> "Home... I never really had a home. Nor a family.
I lived in five orphanages before entering the magic academy.
I never knew a mother's love… and I never sought it.
The only one I ever truly loved was her. Sandra…
Dear God… what's happening to me?"
Thought Claus, as he walked toward the crying woman.
These thoughts rose within him like crashing waves—strange and overwhelming.
Who would have thought that in such a moment, a fragment of his past would resurface?
He didn't want to show the emotions burning in his chest.
He was confused, but he had to act.
At least, that's what he kept telling himself to stay in control.
— "Good evening, Mother. Why are you crying?"
He asked after kissing the woman weeping before him.
— "I'm sorry…" she replied, voice trembling.
"I missed you so much. I thought I'd lost you…"
It was Iris, his mother.
And she couldn't hold back her tears—for losing a son is surely the worst pain a mother can endure.
— "Don't worry, Mother. I'm here now.
How was your trip?"
— "I went to the Camellia estate in the religious capital.
Then I sent out invitations for the upcoming Duchy gathering, not to mention all the other preparations.
I'm completely exhausted.
But tell me… are you really alright, my child?"
Claus carefully watched every expression on Lady Iris's face.
It was the first time he'd seen such a worried—yet sincerely relieved—look from a mother overjoyed to see her son again.
— "Yes, Mother. Don't worry. Geoffrey has already taken care of everything.
I don't want you to stress anymore."
— "Alright, my son… but we absolutely must find the one who kidnapped you that night.
Do you remember anything?"
— "Not really, Mother. My memories are still too hazy."
— "Geoffrey also mentioned your amnesia.
I'll pressure the alchemists to speed up the treatment."
— "Don't trouble yourself. I'll go to the family laboratory myself."
Iris was slightly reassured.
That night—when Claus disappeared—he had just left a ball hosted by the Blake family.
It was around midnight.
Then… nothing.
Three days later, Claus was found half-dead in the Mist Forest.
Since then, Iris had gone to the religious capital to hire the Empire's best bounty hunters.
A legal organization specialized in "missing persons."
But her son didn't need to know that.
It wasn't worthy… of a mother.
— "I wanted to speak to you about the family situation," said Claus, hoping to shift the conversation and lighten the mood.
— "Our situation has improved.
We finally reclaimed our main coal mine, stolen by that old rat Smith.
But the real problem is the Blake family.
If they gain control of Archangel Uceanos's port, they'll dominate 30% of trade between the imperial capital and the religious capital…"
Iris's tone had become more serious.
In noble families, business is sacred.
The port of Uceanos, which once linked the two capitals, was previously run by the Redeyes family.
But they were accused of corruption, human trafficking, and forbidden artifacts.
Twenty-six charges.
Capital punishment for all those responsible.
Now, control of the port was a battle between two houses: the Blakes and the Bloodfalls.
— "And the Emperor? Which side does he support?" Claus asked.
— "The Emperor always stays out of these matters.
As long as no rules are broken, he remains neutral."
— "Then at the next ball, we must secure as much support as possible—especially from the Blakrok merchant family and the Glayders.
We must aim for a perfect score."
— "Each great family holds three votes.
There are eight remaining besides us.
So we need at least two… and for that, we need a solid strategy.
But I'm incredibly proud of you, my son."
Iris sighed, her gaze softening.
— "Since your father died—taken by the Black Fever—I've had to raise you alone.
Without Geoffrey's help and your Aunt Veronica, our house would have fallen among the lower ranks.
But today… here you are.
Graduated from Greenyard University.
A man.
Proud and ready to defend the name of Bloodfall."
> "Ah, right… I'd forgotten I graduated in archaeology and theology from Greenyard," Claus recalled.
"Before, without Sandra, I couldn't even structure a proper magic formula.
And now here I am… preparing for a diplomatic war."
Those thoughts passed through him like lightning.
But he couldn't let his mother see them.
— "Thank you, Mother. I'll do everything I can to restore our house to the top."
— "I brought you something…" she said gently.
She opened a large box and pulled out a black cane, its handle sculpted into a golden bird.
— "You loved your father's so much…
It broke. So I had a new one forged. Identical."
— "Thank you, Mother…"
Claus kissed her with emotion.
— "I was going to go over a few files…"
— "Don't worry, I'll handle them myself."
— "You should rest, my son," Iris said, placing her hand on his forehead as if checking for a fever.
— "Alright, Mother. But maybe it'll help me recover some lost memories."
— "You'll find the files in your father's office.
And the notebook you asked for is still tied under the desk."
---
Claus entered his father's office.
Everything was perfectly organized.
On the desk, about twenty files were waiting.
For a moment, he almost regretted offering to help.
But what really interested him… was the notebook.
He picked it up.
His name was written on the cover in slightly golden ink:
> Claus Bloodfall
He hesitated, then opened it.
First page:
> "February 29th, Fourth Era of the Calendar of the Sun King and the Holy Moon…"