Under a blood-red moon, the world lay in darkness. A massive colony of bats was sitting there. The city was silent. Completely silent. The sight looked as if something terrible was about to happen.
Suddenly, the massive colony of bats hanging around the town started flapping their wings. And some figures emerged from the shadows.
A group of cloaked figures approached, their faces hidden in shadow.
They entered a church. An old man was praying inside.
"Huh, who are you?" the old man said.
They didn't say anything.
The old man understood why they came.
They were emitting dark energy from themselves to inflict on the old man.
The old man rose from his seat and said.
"You know what? There are not many people who can leave alive from here. If they try to use force in front of me to get something that they don't deserve."
Then he raised both his hands. A strong red flame came out of his hands. He put the flames toward them.
The flames were so strong. But they did not feel fear. But a smile. A smile was on their face.
The old man saw them.
"Guess, you are not the same anymore because of this evil energy"
He couldn't grasp. Why were they smiling?
Then, a man stepped forward from behind them.
Slowly.
[Thump]
Slowly.
[Thump]
"Guess yours the habits of blabbering isn't gone after all this time," the man said, moving forward.
"The few people you are talking about. Huh? They will all be dead after you."
Adam froze at the sound of that voice.
"You…!" Adam shouted in fear. "How are you still alive? No, you are not him."
That man stepped closer.
He hurled the flames at him with all his strength.
But the man walked forward without stopping. The flames didn't affect him.
He grabbed Adam by the throat and said, "Yeah, I am not dead"
Adam struggled. The flames flickered wildly in his palm.
The Old man tried to break free, but his strength was not enough to overpower him. "Haah, if this is your final decision"
A sharp crack echoed through the church.
Adam's eyes widened.
His body went limp.
He tossed him aside like he was nothing.
"Find it. Before they do," That man shouted while looking at Adam's body. "Search every
corner of this world."
The cloaked figures knelt. "Yes, sir," they said in unison.
They dispersed immediately.
"The time is near," the man said, moving forward.
14 April, 1874
6:00 A.M.
Forge Town
The shrill cry of a clock cut through the silence.
Nicolas stirred beneath his thin blanket, his eyes opening slowly.
Six already…?
He pushed himself upright, rubbing his face. His body ached—another night spent with little rest.
The room was a mess.
Blueprints covered the table. Scales. Angles were put on the blueprints.
Calculations were done on the walls. He was an architect. And he also took on construction projects as a contractor.
He had been busy for a while. His current commission, however, was unlike any he had faced before: a complex structure meant to preserve food and drink for unusually long periods.
He swung his legs over the edge of the bed and stood, stifling a yawn.
"The last few months had been so," he muttered, studying his reflection in the cracked mirror. "Why did I ever agree to this?"
Dark circles hung beneath his eyes.
He opened his wardrobe and took out his clothes. As he reached into the drawer beneath, his fingers brushed against two objects—a broken pocket watch and an old lighter.
He stopped.
For a moment, he stared at them.
Then he picked them up, slipped them into his coat, and stepped outside.
At the Construction Site
The air was heavy with noise.
Metal clanged.
Machinery groaned.
Cement churned.
Yet something felt… wrong.
Nicolas sensed it the moment he arrived.
The workers were pale, their eyes hollow, their movements slow.
They looked like men already defeated.
"Did something hap—" Nicolas began.
"Nicolas!" a voice cut in.
"Sir! You are here!" Jimmy hurried toward him. "Something has happened while you were gone."
Nicolas forced a faint smile. "If you seek me in such a rush, it must be serious, I presume?"
"This is no time for humor, sir."
Nicolas stiffened. Jimmy's expression was not one of irritation—it was fear.
"What has happened?" Nicolas asked. "Just when I thought matters were finally under control."
"The owner… Mr. Williams…" Jimmy hesitated. "He has sent word."
"And?" Nicolas prompted.
"He wishes the building completed six months earlier than planned."
Nicolas blinked. "What?"
"And if we cannot—he will hire another team. And he will…" Jimmy swallowed.
"And he will what?" Nicolas snapped.
"He will revoke our contract."
The words struck like a hammer.
"Damn him," Nicolas muttered, exhaling sharply. "Did he offer any reason for this absurdity?"
"He claims his competitors will finish their building four months ahead of ours… so he wishes his done six months earlier."
"What nonsense is this man speaking?" Nicolas said. "Does he believe such a thing is possible?"
"That is impossible," Nicolas continued, his voice rising. "Utter nonsense."
He clenched his fists.
"At best, perhaps three months earlier—if every man here labors eighteen hours a day."
"That is why they look as they do," Jimmy said quietly.
Nicolas looked around again.
They were not merely tired.
They were hopeless.
This project—this impossible structure—was the work of two years of his life. Every detail, every calculation, every solution—it was all his. And now it was to be handed to those who did not even understand it.
The thought made his blood burn.
"I will not allow this," Nicolas said.
Jimmy lifted his head.
"I shall meet Mr. Williams myself," Nicolas continued. "I have worked for him many times. He will listen."
Slowly, the expressions of the workers began to change—small sparks of hope returning to their weary eyes.
"I will depart for Serene tomorrow morning."***
Explanations (for your reference, not part of the chapter)
Serene — A large city where wealthy merchants reside. It serves as a central hub where goods from the Empire first arrive before being distributed to other states.
Mr. Williams — A wealthy merchant who owns pharmacies, mines, and a food and drink transport company.
Jimmy — A subordinate of Nicolas.
Forge Town — A small town known for its brilliant blacksmiths throughout the empire.