Translator: Nox

Chapter 57

Chapter 57. An Unexpected Attack

Noah's gaze followed Olivia's movements. Her eyes were wide as she tilted her head back, gazing at the Magic Dome. She seemed to have forgotten he was even there.

"..."

He had brought her here with good intentions, but strangely, his mood was sinking by the moment.

Inevitably, Ansen Wilhelm came to mind, and the light in his green eyes grew increasingly askew.

Just then, Olivia, who had been examining the exterior of the Magic Dome, cautiously raised her right hand and placed it against the surface.

It was as if she was communicating with the Magic Dome.

The sight was so poignant and endearing that a burst of laughter escaped him.

"Heh..."

Noah frowned, his brow furrowing.

He shouldn't have brought her. He had even asked a favor of the captain to bring her, and all it did was ruin his mood.

He pushed himself off the railing, shoving his hands into his pockets.

"If you're done looking, let's go."

Olivia, who had been mesmerized by seeing the Magic Dome up close for the first time, quickly snapped out of it at the cold voice behind her.

"Ah, yes...!"

As Olivia quickly approached him, Noah immediately turned and walked away. He passed through the iron bridge, stopped by the bridge to tell them that they were done looking at the Magic Dome.

Olivia watched Noah's retreating figure, which seemed to drip with coldness, and grew paler and paler.

It seemed the King was angry. The gloves were damp with sweat from her palms. Feeling suffocated, Olivia simply hurried after him, and as they reached an empty corridor, she quickly apologized.

"I'm sorry, Your Highness."

Noah, who had been walking quickly with a frown, stopped at her urgent voice. He turned to face Olivia, who had appeared on his right, with an indifferent gaze.

Standing before Noah, Olivia felt as if she were facing an insurmountable mountain. The expression she had glimpsed on his face was so cold that she didn't dare meet his eyes. She felt a chill that seemed to cut through her skin, raising goosebumps on her neck.

Olivia tried not to tremble as she spoke.

"I'm sorry for wanting to see the Magic Dome. I know it's a military facility and requires permission from the manager, and I know I caused you trouble by asking. I'll make sure this doesn't happen again."

"..."

At her apology, Noah felt utterly pathetic. The dark eyes that couldn't meet his own and kept wandering around betrayed her anxiety.

Noah took a deep, long breath, like a sigh. His eyes felt dry, and fatigue washed over him.

Noah consciously smoothed out his brow and offered his arm to Olivia. Only then did she slowly raise her head to look at him. Meeting her face, stiff with tension, Noah gestured to his arm.

Olivia released her tightly clasped hands and cautiously took his arm.

Noah sighed even deeper at the slight tremor he felt through his arm.

He wondered what he was doing, having invited her himself. Her slender fingers kept trembling. She seemed to be trying her best not to let go, but could she really help it?

Noah led Olivia as he walked, asking,

"Why were you so curious about the Magic Dome?"

"Yes? Ah..."

Olivia was startled by the question and trailed off.

Noah glanced at her and added,

"I'm asking because I've never seen anyone so curious about it, Liv."

"..."

The word "Liv," softly pronounced, gently caressed Olivia's nerves, which had been as sharp as blades.

Olivia hesitated for a moment, choosing her words carefully. Officially, she was someone who had nothing to do with the Magic Dome. There was no record of it anywhere.

But she couldn't possibly give the vague answer that she was simply curious.

Olivia moved her lips and finally revealed a roundabout truth.

"Actually, I helped with the Magic Dome from time to time when it was being built. But I never had the chance to see the actual Magic Dome."

"You helped build the Magic Dome?"

Noah raised his voice at the end of his sentence and looked down at Olivia. Olivia felt an unusually strong pulse and nodded.

"I mainly looked at the blueprints."

"..."

When Noah didn't respond, Olivia glanced at him and forced a smile.

"You probably don't believe me."

But she couldn't help but feel bitter.

Olivia decided to leave it at that. Noah hadn't proposed to her because he needed the engineer Olivia Liberty, and she had no desire to live as an engineer by his side either.

However, Noah's words that followed were completely unexpected.

"Then do you know Ansen Wilhelm too?"

"Ansen?"

As Olivia looked up at him, repeating his question, Noah's brow furrowed slightly.

"Were you close?"

"No, not close, but... I went to school with Ansen around the same time. And because I collaborated with him when he was building the Magic Dome, we had many opportunities to meet."

"What kind of collaboration?"

"I told you, I looked at the blueprints. Usually, Ansen would bring the blueprints to me himself. He would convey the engineers' opinions to me, and I would reflect them in the blueprints. Conversely, I would convey my opinions to the engineers."

"Then why isn't your name on the list of developers?"

At his direct question, Olivia smiled bitterly and said calmly.

"They said no one would buy it if a female engineer built a military facility."

Olivia's eyes darkened like a deep, slow ocean. The heavy feeling of being blocked by a towering mountain range resurfaced.

Noah led her in silence.

The cold, suffocating atmosphere had faded away, and her trembling hands had calmed down.

And just as they reached the outer corridor of the ship, Noah spoke.

"Do you still keep in touch with Ansen Wilhelm?"

At the light, casual question, Olivia replied lightly.

"No."

"I heard Wilhelm Corporation is having a hard time upgrading the Magic Dome. Doesn't he contact you?"

"Ansen and I had differences of opinion, and they couldn't be narrowed down. So about a year ago, I ended our relationship."

Noah, who had been looking out at the distant sea, released the arm Olivia was holding and leaned against the railing. The moon, which had disappeared and reappeared, shone brightly behind Noah, and his face was obscured by the shadows of the moonlight. However, even in the darkness, the light in his eyes was so intense that it ensnared Olivia's gaze.

Olivia forgot to even breathe at his atmosphere and gaze. Then, he twisted his seductive lips and whispered.

"Then don't call him Ansen again, Liv."

"...Pardon?"

"You said you ended your relationship. Then the title should change too. Not Ansen, but CEO Wilhelm or Mr. Wilhelm, how about it?"

Olivia blinked blankly and nodded slowly, as if possessed.

"I will."

Only then did Noah smile at her.

The smile that curved his sharp eyes and lifted his delicate lips was enchanting. The wind that had passed through Noah carried his unique scent and permeated Olivia's lungs.

Olivia's face slowly flushed at the dark and captivating scent.

His gaze, his atmosphere, and the casual words he had thrown out made her whole world sway.

Suddenly, her late grandmother's words came to mind.

"Liv. Don't make promises on happy days, and don't make resolutions on sad days."

This devilishly handsome man had appeared on her most miserable day, and Olivia had made a resolution that day. To take the hand he offered.

Grandma, will I... be okay?

But it was right then.

Suddenly, the height of the two changed drastically as if the whole world except her had sunk under her feet. Olivia was startled by the completely tilting height and looked down at Noah with wide eyes.

The sea, which had been supporting the huge ship, surged violently, and the ship tilted to one side.

Olivia, who had nothing to hold on to and was wearing high heels, eventually lost her balance and slid towards the railing.

Noah, who had been leaning against the railing, gritted his teeth and reached out to Olivia.

"Olivia!!!"

Then, he wrapped his strong arms around her slender waist as she collapsed. His back was pressed against the railing, but Noah didn't groan and turned his head to glare at the sea.

Amid the chaotic sounds of something breaking and screams coming from all directions, the sea, which had been calm until now, surged violently, and an unbelievably huge creature leaped up right next to the ship. The moonlight was obscured by its size, casting a dark shadow.

Olivia's chin trembled as she was held in Noah's arms. The ship, which had tilted sharply to port due to its movement, seemed to be gradually regaining its balance.

But Noah lifted Olivia up and immediately ran to the wall opposite the railing, leaning his back against it. Then, as if waiting for it, the ship tilted to starboard, and the railing soared as if it would reach the sky.

Amid the piercing screams, the sound of heavy artillery fire began to mix in.

As the ship, which had tilted to starboard, regained its level, the creature rose above the surface of the water once more. Noah's eyes hardened coldly.

The arms around Olivia's shoulders and waist tightened.

As the creature with the dark body opened its maw, hundreds of ferocious teeth gleamed in the moonlight.

It was a Megalodon.