Chapter – 9 – Ancient Breach
Evelyn knelt on the floor before him, one knee pressed into the cold stone, her blue hair falling forward like a curtain. When she spoke, her voice was low and trembling with barely contained fury.
“I want to kill every single one of them.”
Lucien studied her for a long moment. The firelight from the hearth caught the angles of her face—the sharp jaw, the clenched teeth, the tears she refused to let fall.
"Okay," he said simply. "I understand. I accept your condition. The Stern family will be annihilated. As you want."
Evelyn's head snapped up. Her green eyes glistened. "You don't want to know my reason?"
"I don't care." Lucien's voice was calm, almost casual. "If my retainer wants someone dead, then they have no reason to live. They will die."
He leaned forward slightly.
"But it will take time to prepare. You will have to wait—not too long, but not tomorrow either."
Evelyn stared at him, her lips parting.
"I promise you," Lucien continued, "I will bring you the day when you can annihilate every single member of the Stern family. And you don't have to tell me your reasons. Not if you don't want to."
For the first time in what felt like years, a smile touched Evelyn's lips. Not a happy smile—not quite. But a smile of relief. Of hope.
"Thank you, Master," she whispered.
"Focus on your mother for now. Settle in. Rest." Lucien waved a hand. "When the time comes, I will call for you."
Evelyn rose to her feet. She hesitated at the door, looking back at him with something unreadable in her eyes.
"Yes, Master. I'll take care of her."
She opened the door and stepped out, disappearing into the hallway. Her room was directly beside Lucien's—close enough that he would hear her if she cried in the night.
Lucien turned to Maisy.
"Master," Maisy said, her smile soft, "shall I prepare your clothes for the dinner with the Alde family?"
"Yeah, sure. Prepare them." Lucien stretched his arms above his head. "Delian might be waiting for me."
Maisy's smile faltered. She busied herself with his wardrobe, pulling out shirts and jackets, but her voice was tight when she spoke.
"Master… you're not getting too friendly with Lady Delian, are you? I know she's beautiful, but still… still…"
She was pouting. Actually pouting.
Lucien laughed. "You look so cute when you're jealous, Maisy. Don't worry. I'm not someone who falls for women so easily."
But damn, he thought, she was so hot.
Maisy chose his outfit carefully—a dark black full suit with a half-maroon cape and dark black boots. She helped him dress, her fingers lingering on his shoulders, his collar, the line of his jaw. When she was finished, she stepped back and admired her work.
"You look like a prince, Master."
"Better than a prince," Lucien said, and he meant it.
Alde House – That Evening
The Alde mansion was larger and more luxurious than the Vale family estate—as befitting a Count's household. Marble columns lined the entrance. Crystal chandeliers hung from vaulted ceilings. Servants in matching livery moved silently through the halls, carrying trays of silver and gold.
Lucien entered the dining hall with his family. The table was long enough to seat thirty, but only a dozen chairs were occupied. Delian Alde rose from her seat the moment she saw him.
She approached him directly, ignoring everyone else, and placed a hand on his arm.
"Let me show you to your seat," she said, her voice smooth as velvet.
She led him to a chair directly across from her own. As he sat, she leaned down and whispered in his ear, her breath warm against his skin.
"You will love it here."
Lucien smiled and settled into his chair.
The meal began. Lord Vale and Novius Alde discussed politics and trade routes. Lady Vale and Delian exchanged pleasantries about fabrics and parties. Eliss sat beside Lucien, occasionally glancing at him with nervous, hopeful eyes.
Then Delian turned to him.
"Lucien," she said, setting down her wine glass, "do you know about the Ancient Breach?"
Lucien nodded. "Yes. But not much. It's a breach between our world and another. Every year, many Realm Masters enter the Breach in search of relics and treasures. To increase their strength."
Delian's smile widened. "You're quite knowledgeable. After seeing your fight with Sarric Mordric today, I want you to come with my group."
Lucien's expression did not change, but his mind raced.
So that's what she was planning.
"I have a group," Delian continued. "I train them to be the strongest. The Breach is part of their training. Whatever treasures we find helps the Astral Academy and strengthens the Alde family." She leaned forward slightly, her eyes fixed on his. "This time, I want you to join my team."
It's a good opportunity, Lucien thought. With the Lost Atlas, I can find treasures and relics. Who knows—I might complete a mission for the System.
"But isn't the requirement to be stronger than the Mid-Vein Opening Realm?" Lady Vale interrupted, her voice laced with panic. "The monsters in the Ancient Breach are far stronger than anything in Clafton. And once you enter, you cannot leave for an entire month."
Novius Alde nodded gravely. "She's right. Lucien is strong, but keeping up in the Ancient Breach is very difficult. He's still in the Mid-Tempering Realm."
If only they knew.
"Don't worry," Delian said smoothly. "After seeing Lucien's strength today, I can tell he can handle the Ancient Breach. And even if something happens…I will protect him" She placed her hand on Lucien's knee. "I will protect him."
Lucien felt her fingers squeeze gently. He smiled and, under the table, pressed his leg against hers.
But his mind was calculating.
Delian Alde is in the Late Spirit Forge Realm. She is very strong. And she's interested in me. An ally like her would be incredibly beneficial.
She might already suspect I'm not in the Mid-Tempering Realm. But she would never guess I'm in the Late Vein Opening Realm—one step away from Spirit Forge.
And she's providing me opportunities.
I shouldn't reject her advances. In this world, strength combined with beauty carries weight. And Lucien's face… He almost laughed. Devilishly handsome.
The Alde family is rich. If I can gain influence over them, my financial problems would be solved. At least for now.
"I would love to join you, Lady Alde," Lucien said aloud. He turned to his mother. "Mother, I know you're worried. But I believe this will help the Vale family in the long term."
Lord Vale spoke before his wife could protest. "Lucien is right. He is an adult now. He can make his own decisions." He nodded firmly. "You have my permission."
"Then it's decided." Delian's smile was sharp and satisfied. "We leave in two weeks. The Ancient Breach will open in one week, but preparation will take another."
She glanced around the table.
"It doesn't matter who enters first. The weak are merely stepping stones for the strong."
Her eyes returned to Lucien.
"I will keep you company, Lucien."
After dinner, the guests dispersed into smaller groups. Lucien found himself standing before a tall window with Eliss, the night sky spread out behind her like a velvet blanket.
She was nervous. He could see it in the way she twisted her fingers, the way she avoided his eyes.
"Lucien," she said finally, "I want to confess something."
"Hmm? What is it, Eliss?"
She took a deep breath.
"It's a secret. My family's secret technique. Passed down through generations." She looked up at him, her eyes vulnerable. "Only the women carry it."
Lucien said nothing.
"My father took my mother's surname," Eliss continued. "Unlike other families, in my family, women rule. My father handles public matters, but my mother controls everything from behind."
She paused.
"I have an ability. Passed down through generations. It lets me see a person's power. Their Realm. Their true Realm." Her voice dropped to a whisper. "Without their permission."
Lucien's blood went cold.
Everyone can check another's Realm—but only if the person allows it. Some people fake their Realm to hide their true power. But without permission, it's supposed to be impossible.
Or so this world thinks.
"Lucien," Eliss said, her voice trembling, "you are not a Mid-Tempering Realm Master."
She met his eyes.
"You are in the Late Vein Opening Realm. One step away from Spirit Forge. You're trying to reach the Peak Vein Opening Realm and have a breakthrough. And your soul… your soul is strong enough to handle the Spirit Forge Realm."
Chills ran down Lucien's spine.
His pupils dilated.
For the first time since awakening in this world, he felt fear.
If she exposes me…
It was true that no one could force him to explain his Realm. No one could demand answers. But to reach the Late Vein Opening Realm at eighteen years old was unheard of. It took most people a lifetime—and many never succeeded at all.
If he was exposed, people would form groups. They would attack him. They would try to extract his secrets by any means necessary.
Do I need to silence her? he thought. If I kill her, no one would find out my secret. Right?
"And of course," Eliss added softly, "my mother can see your true Realm as well."
Fucked.
I'm fucked.
Even if I kill Eliss, I can't fight her mother. This explains everything. Why Delian is so interested in me. Why Eliss has been so nervous around me.
He forced himself to calm down.
Maybe there's a deal to be made. Let's see.
"And why are you telling me this?" he asked, his voice steady despite the turmoil inside him.
Eliss looked down at her hands.
"I have always been weak," she said quietly. "And I knew about you—before your breakthrough. I know what it means to be weak. But you overcame it." She looked up at him. "I admire you. You became so strong. I know you must have sacrificed so much to get here."
She took a step closer.
"I wanted a connection between us. I know your true Realm, but I cannot expose you—because it would expose us as well. Remember, our power is a secret from this world."
Her voice grew stronger.
"After seeing how hard you worked, I started working hard too. Learning about Realms. History. Relics. Management. Even if I am weak, I will still have to lead the Alde family one day." Her cheeks flushed. "So I want someone strong beside me."
She realized what she had said and turned crimson.
Lucien understood. It sounded like a marriage proposal. And perhaps—perhaps—it was not far from one.
He laughed softly and took her hands in his.
"Don't worry, Eliss. I will always protect you. No matter what." He squeezed her fingers. "I know you're nervous. After your mother, there will be no one left to protect you. But do not worry. You are one of the few people who are very important to me."
His voice dropped.
"And I will take your secret to the grave."
Before Eliss could respond, Delian appeared between them, wrapping her arms around both of them in a playful embrace.
"You two are still very young to be holding hands like that," she teased.
She turned to Lucien, her smile warm.
"Don't worry, Lucien. You are very precious to my daughter. She has admired you since you were both children." Her eyes glittered. "And now you are precious to me as well."
She leaned in close, her lips brushing his ear. Her voice dropped to a whisper that Eliss could not hear.
"But that does not mean I won't steal you from my daughter."
Lucien's smile did not waver.
The evening was warm, filled with laughter and wine and the easy flow of conversation. Eliss remained at Lucien's side, her hand occasionally brushing his. Delian moved between her guests like a queen surveying her kingdom.
Then the doors burst open.
A young man stormed into the dining hall, his face twisted with rage. He was tall, broad-shouldered, dressed in the finely tailored clothes of a noble retainer. His eyes swept the room until they found Delian.
"Lady Delian!" he shouted, his voice echoing off the marble walls. "Where is that bastard you replaced me with?"
Author Note:
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