The Regressed Heir of Ravencrest

Ethan made his way toward the merchant district with Rune quietly padding beside him. Northwatch had long since awakened. Merchants arranged their wares beneath colorful canopies while adventurers gathered supplies before setting out into the wilderness. Familiar voices drifted through the streets, mingling with the steady rumble of wagon wheels rolling across the stone-paved roads and the occasional clang of blacksmiths beginning another day’s work.

The merchant was already arranging bundles of herbs across his stall when he noticed the familiar young boy approaching. His weathered face immediately brightened into a smile.

"You’re here, young man."

Without waiting for Ethan to ask, the merchant gestured toward several large sacks neatly stacked behind him.

"I managed to gather almost everything on your list. I bought every bundle of Frostfire Moss and Whisper Thorn I could find. I also managed to collect most of the remaining herbs you requested."

Ethan’s eyes swept across the neatly packed bundles, carefully inspecting their quality before giving a satisfied nod.

"You’ve done well."

With a casual wave of his hand, the sacks disappeared into the System’s inventory one after another.

The old merchant still found the sight difficult to believe despite having witnessed it several times already. Such a spacious storage artifact was something even many noble families would envy.

Ethan counted out the remaining payment before placing another fifty gold coins upon the wooden counter.

The merchant blinked in surprise.

"...Another order?"

"I’m leaving Northwatch for a while."

Ethan handed him another neatly folded sheet containing several additional herbs.

"Keep gathering everything on this list whenever they’re available. Prioritize Frostfire Moss and Whisper Thorn."

The merchant accepted the parchment before scanning its contents.

"I’ll do my best."

"I’ll return in a few weeks."

The old man looked at the pile of gold resting before him before smiling helplessly.

"Don’t worry."

"I’ll have everything ready when you return."

Ethan gave a slight nod before turning toward the bustling streets.

Ethan stepped back into the flow of the marketplace. To anyone watching, Northwatch appeared no different from any other morning.

Yet his instincts told a different story.

As Ethan walked through the crowd, his Predatory Sense stirred.

A faint ripple brushed across his instincts.

Then another.

His pace never slowed.

His gaze drifted naturally through the crowd. A hunter examining newly forged swords. A merchant loudly bargaining over medicinal herbs. A traveler quietly finishing breakfast beside a roadside stall. Each looked perfectly ordinary, blending seamlessly into the morning crowd.

Only the faint hostility hidden beneath their carefully controlled expressions betrayed them.

Ethan silently committed every face to memory.

By Ethan’s estimate, there were at least ten of them.

They had spread themselves throughout the outer district, watching every major street leading toward the fortress without drawing unnecessary attention.

A faint smile tugged at the corners of Ethan’s lips.

Without revealing the slightest reaction, Ethan continued toward the Adventurer Guild.

Compared to the crowded streets outside, the guild hall remained relatively quiet. Most adventurers had already departed shortly after sunrise, leaving only a handful browsing the mission board.

Ethan’s eyes moved methodically across the mission board.

Escort requests.

Monster extermination.

Herb gathering.

Scout missions.

It eventually stopped upon a simple delivery commission pinned near the edge of the board.

Delivery Commission

Destination: Bloomside Town.

Objective: Deliver a sealed artifact to the town mayor.

The reward wasn’t particularly impressive. Considering the distance involved, most adventurers would rather accept several nearby commissions than spend days completing a single delivery.

Ethan calmly removed the parchment before approaching the reception counter.

The clerk accepted the commission slip and looked through the mission details.

Her brows gradually rose.

"You’re taking this one?"

"Yes."

She looked up at him with obvious confusion.

"It’s one of the longest delivery commissions currently available. The reward isn’t exactly generous either."

"It’ll do."

Seeing there was no point arguing further, she quickly completed the registration before disappearing into the storage room behind the counter.

A few moments later, she returned carrying a small metal case engraved with several protective runes.

She carefully placed it upon the counter.

"The artifact is sealed inside."

"Don’t attempt to open it.

"If it’s damaged or lost during transport, the Guild will hold you responsible."

"I understand."

The metal case disappeared into Ethan’s inventory.

The clerk stared for a moment before shaking her head with a helpless smile.

Ethan simply smiled before turning toward the exit.

The moment he stepped outside, a familiar figure dressed in black armor approached him.

The raven insignia engraved upon the breastplate immediately identified him as one of the Black Raven Knights.

The veteran knight stopped before Ethan before instinctively bowing.

"Young Master—"

He quickly cleared his throat.

"...Ethan."

A faint smile appeared on Ethan’s face.

"You can simply call me Ethan, Sir Van."

Van scratched the back of his head awkwardly.

"I’ve been serving House Ravencrest for nearly twenty years."

"Old habits are difficult to break."

Among the thousands serving beneath House Ravencrest, only a select handful knew the appearance of the Marquis’ youngest son. Ethan rarely appeared before the army, and even the official records regarding the heir of House Ravencrest had been deliberately altered to conceal his identity from outsiders.

"Commander Marcus wishes to see you."

Ethan nodded.

"Lead the way."

The two quietly departed toward the military district. As expected, none of the disguised Eclipse members followed beyond the commercial quarter, faithfully obeying the orders they had received.

Unlike the bustling merchant streets outside, the atmosphere gradually became more solemn as they passed through one checkpoint after another. Patrols of Black Raven Knights marched along the stone roads in perfect formation while soldiers hurried between command buildings carrying stacks of reports.

Before long, they stopped outside a heavily reinforced office in the Outer distircts.

Van raised his hand and knocked twice.

"Enter."

Marcus’ deep voice echoed from within.

Van pushed open the door.

Ethan stepped inside.

The spacious command office was dominated by a massive relief map of the Northern Frontier carved directly into a slab of polished granite. Countless colored markers had been placed across its surface, indicating military positions, supply routes, beast territories, and fortress defenses.

Shelves lining the walls overflowed with battle reports, casualty lists, logistics records, and unfinished military dispatches.

Marcus sat behind a broad wooden desk dressed in the formal uniform of the Commander of Northwatch. The silver-black raven crest upon his shoulders reflected the morning light streaming through the windows.

He didn’t immediately look up.

Instead, he quietly finished reading the report in his hand before setting it aside.

Only then did his gaze settle upon Ethan.

Then...

Rune.

The little cub poked his head out from beside Ethan’s leg before calmly meeting Marcus’ eyes.

A smile appeared on the commander’s usually stern face.

"He has grown."

Ethan glanced downward before gently rubbing Rune’s head.

"He has."

Marcus studied the silver cub for another brief moment before leaning back in his chair.

"It seems the Forest Troll core is working well."

Rune answered with a soft yip of his own, earning the slightest chuckle from the veteran commander.

Only then did Marcus return his attention to Ethan.

"The Maple River incident has been resolved. The dungeon has been secured, and House Ravencrest has benefited greatly from everything that followed." Marcus paused for a brief moment before continuing. "As you know, House Ravencrest rewards merit."

"So."

"What do you want?"

Ethan remained silent for a brief moment before calmly stating his request.

The moment the words left his mouth, even Marcus’ composed expression showed the slightest trace of surprise.