It had been four months since the news of Roria becoming the Duke of Altia. Now only five years remained until the original story was set to begin. The white blanket of winter had long melted away, and spring approached—bringing with it the gentle drowsiness of warmth.
"Young Master—no, perhaps I should call you Count now?"
"I haven't had the succession ceremony yet."
Although Alon hadn't formally inherited the title, he had begun calling himself Count Palatio, not just the heir.
"Even so, you're effectively the Count now. It's quite emotional to see you reach this point."
"Is that so?"
Alon gave a faint, bitter smile.It was something I never planned for.
He never intended to become a Count. All he wanted was a leisurely noble life, using the title only for convenience. But Leo—who was meant to be the next Count—was assassinated. And so, the seat fell to him.
My goal has changed… but it's not necessarily bad.
Living in Rodmill, researching magic and baking bread—such days weren't unpleasant. And being a Count had its perks. A peaceful noble life… only with greater luxury.
Of course, responsibilities increased as well—but over the past six months as acting heir, he'd adjusted well. His work-life balance remained tolerable.
I never thought being the heir of a rogue noble family would be so useful.
Unlike other nobles burdened with politics, the Palatio family avoided them. Their life was leisurely unless emergencies arose. And thanks to the assassins who eliminated Avalon and left behind their fortune, the family was now wealthy enough to sustain themselves for five years—as long as he didn't overspend.
"Ah, right. Have you found anything new?"
"If you're referring to the assassins who killed Leo…"
When Alon nodded, Evan shook his head.
"The Information Guild is still investigating thoroughly. But nothing has surfaced yet."
"I see."
Alon clicked his tongue. He didn't seek revenge for Leo. He had a different reason.
The past is diverging from what I remember.
He'd expected change. He had interfered many times to prevent troublesome events and secure the Five Sins. When butterflies flap their wings, storms form—but his actions were hurricanes.
It's only natural that the past changes… but some things don't make sense.
Roria—who should've died in the original timeline—had become the Duke of Altia, rising rapidly in influence.
After pondering, Alon stopped thinking about it. It was pointless. More pressing matters existed.
"…Stop the investigation."
"Is that really okay?"
"Yes. If even the Information Guild can't find anything, there's no point digging deeper."
There was another reason too.
In this world, some things are better left unknown. And this one… feels ominous.
The Information Guild, led by the master of 'Night's End Darkness', held nearly all knowledge. Only a few organizations could escape their net. And those who eluded them were dangerous beyond comprehension.
If their identity has remained hidden this long… then they're not after me.
Assassins struck only those who dug too deep, or exposed them. There was no need to attract unnecessary danger.
"Understood," Evan said and left the chamber—only to return moments later with a letter.
It was from Yutia.
The Letters From the Orphanage
The letter contained updates on daily life at the orphanage. Alon couldn't help but smile softly as he read.
"Deus has been performing puppet shows often, Seolrang is obsessed with games… Rine is crafting and reading quietly. Ladan likes landscaping lately…"
Though he never raised them himself, five years of supporting them fostered a paternal warmth.
It might be time to send them out into the world.
"Evan."
"Yes, Count?"
"How old is Yutia now? And the others?"
"Yutia is about nineteen. Those you brought in should be the same. Rine is seventeen. Ladan should be twenty."
"I see. It's time."
"Time? To send them out?"
Alon nodded. This world considered sixteen the age of adulthood.
The Five Sins had grown enough. And he never meant to keep them forever.
I gathered them to prevent the future calamities. But once they're stable… they can stand on their own.
Their talents were clear to him.
Yutia—faithDeus—swordsmanshipRine—researchSeolrang—tactics & gamesLadan—development & construction
If placed well, they would thrive. And so Alon wrote five letters—and enclosed a gift for each of them.
The Five Depart
A few weeks later, in the orphanage basement, the Five Sins gathered with their letters.
"The Great Moon commands me to head to Caliburn—the land of knights," Deus spoke first.
"To the Colony desert… ugh, I hate deserts…" Seolrang groaned.
"I'm sent to the labyrinth city, Lartania.""I'm going to the pleasure city, Raxas…" Ladan muttered.
And Yutia whispered,
"…The Holy Kingdom of Rosario."
"What could be the reason behind these places?" Deus asked."Do we need to know?" Seolrang replied innocently.
Yutia smiled softly. "We don't need to understand. We just must follow."
And with her final words—
"Never speak of the Blue Moon unless He speaks of it first."
—the five destined calamities stepped into the world.
One Year Later…
"Count, did you know? Deus has been knighted in Caliburn."
"Already?"
And three months later—
"Count, Deus… has founded a knight order."
"…Two months after being knighted?"
A few months more—
"Count…"
"Yes?"
"…Deus has become one of the Five Master Knights in Caliburn."
Silence.
"…Within a year?"
Evan nodded. "They say he may become the strongest knight in history."
Alon slowly covered his face with one hand.
"…Evan."
"Yes, Count?"
"Did I raise calamities… or prodigies?"
Evan answered without hesitation."I believe… they were both."
And so, it was only then that Alon realized—
He had changed history.He had freed the Five Sins…
Only to unleash five legends upon the world.