Hartwell Count's Manor (1)
Phantom. The leader's direct secret guard. Not even the High Council, let alone Vice-Leader Ariel, knew much about them.
"...Are you certain it was Phantom?" Ariel asked, her voice trembling as she sought confirmation.
Phantoms operated in utmost secrecy. For them to leave traces behind?
"Yes, it was unmistakably Phantom's aura," Walter nodded. What he'd sensed in the mine wasn't just the leader's traces. There had been the faintest hint of Phantom's energy as well.
"They probably left it intentionally."
He knew how much Phantoms valued secrecy, so he could only conclude as much. For them to appear in a mine swept clean by Celestia's Shadow Hounds? It was a warning of sorts. A warning against breaking Celestia's seal without the leader's permission.
"......"
Ariel fell silent at the mention of Phantom. They were members of Black Raven, but their loyalty was to the leader alone. Fanatics ready to lay down their lives for him at a moment's notice. That was all Ariel knew of them.
Rumors had circulated among the High Council—wild tales, really.
- Madmen who donned cursed gear without hesitation in pursuit of power. Beings who lived solely for strength.
But Ariel wasn't naive enough to take the gossip at face value. They were just rumors. Likely a sign of the brutal training they endured. And the power gained from it was used only for the leader.
Black Raven's loyalty to the leader ran deep, but compared to Phantom's, it was like blood off a duck's back.
In any case, Phantom's involvement was bad news for Ariel. They'd surely keep her and the High Council in check, just as they were doing now.
"Sir Walter, have the Phantoms already made contact with the leader?"
"I can't say for certain. But I doubt they've reached him yet."
Ariel let out a sigh of relief at Walter's words. Come to think of it, it made sense. She could sense the leader's will. If he intended to hold them accountable for unsealing Celestia, he would have said something. But there had been no action at all. Which meant this was Phantom acting on their own.
"...That's a relief, then. We should hurry ourselves."
No matter how strong they were, the uncontrolled were little more than wild beasts.
"We need to bring the leader back soon."
Ariel planned to focus on locating the leader.
"And I'll inform the entire Black Raven that Phantom has begun operations." It was for the members' sake—a warning not to clash with Phantom during missions.
* * *
Time passed swiftly. They camped in the mountains one night, then spent the next at an inn in a small town. Nothing noteworthy happened along the way.
'Well, who'd mess with us anyway? That'd be the real crazy move.'
With the family crest on the flags and knights for escort, no one dared approach. They traversed the mountain paths without issue.
He chatted occasionally with Emilia, picked up basic etiquette from Kael, and learned about the continent's politics from Bella. Not knowing much himself, he leaned on go-to phrases like "It's a secret" or "Only the leader knows." Still, Bella shared as much as she could with his questions.
The best intel was on the Hartwell family. Even as a game veteran, he couldn't know every internal detail of a count's household. But right now, he was playing Phantom. To verify info, he had Bella spill what she knew.
Thankfully, she did so without suspicion. Phantom perks, huh?
"As you probably know, the count has three children. Two sons and a daughter. Ah, including young master Ethan, that makes four now."
Bella continued.
"The eldest is Albert Hartwell. He's gifted in magic and attends the Imperial Academy. Excellent character, too—seen as the future head of the Hartwell family."
Albert Hartwell, the firstborn. Studying at the Arcadia Empire's top academy, per Bella.
'No immediate worry there.'
Being in the empire's academy meant a long trip back to the principality. Teleportation was an option, but with escort knights? Astronomical costs. Plus, with his good reputation, most retainers likely backed him already.
"Next is the second son, Bastel Hartwell. He wields a sword but has a knack for business and runs a merchant company. And... that's all I know about Bastel."
Ethan nodded slowly. The Magic Tower had no reason to dig deep into a principality count's family. They probably knew about Albert mainly because of his magic talent.
'Towers love talent.'
Anyway, second son: sword and business savvy. Less info than the eldest, but better than nothing.
"Last is the youngest daughter, younger than you, young master Ethan. Name's Eloi. Basically, she has the count wrapped around her finger."
Even less on the little sister—just a name. Younger than him, so no concern.
'Business, though...'
The word lingered. 'Definitely inherited his mother's side.'
The countess's family was a merchant house raking in gold. If Bastel ran one too, he had big ambitions. Ambitious types were useful.
'Use Bastel to grow the Hartwell name? Perfect.'
A stronger Hartwell benefited him too. Being a principality count was a drag otherwise. A bolstered family name meant perks for him as well. Better than starting from scratch—names opened doors.
'Especially if I ever cross paths with Black Raven. This fits.'
A plain boy claiming leadership versus a high noble? Worlds apart in weight.
'Gotta chat him up if the chance comes.'
If Bastel was ambitious as suspected, Ethan could back him from the shadows. Leverage game knowledge to boost the family via his business. Ethan just pulls strings quietly.
'Prime honey-sucking plan.'
He closed his eyes smugly. Bella spoke up.
"...That's everything I know. We're almost at the Hartwell estate—best prepare."
As her words ended, a grand wall loomed in the distance. Under blue skies, massive walls flew flags emblazoned with the gleaming golden family crest.
"Time to get ready."
Ethan straightened his clothes. They'd tailor new ones inside anyway, but manners mattered.
Before arrival, he reminded Bella.
"One more thing: don't breathe a word of our talk."
He'd warned her plenty—she'd comply. She nodded quietly.
Of course, nods didn't mean blind trust. 'Stay vigilant.'
But he knew how to handle her.
"Stay out of Crow business for now. Work under me."
Like gaining a mobile pawn. Plus, keep her under watch.
Now, the carrot.
"Do well, and I'll put in a word with the leader."
That was the hook. Her eyes lit up at "leader." She craved the leader—her mentor Adeline's master. Hoping for enlightenment like Adeline's.
Impossible. The leader she wanted was right here. He'd just thrown cash at Adeline.
'Mentor and pupil both magic nuts.'
No need to spill that. Oblivious, Bella bowed.
"Don't worry! I'll do my best!"
A twinge of guilt, but he steeled himself. Survival first for future plans.
Mid-chat, the carriage reached the gates. Onlookers' gazes fixed on it and the knights.
Ethan peered out the window. Guards confirmed them and opened up. Salutes echoed as they passed.
'Feels noble now. Not bad.'
Inside, the city's grandeur unfolded: towering buildings, ornate mansions, bustling crowds. Far beyond the villages they'd passed.
Soon, they arrived at the Hartwell count's mansion.
'Majestic as expected.'
Even in a principality, a count was a count. The grand, opulent estate welcomed him.
'Yeah, this'll do nicely.'
This would be home. He smirked faintly.
* * *
Hartwell Count's mansion.
"My dear boy, Bastel. Come, sit."
Countess Lavender propped her chin, her voice icy. Even sunlight from the window shunned her face.
"Yes, Mother."
Bastel sat cautiously. Second son of Count Hartwell. He eyed her expression, but her stone face revealed nothing.
"Word just came from the family."
Family—not Hartwell, but her birth house.
Lavender sighed.
"All the magic stone mines have collapsed."
"What? No... how?!"
Bastel's calm cracked at the news. He'd heard of attacks on principality mines—workers killed, quick recovery expected. But collapsed entirely? Different story.
"Any leads on the culprits?"
Lavender shook her head. No traces found was grave. Magic stone mines were prime revenue for principality and empire alike. They'd mobilized fast post-attack. No leads?
"Come to think of it, the Renfield count's house was wiped out recently too."
Arcadia Empire's Renfield count. Family, blood, retainers—all dead overnight. A prestigious house, no less.
Something big was brewing.
"Yes, we should stay cautious for now."
Unknown fears hit hardest. Lavender stroked Bastel's hair. Adult or not, he was her impulsive child.
"Father's worried too."
Her birth family: Empire's Rosemond Barony. Merchants who'd amassed wealth, invested—including principality mines. Collapse meant heavy losses; their caravans suffered too.
"No 'goods' supply for a while, probably."
Bastel relied on them for his business. A blow, but caution first.
"Understood, Mother."
He bowed. Short-term losses, but business was long-game. No greedy slips, he vowed.
Yet Lavender's face stayed grim.
"Mother, something else?"
She nodded.
"Yes..."
She bit her lip.
"The bastard's arriving soon."
Bastel's eyes chilled. Bastard. Father's hidden child.
Shock at first hearing.
"Mother, you're raising him here?"
"No choice, sadly."
Count's will was set. Not out of fondness—a puppet to send to enlistment in heir's stead. Clear utility, no grounds to oppose.
But unease gnawed at Lavender. If the bastard seized the house? Slim chance, but she hated variables.
"My dear Bastel, come closer."
He leaned in. Her low voice whispered.
"Watch the bastard when he arrives. If he steps out of line... you know what to do."
Honey-sweet tone, venom beneath. Bastel knew it well.
No hesitation.
"Understood, Mother."
He needed her—her house—for bigger business.
"I'll handle everything."
Lavender smiled, stroking his cheek.
"You're my pride, Bastel. Protecting the family is yours."
Like a serpent coiling prey, her touch was soft yet cold.