My Family in the Novel?

Chapter 162: First Act 31: Analise's Worries...

Several hours had passed since the young master had left to set up his booth for the upcoming exams.

Making my way towards the commercial district, I was greeted by an unexpectedly bustling scene.

While the street was always busy, the atmosphere today was ten times more vibrant than usual.

As I navigated through the crowd, it became evident that the source of the excitement was the imminent commencement of the exams at Estelle Academy.

A sea of people, especially students, was flowing towards the northern border of the academy, signaling that the exams were about to begin.

Amidst the commotion, the marketplace was abuzz with activity. Voices clamored for attention as eager customers sought various magical items.

"10 mana potions, please!"

"How much is this magic pan?"

"Hey, this is mine!"

"Haah…!? I was the one who lined up first."

Observing the lively surroundings, I couldn't help but smile. It seemed like everyone was in high spirits, engaging in spirited exchanges as they prepared for the challenges that lay ahead.

Noticing some individuals purchasing potions from one of the stalls, it occurred to me that many were likely stocking up in anticipation of the exams.

There was a palpable sense of urgency, as some groups aimed to secure an ample supply of potions before the rush at the booths near the dungeon entrance.

After all, rumors had circulated that certain groups were known to clear out the potion stocks in preparation for their dungeon expeditions.

'The young master must be probably having a hard time right now, if there are this many students here, I can't imagine how much it is there fufu'

The atmosphere in the marketplace was charged with a sense of urgency as food supplies and small utilities were quickly running out. The demand was so intense that students were resorting to physical confrontations just to secure a tent for themselves. It was a chaotic scene, and the struggle for essentials highlighted the challenges of the upcoming dungeon expedition.

Considering the chaos, it occurred to me that students of noble lineage, accustomed to relying on servants for such tasks, might be facing a more significant challenge than their commoner peers.

I felt a sense of relief that the young master didn't have to enter the dungeon, but my concerns shifted to young lady Aria.

Reflecting on the changes I had observed in her over the past couple of months, it was evident that despite her growth, she still struggled with certain tasks.

The thought of her navigating through the chaos on her own made me uneasy.

'Would she be able to handle everything without my assistance?'

'But Mr. Alex is with her, and he seems responsible and reliable.... so she should be alright?'

'Right....?'

Shaking off my worries momentarily, I realized the practical task at hand—buying ingredients for our dinner.

Anticipating the young master's return in the afternoon, I felt a responsibility to prepare something healthy and soothing to help him unwind.

Serving thousands of people, especially the entitled noble kids, could undoubtedly be a stressful endeavor.

As I approached the various shops and vendors, the sight of excessively long lines dampened my plans.

The sheer number of people waiting made it clear that acquiring the necessary ingredients would be a time-consuming process.

I guess I should jjust buy some clothes for now….?

Most of Miss Louise's wardrobe comprised borrowed garments from Aria or spare clothes, with a few being gifts. While sufficient for everyday wear, it occurred to me that, as a young lady, Miss Louise deserved a wardrobe befitting her status.

Determined to ensure she had the best of the best, I resolved to purchase six new outfits for her.

After all, a bona fide young woman like Miss Louise, regardless of her noble rank, should have a collection that exuded elegance and sophistication.

Imagining her adorned in these new ensembles brought a smile to my face.

"Hehe, I can't wait to dress her up later," I chuckled to myself, contemplating the joy of enhancing Miss Louise's already beautiful and cute appearance.

It wasn't merely about clothes; it was about preserving her dignity as a noble.

Despite her low rank, she still carried the noble title, and providing her with an upgraded wardrobe was a gesture to honor that status.

'Yup I'm doing this for her…!!'

Convincing myself that this was purely a noble cause, I couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation at the thought of enhancing the young lady's presence in the eyes of society.

However, as I justified my actions, a mischievous thought crossed my mind—perhaps I should also buy something for the young master?

The memory of the last time I dressed him up flashed through my mind, reminding me of the town visit that never came to fruition due to Lady Lilliana's interference.

Maybe I should ask him out once he has free time….?

….

"Okay, this should be enough for the ingredients," I mused to myself as I surveyed the contents of the basket I was carrying. A satisfied smile adorned my face.

Thanks to the upcoming dungeon examinations, the market was flooded with an absurd amount of food and ingredients, providing me with a plethora of options for tonight's meal.

The thought of creating a delicious dinner added a touch of excitement to my culinary plans.

Having successfully completed my shopping, my mind shifted to the clothes I had bought earlier. I anticipated their delivery right in front of the young master's door later in the day.

A sense of reassurance washed over me, hoping that Miss Louise had heeded my advice and stayed put.

Balancing the heavy basket, I began making my way back to Lucian Hall.

However, before I could fully retrace my steps, a sudden, heavy yet faint explosion echoed in the surroundings.

Startled, I couldn't help but wonder about the origin of the disturbance. The people around me mirrored my reaction, their eyes scanning the skies in an attempt to identify the source.

Despite the explosion being somewhat distant, the accompanying tremor resonated strongly, signaling that it was a powerful force at play.

Suddenly, the ground beneath us shook again, as if a shockwave traveled stealthily beneath the surface. The unexpected force propelled me upwards for a moment, defying gravity, only to be met with a swift descent.

As the shockwave subsided, gravity took its course, and I found myself unceremoniously on the solid road, my but feeling the impact of the fall.

"O-ouch!"

'What's going on? An earthquake?'

The initial shock was quickly followed by a relentless wave of tremors, causing the ground to convulse from every direction.

In the midst of the chaos, the buildings around me swayed precariously. Panic ensued as people scrambled to maintain their balance amid the upheaval.

The realization hit me that this wasn't a mere earthquake, but something more. Instinctively, I knew I needed to find an open space—away from the buildings, as roofs began to fall, adding an additional layer of danger to the situation.

With a hurried resolve, I regained my balance, clutching the heavy basket for support. Surprisingly, its weight became an unintentional asset, aiding me in maintaining stability amidst the quaking ground.

Mindful of the potential danger and not wanting to risk exhaustion, I tapped into the little mana I possessed to fortify myself.

But I must also be careful of mana exhaustion. Fainting in the midst of a public emergency was not an option.

As I maneuvered through the bustling crowd seeking shelter within the buildings, the ground abruptly ceased its tremors.

The suddenness of it left me momentarily puzzled. "That was quick?" I questioned, casting a wary glance around at the bewildered faces of those who, like me, were caught in the unexpected upheaval.

"W-what was that?" A collective murmur swept through the crowd, each person trying to make sense of the sudden disturbance that had rocked the once-bustling marketplace.

"Hey, did you guys hear that explosion just now?"

"Did something happen?"

"Where are the mages? Some shops are on fire!"

The atmosphere teetered on the edge of chaos as the crowd desperately sought answers, their voices blending into a cacophony of confusion.

Amidst the disarray, my attention was drawn to a peculiar sight—a dark spot or dot that materialized right in front of me.

My eyes widened as I observed a thin, circular formation emitting black smoke, though it was too dense to be considered conventional smoke.

An inexplicable shiver ran down my spine as I stared at the enigmatic phenomenon.

"Hey, what is that?"

"A black circle?"

"Over there, also!"

"Hey, somebody tell me what's going on!"

"Is this an event from the academy?"

"Hurry up and call the knights, for goddess's sake!"

As the crowd attempted to process the mysterious occurrence, more black dots materialized, spreading like ink blots on a pristine canvas.

They appeared from all directions—hovering in the air, emerging from the ground, blocking the road, and infiltrating some buildings. Panic set in, and an ominous feeling permeated the once-lively space.

People were beginning to lose their composure, their fear escalating as the unsettling black dots multiplied.

Suddenly, the bright sunshine that bathed the marketplace began to dim as black clouds obscured its rays. The abrupt transformation from a vibrant day to an eerie darkness heightened the sense of foreboding that hung over the area.

"Miss maid here," called out a middle-aged merchant, catching my attention. He approached with a gentle smile, holding out an apple that had apparently fallen from my basket. "Thank you," I replied, reaching out to take the apple back.

As I attempted to reclaim the fruit, a sudden, intense pain shot through my ankle, almost causing me to collapse to the ground. A quick glance revealed a reddish outline near my ankle—a strain or sprain that I hadn't noticed, likely sustained during the fall earlier.

"Are you alright?" the concerned merchant inquired, extending a helping hand to assist me in regaining my balance.

"Ah... yes, thank you," I responded, attempting to maintain a poker face to conceal the discomfort I was feeling. However, my stoicism couldn't completely hide the hint of pain that flickered in my expression.

As the merchant continued to offer assistance, his attention was drawn to the enigmatic black dot in front of us. Intrigued, he cautiously approached the mysterious phenomenon, circling around it as if trying to analyze its nature.

"But what do you think this is, miss? It doesn't seem like magic either," he remarked, his tone laced with curiosity and concern.

"I don't know…." "But I think it's something dangerous"

The man didn't seem to pay much attention to my words, his curiosity overpowering any sense of caution. Ignoring my subtle warnings, he ventured closer to the mysterious black dot.

"I wonder what this is...?" he mused, extending a hand tentatively towards the enigmatic anomaly. Before he could make contact, a sudden cacophony of strange noises filled the air, and the black dot expanded rapidly, transforming into a cloudy black portal. Dark electrical currents crackled along its edges, creating an eerie spectacle.

"Ok, now wha—" he began to say, only to be abruptly silenced as an arrow pierced through his brain. Blood splattered, staining my face with a gruesome red hue.

"M-monsters!!!!"

"Keerkekekeke" an obnoxious laughter echoed through the air, accompanying the gruesome scene unfolding before me.

My eyes widened in shock as tiny, green, and grotesque figures emerged from the portal.

'Goblins?'

'Why were goblins coming out of there?'

As the black portals expanded further, an onslaught of monsters poured out from each and every one of them, launching relentless attacks on anyone in sight. Panic ensued as the once-bustling street transformed into a scene of horror.

The air was filled with the desperate cries of those trying to escape the impending danger.

"Run!"

"Agh! Save me...!"

"Help!"

Screams reverberated through the crowd as various monsters emerged, mercilessly attacking and maiming anyone they could catch.

The once-vibrant street now teemed with terror, and the urgency to flee gripped every soul present. Chaos unfolded, and the once-bustling marketplace became a nightmarish battleground as people scattered, desperately running for their lives.

The basket slipped from my trembling hands as a chilling paralysis seized my legs.

The echoing laughter of goblins and the menacing stares from various monsters sent shivers down my spine.

My body quivered in fear as I found myself immobilized amidst the impending danger.

The goblins, with their grotesque features, slowly advanced towards me, their malicious intent evident in every step.

As they lunged forward, I closed my eyes, bracing for the worst. Anticipating the imminent attack, I prepared for the pain that never came.

To my surprise, I was unscathed. Tentatively opening my eyes, I witnessed the goblins wreaking havoc on a nearby student who had not been as fortunate.

"Help me pleas—…!"

The student's desperate cries for help echoed in my ears, but I found myself unable to respond or aid in any way. A sense of helplessness enveloped me as I stood frozen in place.

As the portal continued to unleash an onslaught of monsters, from kobolds to minotaurs and giant centipedes, chaos ensued around me.

The creatures mercilessly attacked everyone in their path, yet my presence seemed to go unnoticed.

Despite standing in the midst of the chaos, I remained untouched, a peculiar bystander to the unfolding horror.

'What's going on?'

In the midst of my confusion, a flapping sound reached my ears. Turning my gaze to my right shoulder, I discovered a crow perched upon it.

The crow, with hundreds of red eyes adorning its head, seemed to regard me with an unusual gentleness.

Suddenly, the skies were ablaze with lights as hundreds, if not thousands, of communication crystals adorned the heavens.

The crystals sparkled like celestial diamonds before converging to form a colossal hologram of a man.

He wore a white mask, adorned with intricate runic letters that seemed to shift and change shape, as if mirroring the wearer's emotions.

At this moment, the runic letters on the blank white mask morphed into a sinister smile, reflecting an evil grin that sent shivers down the spine.

"Ladies and gentlemen of this pitiful city, gather 'round and behold the dawn of your demise! Today, the symphony of chaos shall echo through your feeble existence, for a hundred years we have watched, for several centuries we have waited… and for the last thousand years, we have kept trying. We sought to understand why your worthless lives are considered valuable. We observed, hoping you might change, waiting for a spark of enlightenment to ignite within your wretched souls. We tested the limits of your morality, questioning if you could see the wrong, if you could be better... but, alas, your ignorance prevailed.

"Not only have you praised false deities, but you have committed the ultimate sin—blasphemy! You worshipped the wrong gods, and in your misguided devotion, you raised prayers to those who came with them. Your allegiance to these false idols has tainted the very fabric of existence, and now, the time for reckoning has come."

"There's only one god of this world, not gods nor goddesses, but there's only one true god. His name shall be remembered once more; his teachings and beliefs shall be displayed and taught far and wide. Rejoice, oh pitiful heathens, for you shall witness his grace and benevolence soon! The new dawn approaches, and we shall embrace the Lunar light that will shine upon us all."

"LUNAE AURORAE!"

As the masked figure clasped his hands together, an ominous series of explosions erupted, their thunderous echoes resonating in my ears.

The once-dim cityscape was instantly transformed into a chaotic spectacle, bathed in blinding lights as explosions engulfed everything in their path.

"HAHAHAHAHAHA!"

The man, standing in the holographic projection, spread his arms wide, relishing the devastation with maniacal laughter that seemed to reverberate through the very fabric of the night.

A pang of pain and worry gripped my heart—not for the countless lives being lost in the relentless explosions below, but for the colossal blast that had struck the distant Lucian Hall.

"Miss Louise...!!"

I gasped, my voice choked with both anguish and dread.

The mere thought of the young lady being caught in the destructive chaos sent a surge of panic through me.

....

"Miss Schwi how was it?"

"...."

"Uhm-miss?"

"Be quiet and finish your job"

"O-okay.....!"

"HUAHAHAHAHA"

Gobel continued to laugh hysterically as his young heart was filled in disappointment.