The week passed quietly.
Norax returned after training and sat down at his desk.
Celstia came closer and placed a sweet in front of him. Her expression was full of worry.
A thick report lay beside the desk.
Celstia frowned.
"Master… ugh. I feel bad for those people."
She tapped the report lightly.
"When I read this… why did you give them such an order?"
Norax glanced at the papers. His voice was calm.
"I already told them it was a painful mission."
He looked up.
"They agreed on their own."
Celstia bit her lip.
"You told me the plan, but still… your plan was cruel"
She continued softly.
"The underworld really went back to its old days. Fights everywhere.i don't like this"
She flipped a page.
"People are saying the peace agreement between all powerhouses broke because Red Society beat Blue Crescent."
Norax leaned back slightly
"Well," he said lightly,
"I was just farming them but they start first on opening ceremony "
He added in his mind,
Celstia sighed.
"Master well , House Noctis guards stepped in and stopped the fights when they were in near merchant shop"
Norax's eyes sharpened"what is public opinion right now"
She nodded.
"The witnesses all said the same thing blue Crescent was victim "
She looked straight at him.
"They said Red Society picked the fight first."
Norax stood up slowly.
"One week," he said.
"That much time is enough for this and they successfully did an important part tell those people this is enough now last fight and they stop and come back because soon or later house noctis send walk in underworld"
Celstia looked at him.
"You mean…?"
Norax smiled faintly.
"House Noctis intervening means only one thing "
He walked toward the window.
"We'll receive the council invitation soon."
Celstia straightened her posture.
"Yes, master."
The board was moving exactly as planned.
Meanwhile, in the capital—House Noctis.
A vast blue-and-white mansion stood in silence.
At its center was a stone statue of a sword, a symbol of the knight's house.
Inside a luxurious office, the door opened.
A butler entered quietly and bowed.
"Madam, I have something urgent to report regarding the underworld."
She turned and accepted the report.
Long midnight-blue hair was tied into a braided crown.
Deep violet eyes.
Porcelain skin and sharp, elegant features.
Glossy rose lips.
She wore a floor-length sapphire gown with silver crescent embroidery, lace sleeves, a silver belt, a crescent pendant, and a small tiara.
Her posture was straight.
Her movements were calm and fluid.
She was Selindra Noctis, wife of Duke Therion Noctis, and currently acting head of the house while the Duke was with the Empress.
She skimmed the report, then sighed.
"The underworld is noisy again," she said softly.
"Why can't they stay quiet for a while…"
She stretched her arm slightly, looking tired.
Then she looked at the butler.
"I will think about this later. You may leave now. I want to rest."
"Yes, Madam."
The butler bowed and left the room.
Selindra sat down on the couch.
"Blue Crescent and the Red Society…" she murmured and Read report
She recalled Therion's words about Blue Crescent and underworld.
"And the Red Society belongs to Garron Steeljaw," she said quietly.
She frowned.
"I thought the peace agreement between all powerhouses was still active. Then why are they fighting?"
Her gaze softened.
"I miss you, Therion…"
He had left with the Empress, and she was handling matters in his place.
"Do I need to deal with this too?" she whispered.
Her thoughts returned to one name.
"The youngest leader… Norax Duskgale."
A rising star of the underworld.
A name people talk about often as saviour of underworld and smart kid
Therion had mentioned him before.
Selindra closed her eyes slowly.
"…This won't be simple."
Celstia and Elsie were outside in the garden, enjoying the calm atmosphere.
Norax was lying on the couch inside, looking peaceful.
Suddenly, the communication stone in his pocket began to glow.
A loud voice burst out.
"What the heck are you doing?!"
It was Madam Kyra.
Norax jolted in shock and fell off the couch.
"Ugh—!"
He sat up, still half-asleep.
"Why are you shouting like this, Madam Kyra? Did you see ghosts or something" he asked with a tired voice.
She let out a deep sigh on the other side.
"I received a letter for the council meeting," she said.
"Do you know when the last council meeting happened for peace agreement happened? Three years ago."
"This is already the third time I've received a letter from the House Noctis council meeting It is not good news for us"
Norax rubbed his forehead.
"So? Why are you so worried about a council meeting?" he asked calmly.
Her tone became serious.
"What exactly are you planning to do?"
"And for your information… do you know who is holding the meeting this time?"
Norax frowned.
"Isn't it always the Duke?"
"No," Madam Kyra replied firmly.
"This time, the one holding the meeting is Duchess Selindra Noctis."
Norax paused.
The Duchess was known to be clever and her beauty was one of the former seven golden flower titles that only gain when you are top noble women
And her daughter was also a cursed princess >he thought
"Basically, there's no reason for me to get involved."
Still, something felt strange.
"Why is she the one holding it?" he asked.
Madam Kyra clicked her tongue.
"How would I know?"
"But one thing is obvious. You're planning something troublesome "
Norax smiled faintly.
"Madam Kyra, you only need to support me during the meeting," he said.
"And for your information, I was just planning to deal with Garron Steeljaw face to face."
There was a brief silence.
"…Wait," she said slowly.
"Are you planning to start a proxy war?"
Norax chuckled.
"Ah, you're sharp," he replied.
"But who said I'm starting one?"
"What do you mean?" she asked.
"You'll understand after the meeting," Norax said calmly.
Madam Kyra sighed again.
"Whatever happens, take responsibility."
"And don't forget… you're causing big trouble."
The connection cut off.
Norax looked at the ceiling.
"It's starting," he muttered quietly.
There was an inn where many people stayed—mostly members of the Red Society.
A carriage stopped in front of it, and someone stepped outside.
The Red Society members froze.
Anyone could recognize him.
A young man with a white cane and a monocle, wearing an expensive coat, white gloves, and white shoes. His aura alone spoke of power.
None other than Elwood Steeljaw.
He strode confidently toward the inn.
At the owner's desk, he asked, "Where is Talon?"
The owner looked flustered.
"He… he's busy, sir. But I can call him. Please wait in the room."
Elwood shook his head.
"It's fine. I'll meet him myself. Which room is it?"
"The third floor, left side—the first room," the owner replied.
Elwood let out a quiet sigh.
"I understand."
He turned and walked toward the staircase, his coat swaying behind him.
Elwood reached the third floor.
In front of the door, loud noises came from inside—voices of both a man and a woman.
He knocked. No one responded.
He knocked three more times.
Finally, Talon, the leader of the Red Society, appeared in a half-dressed state.
"Who the hell—" Talon started, but a sharp slap across his face cut him off.
He froze.
Elwood glared.
Behind Talon, a woman shrank against the bed.
Talon rubbed his cheek, stunned.
"Sir… I-I didn't know it was you! Why… why didn't you call? I—"
Elwood pushed the door open.
"The woman—outside. Now."
Talon stammered.
"S-sir…"
Elwood's tone cut through the tension.
"I don't want small talk. Move it—quickly."
Elwood looked at Talon, now properly dressed.
Slap.
Another sharp sound echoed in the room.
Talon staggered.
"Sir… what did I do wrong this time?"
Elwood calmly sat on the bed.
"First, you showed me a disgusting scene."
Slap.
"Second, you failed to train your subordinates. You are Trash"
Talon swallowed.
"Do you even understand what's happening in the underworld right now?" Elwood asked coldly.
Talon hesitated.
"I… I was just following—"
Elwood's eyes narrowed.
"Just what?"
He stood up and leaned closer.
"Let me explain this to your monkey-level brain."
Talon stiffened.
"House Noctis has issued a council summons," Elwood said slowly.
"Do you know why?"
Talon's face turned pale.
"Is it because of the order you gave me?"
Slap.
"Good. At least you can think a little," Elwood said.
"But that's not the real reason."
Talon clenched his fists.
"You failed to control the rumors," Elwood continued.
"And not only that—your people openly beat Blue Crescent members in the streets."
Elwood's voice dropped.
"Is that how you train your subordinates?"
Talon stayed silent.
'If he weren't Garron Steeljaw's brother, I would've killed him already'he thought
Elwood sneered.
"Actually, this isn't entirely your fault."
Talon looked up in hope
"I was the idiot who thought you were capable," Elwood said.
"But in the end, you're just a monkey who shows strength only in bed."
Talon gritted his teeth.
"But… I tried to assassinate him. Four times."
Elwood stopped moving.
Talon continued nervously.
"He was just lucky—"
Before he say anything One hit landed on his shoulder, and he fell to one knee—"
BANG!!
Elwood slammed his cane into Talon's shoulder, forcing him down.
"So you're saying," Elwood said calmly,
"You failed to assassinate a young KID rising star—four times?"
Talon's breathing grew heavy.
"I didn't tell my brother because that kid was supposed to be easy," Elwood continued.
"A new powerhouse. Weak foundation."
His eyes turned icy.
"But because of your failures…"
Elwood leaned close.
"You're going dead as a sacrifice in meeting."
Talon's eyes widened.
"B-But I followed your orders! You said using a fake merchant guild would leave no trace—"
Elwood's voice cut him off.
"Silence."
"The problem," he said coldly,
"Is that Norax Duskgale is no longer an easy target and alive right now"