Chapter 176: Their Fault
Who was Caspin?
She was only the poor soul who had tried to help Cillian with his troubles since Aiden’s first appearance. Someone who had genuinely seen Aiden in the flesh before and not appearing as an Artifact.
Well, she doesn’t remember any of that anyway, as the only thing she can remember is the time Cillian was holding her clothes as if he were about to undress her and do something bad.
In fact, he might’ve already done something to her, and she might not even have been aware of it, as no matter how many times Caspin thought about what happened at that time, she just couldn’t remember it, no matter how hard she tried.
"...."
"...."
Right now, the group had an awkward atmosphere in one table. The way the two of them avoided each other’s gazes was so obvious that Ivy, who was good friends with Caspin, couldn’t help but ask.
"You two knew each other?"
"Heh."
Harold, standing guard for Kash, let out an obvious snicker that he clearly wanted Cillian to hear. He seemed to be aware of their situation back at the Academy and of something that Caspin might’ve told him. Or who knew if this was something Freya had done?
Caspin glanced at Cillian for a brief moment and sighed.
"Yes. But it was only for a moment."
"Eh, Ma’am Caspin, how did the two of you meet? The worlds between you two are miles apart that I’m shocked that you knew Cillian personally, rumors aside."
Kash decided to chime in, as he had grown curious about this development. Even Willow, who had been disinterested at first, started to straighten her back, finding this conversation rather eye-opening.
"Okay, you can stop."
Cillian tried to stop them from delving further into the topic until he finally looked at Caspin, who was already looking at him.
"Great evening, ma’am. How have you been?"
Caspin had mixed feelings about Cillian, but she put her doubts aside, choosing to believe Freya’s word about him. Even though they were already out of the Academy, she was still the kind of person who put matters concerning the students before anything else.
She then answered curtly.
"I’m doing fine. I’ve heard that you’ve become a hero."
’You don’t seem to believe it.’
Cillian answered inwardly before remembering the words Harold had uttered earlier, when he had urged Cillian to meet Caspin.
-"After the events at the Academy, where only the three of us from the Student Council survived, Caspin changed. She also underwent the same mental treatment as everyone else, but fortunately, she didn’t choose Arthur. The reason there’s been no news about her is that her family kept her safe."
She was like Fred, who had developed PTSD from the Shepherds. She had watched the other Student Council members die at the hands of the Shepherds back then and was steadily recovering from the trauma.
That’s why Harold said another set of words from earlier.
-"That’s why she’ll leave Viola. She won’t join us at Xesie. So meet her and tell her what you wanted to say, since, from what I heard from Freya, it seems she’s still bothered by it. Not so much, though."
Many families are planning to move into the territories of other great families because they see no future in staying here.
Those who had no connections to the Underworld would think that way. That’s why Finn Montolov was trying to form a connection with the Whisper Broker, a former informant of Viola’s, to establish some kind of tether to the Underworld.
Cillian paused for a while before shrugging his shoulders.
"I’ve indeed become a hero. But that’s not what I’m trying to talk about right now. Where are you planning on moving, ma’am?"
Caspin glanced toward Harold with a frown before letting out a tired sigh.
"Mandate Family."
She revealed one of the great families’ names on her mouth before she continued.
"Our Lendez Family has good connections with that place, and we’re planning on leaving tomorrow."
’A great family.’
This was the first time Cillian had heard the name of another great family from someone else. The only great families he had directly come across or learned information without any prior knowledge about were Viola, Xesie, and Hanetry. Now, the Mandate Family had been added to the mix.
"What Mandate Family is all about—"
Suddenly, Cillian spotted a woman walking toward him through the crowd. He was able to notice her because she had been staring at him quite intently before approaching their table and coming face-to-face with him.
She seemed pretty annoyed.
It was Dena Fritz.
’Aren’t you supposed to be at the Underworld—’
Suddenly, Cillian found himself being dragged away by Dena, who looked at the people at the table with disdain. She then led him to the far end of the hall, where only a few people could see them.
With a serious expression, Dena closed her eyes for a moment before becoming rather fidgety.
"Something’s wrong."
For some reason, Cillian’s heart pounded nervously.
There was only one "wrong" she could have been talking about, and it was the matter concerning the Underworld.
"Okay, so tell me what it is instead of waiting for me to ask you."
Dena clicked her tongue as she calmed her raging heart before continuing.
"Something went wrong, Cillian. This wasn’t part of our calculations. Their appearance might bring new variables, and we don’t know what they’re trying to do. Heck, Scott informed me that the other families are backing off from supporting the factions in the Underworld. He said they’ve been poached, and even he was shocked by it."
’Their... appearance?’
Dena then pointed toward the entrance of the hall, where a new group had begun entering the party, all dressed in formal attire.
"And I think it’s their fault."
[Death Flag]
[Death Flag]
[Death Flag]
[Death Flag]
[Death Flag]
Deaths Flags.
This group of people entered with confidence as they made their way toward the center of the hall to meet Finn Montolov.
[White Flag]
[White Flag] -> [Red Flag]
[Red Flag]
These Death Flags started influencing the people nearby, causing those without flags to gain White Flags above their heads, while those who already had flags went straight to Red Flags.
Cillian’s brows creased.
"These people with pink hair are..."
For some unknown reason, Cillian started to sense that something had just gone awry with the events that would unfold starting tomorrow because of these people’s appearance. However, instead of showing hostility, Finn greeted them as if they were friends from another land.
"You’re not wrong. It seems you’re aware."
A short sigh escaped Dena’s mouth.
"Those kids, who are almost the same age as us, are the sons and daughters of the Xesie Family. The one in the middle is akin to Scott, as he’s their Grand Strategist in terms of reputation in their own land. He’s pretty well known throughout the region. I think his name is Kairus."
’It’s indeed them... it’s the—’
Xesie Family.
Cillian could feel that something had gone seriously wrong.
"The fuck are they doing here?"