Chapter 11

Chapter 11

Four months had passed since the announcement that Roria had assumed the title of Duke of Altia. Only five years now remained until the point where the original story was meant to commence. The world, once shrouded in the white of winter, was slowly shifting into spring, a time that cast a languid sleepiness over all creatures.

“Young Master—or perhaps I should address you as Count now?”

“The formal ceremony for my succession has not yet been held.”

Even though the official rite had not taken place, Alon had already started to be referred to as the Count Palatio, rather than merely the heir to the family.

“Nevertheless, for all practical purposes, you are the Count now, are you not? It is quite moving to see you rise to this position.”

“Is that so?”

Alon offered a faint, somewhat wry smile. ‘This was never part of my initial design.’

Alon’s original ambition was not to become a Count, but to live a comfortable life as a noble, using the title only as a tool to facilitate that end. However, the unforeseen assassination of Leo, the intended Count, had forced him into this role.

‘My objectives have shifted, though it isn’t necessarily a negative development.’

For Alon, a life spent in Rodmill, casually pursuing magical research and baking, would not have been unpleasant. Still, the status of Count had its own advantages. It allowed him to enjoy the tranquil noble existence he had first imagined, but with greater refinement and luxury.

Naturally, the improvement in his standard of living came with increased duties, but after handling the minor responsibilities of the Count’s heir for the past half-year, Alon found his balance between work and personal life to be quite agreeable.

‘I never imagined that belonging to a renegade noble house would prove so advantageous.’

Typically, nobles are occupied with managing their lands, but political maneuvering is what truly consumes their time. In the case of Count Palatio, however, the family had long abstained from politics, allowing for a more relaxed life barring any emergencies. Furthermore, while the assassins who had dealt with Avalon were efficiently eliminated, they had left behind all the wealth they had gathered. This meant that, unless he engaged in extreme extravagance, the accumulated riches would suffice for at least five years.

“Ah, that reminds me. Have you discovered any new intelligence?”

“If you mean regarding the assassins who killed Leo…”

When Alon confirmed with a nod, Evan shook his head.

“It appears the Information Guild is treating this with great seriousness and conducting a thorough investigation, but they have yet to uncover anything.”

“I see.”

At Evan’s report, Alon clicked his tongue in mild frustration. His investigation into the assassins was not driven by a desire for vengeance for Leo’s murder. He persisted because the past he knew was steadily deviating from his memories.

‘The butterfly effect… I suppose that’s the term. I did anticipate some alterations.’

Alon had already expected the past to change as a result of his own actions. He had, after all, intervened in various places to avert future troubles and to secure the Five Sins. Even the slightest flutter of a butterfly’s wings can stir a storm, and his actions were far more consequential than that—they were enough to generate a hurricane.

‘It’s only logical that the past would be altered… though some of the changes are perplexing.’

Beyond his official ascension to Count, Alon recently remembered another significant shift in the future. Roria—who had become the Duke of Altia half a year ago—was originally fated to die. Yet not only did she survive, but she also secured the Dukedom, and her influence in the underworld was expanding at a remarkable rate.

Alon pondered which of his interferences had caused this change, this future where she lived and thrived instead of perishing. After a moment’s reflection, he shrugged, deciding it was futile to dwell on it. He redirected his attention back to the assassins who had killed Leo.

“…That will do. Call off the investigation.”

“Are you certain that is acceptable?”

“There are still some unanswered questions, but if the Information Guild cannot find anything, then persisting is pointless.”

There was another reason Alon chose to halt the investigation he had pursued for almost a year.

‘In this world, some knowledge is better left unpossessed. Besides, the situation feels rather ominous.’

The Information Guild in this world holds at least a little information on nearly everything, primarily because its owner and Guildmaster is the leader of ‘Night’s End Darkness.’ To Alon’s knowledge, only a handful of organizations could evade the Guild’s network. Realizing this, Alon understood that uncovering their identities offered no benefit. After all, the deeper one digs, the more assassins arrive to ensure silence.

In the end, Alon resolved to abandon his search for information. His goal was to prepare for unexpected events, but he saw no need to invite greater danger by acquiring knowledge that would only make him more of a target.

‘Besides, if Leo was attacked by a group that even the Information Guild cannot identify, it’s unlikely they would come after me.’

Secret organizations typically do not act unless their identity is revealed or someone directly interferes with their operations. They are excessively devoted to maintaining their secrecy.

“Understood.”

Evan nodded and turned to exit the office. But, as if recalling something, he turned back and presented a letter to Alon.

It was a letter from Yutia.

“I brought it with me as I also had a report to deliver.”

Giving a brief nod, Alon unfolded the letter and began to read. It contained news of daily life at the orphanage. Lately, whenever he read Yutia’s letters, Alon felt an unconscious warmth in his heart. It was no surprise, as her monthly letters were filled with the ordinary happenings at the orphanage, alongside accounts of the Five Sins’ activities. These letters never failed to bring him comfort.

‘Recently, Deus has been putting on puppet shows often, and Seolrang is absorbed in playing games with friends…’

There were also stories of Rine quietly reading and crafting things, while Ladan had developed an interest in landscaping. These narratives naturally drew a paternal smile to his face. Of course, he had not raised the Five Sins himself, nor had he ever met them in person, but after nearly five years of supporting them and watching them mature, he could not help but feel this way.

‘I believe it is time to send them out into the world…’

Alon was considering the idea of releasing the Five Sins from the orphanage.

“Evan.”

“Yes, Count?”

“How old is Yutia… no, how old are the Five Sins now?”

“Let me see… Yutia should be nineteen by now.”

“And the others?”

“The ones you personally recruited should be around the same age. Rine is seventeen, and Ladan is probably twenty now. But why do you ask about their ages so suddenly?”

“I’m thinking it’s time for them to leave.”

“Those children? Well, I suppose it is a little late for them to still be at the orphanage.”

Unlike the modern era, in this world, sixteen was the age of adulthood, when one began to take part in society. Understanding Alon’s reasoning, Evan nodded in agreement.

“But did you not gather them for a specific purpose?”

“Well… I did, but that does not mean I intended to keep them indefinitely.”

The reason Alon had assembled the Five Sins was to prevent them from awakening as the future destroyers of kingdoms. In other words, once they had been properly cared for and nurtured, there was no further reason to keep them confined to the orphanage.

‘Besides, if I place them in suitable positions, each of them should be able to find their own footing.’

Alon recalled the unique talents possessed by each of the Five Sins. He remembered the kind of exaggerated boss battle narration common in games that emphasized a foe’s strength.

‘Yutia excels in faith, Deus in swordsmanship, Rine in research…’

While the precise scope of their abilities wasn’t explicitly defined, Alon was confident they would fare well on their own. As he started to write letters to each of them, he decided to include a small gift for their journey into the wider world.

‘Since I planned to give them these gifts eventually, now is as good a time as any.’

After spending a considerable amount of time composing letters for all five, Alon sealed them and handed them to Evan, who departed to make the deliveries. Watching Evan leave, Alon smiled quietly to himself, thinking, ‘If all goes well, I might even reap some benefits from this.’

***

A few weeks later, in the basement of the orphanage located in the eastern region, the five individuals who had each received a letter from Alon gathered to read them. The first to speak after reading his letter was Deus.

“The Great Moon instructs me to journey to ‘Caliburn,’ the land of knights.”

“To the ‘Colony’ in the desert… Ugh, I can’t stand the desert…”

“My destination is the labyrinth city ‘Lartania.’”

“I am to go to the pleasure city, ‘Raxas.’”

As they read their letters, each murmured to themselves—Seolrang, Rine, and Ladan among them. And then…

“…The Holy Kingdom of Rosario…”

Yutia muttered as she read her letter, drawing a puzzled look from Deus, who then spoke.

“What could be the purpose behind sending us to these specific places?”

“Hmm? Didn’t your letter explain it, Deus?”

“Well, it said I should become a knight in Caliburn… but I am uncertain why I must become a knight.”

Deus muttered, still confused by Seolrang’s innocent remark.

“I have told you before, Deus. We do not need to comprehend; we only need to obey.”

At Yutia’s words, Deus nodded.

“And besides, we will understand the reason once we arrive. The letters clearly state what we must do first, correct?”

As Yutia spoke, they all looked at their letters once more. True enough, the letters not only directed them which professions to pursue but also mentioned that they would continue to receive support, along with the location of a ‘gift’ from the Great Moon.

So, with Yutia’s final words,

“Just remember, everyone, do not ever speak of the Blue Moon anywhere unless He mentions it first.”

The Five Sins—who were destined to become the Five Sins, but were now followers of the Blue Moon—set out to follow Alon’s directives.

***

Three months later…

“Count, are you aware? Deus has been knighted in Caliburn.”

“Is that so?”

Alon, who had been researching the ancient language of Babiloia, first learned of Deus’s news from Evan.

And another three months after that…

“Count.”

“Hmm? What is it?”

“Deus has founded a knight order.”

“A knight order?”

“Yes.”

“Has it not been only two months since his knighting? And isn’t creating a knight order a feat only an expert or higher can accomplish?”

“That is correct.”

“…He is overflowing with talent.”

“I agree. The fact that his deeds are already widely discussed suggests things are quite vibrant in Caliburn. There is even speculation he could become the fifth Master Knight within a decade.”

Hearing Evan’s report, Alon nodded in admiration.

And then, six months later…

“Count?”

“What is it?”

“…Deus has been named one of the five Master Knights of Caliburn.”

“Already?”

“Yes.”

“…???”

Alon was left utterly stunned by Evan’s words. All of this had transpired within a single year of the Five Sins departing from the orphanage…