Chapter 16: The Blood Angel's Lure
Seated upon a high, ornate throne was a young woman with shimmering blonde-yellow hair, clad in a rich yellow dress and a glittering white tiara. Her presence radiated absolute command. To her right stood a woman with lustrous white hair, dressed in form-fitting light armor and bearing a sheathed sword. This woman, Lisa, stood straight, unmoving, with a perfectly neutral expression.
Before Princess Mirane knelt several knights, their heads bowed low to the ground. Every knight was sweating profusely, crushed by the princess's suffocating aura and the palpable killing intent in her gaze. They did not call her the "Blood Angel" for nothing.
"Were any of you able to find him?" Princess Mirane asked, her voice cold and intimidating, though barely above a whisper.
The knight captain at the front fared the worst, shaking violently. He wouldn't dare make her ask twice.
"No, Princess," he panted, breathing heavily under the weight of her scrutiny.
Mirane sighed, the sound conveying utter frustration. She turned her attention to Lisa, her right-hand knight and closest confidante.
"Do you think he knows we're looking for him?" Mirane asked.
"Princess, I cannot be sure. He may not have come to Berlin as you anticipated," Lisa replied, her tone sharp and precise.
"No," Mirane refuted instantly.
"He is here. I can feel it in my bones. These knights are simply too incompetent to track him."
The kneeling knights collectively gulped. If the princess or Sir Lisa decided to execute them, they couldn't fight back, nor would they stand a chance if they tried. Both the princess and Lisa possessed speed and strength on an entirely different plane—it was frightening.
"What is your command, Your Majesty? I could go out to find him myself," Lisa offered.
"No," Mirane refused again.
"He is too smart and skilled; he has bypassed the knights and guards of the capital already. We won't find him going out blind." The princess fell into thought for a moment.
"What would you have me do, Your Majesty?" Lisa prompted.
"The Grand Exhibition—the one scheduled for next week? Have it moved up to tomorrow," Mirane commanded.
"Yes, Your Majesty," Lisa confirmed.
Mirane's lips curved into a wide, predatory grin.
"If we can't find him, we'll lure him out."
[Back to our Protagonist]
It was evening. Cassian had walked around the capital for a while, stopping at a diner to eat his fill before continuing his solitary stroll.
He found himself rethinking his decision to give away the Mythril Crystal—a resource anyone else in this world would kill for.
Just hope that kid won't lose his way, he thought.
In a way, he's just like me. I can't let the boy go through the same disappointment I did.
He reassured himself: He'll be fine.
Cassian knew the feeling of being unwanted more than anyone. Even living under his parents' roof as a child, he desperately wished they had just left him behind. His pain was far worse than mere abandonment—it was a scar on his soul that wouldn't fade. No matter how much power he obtained, the constant memory of their tormenting disdain would always linger.
He shook his head violently, trying to clear the thoughts. "I need to take my mind off this stuff," he muttered.
"I've been so bored lately it's annoying. I wish something exciting would happen."
In the capital of Berlin, there were public information boards constantly updated with official announcements from the Royal Castle. Cassian walked past one, noticing several people—mostly adventurers—staring at it with expressions that mixed marvel and fear. Their captivated reaction made him pause.
He stood behind them, and none of them noticed his presence. Even when they began to leave, Cassian remained invisible to them.
Once they were gone, Cassian stepped forward. The board was filled with the usual, boring news. He lost interest and turned to leave, but then, a new, large poster caught his eye.
He began to read the bolded title:
"IMMEDIATE ROYAL EXPEDITION: A New Threat to the Kingdom Has Risen. The Kingdom of Berlin Knights have been stretched too thin. A grand expedition involving all available Magic Knights, Hunters, and Adventurers is required to defeat this new entity."
He lowered his voice as he read the final line:
"Threat rank not fully certain, but possibly a God-Class entity with power to imitate the abilities of any others"
As he finished reading the last few words, a terrifying, internal fire lit up within him. He felt an intense wave of excitement at the prospect of facing such a powerful and unique foe.
"Imitate abilities," he whispered, a chilling, wide grin spreading across his face.
"I've found my joker." The purple glow returned to his iris, sharp and predatory.
[Back at the Castle]
"Done as you requested, Lady Mirane," Lisa said, bowing slightly.
"Good," was Mirane's simple, satisfied response.
"I am in no position to question your orders, but if I may ask, how are you so sure he will come for this exhibition?" Lisa asked.
Mirane sighed, a soft, almost wistful sound.
"Let's just say I have a feeling. Besides," her smile faded, sharp and decisive,
"it's fast approaching. If I don't take the chance now, we are all doomed."