[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-return-of-the-legendary-runesmith":3,"chapter-return-of-the-legendary-runesmith-return-of-the-legendary-runesmith-chapter-157":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","Return of the Legendary Runesmith",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},1562482,2026,"Chapter 157 156- Unexpected guests","return-of-the-legendary-runesmith-chapter-157",157,"\u003Cp>They had been delayed—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All because of the sudden encounter with the Acolyte, Silverhorn Abraham.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then Adrian fainted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ariana was quite worried and was about to abort the plan, when suddenly he woke up and told her it was fine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now...what he saw in his dream was undoubtedly concerning, but he didn't want to delay his meeting with his future in-laws, so he insisted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were met by several obstacles, but finally… they were close.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their destination lay just ahead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The elder brother of the Count lived in a nearby town, still within the Lockwood family's territory. It was a place that once made him feel happy, but now, Adrian had a different feeling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside the quiet carriage, Adrian and Ariana sat close, their hands gently clasped, fingers interlaced.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Both of them were nervous, though Ariana's nerves were easier to see.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still, she wasn't fidgeting anymore.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was quiet and calm on the outside, but clearly preparing herself for whatever might come.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Aria,\" Adrian said softly, \"if he says no—\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Don't say something so negative now,\" she cut in, shaking her head. \"Not when we're this close.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Adrian let out a quiet laugh. \"Alright. But if he does say no, I might just take you and run away tonight. Leave a letter behind telling them they can name our child—if they want.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ariana sighed and smiled faintly. \"Let's not run just yet. I don't want to hurt Mum.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He leaned a little closer, voice teasing. \"Hmm… then maybe tomorrow morning.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That made her laugh gently. And slowly, she rested her head on his shoulder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No more words were spoken after that. They simply sat there—sharing the silence, holding onto each other.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ten minutes passed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, the carriage slowed and came to a soft stop.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment they'd been waiting for… had finally arrived.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The duo stepped out of the carriage and looked up at the mansion standing before them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was grand but not flashy—designed with quiet elegance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fitting, considering that Lockwood Victor, the man who lived here, was an architect by profession. He not only designed buildings, but also served as an advisor to Count Lockwood himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The guards at the main gate recognized them immediately and opened the entrance without question.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As they walked through, Ariana's gaze shifted to the carriage already parked in front of the mansion. Her brows furrowed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Has Uncle arrived already?\" she asked, slowing her steps.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Adrian followed her gaze and shook his head. \"I don't think so. There's no family insignia on it. It doesn't belong to the County.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hm…\" Ariana tilted her head slightly, confused—but it didn't stop her feet from moving forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They stepped inside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just past a short staircase lay the reception hall, and they could already hear voices—low conversation and the occasional laugh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As they entered, the quiet murmur of the room shifted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eyes turned. Conversations stopped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then a voice broke through the silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ah, there they are,\" said a silver-haired man, rising to his feet with a satisfied smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ariana's eyes scanned the unfamiliar faces. Three people sat nearby: a well-dressed woman, a man with a quiet presence, and a young man—probably in his early twenties—who looked just as unsure as she felt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The silver-haired man turned toward them proudly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Mister Velemint,\" he said warmly, \"this is my lovely daughter, Ariana.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His hand gently motioned to her before landing on Adrian.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And this is my younger brother's son—Adrian.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Turning to his daughter, Victor added with a proud smile,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He is my close friend, a well-established trader—Mister Hayden Velemint. That's his wife, Irene, and their son, Aston.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ariana and Adrian gave polite nods to the family, and the lady of the house soon gestured with grace, \"Come, sit.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ariana, however, couldn't shake a strange feeling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her father knew she and Adrian were coming today—so why did he invite guests? And not just any guests, but a family with a son who looked just the right age for arranged introductions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She sat down beside Adrian, her heart torn between suspicion and disappointment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile, Hayden turned to Adrian, smiling warmly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I've heard about you, Mister Adrian. A friend of mine stays in contact with Tower Members quite often.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Adrian nodded, relaxed but alert. \"Yes. I recently visited the Tower as a mentor.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your achievement was well-spoken of. I even heard you were invited to join the Capital.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the two men fell into polite conversation, Ariana leaned closer to her mother, her voice low.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Why are they here?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Morgana blinked in surprise. \"…Just a casual visit, maybe? Why?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ariana sighed, feeling the weight in her chest. She couldn't exactly say, We came here to tell them we're together.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So she mumbled, barely loud enough for her mother to hear,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…I couldn't stay long, and I just wanted to spend a little time with the family.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Morgana's sigh matched her daughter's. \"What can I say… your father is an unpredictable man.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Apparently, he had invited the Velemint family at the last minute—just for a \"casual\" chat. And since they were vacationing nearby, they'd agreed easily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ariana glanced toward the men again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor was keeping Adrian thoroughly occupied, asking questions, exchanging pleasantries—blocking her at every angle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then she felt it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A gaze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She turned slightly and saw Aston smiling at her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oh, great.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why had she made eye contact?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hello,\" he said cheerfully. \"It's been a while since we met.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ariana raised an eyebrow. \"Have we met before?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He looked embarrassed, and Victor quickly stepped in,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He's visited us in the past. Don't you remember? You used to play together.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ariana frowned, trying to recall—but the memory was blank.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then Adrian stepped in, his voice casual but helpful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If I remember right, he was your first sparring partner… other than your teacher.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ariana blinked, the memory clicking in. \"Oh, right… You ran away crying.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She didn't mean to be harsh. It just slipped out with the memory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Adrian chuckled softly and redirected Hayden back to their conversation, pulling the attention away from a flustered Aston.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The poor boy looked deeply embarrassed, clearly remembering that loss—and the fact that it had been to a girl who had only just started training.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor glanced around awkwardly before offering,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ah, Aria… Why don't you show Aston around? Maybe your mother's gallery?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ariana instantly frowned. \"Shouldn't Mom be the one showing her own paintings?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her response made Victor's jaw tighten slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From the corner of her eye, her mother nudged her gently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A silent plea.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ariana looked at her—and saw the gentle, wordless request in her eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She sighed under her breath and stood up without another word.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aston followed quickly. \"Lead the way.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As they walked off, Ariana didn't speak, but she glanced over her shoulder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Adrian was watching her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His eyes said it all. He wasn't happy. And she knew why.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But for now, he stayed silent. Victor hadn't crossed a line—yet—so Adrian held himself back. If things changed, though, he wouldn't stay quiet. Not even for the sake of anything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The conversation at the table continued, but Adrian wasn't listening anymore.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His eyes were locked on the corridor Ariana had disappeared into.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hayden began, \"I've been thinking of hiring a Runesmith. Do you—\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His sentence was cut short.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aston stormed back into the room, his face dark with frustration.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Dad. We need to leave. Now.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone turned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Behind him came Ariana, walking slowly, her expression calm… but cold.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The silver-haired headmistress had made her point—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And Adrian knew, without a word,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Something had happened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>°°°°°°°°\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A\u002FN:- Thanks for reading. Drop a comment.\u003C\u002Fp>",1260,"2026-06-06T07:53:02.436Z",1,"novelbin.me","5743214b48a15cc88dc35380829bd98a3b6b74dd2950155b370ffb87946ee0e3","return-of-the-legendary-runesmith-chapter-158","return-of-the-legendary-runesmith-chapter-156",595,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Freturn-of-the-legendary-runesmith-cover.jpg"]