The morning light crept through the gates of the Bloodheart estate.
Maxi raised his hand to block the brightness just to see. As his eyes adjusted, he slowly lowered his hand and peeked his head out of the carriage.
What he saw was an interesting sight—an amazing sight—a beautiful sight.
A lavish city stretched out before him. Mansions as far as the eye could see, nobles in brilliant clothing strolling about, greeting each other with smiles. Horses and carriages moved gracefully through the streets. Cats slept atop carriages while dogs chased one another, playing with children.
Painters worked along the sides of the streets, painting portraits of random passersby, using unique shades of red for shadows—a cultural mark of Bloodheart artistry.
Surprisingly, there were very few knights in sight. In fact, Maxi could count them on one hand. The knights wore simple iron armor, though their wrist guards, greaves, and sabatons gleamed with blackened iron patterned like red Damascus steel. On their chests was the Bloodheart emblem, completing their design.
Maxi looked around, expecting at least some sign of poverty, but saw none. Even the alleys were clean—no homeless, no beggars, not even the smell of filth. Only wealth.
Maxi was amazed at the aura the city gave off. Its sheer beauty was breathtaking—the air itself seemed rich, scented with wine and fruit. It was the kind of kingdom even kings could only dream of ruling, let alone keeping.
Maxi thought, What kind of deal with the devil did that so-called father make to have this kingdom?
"Ah!?"
Maxi was suddenly yanked back into the carriage by the collar of his neck.
He grabbed at his throat, coughing.
Tengen smiled. "Don't poke your head out for too long, Maxi. The people still don't know who you are, and we need to keep it that way."
Still rubbing his neck, Maxi said, "I thought Colen already announced me to the world."
Tengen scratched his head. "Wait… I didn't get to see that. Bastard didn't invite me. Oh—wait. I might've been training that day."
Maxi raised an eyebrow. "You know that's offensive to say to a Bloodheart, right?"
Tengen smirked arrogantly, putting a fist to his hip. "Well, I don't see a Bloodheart anywhere."
Maxi coughed and glared, his signature red Bloodheart eyes locking on Tengen.
But Tengen only looked down at him and said, "I don't see any Bloodhearts who can do anything about it."
Maxi sighed.
Tengen chuckled. "Anyway, the gist of it is—the world doesn't know you exist. Or that you're a Bloodheart. Only the main and branch families know. The king wants it to stay that way. I know because he told me himself."
Maxi nodded. "So what do I do?"
Tengen sat back, making the carriage creak. "Just don't poke your head outside like an idiot. These brainless people think it's me in this carriage. Dummies. So let's just let them keep thinking that."
Maxi narrowed his eyes. "What did they do to you in your quote-unquote secret organization training?"
Tengen's expression shifted—blank for a moment, as though remembering something heavy. Then he snapped back to reality. "A lot. Nothing I couldn't handle. But still… a lot. Why do you ask?"
Maxi shrugged and sat back down. "You just seem a little… meaner. With those constant little insults."
Tengen shrugged too. "It's become a habit. I got promoted in my top-secret organization, so now I get to order around the lower grunts. Every now and then I throw in an insult or two."
Maxi nodded. "Okay. Congrats, I guess."
Tengen puffed out his chest proudly. "Thanks! And no need to praise me—my ego's already too big. It can't take any more."
Maxi thought, (You don't say. And how the hell do you say that with pride?)
Then Tengen's eyes widened as if remembering something. "Oh yeah—your birthday was a few days ago, right?"
Maxi thought, (More like a few months ago…)
He nodded. "Yeah."
"Well," Tengen grinned, "your one and only favorite tutor got you a gift."
From inside his cloak, Tengen pulled out a plain white mask. Expressionless. Smooth. No scars. No blemishes. Nothing.
Maxi looked down at it, then slowly raised his gaze. "What does it do?"
Tengen smirked. "What, you're not going to thank me first?"
Maxi frowned, voice rising. "What. Does. It. Do?"
Tengen flinched. "Okay, okay—calm down! Jeez, do all Bloodhearts have a temper?"
Maxi ignored the jab.
Tengen waved the mask. "Alright, alright. I had your evil brother Cold—"
"You mean Colen," Maxi interrupted.
"Cold, Colen, same thing," Tengen shrugged. "Anyway, he told me it lets the wearer copy the face of anyone they know. Useful, huh?"
Maxi's smile turned sharp as his arms tensed. "Tengen… can you be more specific?"
"Fine. You can copy the face of anyone you've known for at least… two weeks."
Maxi's smile widened into a crooked grin. "You do realize the only people I've known that long… are Bloodhearts."
Tengen's smile faltered slightly, but he forced it back. "Doesn't matter. You could just copy… one of the maids' faces."
Maxi shook his head. "I'm not becoming a girl."
"Then just wear the mask plain. No big deal."
"Fine."
Maxi took the expressionless mask and slipped it on.
As their carriage rolled through the city, Maxi glanced outside again. A statue stood tall in the square.
He froze.
It was a familiar image—once carved in ice, modest in size. But now? Rebuilt in gold and stone. Monumental.
The statue was of the boy-king, Kane. The creator of the new humans. The bringer of blood. The boy who lost it all.
His fist was extended, golden blood dripping down. Chains bound him, also gold, with a dagger lodged deep in his chest. The rest of his body was carved from rich reddish-gray stone.
At first, Maxi was amazed by the sheer craftsmanship. Then second—he realized Colen's ice sculpture had actually been better.
After the initial awe faded, Maxi asked, "Where are we going anyway?"
Tengen pulled a map from his cloak. "I was hoping you wouldn't ask. But knowing you, it was inevitable."
He spread the map, several areas circled. "First we'll go hunting here, near the kingdom—for safety. To see how much help you'll need from me… wait, wait, wait. Since when in the thousand spiraling hells did the Shining Star Kingdom become the Drowned Star Kingdom!?"
Maxi laughed quietly while Tengen dealt with his dilemma.
Minutes later, they arrived at the gate of the capital city.
Guards on the wall rang a bell as one of them shouted, "One carriage leaving Bastria!"
The gates opened.
Maxi whispered softly, "Bastria…"
Tengen placed a hand on his shoulder and smirked. "You ready, Master Maxi?"
Maxi nodded, frowning. "This mask makes me feel stupid."
Tengen laughed. "Who told you to wear it? That's why we have curtains. Now people won't bother looking inside the carriage."
Maxi grumbled, yanking off the mask as they exited the Bloodheart kingdom's main city.
Bastria.