Bella's brow furrowed. "Once?"
"Years ago," Edward continued, "back when me, Cyrano and jonny were only in our teen years, we visited the Ruined Tower in the old forest. The same tower, which is behind our successful rise and broken brotherhood. That tower… it holds knowledge on toxins and mana poisons. Purple poison is recorded there. It was extracted in tiny amounts from rare mana beasts, synthesized into a potent compound. Only someone with access to the tower's manuscripts, could reproduce it."
Bella's eyes widened. "You mean… Cyrano?"
Edward shook his head. "Not exactly. Cyrano may have access to the archives, yes… but he wouldn't risk it. That's why I said 'someone else and has been watching us."
Bella's fists clenched. "So it's someone exploiting Cyrano's methods to hide their trail."
"Exactly. And they timed it perfectly, when you were away on guild duty, when Michael and I were occupied. They studied the household routines, the defenses, and… the pendant." Edward nodded.
"we almost lost him." Bella's gaze flicked to Michael's pale, aged face. Her jaw tightened.
Edward's expression darkened. "The assassin enhanced himself. Potions, Rank 1 enhancement… the attack was amplified, lethal, designed to bypass normal defenses. The pendant absorbed what it could, but even it couldn't hold against that level of enhanced assault for long."
Edward shook his head. "Almost… but Michael…Michael saved Kelvin. Even at the cost of half his lifespan, he stopped him. That pendant would normally withstand such an attack, but the assassin enhanced himself to break through. Michael used forbidden arts to counter it, magic that costs life, magic that shouldn't exist."
Bella's eyes softened, just slightly, as she glanced at Michael. "He… he sacrificed himself."
Bella clenched her teeth. "I need the full truth, Edward. Tell me everything you know about this tower. About the poisons, the studies, I need to trace this assassin before he strikes again."
Edward took a deep breath, settling beside her. "The tower was ancient, older than anyone realized. Its manuscripts weren't just about forging weapons or crafting mana artifacts. They included sections on toxins, poisons, enhancing mana attacks, and even lethal traps. Only those trained in arcane studies or obsessed enough to learn from old texts could reproduce its contents. Purple poison was one of those rare subjects. It can't be synthesized from normal ingredients; it requires careful cultivation from mana beasts, then refinement over weeks. Only someone with deep knowledge… like Cyrano had, could manage it."
Edward nodded slowly. "Yes. And that's why Michael had to intervene. No ordinary Rank 2 spell would have stopped it. The forbidden arts… Blood burning… it's something old, something dangerous I got from the same tower. Half his life gone in an instant. But he did it to save Kelvin."
Bella's gaze hardened. "And the mastermind? He's still out there. He will come again if we don't act.We can't afford mistakes. Not with Kelvin, not with Michael, and not with our family."
"And Cyrano is the only link in this all" Edward said in an cooled tune.
Bella's lips curled into a dangerous smile, a predator sizing up its prey. "Good. We'll use him, then. But the moment he lies, the moment he tries to hide anything… he dies."
Bella's eyes burned ."Then we hunt the real culprit. And when we find him… he will regret taking action against a three-year-old.And whoever stands in my way… will fall."
"You stay and protect them, Let me go and get my answer from Cyrano" continued Bella.
..............
Cyrano's mansion door shattered inward with BOOM!!.
Servants screamed and scrambled out of the way as Bella marched inside. Her eyes glowed with killing intent so cold the air froze.
Hearing the commotion he was coming down to see how was brazen enough to attack his house. But seeing Bella, he stumbled down the stairs, panic twisting his round face.
"B-Bella!? What are you…what is the meaning of…?!"
Bella grabbed him by the collar and slammed him against the wall hard enough to crack it.
"Someone tried to kill Kelvin," she hissed. "And the evidence points to you."
Cyrano's face drained of color. "Wh….Kelvin? Kill him!? Bella, you can't be…."
"Don't lie." She pressed her arm against his throat. "I found Purple poison on the Assassin . Which is your signature poison.