Shin felt a mix of confusion and unease as he gazed at the horizon, the noble family's estate still a ways off. He recalled the letter's cryptic message, now reduced to ash and the implications of its warning.
"What have I gotten myself into?" he wondered, groaning. This mission, thrust upon him so abruptly, offered no clear path, yet he had no choice but to proceed, despite his growing apprehension.
With a sigh, he pressed his palm to his forehead, realizing that dwelling on the unknown was futile. He slapped his cheek lightly, grounding himself for the immediate challenges that lay ahead.
"I'd better live up to this mission and make a name for myself," he resolved, a spark of determination igniting within him. From then on, he would use only his alias surname, Gitsunae, leaving his true family name and the weight of his past behind.
The irony wasn't lost on him; Gitsunae was a play on words, a subtle nod to his Kitsune heritage, and a deliberate step away from his lineage. Though still royalty, his uncle's pragmatic words echoed in his mind: "What good is a title when there are no subjects to rule?"
His uncle's wife had countered, "Titles matter; they provide a foundation, and people follow those worthy of the position." They were both right, highlighting the eternal conflict between lineage and merit, a balance he was still striving to find.
That internal debate, however, seemed a distant concern now. He was on the run, his immediate focus on survival and honoring the trust placed in him by his family and those who believed in his potential.
After a moment of contemplation, the carriage finally arrived. His mission is to serve as a bodyguard for a noble family, their identity concealed to protect them from potential assassination attempts.
"These Westerners are well-versed in betrayal," he mused, a hint of disdain coloring his thoughts. He resolved to learn their intricate strategies and deceptive ways, ensuring that neither he nor his loved ones would ever be caught off guard again.
He swore to it, a necessary habit for survival in this treacherous world, even if he despised the necessity of such vigilance. Looking out the carriage window, he saw a beautiful garden, a stark contrast to the grimness of his thoughts, filled with chrysanthemums, lilies, and a magnificent fountain.
At the fountain's center stood a grand marble statue, an angel riding a rearing winged horse, a spear pointing skyward in a gesture of defiance or protection. Behind it loomed the estate itself, an imposing structure of dark stone with elaborate stained-glass windows that reflected the fading sunlight in eerie colors, hinting at secrets hidden within.
Straightening his posture, Shin prepared himself for the encounter. As soon as the carriage came to a stop and the guard opened the door, Shin disembarked with the dignified grace of a nobleman, honed through years of training and expectation.
He carried himself with quiet authority, his movements deliberate and precise, each gesture conveying a sense of controlled power. The guards standing at the gate took notice, their eyes widening as if witnessing the arrival of foreign royalty, their expressions a mix of curiosity and perhaps a hint of unease.
Shin turned to George, offering him a small smile and a nod of gratitude for the journey.
"Thank you, George," Shin said, his voice carrying a hint of weariness.
George returned the nod, his gaze lingering on the imposing estate. "Good luck in there, Hunter. Something about this place feels... off."
Shin raised an eyebrow, a silent acknowledgment of the unease he felt as well. "I'll keep my eyes open."
George offered a curt nod before turning his horse around. He spared a final, lingering glance at the foreboding estate before riding off, leaving Shin to face the mysteries within.
As the gates closed behind him, sealing him off from the outside world, Shin exhaled softly before stepping forward, crossing the threshold into the unknown. Immediately, the weight of the place pressed down on him, a palpable sense of dread that seemed to emanate from the very stones, the air thick with something dark and foul.
His stomach twisted, a wave of nausea washing over him. He covered his mouth, forcing himself to suppress the urge to vomit, the metallic stench of death clinging to this place like a shroud.
The guards glanced at him, some with mild curiosity, their faces betraying a flicker of discomfort, others with barely concealed shame, their eyes downcast as if burdened by the secrets they kept. None moved to help him, except one.
"Are you okay, Hunter?" a female guard approached, her voice calm but her eyes sharp, holding a warning, as if urging him to tread carefully in this dangerous place. Shin took a deep breath, regaining his composure. His sharp eyes flickered over her hands, noting the bruises marring her skin. These were no ordinary bruises, hinting at violence and struggle.
"I'm fine, just a little motion sickness. I'll be better once I get something to drink before meeting the client," he replied, his voice steady despite the tremor he felt inside, masking his true reaction to the oppressive atmosphere.
The guard signaled for a servant, and soon a young man dressed in ragged clothing approached, carrying a glass of cold water. Shin took the drink, his keen gaze assessing the servant. He noticed the man's missing fingers and the faint scent of dried blood lingering on him, a silent testament to the brutality that permeated this estate.
Another clue. Another confirmation that something was deeply wrong here, far beyond the ordinary intrigues of noble families.
As he drank, he silently observed his surroundings, his mind racing to piece together the fragments of unease. The deeper he looked, the more unsettling details he found. Not just the scent of death, but the weight of despair that hung heavy in the air.
The suffocating aura of malice that seemed to seep from the very walls. The energy here felt disturbingly familiar, akin to the chilling presence of those who had slaughtered his clan, raising questions he dared not speak aloud.
Could there be a connection? Was this darkness an isolated incident, or a tendril of the same evil that had shattered his past?
He kept that thought to himself, deciding to investigate further before revealing his suspicions. For now, he needed to proceed cautiously, gathering information and observing the subtle nuances of this place.
The grand doors to the manor were opened for him, revealing the opulence within. The architecture was reminiscent of the Baroque era, every column and pillar adorned with gothic statues that peered down at him with hollow, unseeing eyes.
Art surrounded him—paintings, sculptures, ornate carvings—all painstakingly crafted to perfection. And yet, despite the grandeur, something was unsettling about it. The air smelled too clean as if masking something rotten beneath the surface, a deceptive facade of beauty concealing a decaying core.
He took in every detail, his crimson eyes scanning the room as if he were a visitor in a grand museum, cataloging every detail, every shadow, every subtle shift in the atmosphere. The job request stated that this family held close ties to the Imperial Throne. If that was the case, they were either a key family or a branch of the ruling lineage, their influence stretching far and wide.
So why did Guild Master Davis, a man known for his meticulous planning and ruthless efficiency, want them eliminated? What secrets did they hold, and what threat did they pose to warrant such drastic measures?
Shin would find out soon enough. He would unravel the mysteries of this estate, no matter the cost.
A guard led him through the halls toward the study, which also served as a library. Towering shelves lined the walls, filled with countless tomes, their leather bindings whispering of forgotten knowledge and hidden truths. Even as he walked, he maintained his facade—calm, composed, unshaken—though every fiber of his being recoiled at the oppressive air of the manor.
As he passed by, he caught a glimpse of a portrait. The faces of the noble family stared back at him with lifeless eyes, their painted smiles unsettling and grotesque. It was then that he noticed something else, a small figure in the background, barely noticeable, watching from the shadows with an unnerving intensity.
As they approached, the female guard announced his arrival.
"My lord and lady, the Hunter has arrived," she stated, her voice formal and devoid of emotion. Shin strode forward, his movements exuding the dignified air of nobility. Despite her stoic tone, he could sense the woman's fear. It clung to her like a second skin, barely concealed beneath the surface, a silent plea for help.
His eyes settled on the figures before him, a man and a woman standing together, the latter clinging to the former's arm as if seeking protection. The man stepped forward, his lips stretching into an almost welcoming smile as he extended his hand in greeting.
Even from a distance, Shin could feel their presence. Their auras were steeped in malice, the same oppressive sensation he had felt on the night of his clan's massacre, a chilling echo of his deepest trauma.
He kept his expression neutral, but his instincts screamed at him to be on guard, to trust no one, and to question everything.
Meanwhile, hidden in the shadows, Laverna listened, her senses heightened, her gaze fixed on the newcomer. Another bodyguard. The fifth one in the last few weeks. They always disappeared, leaving behind only unanswered questions and a growing sense of dread.
This one would be no different. He would either succumb to the darkness that permeated the manor, or he would become another casualty, a silent victim of the secrets it held.
Or would he? A flicker of doubt crossed her mind, a seed of uncertainty planted in the fertile ground of her suspicion.