Chapter 315

Chapter 315: Returning Here

Evening Arrival at Tulip Manor

As dusk settled, Evie and Kaluoer rode in a carriage, traversing several districts before arriving at Tulip Manor. The sky had grown completely dark, and the surrounding streets lay in a hushed quiet. Even during the day, the area rarely bustled with activity, given the sparse number of nearby residents.

Evie gazed at the manor ahead, inhaling the strong fragrance of tulips wafting through the air.

“This place… seems decent. So, the man who saved you is a nobleman,” she mused aloud.

As the “princess” of the Kingdom of Dark Light, Evie was no stranger to grandeur. Over the years, she had seen homes of unimaginable luxury—the residences of the Four Great Families, Nine Small Families, and Thirteen Families. Yet, while opulent, the stark disparity between the lives of those in Annottales’ First District and the slums was undeniable.

The Temple of Dark Light and the principal estates of the noble families dominated the First District, an area home to millions. Servants, farmers, and craftsmen ensured the comfort of these aristocrats. Within this world of power, the status of a family hinged on its saint. Once a saint died or lost divine favor, the family’s influence collapsed entirely.

The Burden of Legacy

The “Heart of Dark Light,” an entity alive for over five centuries, had given rise to a vast family of tens of thousands. Among them, the Rurik family stood as the largest of the Four Great Families. In contrast, the “Incarnation of Dark Light” and the “Head of Dark Light”—immensely powerful saints—had no descendants.

Evie, adopted by the

“Incarnation of Dark Light,”

became the sole “relative” of

this transcendent figure. To

many, marrying her was seen

as a golden opportunity to

establish a superfamily

surpassing the Four Great

Families. Yet, Evie cared little

for such schemes.

Her sole concern in this world

was the person beside her—

Kaluoer.

“Why… Why couldn’t I find you

earlier?” Evie’s voice wavered

with confusion and regret.

Despite deploying countless

resources, even enlisting her

adoptive father’s help, she had

failed to locate her sister.

Kaluoer’s response was as

detached as her expression.

“A forbidden soul curse from

the Mercury Ball… ‘Cognition

Filter.’ It concealed us from

being found.”

The curse that bound them in

life dissolved only in death.

Entering Tulip Manor

As the gates of Tulip Manor

creaked open, a steady male

voice resounded in their

minds:

Welcome to the Tulip Manor.

It’s cold outside—please, come

in.

Startled by the older,

composed tone, Evie’s

expectations faltered. She had

imagined their benefactor to

be a peer—someone young,

like herself and Kaluoer.

A black-haired maid, cradling a

cat, greeted them at the

entrance. Her demeanor was

calm yet respectful. “Welcome

back, Kaluoer. The master

awaits inside,” she said,

leading them through the

estate.

The servants within the manor

appeared content and well-

treated, moving about with

ease. As Evie observed the

environment, she noticed

something peculiar: the black-

haired maid, who likely held a

higher status, was treated with

surprising informality.

Meanwhile, the cat in the

maid’s arms seemed oddly

perceptive, its gaze lingering

on Evie and Kaluoer as if

assessing them.

Meeting the Master

They were led to Viscount

Edmond’s private study. Inside,

a middle-aged man with gray-

streaked hair stood by the

window, leaning on a black

cane. Without turning, he

spoke:

“Welcome back, Kaluoer.”

Kaluoer said nothing, but Evie’s

voice cut through the silence.

“Are you the one who saved my

sister, destroyed the Mercury

Ball, and sent me that note?”

“Yes,” the man confirmed

without hesitation.

Evie’s gratitude was pragmatic,

almost businesslike. “I owe

you a favor. Name your price—

wealth, status, anything within

my power.”

“I want nothing,” Edmond

replied.

Evie’s thoughts raced. Could it

be… marriage? The notion

filled her with dread.

Absolutely not!

Edmond’s calm response

disrupted her spiraling

thoughts.

“It was her choice to stay,” he

clarified, glancing at Kaluoer.

Kaluoer nodded. “I have

nowhere else to go. My safe

haven is gone.”

Evie’s heart ached, guilt and

sorrow flooding her. She

blamed herself for her sister’s

pain and the years of suffering

Kaluoer endured. Still, she

declared firmly:

“I’ll visit often. If you dare harm

her, I’ll end you!”

Unfolding Dynamics

Despite Evie’s concerns,

Kaluoer adapted quickly to her

new surroundings. Edmond

offered her the role of his

personal maid, replacing Dai,

the black-haired maid. Dai,

though initially disheartened,

was appeased by the promise

of a promotion to steward—a

role of greater prestige.

Elsewhere, a curious exchange

took place. The cat, Cola,

revealed an unusual sentience,

capable of escaping

Edmond’s psychic scans. Its

mischievous tendencies

earned it a reprimand from

Edmond, who swatted it into

submission. The indignant

creature sulked away, plotting

revenge.

A New Power

In her quarters, Kaluoer felt an

unfamiliar energy coursing

through her. A voice echoed

within her mind:

Hidden Azure, this is your

reward.

With her new ability, “Vanish

into the Void,” Kaluoer had

gained a power befitting an

assassin—a fitting path in a

world where survival

demanded strength.

As she tested her newfound,

the shadows seemed to

embrace her, marking the

beginning of a new chapter in

her life.