques, and strange exercises unlike anything I have seen before. He is loyal, that was clear.

She had also included a small note about their adventure in Grimold. Though nothing serious had happened, it had been an unnecessary risk.

However, there was something far more urgent.

After that incident in the grimold, Alice’s father returned with a strange woman. She introduced herself as The First Servant.

The moment I saw her, our gazes met, just for an instant. And in that brief moment, I felt it. This woman was powerful. Powerful beyond limits. I couldn’t begin to gauge her strength at all.

It felt like she could see right through me, stripping away every layer until there was nothing left hidden.

But then, in the next breath, that feeling vanished as if it had never existed. I could have been hallucinating. Then again, I couldn’t understand, how could someone so powerful be just a servant.

And lastly, There’s news that a Greater Ruin has emerged near the empire’s western border.

A ruin of this scale is beyond the mortal empire’s ability to handle. The army they sent will be nothing more than fodder. I ask my Lady to inform The Holy Lands needed to act immediately.