Silence
"Well, this is the young master Ethan whom you will serve from now on. Greet him properly."
Edgar, the head butler, brought two children into my room. They bowed deeply to me in greeting.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Young Master Ethan. My name is Lena. This is my younger brother, Ray."
"Hello. I'm Ray."
They were twin siblings who looked almost identical, aside from their hair length. The older sister was Lena, the younger brother Ray.
Two days ago, I'd stopped by the orphanage and spoken with the director. I'd decided to adopt these two children to serve as my attendants.
On Earth, something like that would never fly, but this was a different world. Children at the orphanage received early education and training to prepare them for earning a living.
I sat quietly, watching the twins bow.
Hmm.
They looked about the age they'd be attending middle school back on Earth.
I flashed my warmest smile to welcome them.
"Come on in. The trip wasn't too tough, was it?"
No matter how much training they'd gotten at the orphanage, real life was different. And this was a count's estate—plenty of servants, and they'd face hazing from the others soon enough. Even college grads had to start from scratch at a new job. Same principle here.
At times like this, a kind word went a long way.
"It'll be rough at first, no doubt. But stick with it, and I won't let you go hungry. Just give me your best."
I spoke gently, downplaying my noble authority.
Lena bowed her head.
"Yes, Young Master! We pledge our loyalty to you! If you command it, we can take our own lives right here!"
"Me too!"
Ray echoed her, bowing deeply as well.
What the—?
Their fervent vows left me speechless.
Have they already grasped the harsh realities of life at such a young age?
A pledge of loyalty unto death didn't quite fit coming from kids younger than me. That was just my perspective, though—Edgar chuckled and nodded approvingly. He seemed amused by their display.
"Haha, you've taken in some entertaining ones. As expected of you, Young Master."
No, not really. The orphanage director recommended them.
"I'll give Lena and Ray basic training," Edgar said, assigning them to Chloe.
Once Chloe led the twins out, only Edgar and I remained.
He smiled at me. "The estate has been buzzing with energy ever since you arrived, Young Master."
Yeah, buzzing alright. It'd been over ten days since I moved in, and I hadn't just been lounging around.
I'd started my noble education. First up: the continental common tongue and the Arcadia Empire's language. Essential for writing, if not casual speech.
Thankfully, it came easily. Maybe my past-life experience with foreign languages, or maybe Ethan's brain was sharp to begin with—I scored well either way.
"The Count was thrilled to hear you're gifted with languages."
My tutor praised me lavishly.
From languages, I'd moved on to history, politics, and etiquette. Solid results there too.
I was putting in the effort partly to coast easier later, but mostly to clear this hurdle and advance to the next stage.
"With such excellence across the board, the Count will surely approve soon," Edgar said.
I clenched my fists in triumph.
Yes!
The Count's permission. Not official yet, but if the head butler was saying it, it was as good as done.
What I was waiting for? Permission to begin magic training.
I'd casually mentioned it to Edgar during my studies. I wanted to learn magic.
But magic wasn't handed out lightly. As a bastard, even sword training for enlistment was more than enough for the family.
I wanted magic, though.
Magic over sword.
If I couldn't sense mana, it'd be pointless—but assuming I could, magic beat swordplay. Mages commanded respect everywhere. For my future, mage trumped knight.
Plus, blasting from range seemed safer than close quarters.
At minimum, I need the power to protect myself.
That's why I wanted magic.
I gave Edgar a light bow of thanks.
"Thank you, Head Butler Edgar."
He'd pulled strings for the Count's approval, so gratitude was due.
The Countess had opposed it most fiercely at first. Probably feared a bastard like me stealing the family from her sons.
I had zero interest in that hassle.
Running the house looks like a nightmare anyway.
Just look at Father—swamped nonstop. No need for me to take that on.
Let him be lord; I'd plan my own path.
Edgar waved off my thanks with a laugh. "Haha, what has this old man done? It's all your own brilliance, Young Master."
I smiled back. His demeanor had softened considerably since day one.
My efforts are paying off.
I never lorded my status over the servants. I'd used Father's allowance to raise Chloe's pay and rewarded those around me.
Topped off with recent orphanage volunteering. That sealed it—Edgar's gaze toward me had shifted completely.
Staying on good terms with Edgar benefits me.
Longtime confidant to the Count and head butler—he'd advocated for my magic lessons.
And the perks didn't end there.
"Oh, right—a priest will visit the estate tomorrow."
"A priest... you say?"
"Yes. Madam Lavender has specially invited one to check on your health, Young Master Ethan."
"I see..."
Lavender was the Countess's name. Edgar's intel kept me looped on scheduled events.
"Rest well, then."
With that, Edgar left. But I stared at the door, mulling his words.
"The Countess summoning a priest."
For my health, he'd said. Priests healed with holy power.
But was that the whole story?
If she truly cared, she wouldn't block my magic studies.
Summoning a priest cost a fortune. Custom dictated booking a week ahead.
Sudden notice for tomorrow? Suspicious.
No way...
I narrowed my eyes at the door.
Bam! Countess Lavender slammed her desk. Her nails gouged the wood in fury.
"The nerve! Is this even sane?!"
She hurled nearby objects in a tantrum.
"Eek!"
Her maid paled and trembled.
Lavender rampaged on. "Teaching magic to that bastard whelp?!"
Even if meant for proxy enlistment, this crossed a line. Basic swordplay should've sufficed—magic changed everything.
Unless Ethan couldn't sense mana, but his recent performance suggested otherwise.
Dangerous.
Tutors raved about him nonstop: languages, history, politics. All gifted.
Lavender feared a shift in the family balance.
Her eldest was at the Imperial Academy, talented in magic. No way a bastard outdid him.
But "what if" loomed.
I won't let that happen.
Her eyes hardened amid the rage. She'd already spent a fortune summoning a territory priest.
Officially for Ethan's checkup—but the real aim was different.
"Soon, everything returns to normal."
Her face twisted demonically.
Morning broke. A guest arrived at Hartwell estate: Priest Kael.
"Welcome. I am Edgar, head butler of Hartwell."
"Thank you."
Kael gave a perfunctory nod and headed straight for Ethan's room.
Verify if he's legitimate...
He pieced it together en route. Check legitimacy—straight from the Countess.
......
A simple legitimacy test? Fine by him.
But the Countess wanted more.
"Please conduct the examination discreetly. No matter the result, declare him not legitimate. I'll handle the Magic Tower—just trust me, Priest."
The letter noted prior Magic Tower verification. Falsifying that?
Deadly stain for them, even if not for him. Sealing the Tower's lips would cost a king's ransom.
Not my problem.
Kael just needed his cut. Good ties with the Countess boosted his local standing.
He knocked and entered Ethan's room.
"First time meeting, Young Lord. Priest Kael."
He scanned the room after a curt greeting.
Ethan was there—with two kids.
Twins?
Their resemblance screamed siblings. Kael's gaze lingered; Ethan spoke up.
"Ah, they're my attendants. No need to mind them, Priest."
Kael nodded. Kids anyway.
He began the diagnosis as planned.
"Hm, no issues. All normal, Young Lord."
He withdrew the holy power infused in Ethan's body.
Done.
The gathered holy power was under Kael's control.
"Diagnosis complete. Well done."
"You too, Priest."
Kael bowed briefly and left the estate.
Back at the temple for analysis. Blood was ideal for precision, but holy power sufficed for priests.
Results took time, but Kael didn't mind.
Just wait for contact.
He couldn't act solo anyway. Hoped the Countess swayed the Tower fast.
The priest's exam wrapped quickly.
So that's what holy power flowing through feels like.
A health check, sure—but it felt unpleasant, like hundreds of worms wriggling inside me.
"Young Master, are you alright?"
Lena, now my personal attendant, checked first as I sat.
The director hadn't lied—they were thoroughly trained. Chloe's extra lessons? Mastered in under a day.
Now they were my hands and feet.
And their loyalty? Top-tier. Lena's concern was commendable.
"Yeah, just unpleasant."
Recalling it soured my face.
She bowed instantly. "Understood. Rest well."
Lena led Ray out.
I admired them inwardly.
Director picked winners.
If all orphanage kids were like this, I'd recruit more on her say-so.
Evening fell, darkness settling. Kael checked results first.
Holy power tests lagged blood ones, but this was fine.
He stared, hands shaking in shock.
......!
Unexpected.
"H-He really isn't legitimate?!"
No need to sway the Tower. The exam screamed: not Hartwell blood.
Must report now!
Kael moved for the estate—but temple intruders: the twins from Ethan's room.
"Y-You—"
His words cut short.
Stab.
Lena's dagger pierced his throat.
"Wh-What..."
Kael gaped at them, frozen.
Lena's lips curled in a sneer.
"Unpleasant, he said."
Kael couldn't fathom why.
Begging for life? Too late—her words flew faster.
"Shh. Crows are always silent."
Her dagger hand blurred.
Holes riddled his body in agony. Kael breathed his last.
Silence blanketed the temple.