Chapter 103 : Crown of oblivion
Alicia lounged on the plush sofa of her room, her long white hair cascading over her shoulders. A holographic call flickered before her, and the familiar face of her mother, Serena von Crestvale, filled the screen.
For a moment, the call was filled with casual greetings and banter about Alex and the upcoming ball—until Alicia’s expression sobered slightly.
"Mother," Alicia greeted with a smile, adjusting the collar of her oversized sweater. Despite her usual poise, there was a softness in her eyes when speaking to her mother.
Serena’s holographic figure wore her usual dignified expression, dressed in a sleek silver-and-blue noble gown. Her graceful aura was undeniable—even as a projection.
"I’ve been meaning to ask—how is Father? I guess he’s doing fine, right?"
Serena’s expression twitched ever so slightly. She exhaled softly, her elegant features relaxing into a more somber tone. "He’s... well. Just incredibly busy as of late. He hasn’t been home in weeks."
Alicia’s smile faded. "Busy with what? Is something serious happening?"
The air between them thickened with unspoken tension. Serena’s hologram tilted her head slightly, then looked Alicia dead in the eyes.
"Yes. Something very serious has come to light," she said slowly. "The Cult of the Abyss—their head organization, Crown of Oblivion—has finally begun to move directly. And what we’ve uncovered... is terrifying."
Alicia’s brows furrowed. "Crown of Oblivion? But they haven’t made a move in years. What did they do?"
Serena’s lips pressed into a tight line. "They’ve created something—something unnatural. They’ve engineered human homunculi. Artificial beings... that can think, feel, and mimic human behavior with terrifying accuracy."