[Translator - Kiteretsu]

    [Proofreader - Kyros]

    Chapter 55

    "The painting is a Demonic Relic?"

    Kaylen recalled the painting in the waiting room.

    “It showed Infinity.”

    In the center of the waiting room, a painting of a golden star displayed in a frame had caught his attention. He had wanted to examine it more closely because of its peculiar nature, but the baroness had insisted on setting up the venue, leaving him unable to investigate further.

    "A Demonic Relic, huh."

    Srrr—

    Kaylen activated his Mana Suit Guardian.

    His body, now transformed into liquid form, seeped slowly into the wooden floor, heading toward the central hall of the mansion.

    "Now I can see."

    Arriving at the ceiling of the central hall, he remained in his altered state, peering down. Below, the baroness Ayla and Ruhos were whispering to each other, their faces a mix of excitement and astonishment.

    “Do you think there’s truly a treasure inside? We’ve already used mana stones for this, so we need to recover at least our investment.”

    “Of course. Haven’t I told you who the original owner of this relic is?”

    “I remember. You said it belonged to the ancient Meier Empire.”

    A Demonic Relic... belonging to the Meier Empire?

    Kaylen’s composed demeanor faltered briefly in his liquid form.

    Drip.

    A single drop of water fell from the ceiling.

    When the droplet landed on Ruhos’ bald head, he grimaced instantly, pulling out a handkerchief.

    “Why is water dripping from the ceiling?”

    “This place is so old and run-down; isn’t that obvious? Honestly, why did you marry me off to a place like this?” Ayla complained irritably.

    Ruhos tried to soothe her.

    “It’s all because of that Demonic Relic. We need to secure the treasure inside without the main house finding out.”

    “Even Baldur won’t know?”

    “The main house doesn’t even know this relic exists here. They’re only interested in obtaining the baron’s seal.”

    Ruhos recalled events from long ago.

    It had been early in his career as a steward for the Baldur family.

    While organizing records for the Count’s house, he had stumbled across documentation about the Demonic Relic.

    —A relic left behind by the corrupted royal family of the Meier Empire?

    A relic adorned with a golden star, said to contain unimaginable treasures.

    And to access it, one needed the Meier family seal and bloodline.

    At the time, while sorting through the documents, he had dismissed it as just another tale.

    —No... could it be?

    During a business trip to the Starn family, a house subordinate to Baldur, Ruhos had seen a painting prominently displayed in the mansion and immediately thought of the Demonic Relic.

    "Could it really be...?"

    From that moment, Ruhos, while fulfilling his duties as a steward, began searching for more records on the Demonic Relic.

    Most accounts turned out to be fanciful rumors, but some information proved useful.

    Once he had gathered enough data, he made his decision.

    "I will claim this relic for myself."

    He sent his younger sister to marry into the Starn family.

    He drove out the eldest son and took control of the barony.

    Years passed, and today, all the conditions were finally met.

    "Today, I will secure the relic."

    Ruhos carefully surveyed his surroundings and lowered his voice further.

    "Ayla, I will bring Royen. Since he has golden eyes as well, he should qualify to open the door."

    "...It’s not dangerous, is it?"

    "Would I ever put your son in harm''s way? Stay here and wait."

    Royen...

    Royen Starn.

    Kaylen’s half-brother. His memories of Royen were faint.

    Though partly due to his quiet nature, Royen was often seen hiding behind the baroness Ayla whenever Kaylen encountered him.

    "I heard he was receiving education at the Baldur Count’s estate."

    It was a common practice among noble families to take children of vassal houses as if holding them hostage for "education."

    Royen, being of Baldur''s bloodline, spent most of his time there. However, it seemed Ruhos had brought him back for this purpose.

    "I’ll have to wait for now."

    Kaylen slithered his ethereal, spirit-like body toward the wall where the painting hung.

    How long had he waited like that?

    "...Mother?"

    A silver-haired boy with golden eyes, identical to Kaylen''s.

    He was so delicate in appearance that one might mistake him for a girl. Yet his face was clouded with a faint shadow. Walking alongside Ruhos, this boy was none other than Royen Starn.

    Upon seeing her son, Ayla quickly grabbed his wrist.

    "Royen. There’s no time. We need to hurry inside."

    "Indeed. We don’t know when someone might arrive."

    "Inside? Inside where...?"

    Royen asked, puzzled, but Ayla didn’t answer. Instead, she pulled out the Starn family seal from her bosom.

    At the same time, Ruhos took a mana stone from his pocket.

    "Wait."

    "Ka... Kaylen!"

    In an instant, Kaylen, who had reverted from his watery form to his original appearance, stood behind the group, conjuring the water barrier.

    "How are you here...!"

    "Thanks for guiding me, Ruhos."

    "Khhhhh..."

    "But this place is not yours to claim."

    As Kaylen stretched out his hand, Ruhos and Ayla''s bodies lifted into the air, suspended by an irresistible magical force.

    Ruhos''s eyes filled with bloodshot fury. He was on the verge of claiming the Demon Relic, and now this?

    He felt his body being inexorably pushed toward the exit.

    "No, no! This can’t be happening! Ten years—ten years of my life I poured into this! I gave my youth to that backwater barony..."

    All those painstaking efforts to obtain the Demon Relic.

    Endless caution, ensuring even his own family wouldn’t notice.

    And now Kaylen had appeared out of nowhere to ruin everything.

    "Well, good job finding it," Kaylen remarked coolly. "You’ve done your part."

    "No... no!"

    "It’s over."

    With a dispassionate gesture from Kaylen, the two were sent flying toward the portal.

    But—

    Thud!

    Instead of being absorbed by the portal, the pair were violently repelled and thrown back.

    "Kraugh!"

    "Ouch, that hurts..."

    The two collapsed in front of the portal, as though they''d struck an impenetrable wall.

    "Hm."

    Kaylen observed the scene, his brow furrowing slightly.

    The portal, which had been functioning perfectly earlier, was now malfunctioning.

    The golden light of the portal was gradually being overtaken by a sinister black hue.

    "The retreat is blocked."

    Kaylen could feel the dark mana, hidden within the Infinity, slowly rising.

    "Bind."

    He restrained the two intruders with a flick of his fingers before approaching Royen.

    "Brother...?"

    Royen instinctively flinched as Kaylen suddenly appeared.

    "Why... why does he seem so much larger now..."

    Kaylen’s presence was entirely different from before. His towering frame and confident strides resembled a ferocious bear.

    Yet, despite his intimidating size, Kaylen’s demeanor was calm and gentle.

    "Royen, don’t touch it. It’s dangerous for someone as young as you."

    "Y-yes..."

    Royen recalled the past, when they had lived under the same roof.

    Back then, Kaylen’s hostility, born of being pushed aside by his half-sibling, had been palpable.

    But now, Kaylen exuded an air of composure that Royen could hardly reconcile with his memories.

    Kaylen didn’t seem like a man who had lost his inheritance to his younger half-brother.

    "Royen. Reach for the star—"

    From where she lay near the portal, Ayla let out a desperate scream.

    But before Royen could act, Kaylen’s hand firmly grasped his shoulder.

    “Go to your mother’s side, Royen,” Kaylen said softly.

    His voice was gentle, but the weight of his hand on Royen’s shoulder felt impossibly heavy.

    Royen, already held firmly in place, didn’t have the courage to defy him.

    “...Yes, Brother.”

    As Royen turned to walk toward the portal, the golden star above the door suddenly blazed with a brilliant light.

    – First-class bloodline detected.

    – First-class bloodline detected.

    – Two bloodlines present. Unmodified state.

    A chilling voice echoed throughout the subspace. Its ominous tone sent a shiver down their spines.

    "What a disgusting sound."

    Kaylen remained unaffected, his expression unchanged.

    “Wh-what is that...”

    The faces of the two intruders, bound by Kaylen’s magic, turned pale.

    Thud.

    Royen collapsed to the ground, drained of strength just from hearing the voice.

    – Initiating modification.

    A deep, resonant vibration filled the air as the subspace’s appearance began to shift.

    The once dazzling interior was rapidly consumed by darkness.

    All around them, tendrils of dark mana began to rise, curling and twisting like smoke.

    The golden star, which had shone so brightly moments ago, was now completely tainted black.

    [Translator - Kiteretsu]

    [Proofreader - Kyros]