The Hidden Monster of House Vale

"So, who are we killing this time?" The question hung in the air like smoke from a dying ember.

A man with calculating eyes leaned forward, his fingers drumming against the obsidian table. The chamber was dim, lit only by flickering candlelight that cast long shadows across the faces of those gathered.

"The target is Lucien Vale." The figure seated at the head of the table spoke with cold precision. His voice carried the weight of authority, each word measured and deliberate. "That noble who has risen in popularity over the past few months."

Another figure shifted in his seat, the leather creaking beneath him. "That insufferable upstart. The one who's been making waves in Clafton City."

"Indeed." A third voice joined the conversation, this one laced with barely concealed venom. "Lately, his eccentric actions are drawing far too much attention. And not just that—he killed that Shadow Scale dragon. The one we specifically gifted to the Mordric family."

A murmur of agreement rippled through the gathering.

"He's a menace," declared a fourth, slamming his palm against the table. The sound echoed through the chamber like a thunderclap. "We need to do something about him before he becomes even more of a nuisance."

"But who should we send?" The question emerged from the shadows, where a hooded figure remained virtually invisible. "We need someone capable of eliminating him without attracting undue attention. The princess's champion cannot simply disappear without raising questions."

Silence descended upon the group. The candle flames seemed to dim, as if the very room understood the gravity of the decision.

Then, from the end of the table, a slow smile spread across the face of one of the leaders. "Well, I have an idea. How about them?"

Interest sparked in the eyes of those present. Heads turned, curiosity evident in their expressions.

"Oh, interesting." The hooded figure leaned forward, revealing a sharp jaw and calculating eyes. "They've never failed an assassination yet. Not a single one. I also think it should be them."

A collective nod passed through the assembly. The decision was made.

Thousands of miles away, where barren lands stretched endlessly beneath a pale sky, four figures stood amidst the carnage of their latest battle.

Monster corpses littered the ground—twisted forms of chitin and bone that had once been fearsome predators. Now they were nothing more than evidence of the group's prowess.

"Finally, I think that's the last of them." Emeric brushed his white hair from his face, his breathing slightly labored. Sweat beaded on his brow, though his emerald eyes remained sharp and alert.

"Elowen, Heal him." Maren's voice cut through the air with intensity, her black hair whipping in the breeze as she scanned the horizon for any remaining threats. There was a fire in her eyes that never seemed to dim.

Elowen, her vibrant orange hair catching the sunlight like flames, rushed toward Emeric without hesitation. Her hands began to glow with a soft, warm light as she placed them over his wounds. The healing energy pulsed gently, knitting torn flesh and soothing battered muscles.

"He's so good," Emeric remarked, nodding toward the fourth member of their group.

The man stood apart from them, his dark black hair stark against his pale complexion. Red eyes gleamed from beneath the shadow of his black suit—a suit that seemed to absorb light itself. Only his eyes remained visible, intense and predatory. Roan.

"Well, of course he is the strongest." Elowen's voice carried a hint of admiration as she continued her work. "What do you expect? He's the best in the Blood Veil Pavilion."

Maren approached them, her expression softening as she looked at Emeric. "Are you two okay?"

"Yeah, we're good." Emeric offered a reassuring smile, though his hand instinctively went to where his wound had been. The skin was already smooth, thanks to Elowen's healing.

"It seems like he's also finished with the last monsters here," Maren observed, nodding toward where Roan stood.

As if on cue, Roan raised his hand. A wave of dark purple energy erupted from his palm, slicing through the remaining monsters with surgical precision. The creatures didn't even have time to scream before they were torn apart.

But then, something appeared behind him. A massive castle materialized from thin air, its spires reaching toward the sky like grasping fingers. The architecture was ancient, weathered, and impossibly grand.

Roan turned slowly, his red eyes fixed on the structure. "What is that?"

The others rushed to his side, their earlier exhaustion forgotten.

"It seems like a labyrinth." Maren's curiosity was palpable as she studied the structure. Her mind was already racing, analyzing possible entrances, traps, and dangers.

"Reallyyyy..." Elowen dragged out the word, a delighted smile spreading across her face. "But it's the first time I've seen one this BIG!"

"Elowen, don't joke around like that." Emeric's cheeks flushed with embarrassment at his companion's enthusiasm. "This could be extremely dangerous."

Roan's gaze hadn't wavered from the structure. His voice came out low, almost reverent. "Don't tell me this is a Tower of Valor."

The words had barely escaped his lips when a giant monster lunged from behind them. Its claws were poised to strike, its maw dripping with acidic saliva.

Roan didn't flinch. He simply stepped aside, allowing the creature's momentum to carry it past him. In one fluid motion, he raised his sword and brought it down, bisecting the monster with contemptuous ease.

The creature crumpled to the ground, dissolving into shadow.

"Well, I've killed most of the monsters already, so it should be easier now," Roan said casually, as if he hadn't just dispatched a beast that could have killed lesser warriors.

But then they looked around. More monsters were appearing—hundreds of them, materializing from the shadows like dark water seeping through cracks. The tower's arrival had awakened something.

Roan sighed, then smiled. It was the smile of a predator who had just discovered an unexpected feast.

He began to float upward, his black suit billowing around him like raven wings. "It seems like I have to show you my true strength."

Raising his hand, Roan summoned a blade of pure Black energy. With a single sweeping motion, he released it. The energy slash expanded outward, a crescent of destruction that cut through every monster in an instant.

They fell like wheat before the scythe.

"That was too easy." Roan descended gracefully, landing beside his companions. His gaze swept over them, checking for injuries. "Are you guys okay?"

"Yes, Roan." Elowen's voice was warm with gratitude. "I don't know what we would have done if you weren't here."

"Don't worry about it." He dismissed her thanks with a wave of his hand.

Maren stepped closer, her fingers brushing against his forehead as she wiped away the sweat that had beaded there. The gesture was intimate, and Roan's breath caught almost imperceptibly.

"It seems like you guys can't really wait to get out of here," Emeric teased, a knowing smile playing at his lips.

Everyone laughed, the tension breaking. Roan and Maren both flushed, their earlier composure cracking under the weight of their friend's teasing.

"Well, it seems like we're ready to go inside the labyrinth." Roan's smile was genuine as he looked toward Maren. "Let's go."

But then, something appeared before him. A jade tablet materialized from thin air, its surface glowing with faint runes. Roan caught it instinctively, his expression shifting from warmth to cold seriousness.

"It seems like we have a big job," he said, his voice dropping to an intense whisper.

The laughter died. The atmosphere grew heavy.

Their mission would have to wait.

In the opulent chambers of the Vale estate, Rena Vale stood by her window, her fingers tracing patterns on the cold glass. Her reflection stared back at her—a beautiful young woman with sharp features and a gaze that held more worry than she would ever admit.

"So how did the meeting go with Lucien Vale?" Dain, her trusted retainer, stood in the corner of the room. His presence was reassuring, a constant in her increasingly chaotic life.

Rena turned away from the window, her expression darkening. "It wasn't as good as I thought. I don't even know what his problem is." She began pacing, her heels clicking against the marble floor. "He kept reminding me of his worthless past. As if I have time for that."

Dain's eyes narrowed. "That bastard. Is he not planning to help the branch family at all?"

"I don't think he is." Rena stopped pacing, her hands clenching at her sides. The silk of her dress bunched under her grip. "We should look for some other way to force him to help me."

"Do you have a plan, Lady Rena?"

Slowly, a sly grin spread across her face. "Yes. I do."

She moved toward her vanity, running her fingers over the expensive perfumes and cosmetics displayed there. Her reflection in the mirror seemed to shift, the worry giving way to calculation.

"I'll make sure that Lucien marries me," she declared, her voice carrying the weight of determination. "That way, I can help my family. He won't have a choice then."

The door to her chambers opened, and Fiora, her personal maid, entered carrying a tray of tea. The delicate porcelain cups rattled softly as she set them down.

"I don't have time to drink tea." Rena brushed past the maid, her mind already racing with the implications of her plan. "I have to talk to Lord Vale and Lady Vale. I'm going."

She swept out of the room, her skirts rustling behind her.

Dain settled into a chair, reaching for his cup of tea. His eyes, however, were fixed on Fiora. The maid stood silently, her expression carefully neutral.

"So," Dain said, taking a measured sip, "did you find anything about that maid?"

Fiora tilted her head slightly. "Yeah. Her name is Maisy, and she's been working here ever since she was a child." She paused, her voice taking on a curious edge. "But why are you so interested in her?"

A predatory smile curved Dain's lips. "Well, she's beautiful. I wouldn't mind devouring her."

"And what if she refuses?" Fiora's voice was flat, unreadable.

"Then she's just a maid." Dain shrugged dismissively. "It's her job to serve us with her body and soul. And if she refuses..." He let the threat hang in the air, savoring it. "Well, I'll have to put her in her place. That's the only way I believe."

Fiora said nothing, but her eyes flickered with something—disgust, perhaps, or resignation. She had learned long ago not to argue with Dain's particular appetites.

"By the way," Dain continued, settling back in his chair, "why do you think Lady Rena is so desperate to get Lucien's help? Couldn't she get help from other nobles? Has she not made any friends over the years?"

"The situation of the branch family wasn't always bad." Fiora moved to the window, her gaze distant. "But when Riven Vale came into the branch family, Lady Rena used all her wealth for cultivation resources to give to him. Over the years, it caught up with her. Now her family is in debt, and her other cousin brothers are eyeing the property. They're just waiting for Lady Rena's family to become commoners."

Dain sipped his tea thoughtfully. "If she helped Riven Vale so much, why couldn't he just help her? I heard he's strong."

"When the resources were almost running out, Riven Vale left her." Fiora's voice hardened slightly. "He affiliated himself with another branch family that was quite distant from the main family. He married into that family, becoming their son-in-law. Now he can't help her without leaving his wife's house."

"If he truly wanted to help, he wouldn't have left in the first place." Dain set down his cup with a sharp clink. "And why Lady Rena wants help from Lucien Vale?"

"From the past few months, news of Clafton City's development reached the branch family members ears." Fiora turned from the window, her expression thoughtful. "If she marries into the main family, no one would touch her family's properties. And all the debts could be easily repaid, considering how wealthy the main family has become."

"But Lucien Vale is refusing to help?"

"He's not just refusing." Fiora's voice carried a hint of irony. "He didn't even listen to her. That bastard has grown a lot of balls after becoming champion of Princess Sylvie." She paused, her expression softening slightly. "Whatever. I just want Lady Rena to become happy and solve this problem as soon as possible."

Dain finished his tea in one long gulp, his eyes still lingering on Fiora's form. "We'll see," he murmured, his voice barely audible. "We'll see."

Lord Vale sat behind his desk, a mountain of documents spread before him. His quill moved steadily across the parchment, each stroke precise and deliberate. The late afternoon light filtered through the tall windows, casting golden patterns across the floor.

A knock came at the door.

"Enter," Lord Vale called out without looking up. He continued working as the servant opened the door, revealing Rena Vale waiting in the hallway.

"Lord Vale, it's good to see you." Rena stepped into the office, her demeanor shifting from the calculating schemer of earlier to the demure young woman she needed to present. She bowed respectfully, her movements graceful.

"Rena." Lord Vale set down his quill, a warm smile spreading across his weathered face. "You don't need to be so formal with me. Tell me, what brings you here?"

Rena approached the desk, her expression shifting to one of practiced sadness. "Lord Vale, I know our families have always had a good relationship. And I know my father is getting old day by day. No matter what he does, his cultivation isn't increasing anymore." She paused, letting the words hang in the air. "Who would take care of my estate after his death?"

Lord Vale's smile faded, replaced by genuine concern. "I know it's hard, but you'll get through it. And if you want any help, I can help you. What about marriage? Have you found anyone who is worthy of your beauty?" He leaned forward slightly. "Whoever you marry will take care of you."

Rena shook her head slowly, her expression one of weary disappointment. "I've tried to find so many people to marry, but none of them were trustworthy. The only family I trust is this one." She met Lord Vale's eyes directly. "I know you never treated us badly, even though we're a branch family."

"Don't worry." Lord Vale's voice carried paternal warmth. "It's my responsibility to look after you."

Rena took a deep breath, steeling herself. "Lord Vale, can I marry Lucien Vale?" The question came out stronger than she had expected. "I want our family relationship to be even stronger. Stronger than before."

Lord Vale's eyebrows rose in surprise, but then a thoughtful expression crossed his features. He leaned back in his chair, considering her proposal.

"The idea is not bad," he said slowly. "Not bad at all."

Author Note:

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