Ominous Shadows at the Haind Estate
Edgar 4
Silverbrook's manor had been impressive enough, but this place was on another level entirely. An overwhelming dignity seeped from it, as if centuries of history were etched into every stone. Towering walls stretched skyward, crowned by spires that seemed to pierce the heavens. The main gate was a massive black iron door etched with intricate patterns, flanked by guards in gleaming armor emblazoned with stark white sword emblems.
As our carriage pulled up to the entrance, one of the guards spotted our crest and widened his eyes in surprise, whispering to his comrade.
"Isn't that Silverbrook's carriage? Baron Silverbrook wasn't on today's guest list..."
"You sure? Should we double-check?"
"Nah, I saw it clear as day. An unannounced visit? We need to inform the Count right away."
Their words carried on the wind straight to my ears. We're not here under Silverbrook's name...
Before the guard could rush inside to report, I flung open the door and hopped out of the carriage.
"Whoa!"
The guards' faces twisted in confusion. They'd been expecting Baron Silverbrook, not some pint-sized super-cute girl popping out of nowhere. Totally understandable.
Brian and Edgar are here, right?!
"We just borrowed Silverbrook's carriage. This is the Haind family place, yeah? We're just here to hang out."
Oh right! I'd gone out of my way to camp in the wilds just to avoid triggering my noble trait, and now here I was, waltzing straight into a count's estate the moment we hit the capital!
"That spirit's shown up again...!"
Levy whispered to Liandel, suddenly all elegant in my speech. Are you teasing me?!
Meanwhile, the guard was so stunned he stood there with his mouth agape, unable to string words together. Confusion and bewilderment grew on his face by the second.
"Uh... are you here to see Young Masters Brian and Edgar?"
He finally managed, but his voice trembled with weird tension, like he was hiding something awkward.
Yep!
"Yeah."
"Ah... please wait a moment. I'll inform the Count."
The guard exchanged a glance with his partner before hurrying inside. The one left behind flashed an awkward smile and stood frozen in place.
"Something's off..."
I muttered under my breath. When I'd mentioned Brian and Edgar, that flicker in the guard's eyes wasn't just surprise. There was something deeper mixed in—sorrow, maybe embarrassment.
"Seems like there might be a problem."
Liandel murmured softly at my side.
"Yeah, feels that way."
Levy glanced around nervously, her eyes darting about. Miel and Cecilia buzzed around me faster than usual, sensing the tension, their wings fluttering at double speed. Lote orbited me steadily as always, while Glessia finally stirred from her lazy perch on the carriage, flapping slowly to catch up.
Soon the guard returned, his face even stiffer, though he bowed deeply to maintain politeness.
"The Count will receive you. Please, come inside."
At last, the gates swung open, and we were ushered in. Levy and Liandel climbed down from the carriage to follow. Miel and Cecilia kept circling me, Lote stayed in orbit, and Glessia trailed lazily behind.
As the guard led us, I took in the estate's interior. We passed through vast gardens filled with lush trees and stunning fountains. Climbing marble stairs revealed the main building, flanked by grand columns at the entrance. Stained-glass windows caught the afternoon sun, scattering rainbows of color everywhere.
It was bigger and grander than Silverbrook's place, but the vibe and architecture felt similar. Probably all noble estates in the kingdom shared a basic template.
At the entrance, servants lined up in two neat rows, bowing deeply as we passed. A shadow of sadness lingered in their eyes, too.
We were led through a grand hall into an elegant drawing room. A dignified man stood by the window, gazing outside. He turned slowly at the sound of our footsteps.
His sturdy build and broad shoulders marked him as the head of House Haind. Sharp eyes and firmly set lips radiated strictness and strength. Gray-streaked black hair was neatly combed back, and his posture hinted at years of sword training, perfectly balanced.
My instincts screamed he was no pushover, so I checked his status.
Oho! Way stronger than he looks, this uncle!
Count Haind stared at us for a moment before bowing slowly, his motion carrying profound dignity.
"Welcome. It's an honor that you've visited our house."
His voice was surprisingly heavy, laced with deep weariness, like he'd shouldered endless sorrow for years.
Hi, nice to meet you! Where are Brian and Edgar?
"I'm here to see Brian and Edgar. But something seems wrong, doesn't it?"
At my words, Gaster's expression hardened. A storm of emotions flashed in his eyes—sorrow, bewilderment, maybe even anger.
"Please, have a seat. This will be a long story."
Sadness rippled through his voice like waves. I had a gut feeling something grave had happened. A heavy weight settled in my chest.
I opened my eyes to a white ceiling filling my vision. Clear sunlight streamed through the window, softly illuminating the room. For a while, I stared upward, piecing together where I was and how I'd gotten here.
Am I... alive...?
My whole body throbbed. Especially the sharp pain radiating from my right shoulder to my chest. A warm healing magic lingered, but beneath it, the agony still stabbed fiercely.
My last memory was crystal clear. The massive ice hornet we'd encountered right after escaping the great labyrinth. I'd sent Klaus ahead to warn about Rowan's black magic, staying behind to fight alone. The cold shock of that blue stinger piercing my shoulder. The endless torment spreading through my body. Then consciousness fading as I collapsed.
"You're awake, Edgar."
A familiar voice made me turn my head slowly. My brother sat in a chair by the bed. Brian. It had been seven years since I'd last seen his face.
Time had left its mark on him. The soft contours of youth were gone, replaced by a harder, more angular jaw. Fine lines creased the corners of his eyes, and a small scar I'd never noticed before sat above his right brow. But those warm eyes remained unchanged.
"Brother...?"
My voice cracked into a rasp. My lips were parched, throat like a desert.
Brian grabbed a glass from the bedside table and held it to my lips, his touch as gentle and caring as ever. Cool water soothed my throat, vitality flooding back through me.
"A miracle. Surviving in that state..."
Relief deepened his words. Worry and exhaustion shadowed his eyes—he'd clearly kept vigil by my side for days.
"How...?"
I tried to continue, but strength failed me. Brian read my intent and explained.
"We found you collapsed and took you to the flower. It saved you."
"The flower...?"
A hazy memory surfaced. That enormous flower from the depths, ruby-red petals gleaming, violet stamens dancing in the air. Commanding hundreds of insects with overwhelming presence. We'd fought it, and now they'd brought me to it...?
"It healed you. Hard to believe, I know, but true."
Confusion surged. The thing that massacred our knight squad had saved me? Resentment tangled with gratitude, stirring incomprehensible emotions in my chest.
"Its name is Ricoris."
Brian continued, a strange reverence in his tone.
"Vassal to the legendary labyrinth lord, Frostia. Ricoris isn't just some monster—it's intelligent, with immense power."
"That... bug queen...?"
My voice still rasped, but strength was returning bit by bit. Now I had leisure to look around. A small room in the village temple. Peaceful Sia Kalt village life unfolded beyond the window.
Silence stretched long. Only villagers' chatter and children's laughter from outside broke the quiet, somehow amplifying the heavy hush between us.
"Brother, aren't you going back to the family?"
I asked cautiously. Memories of that day seven years ago resurfaced. Him rejecting the noble path for adventuring. Me unable to understand. Our fierce arguments and rift still lingered, but now wasn't the time to dwell.
Brian stayed silent a while, then smiled—lonely yet resolute.
"I haven't achieved my dream yet."
I understood the weight in those words. He'd chosen his path and walked it unwaveringly. No chance he'd return home.
"I see."
My reply was short, but loaded: understanding, respect, a pledge to each follow our roads. I wouldn't try persuading him anymore. Now I could honor his choice.
After a bit more talk, we shared a final embrace. Then we parted ways again—him beyond the mountains, me toward Jenes Kingdom.
I didn't tell him about Rowan's black magic. Partly to spare him worry, but mostly because this was my burden as a knight of the family, guardian of the kingdom—not his as an adventurer.
...
The Crosby Duke's estate sat at Jenes Kingdom's heart, near the Temple of Light. Adorned in beautiful white marble and gold accents, it almost seemed an extension of the temple itself. House Crosby, one of the kingdom's oldest, was renowned for loyalty to the goddess of light, Michael. That's why I'd sent Klaus to the duke, famed for his own integrity and devotion.
And upon returning to the kingdom, I'd come straight to him.
"Sir Edgar. Welcome."
The duke greeted me in a resonant baritone. Even with half-gray hair, his dignity shone through. Eyes brimming with wisdom, impeccable poise—he was a model for all nobles.
"Your Grace, I have vital information."
Once ushered into his study, I laid it all out: the perils of Set Hanryeong, the labyrinth's horrors, the bug queen, and most crucially, suspicions of Captain Rowan's black magic and worship of an evil god.
"Evil god cultists?"
His eyes sharpened as he finished hearing me out, deep concern etching his face.
"That's gravely serious..."
"Hasn't Klaus arrived here?"
He pondered briefly before asking.
"No one named Klaus has come. Who is he?"
"A knight who survived with me. I told him to seek you out..."
I trailed off. A chill foreboding crawled down my spine. Klaus was honest and loyal—he wouldn't ignore orders. Something had gone wrong.
"This puts your life in danger too."
The duke's expression grew grave, resolve hardening his gaze.
"Returning home would be unwise. Stay here until resolved. If you hide, we can claim no survivors from Sia Kalt. You didn't enter through the main gate, right?"
"No. Slipped in at dawn through a rat hole."
I nodded. To find Klaus and uncover the cultists, it was best. The moment I surfaced, Rowan's allies would target me.
Days later, a shocking truth emerged. Klaus's mutilated corpse had been found outside the capital. Hard to identify, but confirmed by his Second Knight Order insignia.
"Looks like they got him right after he reached the kingdom."
The duke's voice weighed heavy. His eyes wavered. A veteran guardian of the realm, he rarely showed emotion—but now raw fury simmered.
Klaus's death ignited our investigation. No longer mere suspicion. These evil god cultists existed, plotting something. And their next target? We'd learn soon enough.