[{"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-341":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},1562666,2026,"Chapter 341 - 340- Lady Supreme","return-of-the-legendary-runesmith-chapter-341",341,"\u003Cp>\"Daaaarling, is this really necessary?\" Annabelle whined as they stepped out of the academy building.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was already ten o’clock. Most students had returned to their dorms, the campus quiet. The security guards didn’t question them leaving—Ariana’s presence alone was enough to silence doubts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Adrian let out a tired sigh. \"It’s happening tonight, isn’t it?\" Not like they had any option.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Annabelle puffed her cheeks. \"But it’s your birthday. Shouldn’t we be celebrating instead of sneaking off?\" There were things in her mind she wanted to do tonight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They had celebrated. The cake, the feast—everything Ariana had arranged specially for him was more than enough. Once Elana and Sylvie retired to their rooms, though, duty called.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Annabelle’s followers had set up a meeting. Adrian wanted answers. And Ariana... she wanted to see with her own eyes if the woman Annabelle saved two years ago was really her old mentor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was why they had to go.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Bella,\" Adrian said gently, \"I’m grateful for everything you planned tonight. Truly. But there’s no better time to meet your people than now, when they’re all gathered in one place.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Annabelle pouted. \"Darling is such a workaholic.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ariana laughed softly. \"You’re only figuring that out now? I’ve known for ages that this man loves work more than anything.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Adrian offered a sheepish smile. \"Well then... shall we get going?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Annabelle gave a dramatic hmph and stopped in her tracks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Adrian turned to her, a little worried. \"What is it? Do you really not want to go? Maybe I’m pushing too hard.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But she only leaned in with a sly grin. \"You could just teleport us there, you know.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Adrian blinked. \"Teleport? Do I even know the place?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her grin widened. \"Of course you do. It’s home.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>....\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beneath the earth lay the old shelter where Avirin and Bella had once lived.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was the same hideout the Towers nearly uncovered just weeks ago. They hadn’t managed to break into it, but they had gotten dangerously close.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Later, when Annabelle learned of the discovery, she struck a deal with two Towers, handing over the shelter in exchange for fulfilling one request they may have in the future.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, the Towers never fully pulled back their surveillance. But knowing whose name now stood over the site, they dared not linger too close.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Wow... you really handed this place over to them?\" Adrian asked as they approached the hidden bunker.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Annabelle’s steps slowed. \"I... couldn’t keep watch here all the time, Darling. I didn’t want it to fall into the wrong hands, so I gave them the duty to guard it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her wide eyes lifted to his. \"Did I do the wrong thing?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Adrian chuckled softly. \"No, you didn’t. Don’t worry.\" There was nothing inside worth fretting over—except for one room, his old workshop. That, he could live with.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They soon reached the ladder. After lifting the panel above, they climbed down into the tunnel.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Adrian paused halfway, his eyes widening. \"Woah... they really fixed this place up.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The once dark, forgotten gallery now glowed with torchlight. The walls looked cleaner, the air carried the faint scent of fresh paint.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was clear—the place had been repaired and renewed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...!!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A sudden chill ran down Adrian’s spine. The shadows seemed to stir.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instinctively, he drew his revolver and aimed at the shifting figure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Huh?\" His eyes narrowed—nothing was there. It felt as if whatever he sensed had simply vanished.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he was wrong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I greet the Lady Supreme.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A voice rang out, steady and calm. Someone had indeed appeared, but not with hostile intent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even Ariana’s eyes widened—she hadn’t noticed the approach either.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kneeling before Annabelle was a woman with short, dark-grey hair dressed in a black uniform. Her head remained bowed, her face hidden even from the one she was addressing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Eh? Who are you?\" Annabelle asked, tilting her head curiously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ariana resisted the urge to palm her forehead. At least remember the names of the people serving under you...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"My name is Eros, Lady Supreme,\" the woman replied, voice firm. \"I have been sent to guide you to the main hall.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Annabelle gave a small hum. \"Are they all gathered?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes, Lady Supreme.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then let’s go.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that, the woman rose smoothly to her feet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her golden eyes flicked first to Ariana, then to Adrian. Her expression remained unreadable as she turned and began leading the way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Annabelle glanced over her shoulder with a small smile. \"You can ask her anything you like, Darling.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Adrian gave a thoughtful hum before voicing the question that had been on his mind. \"Has the Tower ever tried to breach this place?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eros’s reply came quick. \"Officially, no. But they did send a few undesirables—criminals—to scout the facility. We took care of them.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She continued, her tone steady and cold. \"Given the importance of this site to our Queen, four elites are always stationed inside to guard it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her voice was almost mechanical, stripped of warmth. Yet whenever Annabelle was mentioned, a faint softness crept in—subtle, but telling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was clear where her loyalty lay.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ariana spoke up this time. \"Is Janet here?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The woman answered without pause, her voice as even as before. \"She goes by the name Jean now. And yes—Jean is here.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ariana let out a long sigh. So it was true. Janet survived.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Annabelle broke into a grin. \"See? You owe me one now. Next time, I’m sleeping with Darling.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Adrian caught the smallest twitch in Eros’s step—a momentary flinch before she resumed her silent, measured pace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A wry smile tugged at his lips. Devotees, I suppose.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They walked on, passing through two checkpoints. At each, soldiers straightened and gave Annabelle a respectful salute before allowing them through.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Adrian had assumed they’d be meeting in his old workshop, but when they stopped before the door, he frowned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It’s locked?\" He muttered, stepping closer. The door wasn’t just barred with a heavy mechanical lock—an artifact pulsed faintly against its surface, coating it in a thin frost that sealed it shut.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eros’s voice echoed softly behind him. \"The Lady Supreme ordered that no one enter this room.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Adrian chuckled, turning to glance at Annabelle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She met his eyes with a mischievous grin. \"I remember how much you hated people messing with your room.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He ruffled her hair, \"Thanks,\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After they walked for a few more minutes, they stopped before two large doors.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eros turned toward them and said, \"They are waiting inside,\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Annabelle held Ariana and Adrian’s hands as she said, \"Let’s go.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>°°°°°°°°\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A\u002FN:- Thanks for reading. Through them, we will get to know more about Annabelle’s past and her life as a Warden.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Drop a comment.\u003C\u002Fp>",1112,"2026-06-06T07:53:02.437Z",1,"novelbin.me","7d398c6d23447bdac01945780bbc81046b85cdb16a819f8edc54c6f7e85c4120","return-of-the-legendary-runesmith-chapter-342","return-of-the-legendary-runesmith-chapter-340",595,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Freturn-of-the-legendary-runesmith-cover.jpg"]