The day after the banquet, my family and I prepared to board our airship to return home. The King and Queen personally came to see us off.
I received gifts from both of them.
"My dear sister, I hope you have a safe journey. If anything happens, let me know right away," said Hady.
"Of course. You don't have to worry about me," replied Shopia.
I stood there, staring directly into the Queen's eyes. A chill ran through my body for a moment. After saying our farewells, we boarded the airship. Honestly, I didn't want to be near that woman any longer.
The Queen felt like a storm — calm for now, but ready to explode at any moment. I knew this because I had found more than ten recording devices hidden in my room. They were placed in various corners, and although a child who hadn't awakened their mana foundation yet wouldn't sense them, I could.
I could also feel mana traces identical to the Queen's. I'd be an idiot if I didn't understand what that meant by now. I really didn't want to deal with this.
Sure, the idea of having a secret affair with the Queen behind the King's back might sound thrilling — but my life would definitely be at stake. I had to hold back until I awakened my bloodline.
So, like a good child, I kept it all to myself, pretending nothing had changed. Taking a deep breath and reaffirming my goals, I stepped into the airship — unaware of what fate awaited me ahead.
Meanwhile, a man walked down a dimly lit underground corridor. He looked around 25, with sharp eyes and a firm build. He stopped when he reached a grand hall.
Inside, a man in his thirties sat calmly on a throne-like chair.
Both men wore black suits and bore beast tattoos on their bodies — symbols of their nature and strength.
On the back of the older man's left hand was a tattoo of a snake. In that same hand, he held golden iron chains wrapped around two unconscious children.
Those children were Zeref and Invidia.
"Regil… you didn't kill the kids, did you?"
"Of course not. We captured them to lure the Sword Saint, remember?"
"Right. We must kill the Sword Saint before the situation becomes unpredictable."
Suddenly, the man called Regil furrowed his brow.
"Lilio… we need to get out of here immediately."
"What is it, Regil?"
"I have a bad feeling about this."
"Has the Sword Saint found this place?" Lilio asked nervously.
"I don't know… but if we don't leave now, we're going to die."
"Alright, let's get out of here."
"It's going to be troublesome… if you two try to leave."
The boy's voice echoed as he effortlessly broke the golden chains restraining him.
"Huh?!" (Regil, Lilio)
(A few hours earlier)
My family and I had stopped in Aneti City on our journey home. We were attending the Sword Festival, one of the most popular events in Duchess Fernandez's domain. Even my grandmother attended the festival.
Since the event would be held the next day, my sister Invidia invited me to explore Aneti — known as the most beautiful city in the Helios Kingdom.
Though not as large as Adse, the city was breathtaking — its streets were neatly arranged, and countless stalls sold sweets and candies.
We spent the day wandering the streets, tasting treats of all kinds.
Before we knew it, night had fallen, and we decided to return to our mansion in Aneti.
Suddenly, I sensed that the laws of space around us had become unstable as we entered the mansion. Someone had disrupted the spatial field here.
In an instant, a man in a black suit appeared before us. Golden iron chains shot out and wrapped tightly around both of us.
Just before losing consciousness, I felt the magical tools suppressing my mana.
My body grew weak, and I passed out. I had no idea how long I was unconscious — but when I woke, I was in a magnificent hall.
The kidnappers were powerful. If I fought them head-on, I might lose. But killing them… was not impossible.
I could have escaped even now with the system's help, but that would bring serious consequences later, and besides, my sister Invidia had also been captured.
These kidnappers had a unique technique.
They used Break Magic — a type of magic that destroys spatial laws, destabilizing the surrounding space.
With that, they could move freely in and out of unstable space without being hindered by other factors.
(Break Magic: A spell capable of destroying anything.)
"It's going to be troublesome… if you two try to leave," I said coldly, easily shattering the golden chains restraining me.
"Huh?!" (Regil, Lilio)
Clink clink… (sound of broken chains hitting the ground)
"Impossible…! That magical tool we got from the Lord shouldn't be destroyed this easily!"
"Lilio… be careful. This kid is not normal."
Slash—!
Before they could react, a sword strike — as fast as light — slashed across Lilio's arm.
"Gah! What… what kind of speed is that?!"
Lilio groaned in pain, clutching his sliced arm and stumbling back.
"Tch… I missed," I said with clear annoyance.
"Bastard… you cut my arm and call that missing?!"
"Hmph. I was aiming for your neck."
A cold smile spread across my lips.
"Damn you!" Lilio shouted furiously.
Regil vanished from his seat and reappeared behind me, but I too disappeared and reappeared behind him.
Slinghh—! (Sound of swords clashing)
Lilio intercepted my sword strike with his beautiful white blade. The impact left my hand numb from the sheer force of the collision.
[DING]
[Host has 4 minutes remaining to use this feature.]
I ignored the system's warning.
The black sword sliced through the air so fast it howled with wind.
I leaped back to dodge, but my left chest was still grazed — leaving a deep wound.
Regil was incredibly dangerous. His sword strikes were deadly and unpredictable.
Lilio, on the other hand, excelled in raw strength.
Haa… I guess I'll have to use that to defeat both of them.
The black sword slashed horizontally at tremendous speed, while the white sword followed with a vertical strike.
What are they doing…? I thought, confused.
"Break Magic." Regil spoke softly.
The spatial laws around me turned chaotic.
Before I could react, both of their attacks struck me.
I coughed blood as pain surged through my entire body. My body was soaked with blood pouring from my wounds.