The night grew deeper in the capital of the Garveon Kingdom. The hustle and bustle of the city, usually noisy with night market vendors and horse-drawn carriages, slowly subsided, replaced by a blanket of cold silence.
Inside the mansion, Alvin, Allen, and their new family member, Arken, were fast asleep and letting dreams carry them far away from the reality of the exhausting world.
However, not for Kazien.
The silvery-white-haired young man was still awake, sitting alone on the main living room sofa. Before him, a cup of tea that had been hot was now starting to lose its steam. His eyes occasionally glanced toward the door as if he were expecting someone's arrival.
And then...
Knock! Knock! Knock!
The sound of knocking was faint yet firm, a specific rhythm that would not be recognized by a commoner.
Kazien, who had been waiting all along, immediately put down his teacup. Without hesitation, he rose from the sofa and stepped toward the mansion's main door.
With one calm movement, he pulled the handle and opened the door.
The cold night wind blew in, sweeping across Kazien's face. However, his attention was fixed on the figure standing in the shadows of the terrace pillar. A beautiful woman with long black hair tied high, wearing an all-black outfit that was practical yet elegant. The deadly aura that usually enveloped her was now suppressed as low as possible.
It was Zeto, the leader of the Shadow Hand organization, the person Kazien had been waiting for.
Seeing her master open the door, Zeto immediately bowed her body with a fluid and respectful movement.
"Sorry to disturb your rest time at this late hour, Young Master Kazien." she said in a calm but clear voice.
Kazien gave a faint smile, shaking his head slowly. "It's fine, Zeto. Raise your head. Besides, I have indeed been waiting for your arrival. I couldn't possibly sleep soundly before ensuring our plan runs smoothly."
Kazien stepped back slightly, making room. "It's cold outside, let's come inside first."
"Thank you for your generosity, Young Master..." answered Zeto politely.
The black-haired woman stepped inside the mansion. Her footsteps were so light, almost soundless, the hallmark of a high-level assassin trained not to leave a trace.
Kazien led her to the warm living room. "Please sit down, Zeto. Make yourself at home."
Zeto looked a bit hesitant seeing the luxurious sofa in front of her, a contrast to the harsh life she usually led, but she obeyed her master's order and sat with her back straight.
The two of them sat facing each other. There was silence for a moment before Kazien started the main conversation. His face turned serious, looking at Zeto with the gaze of a leader.
"Let's get straight to the point!" said Kazien. "We must immediately arrange the relocation of all your members along with their families."
Zeto nodded in understanding. "I understand, Young Master. My members have also been looking forward to our moving day."
"So," Kazien leaned forward slightly, "when are you ready to go to the Altavis territory? Given your considerable numbers, plus women and children, this movement needs preparation."
Zeto answered with fiery eyes, full of conviction. "Whenever you wish, we are always ready, Young Master!"
Kazien smiled with satisfaction hearing that enthusiasm. "Great spirit. In that case, get ready! We won't delay any longer."
Kazien explained his plan in detail. "The day after tomorrow, the Royal Magic Academy will be off for the weekend. I will use those 2 days off to return to the Altavis territory and take you there!"
"Understood!" responded Zeto quickly.
"As for the meeting point..." Kazien continued his instructions. "Tomorrow night, I will meet you at Borris's house! Just make sure you all have gathered there before midnight."
"Yes, Young Master!" answered Zeto firmly. "We will gather there as you said! I will coordinate every head of the family to move gradually to the location."
Kazien stared sharply into Zeto's eyes, giving a crucial warning.
"Remember, Zeto. Don't attract too much attention. Make sure you move without being detected."
Zeto gave a faint smile, a confident smile of a professional.
"You don't need to worry about that, Young Master." she answered calmly. "I ensure all my members will gather at Borris's house without attracting people's attention! Moving in the shadows without being detected is our specialty."
Hearing that assurance, Kazien took out a house key from his dimensional storage space and handed it to Zeto.
Zeto stared at the key for a moment before taking it with both hands. When the cold metal touched her skin, her firm beautiful facial expression slowly softened, replaced by a sorrowful look. She remembered the owner of that house, her comrade-in-arms.
"Young Master, may I ask one thing?" said Zeto softly, her voice trembling slightly.
"Just ask, Zeto." answered Kazien, allowing her.
Zeto gripped the key tightly. "What about Borris? This key is with you, and you asked us to gather at his empty house. Where is he now?"
Kazien sighed deeply, leaning his back against the sofa. He stared at the room's ceiling for a moment, then looked back at Zeto with a gentle gaze.
"After parting with his son and finishing his business in this world. I have sent him to the place where the Goddess is. The purification ritual went smoothly, and he left very peacefully." asnwered Kazien in a tune full og respect.
Zeto fell silent, absorbing the news. There was a sense of loss, but also a sense of gratitude.
"Then his son... little Arken?" Zeto continued her question.
A warm smile appeared on Kazien's face. "And right now, you don't need to worry. Arken has officially become my brother! He lives here, in this mansion with me. Right now he is sleeping with Alvin and Allen."
Hearing that, Zeto's tense shoulders visibly relaxed instantly. A sigh of relief escaped her lips.
"Is that so?" Zeto smiled broadly, this time a truly sincere smile without burden. "I feel very relieved to hear that. Honestly, that child's fate was weighing on our minds. I am relieved because Arken isn't alone after his father's death. Thank you very much, Young Master."
Kazien shook his head slowly, his face dimming slightly due to the lingering guilt.
"Don't thank me for that, Zeto." said Kazien in a low voice. "It is only fitting that I take responsibility for his life! Because after all, I was the one who killed his father in that battle. Taking care of Arken is a form of atonement for my sins."
Zeto looked at her master with a new gaze, a gaze full of admiration and deepening loyalty.
"I trust you, young master." said Zeto sincerely.
After the conversation ended, Zeto stood up and bowed respectfully once again.
"I will take my leave, Young Master. I must immediately spread this good news."
"Be careful on the way," Kazien advised.
And then, Zeto turned around, walking out leaving the luxury of the Altavis mansion into the cold night. However, her steps felt much lighter than when she arrived.
The beautiful woman pulled her black hood, covering part of her face. She hurried back to her secret headquarters with bursting enthusiasm. She couldn't wait to inform all her members who were waiting in anxiety.
Zeto started to jog, then faster.
Finally... her heart cheered.
With agile movements, she jumped onto the roadside fence, then vaulted onto the roof of the nearest building. The night wind hit her face, but she welcomed it with a smile.
With our move to the Altavis territory, this nightmare will end. I and all my members can get a decent livelihood.
Visions of a bright future swirled in her head.
We will get a fixed income as the Duke's special forces, security guarantees for our families, and most importantly... we don't have to do dirty and very dangerous work like this anymore.
That night, Zeto's figure darted like a beautiful black shadow under the moonlight. She headed to her headquarters by running and jumping nimbly onto every rooftop of the people in the capital.