"Because of your ancestor's bond with the Cavendish family, Merlin chose three other families to create the vassal houses. His goal was to create balance, ensuring that the worthy heir to the Dragon Speaker's bloodline would rise through merit."
Erwin delivered the truth with measured precision. A truth even Charlotte didn't fully know.
Alan slammed his hands on the table and shot to his feet. "Impossible! You're lying!"
Erwin's expression remained calm. "See? You reject the truth because it contradicts your worldview. People only believe what fits their narrative." He took a sip of water. "I can tell you something else, though."
Alan gritted his teeth. "What?"
"Why do you think Merlin, a legendary wizard, devised such a demanding test for the primary families?" Erwin asked.
Alan frowned. Charlotte, standing behind Erwin, looked equally puzzled. It was a mystery that had lingered for centuries.
"A weapon," Erwin said. "A weapon to counter a great threat. Even Merlin wasn't certain it would succeed. Do you want to know who the enemy is?"
Alan remained silent. He was sharp enough to suspect the answer. His eyes dropped to the mark on his arm.
"Correct," Erwin said. "The ones who branded you. You thought the Dragon Speaker's bloodline could suppress them? You know nothing, Alan. You're pathetic—a tool used by others, willing to sacrifice everything for a deception. You've burned through your family's entire legacy for a lie."
Alan's eyes turned bloodshot. Black mist erupted from his arm, engulfing it entirely.
Erwin wiped his mouth with a napkin and watched calmly. "Did you think you were the main actor today? They guided you to deal with me, even giving you that blood-forged weapon. But they knew you couldn't defeat me. They had to intervene personally."
Alan's eyes widened, but before he could speak, the floor beneath them began to glow with crimson patterns. Blood seeped up from the cracks, soaking the symbols. The black mist on Alan's arm surged violently.
His expression twisted in panic. He fumbled for a crystal bottle of unicorn blood, but the black mist erupted, knocking the vial from his grasp. It shattered on the floor, spilling silver liquid everywhere.
"No!" Alan screamed.
Erwin leaned back in his chair, unperturbed. Charlotte stepped closer, shielding him.
The black mist forced its way into Alan's orifices—nose, mouth, ears. He choked, unable to make a sound.
Erwin glanced at Charlotte. "I apologize, Charlotte. I won't be able to keep my promise. You won't have the chance to settle this personally. I didn't expect him to be this deeply bound to them."
Charlotte shook her head. "It's alright, sir. As long as he's dealt with."
"He might not die," Erwin said. "If he's fortunate, he'll simply be... consumed."
The black mist completely engulfed Alan. Outside the manor, blood-red patterns rose into the sky, enveloping the estate like a cage.
Outside, the team Erwin had brought grew anxious. They didn't know what was happening, but they needed to protect their Lord. They were about to rush inside when a translucent figure floated down.
Ravenclaw. "Don't go any closer if you value your lives," the ghost warned.
The Aurors hesitated. The Cavendish family, however, kept moving forward.
Ravenclaw sighed. "You're loyal, I'll grant you that. But your deaths would only fuel those markings. You'd be creating more trouble for your Lord."
The Cavendish family hesitated. They couldn't just stand by while Erwin was inside, but they understood the logic.
Suddenly, the manor gate opened. Charlotte stepped out.
Ravenclaw floated toward her. "Ah, Charlotte. Why are you out here alone?"
Charlotte bowed slightly. "The Lord has ordered everyone to evacuate the Black Forest and wait. No one is to remain here."
"Evacuate the forest?" Ravenclaw looked back. The crimson mist was beginning to permeate the air beyond the manor walls.
Charlotte relayed the order. Without hesitation, the Cavendish family and the remaining Aurors Disapparated with sharp cracks.
Ravenclaw hovered for a moment, then flew toward the forest's edge.
Charlotte took one last look at the manor before Disapparating as well.
Outside the forest, Charlotte reunited with Vinda.
"Where is Erwin?" Vinda asked, her voice tight with concern.
"He said there might be complications, but he will handle it himself," Charlotte reported. "He ordered us to wait outside. The Ministry of Magic is to seal off the Black Forest—no Muggles are to enter."
Vinda frowned but nodded. "Understood. I'll coordinate with the Ministry."
"He was very clear," Charlotte added. "No matter what happens, we are not to enter the forest. Those were his orders."
"I understand," Vinda said, glancing warily at the dark treeline.
Inside the manor, Erwin watched the black mist enshroud Alan. He remained calm; everything was proceeding as expected.
The blood-red patterns burned brighter. Crimson smoke poured outward, but a translucent barrier surrounded Erwin, keeping the lethal mist at bay.
From within the black smoke, a sickening sound echoed—the grinding of bone. Slowly, the crimson smoke began to merge with the black mist, twisting and coiling until the darkness was entirely consumed by red.
Then, from the center of the blood mist, a pale, skeletal hand reached out.