My dear children

This anxiety he felt was entirely normal. That face before him—he knew it far too well. The fragmented memories he still clung to confirmed it… not to mention the endless nightmares that haunted him night after night.

"I didn't know I had such an effect on you, Sir Claus," she said with an enigmatic smile.

"I am Lady Elizabeth. Mr. Geoffrey informed me of your condition. I am truly sorry… and I wish you a swift recovery."

She bowed gracefully.

"Thank you, Lady Elizabeth," Claus replied, returning the gesture with equal courtesy.

---

Two days had passed since Lady Elizabeth's arrival, and yet Claus Bloodfall still couldn't shake the strange feeling lingering within him.

Every smile, every gesture… and above all, that face.

"Sir, would you mind not staring at me and focusing on your reading instead?"

Elizabeth's voice rang through the room. She wore a pristine white blouse with golden buttons. A green brooch bearing the emblem of a bird standing on an arrow gleamed on her chest. Her sleeves were rolled up, and she wore a sleek black skirt.

Sitting across from Claus, she watched him study one of the manor's many tomes.

"Tell me about yourself," Claus said, legs crossed. His white shirt, unbuttoned at the collar, revealed his slender build. He wore tailored brown trousers, and his long blond hair was, as always, tied back.

"In my miserable life as a former slave, there's nothing worth your interest."

"Slave? But… I thought Emperor Ansel I abolished slavery at the start of the Modern Era," Claus said, surprised.

"The history books in your rich men's libraries don't tell the whole truth."

"And what is that truth?" Claus replied.

"Have you ever truly traveled through this country?

Not to sip tea in parlors or marvel at steam exhibitions…

But to see what lies behind it all?

The insane truths buried under millions of corpses.

Especially… mine."

"Yours? There are non-humans in the Empire?"

"Your amnesia has changed you deeply…

We've met before, long ago. But now… something about you is different."

She fell silent, her gaze lost in a distant memory.

"And what is it that's changed between the old me… and the me standing before you, Lady Elizabeth?"

"I couldn't say. It comes from the soul.

And that sort of thing… shouldn't concern an aristocrat."

"Knowledge has no barriers. I'm open to all forms of truth.

Only a man in denial rejects knowledge."

Elizabeth locked eyes with Claus—and for a brief instant, he felt as if his entire soul was being read.

"When the time comes… you will know.

For now, today's lesson is over, Sir."

Without either of them realizing it, the sun had already begun its descent.

Claus and Elizabeth remained seated, silent, admiring the broken celestial body.

To Claus, it was still just as magnificent.

"What's the hidden story behind that moon?" he asked.

"No one knows.

This mystery dates back to the Mythic Era.

Most knowledge from that time is lost.

To access it… one must be Awakened."

"Awakened?"

That word echoed through Claus's soul like a distant memory.

Suddenly, Lady Elizabeth vanished.

He turned his head, searching for her—but she was gone.

Vanished into the blackness of night.

Claus froze. His senses were disoriented.

He could hear nothing, see nothing.

Then, in an instinctive, almost divine reflex, he raised his hand—

And caught something mid-air, just before it reached his neck.

His vision returned in a flash.

"Goodnight, Sir Claus."

Elizabeth's voice rang out—soft and warm.

Claus slowly released his grip, his eyes filled with confusion.

Elizabeth turned and walked away, wrapped in her mysteries.

Sitting on the floor, leaning against his bed, Claus gazed at the moon through the window, lost in thought.

> That wasn't magic…

Hundreds of questions haunted him, but he told himself that—for tonight—silence was best.

"This world is becoming more and more fascinating…"

---

Claus had been awake for some time.

The sun was already near its peak.

Seated in the dining hall, he sipped his tea as one of the maids entered and bowed respectfully.

"Sir Claus, Lady Elizabeth awaits you in the garden."

"Thank you. You may go."

He took his time finishing his cup, then left the manor and followed the path toward the rose garden.

At the heart of the garden, in a small marble pavilion, Elizabeth waited, seated beside a white table.

"Good morning. You're as radiant as ever, Lady Elizabeth," said Claus, kissing her hand.

"Thank you, Sir Claus. I've spoken with Mr. Geoffrey. Today, we're going out. To the capital."

"They still haven't found the ones who tried to kill me…

He told me he wouldn't let me out until the investigation was complete."

"It doesn't matter, my Lord.

I'll personally ensure your protection.

I am not just a mere professor."

"In that case… I'll follow you."

"Lady Elizabeth. Sir Claus. The car is ready," a familiar voice called out behind them.

It was Geoffrey—standing tall as always, like a soldier.

"The engine is hot. The driver is waiting."

Claus and Elizabeth followed him.

Once they reached the vehicle, Claus opened the door and helped her inside.

Before he climbed in himself, Geoffrey handed him a box marked with the Bloodfall family crest: a three-thorned rose piercing a golden shield.

When he opened it, Claus discovered a pair of golden revolvers—stunningly crafted.

"Take these, Sir. And safe travels."

His gloved hands, covered in red leather, gripped the weapons, and he slipped them into his coat.

He nodded to Geoffrey, then stepped into the car.

The engine roared to life.

---

Meanwhile, elsewhere in the Empire, a meeting was taking place in a shadowed chamber.

Seven figures sat around a large table.

Their faces were hidden beneath dark veils, their voices distorted by enchantment.

"Our plan has clearly failed.

Some claimed it was foolproof," said one voice.

"If your men had done their jobs, we wouldn't have suffered that person's wrath," retorted another.

An uproar followed. They began accusing one another, searching for a scapegoat in the chaos.

But in the shadows, a silent figure watched them.

And before any of them could notice, a crushing silence fell over the room.

None dared blink.

Then, within their minds, a voice echoed:

> "Calm yourselves, my dear children.

Some matters are beyond your simple comprehension.

Await the next directive.

And know this:

In the world he shall create…

you will be its pillars.

My dear children…"