The air inside the crumbling mansion was stale, the scent of dust and burnt wood lingering in the corridors. Baron Eldric, once dismissed as an arrogant brute in noble society, now strode through the hall with a presence that could not be ignored.

He was a different man from the one people whispered about behind their fans at lavish banquets. Gone was the insecure noble with an inferiority complex. In his place stood a man calm, composed, and exuding confidence, his every step deliberate, his aura one that even trained warriors might falter before.

As he walked, his sharp brown eyes caught sight of a familiar figure waiting for him.

Leaning against a decorative pillar that had seen better days, Countess Redwood stood with the practiced ease of someone who always seemed to be exactly where she wanted to be. Her butler Klos and her two maids, Mindy and Sally, flanked her, though their presence was more ornamental than functional.

Eldric immediately knew.

This wasn't a chance encounter. She had been waiting for him.

But instead of feeling irritated, he smirked inwardly. Alright, let's play along.

With a smooth bow, he greeted her with the polish of a seasoned noble. "A pleasant afternoon to you, my lady. You're looking as radiant as ever. Has the day been kind to you?"

Redwood, never one to be outdone in social grace, returned the gesture with a slight tilt of her head, her violet eyes narrowing ever so slightly. "Same to you, Baron. Though I must admit, I am quite surprised to see you here. What business brings you to these ruins?"

Straight to the point.

Eldric resisted the urge to chuckle. She doesn't think much of me if she's not even bothering with small talk.

With an easy smile, he responded, "Ah, yes. Lord Shaun requested my presence for an important matter."

Redwood raised a perfectly sculpted brow. "Really? And what kind of matter is so urgent that a busy noble such as yourself had to be personally summoned?"

Eldric let out a low, knowing chuckle.

"Ah, my lady, you misunderstand. The nature of the task is irrelevant. If it is Lord Shaun's command, it is a matter of great priority. That alone is reason enough."

His words were smooth, carefully chosen to convey unwavering loyalty without revealing a shred of actual information.

The Countess's expression didn't change, but her mind was racing.

"This man… is he really the same Baron Eldric they used to call the 'Arrogant Bull'? The same man who refused to take orders from anyone? Now he speaks of Shaun as if he were a king, his devotion bordering on fanaticism."

Was it possible that Eldric knew about Shaun's true power? If so, was he genuinely loyal, or was he simply positioning himself wisely?

And more importantly…

If shaun sees value edlric enough to keep him around than, why does Shaun refuse my offers?

*I can do more for him than Eldric ever could. Why does he keep me at a distance?

For the first time in a while, Countess Redwood felt an unfamiliar sensation—frustration.

Still, she maintained her pleasant smile.

"You certainly think very highly of Lord Shaun," she mused. "Any particular reason for such devotion?"

Eldric chuckled again, a glint of amusement flashing in his eyes.

"Oh, plenty, my lady. Some you know, some you don't. But if you'll excuse me, I'd rather not keep my master waiting."

A masterful deflection.

Countess Redwood continued smiling, but inside, she was gritting her teeth.

So that's what this is about. He's indirectly telling me that I only have superficial knowledge of Shaun, while he—his so-called 'closest supporter'—knows the truth. What a smug bastard.

But before she could say anything, Eldric reached into his coat pocket and pulled out a small, elegant necklace.

He held it out to her with a charming smile. "Please, my lady, accept this humble gift."

She hesitated, staring at it.

"A necklace?"

"A soothing one," Eldric corrected, still smiling. "It contains healing energy, which will aid in your recovery. It also offers protection, ensuring you remain safe in times of trouble."

And before she could react, he took her hand and brushed a kiss against her knuckles.

Then, with a polite bow, he turned and walked away.

For the first time in a long time, Countess Redwood was stunned into silence.

Her cheeks felt oddly warm, and for a moment, she simply stared at the necklace in her hand.

Was this really the same Baron Eldric?

Mindy, who had been watching the exchange with barely contained amusement, decided to speak up. "My lady, I wouldn't take noble society's rumors too seriously. After all, people say bad things about you too."

Redwood snapped out of her daze. "Right."

Klos, ever the cautious one, narrowed his eyes at the necklace. "Still, it would be wise not to trust him completely. Though the gift appears safe."

Sally, on the other hand, examined the necklace thoughtfully. "A noble like him usually gifts women one of two things—garbage to show disrespect, or expensive jewels to win favor. But this?" She turned it over in her hand. "This is… thoughtful."

The Countess didn't reply, but her fingers tightened slightly around the necklace.

In the dimly lit study, Shaun sat at his desk, idly twirling a pen between his fingers. The papers before him were covered in notes, diagrams, and numbers—plans that, to the untrained eye, would seem incomprehensible, even absurd. But to him, they were the foundation of something greater.

A knock at the door.

Baron Eldric entered, his movements sharp yet composed.

"Good afternoon, Master Shaun. Apologies for keeping you waiting."

Shaun, without looking up, let out a small chuckle. "No need for pleasantries. You were speaking with Countess Redwood, weren't you? I expected you to take your time."

Baron nodded and took a seat across from Shaun. "As perceptive as ever. So, how may I serve you?"

At that, Shaun's pen came to a stop. He glanced up, his sharp gaze meeting Eldric's.

"Since it's just the two of us, it's fine. But in public—or in the presence of others—don't call me 'Master.'" His voice was calm but firm. "It's suspicious for a high-ranking noble to show such deference to a ten-year-old 'nobody.'"

Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

Eldric twitched slightly, a smirk tugging at his lips. "I see… Apologies, but old habits die hard, Master."

Shaun sighed, shaking his head. "Forget it. Let's get to the point."

He grabbed a notebook from the desk and tossed it across the table. Eldric caught it with ease, flipping it open to scan the contents.

At first, it was fairly standard business. Restoring the ruined mansion, Selling his noble title, Establishing various businesses.

Nothing unusual.

But as he turned the pages, Eldric's expression changed. His eyebrows arched slightly, then furrowed.

A plan to establish fake gold and silver mines. Transporting actual gold and silver from unknown sources, burying them in controlled locations, and then 'discovering' them through staged mining operations. A way to launder wealth into legitimacy while minimizing suspicion. Massive land acquisitions and real estate grabs.

And these were just the beginning.

Eldric closed the notebook, exhaling through his nose.

"Any questions?" Shaun asked nonchalantly.

"No… Actually, yes. Where do you plan to get these resources? Some hidden treasure, perhaps?"

Shaun tilted his head slightly, his eyes gleaming with amusement. "Something like that. More of a deal than a treasure, though."

Eldric leaned forward. "A deal?"

Shaun's voice remained level. "Let's just say I know someone with an abundance of resources. But gold, silver, and precious minerals mean little in a world that runs on currency. The real challenge isn't having wealth—it's making it usable without raising suspicion. That's where I come in."

He leaned back in his chair, arms crossed. "I handle the legitimacy. In return, I take 50% of the cut. You'll get 10% from my share. The rest will be allocated according to my benefactor's instructions."

Eldric narrowed his eyes. "And what does your 'benefactor' want in return?"

Shaun smiled faintly. "That's not your concern. Just focus on securing your position in the mining industry. You already have connections there, don't you?"

Eldric exhaled sharply. "Understood."

"Read those notes again—carefully. Then burn them. Everything you need to do is already outlined."

Eldric flipped through the notebook again, committing as much as possible to memory.

"One more thing," Shaun added. "You've heard about the Heron family's downfall, haven't you?"

Eldric smirked. "Hard not to. A once-powerful man, reduced to nothing."

Shaun's gaze sharpened. "Then I want you to fill the power vacuum they left behind as much as possible, takeover their all legal business and connections. Use this opportunity to grow stronger—economically and financially. Take over everything they lost. And ya dont dirty your hand by touching anything illegal or thing which can raise even a drop of suspicion make your image of trustworthy Nobel and a good businessman it will benefit us more "

Eldric grinned. "You can count on me, sir."

Shaun nodded approvingly.

Eldric skimmed the notes one last time before pausing. His smile faded, replaced by curiosity. "Master, may I ask something?"

Shaun tapped his fingers on the desk. "Go ahead."

Eldric's voice was calmer, more serious. "Why sell your noble title and lands? You don't need to. You can do all of this without giving them up."

Shaun stilled.

Then, after a brief silence, he spoke—his voice quieter but carrying a weight that left no room for argument.

"Because I find them a hassle."

Eldric frowned slightly, but Shaun continued.

"Land? It's useless to me. A noble title? A family name? Ancestry? None of it means anything." He met Eldric's gaze, unwavering. "I want to be as free as possible. These things—titles, bloodlines, social obligations—they're nothing but chains. And I don't intend to let anyone chain me down."

Eldric studied him for a long moment before chuckling.

"So, you only care about true power."

Shaun smiled—a cold, knowing smile.

"Exactly."

Eldric smirked. "Very well. I'll handle the sale of your property and noble title. I'll ensure you get the best possible price."

He tapped his fingers on the armrest. "In fact, I've recently heard of a certain lady who's been desperately trying to acquire a noble title. She's the daughter of a wealthy merchant family—someone ambitious, eager to climb the social ladder. I believe she'll be very interested in this deal."

Shaun nodded

Eldric said smoothly. "I'll also send men to begin restoring your mansion. Preparations for our other plans will proceed as well."

Shaun gave a small smile, a rare flicker of satisfaction crossing his face. "Very well. See to it."

With his business concluded, Shaun ascended to the fourth floor of the mansion. Standing before a dimly lit corridor, he spoke softly, "Umbra."

A pulse of darkness rippled around him as his own shadow stirred. The next moment, the world around him collapsed into swirling void—and when he re-emerged, he was no longer in his mansion.

Instead, he stood upon the grounds of a storm-cloaked island, where a colossal castle loomed at its heart. Black spires clawed at the sky, lightning flashing across its ramparts. The air was thick with power, the very land humming with restrained might.

Before Shaun could even take in his surroundings, two blurs shot toward him—one a streak of crimson and gold, the other a crackling arc of cobalt and silver.

Ignis and Tempest.

The moment his familiars sensed his presence, they raced toward him, each vying for his attention. Ignis flared, sending waves of heat rippling through the air, while Tempest sparked faintly, the scent of ozone trailing behind.

A few paces away, another figure watched from the shadows. Umbra, his third familiar, stood at a distance, her shadowy plumage drinking in the light. She gave only a silent nod—reserved as ever.

Then, another presence descended upon them.

The Blight Griffin landed with a resonant thud, the ground beneath it hissing and blackening as its corrosive aura seeped into the earth. Its eagle-like head, streaked with sickly green, tilted slightly in acknowledgement. Despite its nature of destruction, it had learned to temper its malice—to restrain the sheer ruin it embodied.

Shaun narrowed his eyes. The Griffin had clearly been in a fight. Deep gashes marred its molten fur, but they were already knitting back together.

And then the answer to his unspoken question came.

A thunderous roar split the air.

"WHERE DID YOU RUN OFF TO?! WE AREN'T FINISHED YET!"

A massive shadow passed overhead. The black-scaled dragon descended from the sky, wings kicking up a storm of dust and embers.

As it landed, it turned its crimson gaze toward Shaun.

"Greetings, Master. Took you long enough. Were you occupied?"

Shaun smirked slightly. "Yeah, I had some matters to settle before coming here."

The dragon snorted. "Hmph. Well, this place suits me well. A perfect battlefield to test my strength."

Shaun chuckled. "Glad to hear it."

He moved toward a stone table nestled beneath the castle's entrance. Before he could sit, a familiar figure approached—a young man, sharp-eyed yet unassuming, balancing a tray of tea.

Jim.

"Master Shaun, had I known you were coming today, I would have prepared properly."

Shaun arched an eyebrow. "Since when did you start behaving like a servant?"

Jim gave an easy grin. "Isn't that what I am, Master?"

Before Shaun could reply, a shift in the atmosphere silenced all conversation.

A presence unlike any other—an ancient, overwhelming force—descended upon the castle grounds.

Shaun felt it before he even turned his head.

A crimson-velvet figure emerged from the shadows, his lower form merging seamlessly with the darkness, as if the very world bowed before his presence. Razor-sharp gauntlets glinted ominously at his sides, and his eyes—demonic, unrelenting—burned like frozen stars.

Aethralis, the Warden of Aeons.

"So you have finally chosen to show yourself, child." His voice was deep, layered—carrying the weight of eternity itself. Each syllable echoed as if spoken across endless time.

"I had wondered if you had abandoned your foolishness, if you had seen sense and fled. But here you stand—an arrogant insect who dares to send his familiars ahead as though this place were a mere hideout."

His piercing gaze flicked to the assembled creatures before returning to Shaun.

"Truly, your audacity knows no bounds. Or is it that you are simply a fool to the very end?"

Shaun sighed dramatically, rubbing the bridge of his nose. "It wasn't intentional."

The Warden scoffed. "Spare me your excuses. Now that you are here, let us begin. There will be no time wasted. No mercy given. You will either prove yourself worthy of the knowledge you seek, or you will break beneath my hand."

Shaun rose from his seat, a smirk playing on his lips.

"Then bring it on."

The air shimmered, twisting as realities bent and merged, forming a space untouched by time. Within this domain, two figures stood—both beyond mortal comprehension, their presence heavy with authority.

One was Delilah, clad in a flowing garment that shimmered with hues no human eye could fully perceive. Her voice was laced with amusement, eyes gleaming with an insatiable love for chaos and entertainment.

The other was Demavil, a towering, demonic figure whose moth-like wings fluttered with a sound akin to a thousand whispers. His voice, deep and resonant, carried the weight of inevitability.

As they watched from afar, observing a world oblivious to their gaze, Delilah leaned forward with a smirk.

"So? What do you think, Demavil? Isn't he amazing?"

Demavil exhaled slowly, his wings shifting as he observed the unfolding events below.

"He's improving at an alarming rate," he admitted. "The Warden's training is proving far more effective than anticipated. He's basically a cheat. The strength he wields now surpasses even what I last witnessed."

Delilah chuckled. "Oh, come on. He's not a cheat—just… exceptionally capable."

Demavil's gaze darkened slightly. "You do realize you cannot choose him as your proxy, don't you?"

Delilah waved a dismissive hand. "I know, I know. I've already chosen someone else. She's weak now, but there's potential. I have yet to bestow my gift upon her, but she'll get there."

Demavil tilted his head slightly. "Who is she?"

Delilah's smirk widened. "Lyra. One of the main characters from that sad, tragic novel."

At that, Demavil let out a low hum, intrigued. "And what of me? Have I chosen?" He scoffed slightly before answering his own question. "Not yet. For us Organizers, selecting a proxy is merely a formality. It isn't as though we ever intend to win."

Then, after a brief pause, he added, "But I do have my eye on that boy."

Delilah's amusement grew. "You as well? Oh, things are getting interesting."

A flicker of something dark passed through Demavil's expression. "Speaking of interesting, have you heard? Someone has introduced an… incredible piece into play."

Delilah's eyes gleamed. "Oh? You mean the one residing in Walaroth? I heard it can bring ruin simply by existing."

Demavil nodded. "Yes. I've been observing that one as well. It is dangerous—though of a different nature. Unlike Shaun, that entity doesn't gain power through experience and skill. It simply… is. A force of catastrophe. Merely summoning it has already resulted in countless casualties."

Delilah clasped her hands together, nearly vibrating with excitement. "Ahhh, how thrilling! The pieces are finally falling into place. The final clash is coming. I can hardly wait."