Hearing this, the muscular man squinted and carefully examined Ethan from head to toe. Finally stepping back, he muttered something about "pretty boy" under his breath.
"He's the camp guard, Marcus," Miss Black explained. "Responsible for watching... certain important places."
Important places? Ethan's eyes flickered with interest. He caught something unusual in the camp leader's words, like she was deliberately hiding something significant.
Just as Ethan was pondering this mystery, Miss Black suddenly leaned close to him!
Ethan's pupils contracted slightly. Warm breath brushed against his face, and smooth black curls drifted across his neck with the evening breeze, making him feel ticklish.
Truly worthy of the noble Black family heritage. Her appearance's definitely outstanding.
Ethan met Miss Black's wolf-like green eyes without retreating an inch.
Not far away, Luna had picked up a large fluffy cat and looked up, quietly observing their interaction with those dreamy blue eyes.
Eve Black's red lips parted, her voice cold as winter frost: "You and your servant better not wander around. I'll be watching you."
Starting the imprisonment routine so quickly? Ethan thought with amusement. Boys really must protect themselves when they're out and about. Especially handsome ones like me—one careless moment could lead to all sorts of complications.
After speaking, Miss Black straightened up. Her green eyes looked down at Ethan with obvious authority. After two seconds of tense silence, she added: "As long as you don't cause trouble, you'll be safe here."
'The last person who claimed safety around me got blown up,' Ethan mused, but his face broke into an obedient smile. "Mm, I won't wander around."
Eve's expression shifted slightly, but she didn't respond. Recently, she had to be more vigilant than ever. A mysterious and powerful figure called [Lamp] was also seeking ancient magic in this area.
And their secret had already been exposed...
Eve anxiously furrowed her brow. After one last warning look at Ethan, she turned and left with military precision.
The guard named Marcus also issued his warning: "If I catch you snooping around where you shouldn't be, you'll regret it, kid!"
He made a threatening gesture with two thick fingers in front of his eyes.
Ethan watched the two depart, murmuring thoughtfully: "Feels a bit strange... but anyway, I won't be staying long."
"Check the map, confirm our location, then head for the treasure site as soon as possible."
Just then, something cool and refreshing touched Ethan's face.
"Aguamenti." A voice gentle as moonlight spoke the incantation, and cool water splashed lightly on Ethan's cheeks.
"What's wrong, Luna?" Ethan blinked, looking at the smiling blonde girl with puzzlement as he wiped his face.
The splash wasn't large, and in the summer heat, it felt quite nice actually.
Luna's voice was like silver bells—ethereal and melodious. "Nothing really. Just noticed some dirt from earlier."
"Ah?" Ethan's eyes widened with embarrassment. "I've been walking around with a dirty face this whole time? How incredibly rude of me..."
Though even with a dirty face, I can still attract others' attention. This just proves I rely not on appearance alone, but on my pure, beautiful soul.
Luna smiled mysteriously without responding, simply withdrawing her hand. "The cats in the kitchen can do backflips. Want to go see?"
Ethan's eyes lit up with genuine excitement. "That impressive? Yes, let's go!"
Just as he was about to investigate these acrobatic cats with Luna and then discuss the treasure map privately, Ethan caught sight of a small figure hiding behind a nearby wall.
It was the girl who'd run up to hug Miss Black when they'd first entered the camp. She had reddish-brown hair and a flushed little face covered in freckles and was peeking out with obvious curiosity.
When their eyes met, the girl quickly ducked back behind the wall. After a few moments, she slowly, slowly peeked out again, her large round eyes full of fascination.
What a shy child.
Ethan smiled inwardly. Pretending not to notice her obvious spying, he and Luna caught one of the cats emerging from the kitchen. Amid loud meowing protests, they enthusiastically petted the fluffy creature.
Soon, careful footsteps approached and stopped beside them.
"Where... where did you come from?" a timid young voice asked.
Ethan looked up to meet the girl's bright, curious eyes. "We came from very, very far away."
So far that by the time your sleeping bodies take root and grow into towering trees, we'll be ancient history.
The girl's eyes widened with amazement. "How far? Farther than this forest?"
"Much farther," Ethan confirmed cheerfully.
"Farther than the other side of the ocean?"
"Much farther than that."
"Then... farther than this whole sky?" The girl spread her small arms as wide as possible, trying to gesture an impossibly great distance.
Ethan cooperated with her game. "Even farther! Much, much more~"
The girl's mouth dropped open in wonder. "Wow!"
Her sparkling eyes seemed to have identified Ethan as some great hero from the world's end, straight out of a fairy tale!
"Hahaha." This exaggerated reaction made Ethan laugh with genuine delight.
Little Amy stared at his laughing face, her cheeks turning red all the way to her ears. If only this handsome big brother could stay here forever...
Her eyes darted as a brilliant idea formed. Leaning closer to Ethan conspiratorially, she whispered: "I'll tell you a secret! But don't say I told you!"
Ethan cooperatively lowered his voice to match her secretive tone. "What is it?"
"This camp has ancient magic treasures hidden somewhere in it!" Amy announced in an excited whisper.
Like thunder striking on a clear day, Ethan's pupils instantly contracted! How did this conversation suddenly become such a bombshell?!
Ethan and Luna exchanged meaningful glances. Containing his excitement carefully, he asked the little girl: "Tell us more. What exactly's the situation?"
"Well, I once heard Sister Eve talking to Uncle Marcus..." Amy began importantly. "Saying things like 'we've been digging for so long but found nothing' and 'the ancient magic is definitely buried somewhere around here'..."
Now Ethan understood everything perfectly.
That's why, despite the camp's dangerous geographical position and constant conflicts with goblin raiders, they still insist on staying in this specific location.
No wonder Miss Black's attitude seemed so strange and guarded.
They're actively searching for ancient magic relics! That muscular man Marcus must be one of the guards protecting whatever ancient magic burial site they've discovered.
Could it be... this is exactly the location the treasure map points to?
Ethan quickly unfolded the treasure map, comparing it with Luna to their surrounding environment. He occasionally asked little Amy innocent questions about the local geography.
Finally, they confirmed it: Miss Black's camp was positioned exactly where the treasure map indicated!
What incredible fortune! A truly destined encounter!
"What you've drawn there looks like the big old well behind our camp," little Amy said helpfully. "But there are always fierce adults guarding it who won't let us kids get close."
Ethan patted Amy's head affectionately. "Thank you for telling us all this. You've been a huge help!"
"Hehe!" Amy shyly and happily ducked her head, blushing with pleasure.
With such interesting things happening, maybe the big brothers will stay here longer!
Ethan and Luna quickly formulated their plan. Going to the well area right now would be far too suspicious—there were guards posted, and a direct confrontation wouldn't work well with their current resources.
Wait until tonight, when it's deep and quiet. Then we make our move!
"You distract the guards while I sneak in with a Disillusionment Charm," Ethan whispered to Luna.
Luna nodded with that serene smile. "Alright!"
Goblins and wizards—both factions targeting the same ancient magic. But in the end, neither side actually obtained it. That's what caused ancient magic to be completely lost to history.
If that's really the case...
Ethan's eyes darkened, revealing determined, covetous light in their cobalt depths!
Then it's far better for me to obtain these treasures instead. For me to inherit and develop this lost knowledge properly!
This is a completely righteous act!