Austin, after having dinner with his family, moved toward the library. The servants passed him, bowing in respect. His face was expressionless as he walked through the hall and entered the library.
Everything was cleaned—no books lying on the floor like in the morning, no bowls of snacks scattered around.
He moved toward the corner of the hall and sat at a table.
"Sylvie," he called, looking straight ahead at a spot where no one stood.
Darkness in front of him wriggled.
From the shadows, a girl emerged—tall, graceful, dressed in a crisp black-and-white maid uniform. Her hair was sleek as obsidian, and her eyes, a piercing unnatural blue, seemed to glow faintly as she stepped forward.
"Yes, Young Master," she said, bowing her head in respect.
Austin looked at her, his voice suddenly cold. "Sylvie, how much do you know about the current situation in Wenstor and Foster's Duchy?"
Sylvie's eyes widened slightly at the icy tone—but soon returned to normal. In the two years she had served him, never had she seen such coldness in his eyes.
"Young Master, I know that there are signs of war from both Wenstor and the Foster Duchy," she replied.
She knew it because she was the one who had delivered that information to the Duchess.
"Oh? And why would a maid know about that?" Austin asked, no trace of his usual playfulness in his voice.
"I… I know it, Young Master, because I'm not just your personal maid. I'm also the head of security of the House," she replied. Her voice was neutral, her eyes calm, carrying a quiet sense of pride.
"So… what rank Void Walker are you?" he asked, still cold—yet not surprised. As if he had expected it all along.
'Void Walkers are beings with supernatural powers and superhuman strength. Anyone who forms a core becomes one. In this world, it's common—but reaching Rank 5 is rare. Only a few hundred in the entire Empire hold rank 5. Which made her proud of herself'
"I'm Rank 5, Young Master," she said, her voice filled with pride, a slight smile on her face.
Austin's eyes widened for a moment—but he quickly regained his composure.
He leaned forward, placing his elbows on the table, his hands locked together, fingers tightly intertwined. Resting his chin on them, he stared at her—calm, yet piercing.
"You really are full of surprises, Sylvie," he said with a sharp smile.
The smile was too eerie to belong on a child's face.
Sylvie felt a shiver run down her spine. Her smile crumbled, and her eyes turned sharp.
She didn't understand why, but her instincts screamed at her: 'Do not make a mistake here.'
Austin, noticing her change in expression, continued speaking—his smile widening.
"So, my beautiful maid Sylvie… what are your powers?"
Sylvie felt as if a devil had whispered into her ear.
What scared her wasn't the question—but the smile on Austin's face. Despite it, his eyes held no amusement. They were cold. Piercing. As if looking directly into her soul.
"My…" She coughed, clearing her throat.
"My powers are related to shadows, Young Master. I can teleport anywhere darkness exists, as long as it's within my mana's reach," she replied. Her back straight, eyes focused.
Austin leaned back in the chair, tilting his head to look at the tall ceiling of the library. A smile still rested on his face. He remained like that for several seconds.
Sylvie stood silently, watching him.
'Is he really the Young Master? He feels like a completely different person…' she thought.
Eventually, Austin turned his head to her again. His face was back to its usual expressionless calm.
"Sylvie," he said, voice serious, "Tell me—why do you think war will happen?"
Sylvie thought before replying.
"Young Master, as you may know—or not—Duke Lucas Wenstor holds deep hatred toward commoners. When Duke Vincent established his territory, Duke Wenstor attacked under the justification that Vincent was invading his land. But in the end, Wenstor was defeated and lost territory. He holds a grudge against the Starwill family."
Austin nodded. He had already read about it.
"Then tell me—what makes them think they can win this time?" he asked.
"I think they're depending on the support of the Foster family this time, my Lord. As I said, Duke Wenstor is arrogant. Last time, he attacked alone. But this time, with the backing of Foster and their wealth, he believes he has a chance," she replied.
Austin nodded again. Then he spoke.
"Hmm… So, you're saying Duke Wenstor trusts Duke Foster? A man who would stab his own kin in the back for profit? Is that what you're saying?"
Sylvie fell silent. She didn't know how to respond. She knew of Duke Huxon Foster's reputation—something he kept hidden from the public eye. Every high-ranking noble family in the Empire knew how greedy he truly was.
'Would a prideful man like Wenstor really trust someone like Huxon Foster? Impossible.' she thought. Then she spoke.
"But Young Master, Duke huxon Foster wouldn't spend so much money on mercenaries if he didn't intend to use them. So I think he's serious about attacking us."
Austin shook his head slowly.
"My dear Sylvie, I didn't ask whether Duke Foster is serious. I asked whether Duke Wenstor would trust him."
Sylvie felt annoyed at being called "my dear" by a five-year-old. In normal circumstances, she would have reprimanded him. But seeing the coldness in his eyes and the weight of the conversation, she let it slide.
She thought for a moment, then replied.
"No. Duke Wenstor would never trust Duke Foster."
Austin nodded. "That's the point, Sylvie. That's the point. They don't trust each other—but they're still investing in war. That means they must have something—or someone—they're placing their trust in."
Sylvie's eyes widened. Realization struck.
"Young Master… are you saying there's a third party behind this? Someone supporting Wenstor and Foster?"
Austin shook his head.
"No. I'm not saying anything. I'm just considering it as one of many possibilities."
"So… should I inform the Duchess about the possible involvement of a third force?" she asked.
"No. There's no need. Mother must have already considered it. She'll make her own plans. I won't interfere."
Sylvie frowned. If he didn't want to interfere, then what was the point of all this discussion?
As if reading her thoughts, Austin smirked.
"Don't make that face. I'm coming to the main topic now," he said with a smile.
"The problem isn't the war. Nor is it the third party. It's the timing. The silence of the Council of Ministry—the group responsible for managing disputes between territories. How could three out of four duchies prepare for war… and the Council says nothing?"
Sylvie's heart dropped. As head of the Duke's spy network, she immediately understood what Austin was implying.
And it terrified her.
Not just the situation—but him.
'Is he really five years old? How can a five-year-old have such intellect? What a monster.' she thought.
Her perspective on Austin changed forever in that moment.
She steadied herself and replied, though her voice trembled.
"Young Master… you're trying to say the Royal Family has a hand in this… and they're planning something during the awakening ceremony of young Master Roman because the Duke and Duchess won't be able to leave the duchy due to circumstances of war. "
Austin smiled. Then the smile vanished just as quickly as it came. Sitting straight, he spoke.
"No, dear Sylvie. I'm not saying it. I'm just considering it as a possibility. Someone once said—Anything that can happen, will happen and I believe it with all my heart."
Sylvie's brows twitched.
'He says it's a possibility—but he must be sure of it.' she thought. Still, she didn't speak it aloud.
"So what do you plan on doing, Young Master? Will you inform the Duchess?"
"No," he said flatly. "I won't tell Mother. And neither will you. I don't know how they'd react if they knew. It's better they remain unaware."
Sylvie's fists clenched. She felt a dilemma growing. She knew how the Duke and Duchess were—if they even suspected their son's life was in danger, they might launch an attack on the capital themselves.
"No need to be so tense, Sylvie. I already have a plan. Whoever dares to harm my brother, they'll die no death will be mercy I will make sure they pay for every thought of harming my brother. No one is allowed to touch my family."
His face remained blank—but his eyes darkened for a brief moment before returning to normal.
Sylvie's heart skipped a beat. Her body trembled slightly. She didn't know what just happened—but she felt something terrible might've occurred if his eyes had stayed black.
The Duchess had warned her long ago: if Austin's eyes ever turned black, she was to report it immediately.
But now… she hesitated.
Reporting it would mean explaining everything that happened in this room.
"I'm sorry, Madam," she thought, "but I don't think I can report this."
She exhaled softly, her hands behind her back. And for the first time since meeting him