Four Years Later

In the Balmount Kingdom, the night was deep and heavy, casting long shadows over the narrow streets. Two men were running desperately through a dark alley, their footsteps echoing against the stone walls. One of the men, a beastkin with tiger-like stripes, was dressed in a leather vest and pants, his fur rippling as he sprinted ahead. His feline ears twitched at every sound, while his long tail swayed behind him. The other man, an average human with graying hair, was panting heavily, his worn-out tunic and boots splattered with mud. His face was pale, sweat mixing with the grime that covered him.

“We shouldn’t have gotten ourselves involved with the organization,” the human panted, struggling to keep up with the beastkin.

“If you want to stay alive, stop complaining and keep running! We need to reach the authorities before we end up like the others,” the beastkin hissed, not slowing his pace.

“That’s the point! What if we don’t make it out alive?” the human retorted, gasping for breath.

The beastkin suddenly veered right, his movements swift and agile, dodging crates and debris in the alley. The human followed, stumbling slightly as they wove through the maze of darkened streets. Their surroundings blurred as they ran, the moonlight barely piercing through the clouds, casting an eerie glow over the stone walls.

Ahead, the faint glimmer of light from outside the alley gave them hope, but that hope was short-lived. They skidded to a halt, realizing they had reached a dead end.

“We’re going to die,” the human gasped, his voice trembling.

“No,” the beastkin replied, quickly pulling out a small signal flare from his belt. “I have this.”

With trembling hands, he fired the flare into the sky, sending out a distress signal. The glowing firework arced upwards, illuminating the alley for a brief moment before disappearing into the night.

The human sighed, looking up at the fading light. “You always amaze me, friend… maybe after this, I’ll buy you a drink.”

But his words trailed off into silence. He turned to the beastkin, expecting a response, but his face went pale. His light green eyes widened in terror at the sight before him.

Standing over his friend’s lifeless body was another beastkin—this one a young boy with fox ears and a white blindfold covering his eyes. He wore a sleek black cloak, black gloves, and a mask that concealed his mouth and nose. His tail flicked behind him, and his boots, made for stealth, barely made a sound as he moved. The beastkin’s companion lay dead on the ground, his head severed from his body, blood pooling around him.

The human fell to the ground, trembling. “Hey… Raphael… we’re friends, right?” His voice cracked as he crawled backward, his hands shaking uncontrollably. He smiled nervously, desperation in his eyes.

Raphael, holding two bloodstained daggers, stepped closer. His expression was cold, unreadable beneath the blindfold.

“Where’s the file?” Raphael asked in a calm, emotionless voice.

“I-I don’t have it, Raphael! Please, don’t kill me! I was forced into this!” the man stammered, his body shaking with fear.

Raphael's footsteps were silent as he approached, his daggers gleaming in the moonlight. “You shouldn’t have betrayed the boss.”

Without hesitation, Raphael plunged one of the daggers into the man’s gut. The man screamed in agony, begging Raphael to stop, but the sound of his cries quickly faded as Raphael twisted the blade. The life drained from his eyes, and soon, the alley was silent once more.

Raphael knelt beside the man’s corpse, calmly searching his pockets. He pulled out a small envelope, tucking it into his cloak just as the sound of footsteps echoed in the distance. Hearing the approaching soldiers, Raphael activated his ability—silent movement—and vanished into the night, leaving no trace behind.

The Next Day - Balmount Kingdom

The sun rose over the bustling Balmount Kingdom, its streets alive with both humans and beastkin going about their daily routines. Market vendors shouted prices for fresh produce while blacksmiths hammered away at metal, creating a cacophony of sounds that blended together. Children ran through the streets, dodging between the legs of adults, as merchants peddled their goods to passersby. The people of the kingdom, both human and beastkin, seemed to coexist on the surface, though tension always simmered just beneath.

Beneath the Balmount Kingdom, however, lay a much darker world, hidden from the bustling streets above. Deep underground, a sprawling network of tunnels had been transformed into a black market for illegal trade. Here, cages lined the walls—within them, beastkin of various species were huddled together, their chains clinking as they shifted uncomfortably. Alongside them were humans, equally trapped, their eyes filled with fear as they awaited their fate. Mixed among them were rare, mythical beasts—creatures of legend that had been captured and now awaited the highest bidder.

Men hurriedly moved through the dimly lit corridors, carrying heavy crates filled with contraband. Some of them barked orders at each other while others counted piles of coins, the sound of their laughter echoing off the stone walls. This was a place where morality held no sway, where life was a commodity to be bought and sold.

Among the busy workers strode a man with short black hair, piercing green eyes, and a grim expression. His grey shirt clung to his toned body, and his black trousers and brown boots made him blend in with the others, though his authoritative demeanor set him apart. His name was Angelo, and as he pushed past the other men, ignoring their chatter, his frown deepened.

Approaching a small, brown door at the end of the corridor, he pushed it open without hesitation, stepping into an office where two well-dressed men lounged comfortably in plush chairs. They were clearly men of power, dressed like rich merchants, their outfits adorned with fine silks and gold accessories. One had slick, black hair, his eyes sharp and calculating, while the other was balding but wore his remaining white hair slicked back. Their large frames filled the chairs they sat in, their bellies protruding slightly from the rich meals they'd likely enjoyed.

Behind a wooden desk sat another figure, the boss. His skin was tanned, his sharp features outlined by the dim light of the room. He was tall and broad, wearing a tailored black coat over a white shirt, his demeanor exuding power. His sharp eyes glanced up at Angelo with mild interest as he entered.

The two merchants, however, were less patient.

"What is the meaning of this?!" the balding merchant snarled, his face turning red with anger.

Angelo, ignoring them completely, walked up to the boss. "Hey, boss, why did you send Raphael out there again?" he demanded, his voice tinged with frustration.

The boss, unfazed, held up a hand to silence the merchants before they could protest further. "I apologize for my man's behavior," he said smoothly. "Gentlemen, I would love to continue our discussion, but perhaps we could reschedule this for another day?"

The black-haired merchant slammed his fist on the arm of the chair. "What do you take us for? Your men have been slacking off, and I haven’t seen any progress in your promised services!" His voice was filled with venom. "We hired the 'Sightless Shadow' for an assassination, and yet the Duke is still alive and well!"

The boss remained calm, smiling faintly as he leaned forward on his desk. "I understand your concerns, gentlemen. But rest assured, we will fulfill our end of the deal. Our work is for the benefit of esteemed clients like yourselves."

The balding merchant wasn’t convinced. "Go to hell! If your business crumbles, I’ll make sure to be the one who watches it burn."

As their complaints continued, Angelo stayed quiet, though his irritation was evident. The boss, still smiling, raised an eyebrow and asked, "Is that so?" In an instant, the merchant who had been shouting was suddenly silenced—his head sliced clean from his body, blood splattering across the room.

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Standing beside the body, Raphael appeared. His black cloak billowed slightly as he flicked his dagger, sending droplets of blood splattering onto the floor. The fox ears atop his head twitched, and his white blindfold still covered his eyes. Dressed in simple commoner's clothes, his tail swished slightly behind him as he stood there, unfazed by the death.

"Raphael," the boss sighed, leaning back in his chair. "What did I say about killing people in my office?"

Raphael shrugged nonchalantly, his voice calm. "I thought maybe he wasn’t important." He flicked his dagger again, wiping away the blood in one swift motion.

The remaining merchant, now shaking uncontrollably, couldn’t find the words to speak.

Angelo, finally losing his patience, shouted, "What the hell are you thinking, Raphael?"

Raphael stepped closer to the boss, ignoring Angelo’s outburst, and handed him a letter. "This is all I could find on the impostor. But I don't think they were the ones slowing down business for us."

Angelo, fuming, grabbed Raphael by the arm. "I’m talking to you, kid!" he snapped.

Raphael’s expression didn’t change as he coolly replied, "Let go of me, Angelo."

"Or what?" Angelo challenged, tightening his grip.

Sensing the rising tension, the boss intervened. "Enough. Both of you, stop."

Angelo released Raphael reluctantly as the boss opened the letter, reading it quickly. His face darkened. "You know, Raphael, you’ve been sloppy ever since you found that girl."

Raphael was about to protest, but before he could speak, the boss punched him, sending him staggering to the ground.

"You had one job!" the boss roared, moving to kick Raphael as he lay on the floor. "What do you think you’ve been doing?"

Angelo quickly intervened, grabbing the boss's arm. "Boss, calm down!"

The boss, still fuming, shoved Angelo off and thrust the letter into his hands. "Read this! This is what Raphael has caused us."

Angelo scanned the letter, his expression growing serious. "I didn’t know, boss. We had no idea Carlo and Yami were spies."

The boss sneered. "Of course not. It was Raphael’s one job to keep an eye on things. But instead, he’s been playing caretaker to a bastard girl."

Raphael remained silent on the floor, not bothering to get up.

"If only he had been doing his job," the boss continued, his anger still simmering. "Now, because of him, Carlo and Yami have information that could ruin us!"

Angelo thought quickly, trying to calm the situation. "What if we find the file, boss? Raphael and I can get it back before any damage is done."

The boss glanced at Raphael, his eyes cold. "Fine. But if you fail... that girl will pay the price."

Raphael’s fox ears twitched at the threat, but he stayed silent.

"Come on," Angelo said, pulling Raphael to his feet. "Let’s go."

As they left the office, the remaining merchant trembled in his chair, unable to speak.

Outside, Angelo dragged Raphael down the corridor. Raphael finally yanked his arm free, stopping in his tracks. "Let go of me, Angelo."

Angelo whirled around, glaring. "What the hell is wrong with you? Ever since you took in that girl Eris, you’ve been soft!"

Raphael’s voice was calm, but firm. "Her name is Lily."

"I don’t care what her name is!" Angelo snapped. "You’ve got no business raising a kid when you're supposed to be the cold-hearted killer everyone fears!"

Raphael glared at Angelo. "I don’t need your advice."

Angelo punched him hard, sending him to the ground again. "You’re a fool, Raphael. All because of some kid!"

Raphael wiped his mouth, his eyes hard. "Oh yeah? And what about you, Angelo?"

Angelo didn’t answer. He merely turned away, his voice cold. "Meet me later. If you screw this up, the boss won’t spare you."

With that, Angelo walked off, leaving Raphael standing in the shadows.

In the office of the Countess Councilor, Serphina, the atmosphere was filled with a quiet yet intense focus. Serphina, a woman with vibrant cherry-pink hair that cascaded over her shoulders and striking amber-gold eyes, sat behind a grand wooden desk. She was dressed in elegant robes suited for a high-ranking official—flowing garments of deep blue and gold embroidery, with intricate patterns resembling arcane sigils. Her office, adorned with shelves of scrolls and ancient books, had documents and files stacked neatly across her desk, each one sorted with meticulous care as she penned notes.

A soft murmur of voices from outside barely caught her attention, as she remained focused on her work. That was until the commotion grew louder. Still, Serphina continued scribbling, unbothered. The door to her office burst open, revealing Mr. Kaito, her butler, dressed in simple yet neat attire—a crisp white shirt and black trousers.

“My lady is busy—please, you cannot—” Mr. Kaito pleaded, turning back to the armored figure beside him.

Stepping past him was a woman of regal poise and an intimidating presence. Her short, lavender-purple hair framed her face, and her deep forest-green eyes glinted with fiery determination. She was clad in gleaming silver armor, adorned with red and white engravings, and her tall figure was further emphasized by the reinforced plates on her shins and feet. She was a Paladin Knight, and she carried herself with all the authority the title entailed.

Serphina, still unbothered, raised her gaze from the desk. “There is no need for that, Kaito,” she said calmly, her amber eyes meeting the knight’s furious glare. “Please excuse us.”

Kaito nodded hesitantly and backed out of the room, closing the door behind him.

“What brings you here, Mira?” Serphina asked smoothly, resting her chin on her hand with a serene expression. “To what do I owe the pleasure of such a visit?”

Mira’s voice was sharp, almost biting. “I overheard reports concerning the deaths of two of your trusted men.”

Serphina raised an eyebrow, her face showing little surprise. “Is that so?” She waved her hand dismissively. “I’m sorry, Mira, but the affairs of the Balmount Kingdom do not concern you, nor the eastern provinces.”

The Paladin's hands clenched into fists as she stepped closer to the desk, slamming her palms down in frustration. “It does concern me! Do I need to remind you why I came to this kingdom!”

Serphina, unfazed, leaned back in her chair. “Yes, I know why you’re here, but this matter is different. If you would kindly refrain from prying further into our kingdom’s affairs, I would greatly appreciate it.”

Mira’s eyes blazed with anger, her fists trembling with barely contained rage. Serphina, noticing, calmly reminded her, “And don’t forget why you came here in the first place. If you still wish to find any leads on the whereabouts of the Bloodbound Covenant, I would be more than happy to assist you.”

Mira’s stern expression faltered for just a moment before she composed herself. “Don’t worry, Serphina,” she said with quiet intensity. “I will definitely ask for it.” With that, Mira turned on her heel, her armor clinking as she marched out of the office, closing the door behind her.

Serphina let out a quiet sigh once Mira had left. “Paladin Knights—they never know when to mind their own business,” she muttered under her breath.

Mira walked down the corridor, her footsteps echoing with each step, her mind swirling with frustration. The way things are going, I won't be able to find leads on the Bloodbound Covenant, she thought to herself angrily, clenching her fist. The mission she had been assigned was clear: gather information, submit reports, and avoid involvement in the internal affairs of Balmount. But at this rate, her progress was being stifled. I will find you, Zephyr, she vowed silently, her green eyes narrowing.

As she continued walking, she saw her subordinates approaching—four young knights, ranging in age from fourteen to seventeen. Each one was dressed in simple holy tunics with leather brigandine, plain iron greaves, and modest cloaks, all adorned with the emblem of their order: The Scales of Lumina.

The first to spot her was Nina, a girl with jet-black hair streaked with vibrant purple highlights, her sparkling aquamarine eyes lighting up as she waved enthusiastically. “Commander Mira!” she called out with a wide smile, rushing up to hug her.

Mira smiled gently at Nina. “Nina,” she said warmly, hugging her back.

One of the boys, Mael, who had iron-grey hair and fiery orange eyes, crossed his arms and frowned irritably. “Commander, can we go now?” he asked, glancing at Nina with exasperation.

Behind them, Takashi, a shy boy with messy brown hair and shining sapphire eyes, stepped forward timidly. “Yes, please, Commander. Can we go now?” he asked quietly.

Astrid, the oldest of the group with pale lunar-silver hair and starry night-blue eyes, rolled her eyes at the boys. “Come on, you two. Don’t be like that,” she chided playfully. “Right, Commander? We can’t leave yet.”

Mira nodded, smiling at the group as Nina continued hugging her. Then she turned serious, addressing Mael. “Have you found anything about the two men who died last night?”

Mael straightened, his hands clasped behind his back. “Yes, Commander. Their names were Carlo and Yami. It seems they were undercover, and they were running from something.”

Mira’s eyes darkened. Serphina should have told me this, she thought, before asking, “Do you know what they were running from?”

Mael shook his head. “No, Commander. I couldn’t find that out.”

Nina, still hugging Mira, chimed in cheerfully, “Commander, I think they were running from the Sightless Shadow.”

Mael shot her a look of disbelief. “And how would you know that?”

Nina smirked. “If you had bothered to follow Astrid and me, you would have overheard it yourself.”

Mael opened his mouth to retort, but Mira raised a hand, stopping him. “Not now, Mael.” She turned to Nina, gently prying her off. “Did you get any description of the Sightless Shadow?”

Nina shook her head. “No, Commander.”

Astrid, however, spoke up. “Commander, I heard he wears a blindfold.”

Mira’s mind raced. A blindfold… Could this Sightless Shadow be part of the Bloodbound Covenant? She turned to Mael and Takashi. “Tonight, I assign you both to conduct a thorough investigation of Carlo’s and Yami’s residences, aiming to uncover any relevant leads or valuable intelligence that may aid our endeavors.”

Then she faced Nina and Astrid. “You two will come with me. We need to keep an eye on the Countess.”

Takashi shyly spoke up. “Commander… can I not go with Mael?”

Mael frowned at him. “What’s wrong with sticking with me?” he grumbled.

Takashi squeaked nervously as Mael raised his voice, but Mira patted Takashi’s head gently. “I would love for you to stay with me, Takashi, but I need you with Mael to make sure he doesn’t cause any trouble.”

Takashi sighed and nodded reluctantly, while Mael grabbed him by the collar. “Come on, let’s go,” he muttered, dragging Takashi along. Takashi whimpered as they left.

Astrid smiled at Mira. “Do you think Takashi will be alright?”

Nina chuckled. “Knowing Mael, he won’t let Takashi rest for a second.”

Mira patted both girls on the head. “Alright, girls. Let’s keep an eye on things here.”

Nina giggled while Astrid gave a confident smile, ready for the task ahead.