The two carriages rolled steadily toward the Blue Crescent Mansion Inside one, Velyra sat rigidly, tension radiating off her.
Norax glanced at her "Velyra… can't you sit a little more relaxed? Why are you so worked up"
Velyra shook her head "But I'm with you, Leader. How can I… share the carriage with you? It's a blessing for me "
She bowed low Norax exhaled, shaking his head slightly.
Even Velyra forgets herself sometimes.
"Tell me the information you gathered this whole time" he said.
Velyra straightened.
"As you ordered, we searched after the assassin attack. Those we found… they're all free killers. Some do it purely for money, others… for themselves. Who was just crazy "
Norax stared out the window, silent for a moment.
"They were paid through a layered proxy. Money passed through three black channels, then a fake merchant guild, before reaching them."
Norax chuckled dryly. "Careful. Clean. Cowardly. Definitely not something Second Powerhouse Garron Steeljaw would do himself."
Velyra continued.
"We thought the same . So We went deeper The Red Society was behind it. And interestingly, they didn't take any orders from Second Powerhouse Garron Steeljaw. They acted on their own. That's the twist of this investigation."
Norax nodded thoughtfully.
"There's one more person who could pull this off. Garron isn't smart enough…"
Velyra added, "Exactly. Garron Steeljaw lacks the patience and intelligence for this kind of operation. But his little brother… Elwood Steeljaw. "
"That one has the strategies, the brains."
Norax folded his arms.
"Alright. Let's continue once we arrive at the mansion. Also… Velyra, do you have any reliable bodyguard Someone skilled at hiding, discreet."
" I want for Eirys Valestria? guarded for one year… maybe until she joins the academy. It's a big favor on me i promise something "
Velyra smiled faintly.
"It's okay, Boss. If you ask us, we'll do it. But please… don't say it's a favor on you. Everyone knows we owe our loyalty to you leader"
Norax let his mind drift, thinking back to the conversation he had with Alxie Valestria a few moments ago, deep in the forest.
Alxie had looked at him, skeptical.
"So… what exactly are you offering me?if you didn't want any connection from noble"
Norax met his gaze steadily.
"I won't take your sister into the underworld. But I'll give her one year of protection. After that, she can safely join the academy."
Alxie blinked.
"The academy? She's blind… how can she study there? And i don't think she has any talent for magic are you mocking my sister"
Norax shook his head slightly.
"You still treat her like a child. That doesn't change the fact she's growing up. The academy is safer, even if you're not by her side."
Alxie frowned
"It still sounds… difficult for her care to explain"
Norax's voice was firm.
"You said you'll take the Duke position back next year. I promise one year of protection. "
"Then she goes to the academy, and for me i think she suits the political department better than magic."
" Where she'll learn politics and other skills. She'll grow stronger without me and you having to intervene in her life."
Alxie's brow furrowed.
"And what do you get from this? To propose me "
"I know it sounds suspicious," Norax admitted.
"But I don't want anything in return. She's capable of joining the academy. "
"Just assign someone to help her with exams, talk to the headmaster… and most importantly, she needs love and protection."
"In the Marquis family lot of people cherish her if she goes there. "
Norax looks at the carriage where others sit alxie and look at Norax and carriage Norax slowly she spoke again " That's what she needs more than anything. More than protection and that what i never gave her in underworld it's better for her"
Alxie considered this carefully.
"And what if you back off? From what you say "
Norax's eyes narrowed slightly.
"It's a promise. That's enough. Form me "
Alxie fell silent, thinking.
Finally, he exhaled.
"Okay… fine. But I want to meet the person you send to protect her, and if the headmaster refuses her entry next year… it's on you."
"Of course," Norax replied, inclining his head.
But fate had other plans He had no idea what would happen next—or how Eirys would feel when that day came.
Norax opened his eyes again velyra was sleeping on After another full day of travel, they finally arrived at Crescent Mansion.
The massive gates slowly opened, revealing an enormous estate beyond.
Norax stepped down from the carriage and stretched his arms.
"Finally…the familiar smell of underworld alcohol and smoke"
Elsie stared at the mansion with wide eyes.
"This place is… bigger than our house."
Celstia nodded calmly.
"A lot of people work here. This building exists to support the estate you can adjust here"
Norax waved his hand lazily.
"Both of you, stop wasting time. Let's go inside and rest. Celstia, you too."
Just as he turned to walk, Celstia suddenly grabbed the edge of his clothes.
"Master… may I come now to your room?"She leans close to his ear only Norax hears that she slowly says "I'm sorry but I need some blood it's many days passed without your blood please"
Norax stopped He turned his head slightly, meeting her face.
Before he could say anything—
"W-What are you both talking about?"
Elsie froze, her face instantly turning red.
Celstia blinked once, then smiled faintly "Come with me."
She grabbed Elsie's hand and pulled her toward the mansion without another word.
"W-Wait—!"
Elsie didn't resist, but her face was burning as she was dragged inside.
Norax watched their backs in silence.
"…Ah."
He rubbed his forehead.
"I think she misunderstood something serious."
Velyra stood beside him, expression unreadable Norax sighed and started walking inside as well.
"Let's just pretend that never happened."
The doors of Crescent Mansion closed behind them.
And the long day finally began.
Norax opened the gate to his laboratory.
The room was spotless.
Even after being away from the mansion for several days, not a single tool was out of place.
"…Good."
This is why I trust my people.they managed better than me
He placed the sealed package on the main table and unpacked it carefully The materials for Madam Kyra's medicine were all there.
Norax began sorting them one by one, placing each ingredient into separate boxes.
He picked up a quill and paper.
"Let's see…"
He wrote calmly.
— Three to four ratios of the secondary herbs.
— Two-thirds portion of the flower essence.
— Tablet form for long-term stability.
He checked the items again, memorizing the process After finishing, he put everything away and left the lab.
When Norax opened the door to his room—The curtains were already drawn.
The room was dark, lit only by the soft glow of several candles.
Celstia was there.
She stood quietly, then stepped forward and wrapped her arms around him.
Norax blinked once.
Under the candlelight, her pale skin and pink eyes made her look almost unreal.
"…You're really a vampire that can wait"
He lifted his hand and gently patted her head.
Celstia leaned into his touch.
"Master it's your fault "
He glanced at her.
" Whatever…what did you do with Elsie?"
Celstia smiled faintly.
"I taught her something good. And let her rest in his new room"
She didn't explain further and calmly walked toward the bed.
Norax watched her back.
"…I don't want to know what she taught her"
He sat beside her.
Celstia's pink eyes glowed softly.
She moved closer.
Without warning, she leaned in and gently bit his neck.
Norax stiffened for a brief moment.
Then he relaxed.
He rested his hand on her head, stroking her hair slowly.
Celstia whispered while drinking.
"Master… please don't push yourself too hard."
"…Your magic flow is still unstable even if you didn't know seriously What was that crazy magic that time you used it's my first time to see that"
Norax tries to ignore so he takes her head deeper in his neck "That was new magic i was practicing"
Norax felt warmth rise to his face.
When she gets this close, it's hard to ignore.>
Her body pressed lightly against his, her presence overwhelming his senses.
The candles flickered.
After a few minutes—Celstia lay down on the bed, swinging her legs lazily, acting as if she owned the place.
Norax sat by the table with a cup of coffee, his posture calm but his eyes thoughtful.
The room was quiet.
Only the faint sound of the cup touching the table echoed.
Celstia suddenly spoke.
"Master."Norax glanced at her.
"I was thinking… we've been traveling a lot, but why didn't anyone attack us?"
She hugged Norax's pillow tightly, her tone filled with curiosity.
Norax took a slow sip of coffee.
"That's because of where we moved."
He continued calmly.
"The Red Light District and the Black–White District are both places where assassination is difficult."
"Too many eyes. Too many rules. And probably because knight and Madam kyra"
Celstia tilted her head.
"I see…"
She tightened her grip on the pillow.
"Then what do we do next? I don't see an easy way."
Norax set the cup down.
"…Yeah. Things are getting complicated."
He looked ahead, his expression serious.
"If the Red Society acted on its own, I can't use this as an excuse to move against Garron Steeljaw."
Celstia frowned.
"I feel angry."
"Why would they even do something like this? When we just live quietly"
Norax exhaled slowly.
"It's because of influence."
He spoke evenly.
"Most of the profitable shops in the underworld are under my control now."
"That alone makes the old powerhouses uncomfortable."
"And a rising force in the underworld is always seen as a threat."
Celstia sat up slightly
"Master…"
There was worry in her voice.
Norax looked at her and spoke firmly.
"Don't worry too much."
"Focus on your duties."
He met her eyes.
"You're a commander of Blue Crescent."
Celstia straightened unconsciously.
Norax leaned back slightly.
"And…I have a feeling something will happen soon and i find the way Somehow"
The candlelight flickered softly.
And the quiet room slowly filled with tension once more.