Chapter 22 : Before The Festival I

(Note: I'm so sorry because I didn't post for 1 week. So, I have a side job as an event organizer and this week I'm so busy. I didn't have much time to write)

A day had passed since the [Royal Feast]. Some of the nobles decided to stay in the capital, while others chose to return to their regions.

However, in the end, all the nobles would return to the capital to prepare for the [The Festival of Avalon].

The Black family decided to stay in the capital, while Van's father, William, would first return to his territory to handle some affairs.

*ACHI

Although winter was nearing its end, the air was still quite cold. Oliver and Olivia sneezed as their bodies had not yet adapted to the chilly temperature.

'Where are we going?' thought Van, sitting inside the carriage and staring out of the window.

*ROAR

The Beast pulling the Black family's carriage stopped in front of a mansion located in the center of the capital.

'Such a wealthy family. Your territory is in the West of the Avalon Kingdom, but you still have a lavish mansion in the capital,' Van thought in awe, looking at the mansion in front of him, which was just as luxurious as the Black family's estate.

"We've finally arrived," mother said as she got out of the carriage.

Oliver, Olivia, and Van also got out and stared at the mansion before them.

As soon as Van set foot on the ground, his instincts suddenly triggered a sense of danger. His hair stood on end for no apparent reason.

'Killer intent!' Van thought as he cautiously surveyed the surroundings.

However, Van realized that his mother, Oliver, Olivia, Sebastian, and the knights showed no change in their demeanor.

'What's going on? Am I the only one being targeted? Or is it just my feeling?' Van thought, confused.

His mother seemed to notice his odd behavior and asked, "Van, what's wrong?"

Her question snapped Van out of his thoughts. He shook his head and answered, "Nothing, Mom."

'How did Mom know? My face is always expressionless. Women are truly scary,' Van thought as he looked at his mother strangely.

As Van and the others were about to enter the mansion's gates, he suddenly felt a shadow blotting out the sun.

"Everyone, be careful!" his mother shouted, creating a protective barrier.

*NGING

The intense killing intent surrounded Van, making his ears ring.

'What kind of assassin is targeting me?!' Van thought in disbelief as he looked up.

Unlike [Aura], killing intent was not made of [Mana] and could easily pierce through barriers.

The killing intent that could even affect the physical body proved that its owner had taken many lives. Now, that person was targeting him.

A figure blocking the sun pierced through the protective barrier, destroying it instantly. The figure then dove down and swung its sword.

Sebastian swiftly stepped in front of the figure. In his hands was a sword emitting a terrifying aura.

*TING

The two swords clashed, producing a gust of wind.

'Are you kidding? Sebastian is a former SS-ranked knight, and yet that b*st*rd can withstand his strike?' Van thought, surprised, as the two continued to clash swords.

The strong wind pushed Van back several steps, but unlike Oliver and Olivia, who were thrown far back, they were fortunately stopped by his mother, who cast gravity magic to prevent them from being blown away.

Just as Van was about to catch his breath, his instincts sensed danger again.

Van turned around and saw someone swinging a dagger at him.

'[Nemean Lion]! [Minotaur]!' Van thought.

From the shadows behind Van, a lion the size of 4 meters and a humanoid bull the same size appeared.

The [Nemean Lion] tried to pounce on the figure, while the [Minotaur] attempted to cleave the figure in half with its axe.

The appearance of both [Nemean Lion] and [Minotaur] forced the figure to retreat.

'Got you! [World Treasure: Enkidu]!' Van thought as he activated the [World Treasure] skill.

[World Treasure: The ability to acquire any treasure.]

Dozens of golden portals the size of basketballs appeared around the figure.

*KING

*KING

From behind the golden portals, numerous golden chains with sharp tips shot out.

The chains attempted to pierce the figure, but the figure effortlessly dodged all of them.

The figure finally landed on the ground, but [Nemean Lion] and [Minotaur] were already waiting for it.

The [Nemean Lion] immediately lunged at it, and the [Minotaur] jumped toward it.

A battle between the three became inevitable, but it was clear that the figure was on a different level. The [Nemean Lion] and [Minotaur] were being overpowered in the fight.

[Mana: 45,000/50,000]

Van noted the remaining [Mana] and started to think of a strategy to deal with the figure.

'[Nemean Lion] and [Minotaur] are [Shadow] numbers 14 and 17, but he can easily withstand them. Should I summon a higher [Shadow]?' Van thought.

"Enough."

A hoarse voice echoed across the mansion grounds, causing everyone to stop fighting.

Van turned around and saw an old man with slightly graying black hair and dark eyes.

'Grandfather! Wilhem Black!' Van thought.

[STATUS]

[Name: Wilhem Black]

[Level: 75]

[Race: Human]

[ATTRIBUTE: Fire, Shadow]

[STRENGTH: 2,800]

[AGILITY: 3,000]

[DEFENSE: 2,500]

[MENTAL: 1,800]

[MANA: 150,000/150,000]

[Skills:

- Sword Aura (Active)

- World of Shadow Knight (Active)

- Thousands of Shadow Knights (Active)]

[Sword Aura: A sword aura that can be used for attacking or defending.]

[World of Shadow Knight: Creates an area of 100 meters around the user covered in shadows. The user can summon [Shadow Knights] without limit.]

[Thousands of Shadow Knights: A skill derived from [101 Shadows]. The user can summon [Shadow Knights] depending on their [Mana].]

The two figures wearing black robes turned into smoke and merged with the old man's shadow.

'That skill....' Van thought, narrowing his eyes.

"Welcome, children," the old man said with a smile.

His smile was like the sun, soothing and warming. Van, who had been tense from the battle, immediately relaxed.

However, someone was daring enough to seek death.

"Who's this old man?" Oliver asked bluntly. "Why is he attacking us?"

Van could only slap his forehead at Oliver's death wish.

'This stupid kid,' Van thought, watching Oliver, who was being stared at by everyone.

A vein popped in the old man's wrinkled face, but the irritation quickly faded as he remembered that the boy before him was his grandson.

'Patience, Wilhem. Remember, this boy is your grandson'' grandfather thought.

"It seems William passed his traits on to this child," grandfather said, smiling faintly.

"Good afternoon, Father-in-law," Van's mother said as she walked toward the old man.

"HAHAHA, Victoria. It's been a while. How have you been? Has William been treating you well?" grandfather asked.

"I'm fine, Father. William has been working very hard lately. He's just a bit stressed dealing with the kids," mother said with a light smile.

Grandfather looked at Van, who was standing still, staring at him as if to say, 'Don't look at me. I have nothing to do with you. I'm just passing by.'

Then, he glanced at the two twin children, who were bickering with each other.

"You have some interesting children," grandfather said with a slight melancholic tone.

"Yes, very interesting," his mother replied while rubbing her forehead.

"Come on in. The chefs have prepared lunch for all of you," grandfather said.

"Alright," his mother replied.