The grand hall of the Satoru mansion was alive with the vibrant energy of the celebration. Nobles from all over the imperial kingdom mingled, their voices blending into a harmonious hum. The air was filled with the clinking of glasses, the soft murmur of conversation, and the gentle strains of the orchestra playing in the background.

Ryuu stood among a group of noblemen, each one more distinguished than the last. Lord Harrington, a tall man with graying hair and piercing blue eyes, was discussing the latest political shifts in the kingdom. "The Emperor's decision to increase taxes has not been well received," he said, his tone grave.

Another noble, Duke Ellington, with his rotund figure and jovial face, nodded in agreement. "Indeed, it's causing quite a stir among the merchants and the common folk. But enough about politics," he added, raising his glass in a toast. "Congratulations, Ryuu, on your son's first birthday. May he grow to be as strong and wise as his father."

Ryuu smiled, inclining his head. "Thank you, gentlemen. Your kind words are much appreciated." As he clinked glasses with the other nobles, Tanaka approached, his expression serious.

"Excuse me, my lords," Ryuu said, stepping away from the group. He turned to Tanaka, his brow furrowed in concern. "What is it?"

"My lord," Tanaka whispered, "we have an issue. Your father is here."

Ryuu's eyes widened in surprise and a hint of anxiety. "He's here?" he repeated, struggling to maintain his composure. "Where?"

"He's with Lady Luna and young master Kibo," Tanaka replied.

Meanwhile, across the hall, Kibo watched the exchange between the priest and the old man with the light red mana. He wondered, Who is this old man with enormous light red mana? The priest, still smiling, addressed the old man who held his hand firmly.

"Ah, the Reaper," the priest said, his voice smooth. "Can you please let go of my hand?"

The old man, releasing his grip, replied coldly, "I didn't want your filthy hands touching my grandson." Luna, holding Kibo, maintained her serene smile, but Kibo was shocked. My grandfather?

The priest rubbed his hand where the old man had gripped it. "I just wanted to give him the goddess' divine blessings," he said, his smile unwavering.

The old man waved dismissively. "Yeah, yeah, the divine blessing," he said sarcastically. "Can you be a gentle priest and leave?"

The priest's smile never faltered. He looked at Luna. "I have other matters to attend to. Enjoy the rest of the evening, Lady Luna," he said, bowing slightly before leaving.

Once the priest was gone, the old man turned his attention back to Luna and Kibo. Luna, still smiling, addressed him, "Why has my father-in-law stopped the conversation with the priest?"

Kibo was dumbfounded by her question. The old man chuckled, his eyes sparkling with amusement. "I just wanted to protect you," he said.

"Protect?" Luna echoed, her eyes shining with curiosity and a smile playing on her lips.

The old man laughed heartily, causing Kibo to look at both his mother and grandfather in bewilderment. "I protected you from killing the priest just now if he had laid a hand on Kibo," he explained, glancing at his grandson.

Kibo's shock deepened. My grandfather talks like this? He stared at the old man and then at his mother, who maintained her serene demeanor. "I don't know what you're talking about," Luna said, feigning confusion.

The old man laughed again. "How are you doing?" he asked warmly.

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"I'm fine," Luna replied, her smile never wavering. "Ryuu misses you."

"Where is he, anyway?" the old man asked, looking around.

Luna turned to Kibo. "Kibo, say hello to your grandfather."

Kibo, still mesmerized by the enormous light red mana, hesitated. The old man, sensing his grandson's unease, patted his head gently. "It's good to see you, Kibo," he said with a smile.

Some nobles noticed an old man talking to Luna and began gossiping. A lady in an elaborate gown of deep burgundy velvet, adorned with intricate gold embroidery, whispered, "Who is that old man?"

A nobleman in a finely tailored suit with silver accents and a richly embroidered waistcoat responded, "Isn't that the Reaper?"

The gossip spread quickly among the nobles. "The Reaper? Isn't he incredibly dangerous?" said one, adjusting his opulent, fur-lined cloak.

"Yes, he's wanted for countless crimes. They say he can destroy an entire nations," another added, her gown of emerald silk rustling as she leaned in to speak.

Their words were filled with a mixture of fear and fascination, their eyes widening as they watched the interaction from a safe distance.

Ryuu, seeing the commotion, walked towards Luna and his father, Tanaka following closely behind. The old man, noticing his son’s approach, greeted him, "Son."

Ryuu's face hardened with anger. "What are you doing here?" he demanded, his voice loud enough to draw more attention. Nobles around them began to murmur, their curiosity piqued.

Luna, sensing the rising tension while holding Kibo, said gently, "Ryuu, please, calm down."

But Ryuu didn't listen. He repeated, "What are you doing here?" his tone sharp and unforgiving.

The old man, smiling and aware of the eyes on them, chuckled. "I came to celebrate with my family."

Ryuu shrugged off the response. "You don't have a family."

Guards started approaching from all corners, their presence causing the nobles to grow anxious. The old man sighed, "I don't want to do this here, not on your son's birthday."

Tanaka, worried, was about to speak, but Ryuu cut him off. "You are under arrest."

Kibo, shocked and confused, thought, Whaaaat?

The old man chuckled again. "I don't want to do this," he warned, eyeing the guards.

Luna, showing a sad face, held Kibo tighter. The old man sighed. "Fine, no need to do anything. I've already spoiled my grandson's birthday."

Ryuu, looking at his father, commanded a guard, "Chain him."

The guard hesitated, feeling the deadly aura emanating from the old man. The old man, seeing the guard's fear, warned, "If you do that, you will die."

The guard froze, paralyzed by fear. Ryuu was about to give another order when the old man moved with incredible speed, closing the distance and placing a hand on Ryuu's shoulder. "You shouldn't, if you don't want blood to spill."

Ryuu, shocked by his father's speed, signaled the guards to stand down. The old man patted Ryuu's shoulder. "Good boy."

He then turned to Tanaka. "Tell the nobles to leave."

Tanaka complied, dispersing the guests. Ryuu, feeling powerless against his father, clenched his fists in frustration

In a secluded part of the grand imperial palace, behind layers of security and secrecy, lay the king’s secret chamber. The room was dimly lit, with only the faint glow of enchanted orbs casting eerie shadows on the stone walls. The air was thick with the scent of old parchment and burning incense, adding an aura of mystique and ancient power to the dark room.

The king, a man of imposing presence with a mane of red hair and piercing yellow eyes, sat at an ornate wooden desk. His beard, meticulously groomed, framed a face etched with both wisdom and the burdens of rulership. Before him, on the desk, was an orb pulsating with a soft, ethereal light, indicating an ongoing magical communication.

From the orb, a feminine voice emanated, carrying urgent news. “My king, there has been a development in the Satoru household. The Reaper has made an appearance, and the Satoru butler has just sent away the other nobles.”

The king’s eyes narrowed as he absorbed the information. “What about Cedric? Has he made contact with Duke Ryuu?” he inquired, his voice a blend of curiosity and command.

“No, my king,” the voice responded.

The king's expression hardened. “I want you to deliver a message to Cedric. Tell him not to waste any more time and that he must give the letter to Duke Ryuu without delay.”

“Understood, my king,” the voice answered dutifully.

The voice hesitated before replying, “My king, what should we do about the Reaper?”

The king chuckled, a sound both amused and sinister. “Do nothing. Engaging the Reaper directly will only bring harm’s way to us, and that is a headache we do not need.”

The voice quickly responded, “I apologize for suggesting action against the Reaper.”

“Just observe for the meantime,” the king instructed. “Also, keep an eye on the second prince and what he is doing in the neighboring kingdom.”

“Understood, my majesty,” the voice affirmed.

As the transmission concluded, the orb’s glow faded, leaving the chamber in deeper shadows. A satisfied smile spread across the king’s face, a mixture of anticipation and calculated confidence. The room fell silent, save for the distant echoes of the palace’s bustling life, far removed from the dark machinations unfolding within the secret chamber.