To the people of Babylonia, the name Alexander Roschild was a name you spoke with respect, and a little bit of fear. He was a man with a powerful presence, whose sharp eyes felt like they could look right through you. He was known for his immense strength and absolute authority. But inside his own home, behind closed doors, he was a different person. He was a loving father and a devoted husband. He was the quiet, strong foundation that held his family up, and he worked hard to give them everything they needed.
Alexander Roschild was more than just the leader of his clan. He was known as the "Flame Giant," and his power came from an SS-Rank fire ability, which made him one of the most powerful knights in the city.
It was this incredible power that had helped him become the patriarch of the Roschild family almost thirty years ago. Under his leadership, the clan didn't just get by in the dangerous and competitive world of Babylonia's great families—they thrived. They rose higher and higher until they reached the very top. For the last fifteen years, they had been the unquestioned rulers of the Western region of the massive city.
But this position wasn't handed to them. The West of Babylonia was a brutal place where many powerful clans fought constantly for control. Their biggest rivals were the Ashfall clan, whose members wielded lightning, a natural rival to the Roschilds' fire. The battle between flame and lightning had gone on for generations. But when Alexander became clan head, he defeated all his enemies with an unbreakable will and his fiery power. He led the Roschild clan to a position where they had no equals. Their power was stamped into the very history of the West.
Being the ruler of a region wasn't just about honor—it was about real power.
The Federation of Gaïa was a huge empire, built by joining many powerful clans together under one government. At its center was Babylonia, a megacity so vast it was like a world of its own. It was home to millions of people and was divided into five huge sections: North, South, East, West, and the Central district, where the main government was located.
To control one of these regions meant you were the governor. It meant you had power over incredibly valuable resources: mana stones, rights to explore dungeons, trade routes, and endless wealth. This is why the clans fought so fiercely. For a clan, winning meant survival and prosperity. For Alexander Roschild, it meant his family's unchallenged rule.
And for fifteen long years, the West belonged to the Flame Giant.
But now, a cruel and unexpected tragedy had struck, and this balance of power was about to be shattered. The Roschild clan had suffered a loss from which it might never recover. They hadn't just lost one important person—they had lost two of their most vital leaders at once.
Alexander Roschild, the mighty patriarch, the Flame Giant whose power had protected the clan for so long, was dead. He was a Grandmaster, a man feared by everyone in Babylonia, and yet he had been killed in a way that left the entire clan in a state of shock and disbelief.
The tragedy was even worse because they also lost the person who represented their entire future. Leonis Roschild—the greatest genius of his generation, the one who possessed an unbelievably rare SSS-Rank Gift—was also dead. He wasn't even twenty years old, but he was already nearly as powerful as an Advanced Master. He was the clan's brightest hope, the one who was supposed to lead them to an even greater future than Alexander had. Losing him was like losing their tomorrow.
It was a complete and utter devastation. A double blow to the very heart of the Roschild clan. A dangerous storm was now gathering. Their enemies would quickly realize the clan was now weak and vulnerable. Their rivals, especially the lightning-wielding Ashfall clan, would sense this weakness like blood in the water. The mighty, unshakable rulers of the West were now standing on the edge of a cliff, about to fall.
It was no wonder that the air inside the Roschild estate felt so heavy and hard to breathe, thick with sadness. The grand hallways, which were usually full of busy servants and the sound of laughter, were now completely silent. Even the proudest family members walked with their heads bowed low, their faces shadowed by grief. The weight of this loss pressed down on every stone and every room, until the entire estate itself seemed to be mourning.
Rina rushed forward and threw her arms around Leo, holding him as tightly as she could. Her body shook with sobs, and tears poured down her face. Her eyes were already red and puffy from crying, but the tears wouldn't stop. This was understandable—she had also lost people she loved deeply. Alexander had been like a second father to her, always welcoming her into his home with a kind word. And Leonis… he had been like a real older brother. He teased her playfully, but he was also her biggest supporter, always quietly encouraging her and telling her not to give up on his "idiot little brother," Leo.
"Hu-huhu… Leo," she cried, her voice breaking as she held him. "No matter what happens, I'll be here with you. I'll be strong for you, so please… please don't lose hope!"
She held onto him desperately, as if by squeezing him tightly enough, she could protect him from all the pain in the world. Her heartfelt words cut through the dark numbness that had taken over Leo's mind.
For the first time since he had heard the terrible news, a small flicker of feeling returned to his empty eyes.
Slowly, his own trembling arms rose and wrapped around her, holding her just as tightly. In that moment, her warmth was the only thing keeping him from drowning in a sea of despair. Finally, he lifted his gaze. His eyes were red and wet with tears as he looked at his older sister. His voice was shaky and full of pain when he finally managed to speak.
"Big sis…" he whispered, his words choked with emotion. "Please… tell me exactly what happened?"