CHAPTER 5:
The morning of Aria's departure felt strangely quiet. Maybe it was just me. Or maybe the entire Vaelthorn domain had decided to hold its breath for her. The courtyard was glowing under the early sun, and the maids were already lined up in neat rows. The butler stood stiff as a statue. My father, Aldren, stood tall and formal, while my mother, Selena, tried to hide the softness in her eyes.
Aria stood at the center of everything, surrounded by luggage and smiling attendants. Today was her fifteenth birthday. That meant it was also the day she would leave for the Imperial Knight Academy. A major step. A big deal for nobles. A future that came with a mountain of expectations.
And for some reason, she decided to call me over.
"Rei. Come here."
Her voice was soft. Too soft. Suspiciously soft.
Why is she suddenly acting like that…?
Still, I walked toward her.
"What now, big sis. I thought you would be busy acting cool or something."
Before I could finish, she placed her hand on my head. A gentle pat. Slow. Warm.
"While I am gone, behave yourself. Do not do anything reckless. Do not harm yourself. Do your training seriously but do not push your body too far. And most important of all, stay safe… little brother."
For a second, I almost forgot how to breathe.
Where did that come from?
Aria had always been the strict one. The terrifying one. The one who smacked sense into me whenever she felt like it. And now she was… caring. Gentle. Almost emotional.
"O… ok…"
That was all I managed to say.
She removed her hand and smiled at me. A real smile. Not the scary monster grin she shows during training.
"Bye, big sis. I will come to the academy in no time."
"You do not have to be so dramatic," she said. "I will return during vacations."
"Yeah, yeah. You better."
Her carriage began to move. She waved until the gates swallowed her carriage in the distance.
That was it. My sister had officially left the nest. And she left me with way too many emotions to deal with early in the morning.
We all returned to our usual routines after that. The maids scattered. The butler walked off with his stiff posture. Aldren and Selena whispered about Aria's potential. I pretended not to hear any of it and headed back to my room.
I opened the door and saw her.
Ivy.
Disguised as a maid, sitting at the edge of my bed with a sweet smile that would fool anyone who did not know who she really was.
"Welcome back, Death," she said.
That smile… it really was adorable. A bit too adorable.
"So?" I shut the door. "Got anything?"
She stood up and bowed her head a little.
"I am very sorry. I searched everywhere I could, but I was unable to gather any information about the Null Choir."
I let out a small sigh. Not out of annoyance. Just acceptance.
"Hmmm. Well, whatever. From now on, we shift our focus."
Ivy lifted her head, looking curious.
"Shift…? To what exactly?"
"We stop worrying about the Null Choir for now. Instead, we expand our organization."
She nodded.
"As you wish."
I stepped to the center of the room and stretched my fingers.
From tonight onward, we will go out every night and find others whose curse has awakened. If they accept us, good. If they refuse, they die. Simple. A clean system. I would lend them my power only if they were useful.
Shadows swirled around my feet. They rose slowly, like black mist breathing in the dark, expanding until they covered the entire room. They clung to the walls. They draped over the ceiling. They wrapped around Ivy and me like a cocoon made of living night.
"IF they are willing to be useful to me."
I could see Ivy tremble. Not out of fear. Out of devotion. She truly believed I was almighty. Honestly, it was embarrassing sometimes.
But if this was what it took to build something strong, I would take it.
That was how everything began.
And then one year passed.
A single year.
Yet the world around me grew darker and darker.
The Eclipse Order (Formerly Death Bringers) grew. More Sins gathered around me. People with awakened curses sought refuge, power, or survival. The Vaelthorn domain prospered, but trouble always lurked beneath the surface.
And tonight… trouble arrived.
We were seated in the dining room, enjoying dinner peacefully. The chandelier glowed warmly. The silverware shimmered. Aldren sat at the head of the table, cutting meat with the elegance of a noble who had practiced every movement. Selena smiled warmly, asking about small, harmless topics to keep the atmosphere gentle.
Then something unusual happened.
A loud knock.
No, more like a desperate slam.
The dining room door burst open.
A soldier ran in, panting and sweating, and immediately bowed deeply.
"My Lord, emergency. Attackers have been spotted at the south ridge. They are armed, numerous, and have already forced their way near the mines."
Aldren stood without hesitation.
Selena gasped.
Then she turned toward me.
"Rei, go to your room. Now."
Behind me, a maid bowed.
"I will accompany the young master."
She looked like an ordinary maid. Pretty. Graceful. But she was Ivy. And my parents had no idea.
I nodded.
"Okay, mother."
We left the dining room.
As soon as the doors were shut and we stepped into the hallway, Ivy spoke in a completely different tone.
"Lord Death. I will analyze the situation with the other Sins."
I did not look at her. I simply kept walking.
"Report."
"There is something strange, my Lord," she whispered.
Her eyes glowed faint green. Mana detection.
"The attackers are not ordinary criminals. I can feel a faint trace of a curse on some of them."
I paused slightly.
"…So they are not simple mercenaries."
"Not powerful either. But someone powerful is backing them."
I narrowed my eyes.
"Let me guess. Their goal is the mana vein."
"Yes." Ivy nodded. "The mana vein is the target."
The mana vein under Vaelthorn land was discovered just three days ago. Aldren told me during breakfast. He said researchers from the imperial capital would arrive soon to study the mysterious mana. Apparently, the mana inside the vein was nothing like normal mana. That alone was suspicious enough.
I let out a breath.
"So some idiots think they can just waltz in and take our mana ore. Greedy idiots."
Ivy shook her head.
"No. It is more than greed. Their mana is abnormal. Too dense. Too refined. Celia said she sensed something else."
"Celia?" I raised an eyebrow.
Ivy nodded.
"Yes. Celia said the mana on those attackers carries a faint scent of the Zero."
I stopped walking.
Zero.
The one entity that should never exist. The one thing the Null Choir wants to revive. Even I do not fully understand what Zero is yet. And I do not plan to dive into that mystery this early.
"So the Null Choir is behind them," I muttered.
"Correct. But they are not high ranking. They are just dogs sent to fetch the ore."
We turned the corner and reached the darker side of the mansion. No servants. No lights. This was the more secluded path.
Ivy bowed deeply.
"My Lord, I have already informed Rhea."
I heard footsteps behind us. Heavy. Confident. Not hiding at all.
Rhea.
Her voice cut through the quiet hallway.
"They are already surrounded."
She stepped closer, her crimson eyes glowing softly with silent wrath.
"I sent Luna to scout. Luna confirmed everything. The attackers are armed with refined mana that does not belong in this world. And they have taken over the mine completely."
I nodded slowly.
"So Luna is observing them."
Rhea crossed her arms.
"She will keep them cornered. My mistake, my Lord. I ordered her to keep them entertained until you arrived."
I could not help it.
A small smile stretched across my lips.
"I like it."
Ivy smiled softly.
Rhea smirked, showing her excitement.
I took one more step forward.
The lights around us flickered faintly. Shadows stirred under my feet like excited beasts waiting for release. They curled around my legs, then around my torso. Slowly, they climbed higher until they wrapped around my shoulders. Then they formed the familiar shape.
My attire.
My identity.
My cloak.
My darkness.
My existence as Death.
The shadows clung to me and transformed into my clothing, covering me completely. It hugged me tightly, then loosened, settling naturally.
I tilted my head.
"Well. Time to go."
My voice changed slightly.
Deeper. Colder.
The voice of Death.
I turned my gaze toward the distant entrance that led to the outside of the mansion.
The attackers had taken the mine.
They were stealing the mana vein.
They were working under the Null Choir.
Luna was already watching.
Rhea was prepared.
Ivy was analyzing.
The Eclipse Order was ready to move.
And I was done pretending to be a normal noble boy.
"This…"
I let the darkness swell under my feet again.
"…is going to be fun."
End of Chapter 5