Part 1: The Guard Mage's Suspicions
Summer, year 413.
In the princess's guardroom, Derrick was still awake for the first shift. He sat at his desk, facing the door to the princess's room, flipping through reports about the strange incident that had occurred six months ago beneath the sewer system.
"Signs of combat within a short time, less than ten minutes… in the upper-class sewer district."
Derrick had been following this case since the day it happened. Not merely out of scholarly curiosity or an investigator's instinct. He had a feeling there was something hidden in this case that the Knights' Guild had overlooked when they determined it was a gang reckoning.
If it was gangs settling scores, why not take Nights Eye Crow's body for the bounty? And why did it happen in the upper-class district? Were the carriage tracks just outside the sewer entrance near the forest edge related? Did the people who killed Nights Eye Crow flee? What were they fleeing from?
With the fragmented information the magic guard had, this incident was extremely confusing and illogical. Based on Derrick's speculation, Nights Eye Crow's employer must have been a supporter of the First Prince Grabel's faction. Because the targets taken out by that assassin were all supporters of other factions, like the Second Prince Halfaust's faction, and worse, supporters of Princess Ariel—whom Derrick had sworn to protect.
If the person behind Nights Eye Crow's death was one of Halfaust's people, that would be bad news. A powerful, mysterious new force appearing in an opposing faction is always a bad thing.
But the scariest thing would be if those people belonged to a fourth faction that Derrick had never known about. The young mage of the Redbat family would rather have a strong enemy whose motives he knew clearly. With enemies whose names he didn't even know, there was no telling what they were fighting for.
The unknown is always something everyone must fear.
What puzzled Derrick most whenever he reviewed this case was that there had been no movement whatsoever after that incident. He thought the person behind that event had either fled or was hiding, waiting for something bigger.
And that, somehow, led him to two names: Tristina Purplehorse and Henry Whitebear—two young nobles who suddenly went missing shortly before the sewer event occurred. People said they eloped for love when the Purplehorse family didn't support their daughter going with a boy with no future like Henry.
But Derrick found it very strange.
According to his investigation, Tristina had been missing for nearly a week before Henry was last seen at the Royal Capital Academy. If they really eloped together, why would one person stay behind for a few more days and let themselves be seen like that? If they said they stayed to prepare more thoroughly, it made even less sense because the fifth son of the Whitebear family didn't even bother to pack his luggage; his belongings were still in his room, even things like money were left behind.
It was as if they had left in a hurry.
The couple's story might not necessarily be related to the sewer incident. After all, Derrick didn't think those two young nobles could defeat Nights Eye Crow. Not to mention the reason for that strange confrontation.
Derrick was about to dismiss the connection between the two events and call it a coincidence. However, just yesterday, a new piece of information appeared out of nowhere, surprising him: A child had used a Water God Style secret art and fought an even match with the genius Water Saint Isolde Cluel.
That wasn't just some random, unknown child; that kid was named Atur Notos Greyrat, Luke's half-brother. When he heard these stories from his younger brother, Luke was very excited and proud of Atur. He even introduced his brother to Princess Ariel to recruit him as a guard like himself.
But that joy didn't last long; news of Atur renouncing his family was released. Following that was the story of a prodigal child who spent money like water, accumulating a huge debt in just over a year.
Luke was in shock. Since then, he didn't even want to mention his brother.
That was also why Derrick only continued his investigation when Luke was asleep. That was because the name 'Atur' had appeared when Derrick looked into Henry and Tristina. They weren't just casual friends; sources said Henry and Atur frequently did low-level adventurer quests together.
And the fact that Atur carried that huge debt wasn't exactly due to lavish spending. It was a complex process, sophisticatedly covered under the guise of taverns and gambling. Accompanying them was another suspicious name: Ken Cluel.
Derrick wasn't sure about anything yet. But he was determined to find out about those two mysterious figures.
Part 2: The Kingmaker
The eastern area of the upper-class district in the Royal Capital has always been a complicated location. That was because of incidents that happened many years ago, causing this area to be rumored as haunted. Then recently, this place was renovated, and soldiers began patrolling regularly. With the combined efforts of all the nobility, the dilapidated, abandoned houses that didn't fit with the rest of the upper-class district were also rebuilt.
Among them was a house originally owned by the Cluel family, specifically transferred to Ken Cluel's name a long time ago. The bald knight truly didn't intend to hide this asset from his nephew and niece, Tantris and Isolde; the problem was he had completely forgotten about the house's existence until he returned to the Royal Capital after more than two decades.
Ken had intended to give the house back to Tantris as soon as they met. But Tantris was still Tantris, a straightforward and ungreedy person; he immediately refused, and Ken remained the owner of that house.
So, not knowing what to do with the place, Tantris decided to sell it when the price suddenly went up. And the buyer, surprisingly, was Philip—Paul's childhood friend.
Ken initially didn't plan to mention it, but Philip recognized Ken and proactively brought up old stories. So suddenly, a real estate transaction turned into a reminiscent conversation about what happened in the Notos family.
Philip was actually quite amazed about Atur.
The mayor, when he first heard about and saw Atur at his birthday party, already saw something special in this boy. But with what Ken recounted, it was more than just 'special.'
"If what you say is true. Then why do you want me to take young Atur to Roa?"
Philip asked calmly, however, his eyes looked like they wanted to see through the knight's heart.
"Because that is the best way," Ken replied. "Atur is becoming more and more famous; sooner or later, he will be swept into the vortex of disputes of the Asura royal family. Or even the problems of the current Notos family itself."
And there was another reason named Derrick Redbat, but Ken didn't intend to say it. The fewer people knew about the event under the sewer, the better.
"Even though you lost your job, you remain loyal to your master; that is truly admirable."
"He is the last hope of House Notos."
"The last hope? But hasn't your master already renounced his own family?" Philip smiled faintly.
"That is not something that cannot be resolved."
"That is true."
Philip nodded. Indeed, Atur's recent development has caused many nobles in the Milbotts region to gather and evaluate him as the most suitable person for the position of the next family head. Even though he renounced the family, if he wants, Atur will certainly receive the support of many 'aggressive' nobles—those dissatisfied with the 'cowardly softness' that Pilemon is pursuing. Once he becomes the family head, reattaching the Notos Greyrat surname wouldn't be difficult. That wouldn't be unprecedented either.
It sounds reasonable, but in reality, everyone knows that the nobles supporting Atur now are just vultures who want a family head with little political knowledge to easily manipulate.
Philip wasn't interested in what happened on the Notos side; he had many other problems within his own family to solve. However, the idea of having an ally who is the patriarch of one of the Four Great Noble Families was truly worth considering. And if Atur couldn't become the family head, the title of Water King would still be something very valuable in the future. In short, this wasn't a difficult choice for Philip. It would be strange if he refused.
"However, I don't know how you plan to convince your young master. After all, he is being protected by the Water God, and all his debts have been paid off, haven't they?"
"Actually, he still thinks he owes a large sum of money."
The story about Atur having a large debt was known by everyone; when he decided to renounce his family, all the creditors intended to settle accounts. Yet just one day after Pilemon disowned Atur, all debts were paid in full.
But now hearing these things from Ken, Philip understood the whole picture.
"Haha. So that's how it is." Philip smiled slightly; his calculating eyes, usually narrowed, now seemed closed shut. "Sir Ken is truly more cunning than I thought. So what role do you want me to play in your play now?"
"I dare not say that yet," Ken replied calmly. "However, when possible, I hope Lord Philip will listen to my requests."
Then he stood up and bowed slightly, showing respect before leaving the room. Leaving Philip immersed in his calculations.
Part 3: The Young Girl and Her Rival
It has been two months since Atur left. Although Veronica still smiles, greets, and cares for others, the joy of the young lady of the Whitebear family seems to have been halved. Many times after school, her feet habitually take her to the Water God Style Headquarters to look for the silhouette of the silver-haired boy, but each trip ends in disappointment.
"So he really left, huh."
Veronica sighed as she stood looking at the empty training ground with not a soul in sight. Disappointed, she turned to leave.
But before she could take half a step, a familiar figure appeared right in front of her.
"Ah!" Veronica immediately bowed. "Greetings, Water Saint Isolde. I hope I'm not disturbing your training."
It was Water Saint Isolde Cluel, the Water God's granddaughter, the prodigy of the Water God Style. According to some rumors Veronica heard, that Cluel girl and Atur seemed to have a very special relationship. So every time Isolde was mentioned, the brown-haired girl always felt uncomfortable.
Because Isolde is a genius. She is even very pretty. The day she first appeared at the Royal Academy and 'stole' Atur away proved that the Water Saint was much prettier than Veronica. Everyone in the training ground had to marvel, even the girls. That's not to mention other things like Isolde is also good at poetry, heard she can cook very well, and was the one who made some very successful alcohol with Atur, and always went to church with Atur all the time.
In short, Veronica doesn't like Isolde. Can't like her even a little bit. She doesn't like her not because she hates her. She doesn't like her just because she doesn't want Atur to look at her and then look at Isolde and know perfectly well who is better.
Even when saying goodbye to Atur a few months ago, Veronica even intentionally stood as far away from Isolde as possible. Mainly so Atur wouldn't have to compare her with that genius girl. Now standing right next to her like this, the difference between the two worlds is clearer than ever.
She must be looking at me and laughing secretly. A stupid, weak young lady like me daring to dream of Atur… Truly worthy of contempt.
That's right, Veronica has an inferiority complex. A heavy one.
That's also why our brown-haired girl likes Atur so much. Because from the first meeting, Veronica danced very badly, yet the Notos boy didn't mock her but gave her very flattering compliments.
Veronica was very happy then. Thanks to that time, she started to feel more confident about herself.
But the calamity named Isolde appeared, and that complex just came back.
"Ah, it's no bother. You're Veronica, right?" But contrary to Veronica's calculations, Isolde immediately smiled back with a gentle smile. "Just call me Isolde. And if I remember correctly, you also study the Water God Style, right?"
"Eh? How do you know I study the Water God Style?" Veronica asked back in surprise.
"The first time we met, you were at the Royal Academy's dojo."
"Ah…"
So she also remembers me from back then. Must be laughing secretly because I'm much weaker than her.
"If you don't mind, just come here; I will guide you." Isolde smiled and said again. However, anyone could see the genius girl's face becoming a bit less natural.
Scary… so scary. She definitely plans to use those exercises to show me how incompetent I am.
"Veronica." Then suddenly a hand was placed on the brown-haired girl's shoulder. "Did you catch this trait from Atur?"
Veronica could see a few veins popping on Isolde's forehead, even though her mouth still wore a bright, friendly smile.
"What… what trait?"
"The trait of always judging others." Isolde replied immediately, as if knowing full well Veronica would ask. "Please don't think like that; I have no intention of looking down on you or anything."
Ah… So I'm not even worth her attention?
Isolde was furious for the first time after two peaceful months without Atur.
It took two whole months for the two to clear up the misunderstanding. But just then, the budding friendship between the two girls had to stop because Isolde had to leave and start her training journey.
Veronica was very sad.
But Isolde felt like she would have peaceful days without being driven crazy.
The Water Saint girl hoped she wouldn't have to meet weird people in Shirone.
Part 4: Triss's 10th Birthday
Tristina, now called Triss to erase her old identity. She also cut her long hair short for easier hygiene and movement. As for her body, after two years of living in deprivation, the excess fat, which wasn't much from her time as a noble, had disappeared completely. Plus the intense training and fighting sessions in the northern lands, Triss even had abs.
In short, the young lady of the Purplehorse family from that day has completely transformed.
And today is her 10th birthday; it will be held in a small inn room in Gyuranza, with a tiny birthday cake and a large bottle of alcohol.
"Are you kidding me?" Triss glared at the person placing the bottle on the table. "You know perfectly well I can't drink this stuff, right? Or are you planning to get me drunk to do something?"
Responding to the sourness from Triss, the 14-year-old boy with dark brown hair tied up in a high bun just laughed it off.
"You're still missing a few years and a big chest to make me 'do something'."
So the boy got punched, but his face was very happy about it.
"Talk like that again and I'll slit your throat."
"Hehe, just kidding." The boy sat down at the table and held up the bottle. "The reason I bought this isn't just to drink it."
"What else is alcohol for? To waste money?" Triss glared.
"Come on, let me finish." The brown-haired boy snapped his fingers. "I just bought this from a merchant from Fittoa. And guess who made it?"
"I give you three seconds to say it straight." Triss pulled out a knife.
"Hehe, you guessed right. It's from Atur!"
So Triss's annoyed eyes suddenly lit up. She involuntarily smiled. The story about this bottle of alcohol is exactly the gift she wanted most.