I wore a black silk tunic trimmed with golden threads, cinched at the waist by a belt inlaid with onyx. Soft demon-leather boots hugged my legs, and on my finger gleamed the family ring—a bat with spread wings, its ruby eyes sparkling. I assumed it was also a storage artifact. Nobles always had one in the game.
Quite handsome, aside from my dark circles. 6'3" at 18. Noble genes didn't lie.
I descended the stairs with a straight, almost rigid posture. The butler led the way, his steps silent on the luxurious marble.
...
The dining room was, of course, luxurious... showcasing the glory of the Indivars. A crystal chandelier radiated golden light over the ebony table, long enough to seat thirty guests.
Archduke Klaus Indivar sat at the head of the table, his graying hair streaked with black, his face stern with a well-trimmed beard. Despite his age (150, if my memory served), his shoulders retained the build of a powerful swordsman.
To his right sat Yulda, my grandmother. Surprisingly young for a woman who had given birth at nearly 80—one of the perks of nobility being longevity. Her silver hair cascaded over a purple dress, and her fingers drummed against the tablecloth.
And Darian, my father. Tall, muscular, with cold steel-like eyes. He didn't even glance at me when I entered. All of them had a red lotus beneath their necks, a birthmark symbolizing the Indivar lineage.
Which I don't have, by the way...
I bowed, my throat tight.
"Daemon, greet the archduke and General Darian."
"Grandmother..."
Darian barely nodded, the contempt in his eyes making me uneasy.
"Well. Sit down."
I stepped forward. Yulda patted the chair beside her with a maternal smile.
At least his grandmother likes him.
I sat. Klaus gestured, and the servants brought in the dishes.
The food was... exotic. Purple meats, fruits in improbable colors, wine so dark it seemed to absorb light. A meal far too lavish for a simple breakfast.
'It's not so bad after all. It'd be worse if I were born a commoner.'
"Let's eat."
I picked up my fork, awkwardly mimicking their gestures. The room was silent, save for the clinking of cutlery.
Is it always like this? Or has something changed?
My heart raced. The atmosphere was suffocating. Even Yulda radiated an aura that made me want to flee.
Yulda dabbed her lips.
"So, did you enjoy your party last night?"
"...Yes?" I replied, a bit confused.
"If you're done—" Darian stood, but Klaus stopped him with a glance.
"There are important matters to discuss."
Darian sat back, arms crossed.
"You know I'm busy, Father. House River is already maneuvering to seize the three S-rank dungeons at the border. War could break out at any moment."
Yulda snorted. "The emperor will never let the great houses tear each other apart."
Klaus nodded. "Davies River isn't a fool. He'll never attack head-on."
"Obviously." Darian growled. "All his resources are going into his son's pockets, holder of the Misi-ginebig lance, and his faction is one of the strongest in the ALL. If only Daemon weren't so incapable... he can't even replicate apprentice sword movements."
I looked up, meeting his icy gaze. A shiver ran down my spine.
"It's pointless, Darian." Yulda placed a hand on my shoulder. "Daemon is your son, and the heir, whether you like it or not."
Klaus nodded. "He's physically weak, but his mind is sharp. Intelligence wins more wars than brute strength."
"What mind?" Darian exploded. "He's a hedonist, Karlton's daughter's lapdog at the academy! How has our house fallen so low? If only Sasha were alive... She didn't give birth to this good-for-nothing."
His fist slammed onto the table, shattering glasses worth enough to feed a commoner family for a month.
I stayed silent. What could I say?
From my memories, Darian hated his son for two reasons:
His birth had killed his wife, and secondly, he was utterly mediocre, a disgrace to a lineage of heroes.
To save face, they'd all lied, even boasting about his invented prowess. Anyway, no one suspected the Indivar heir was an impostor.
And Daemon had taken advantage to indulge himself. Blackmail, orgies, abusing the daughters of barons... A real pig.
"Calm down, son!"
Yulda's aura exploded, making the candle flames flicker.
Darian narrowed his eyes. "What will you do, Mother? Throw me out like Raven?"
Raven? That name sounded familiar...
"You dare!"
Klaus, massaging his temples, intervened. "Your sister broke her promise to Lord Frederick. It's a matter of honor. Her disgrace was justified."
Oddly, despite his stern appearance, Klaus seemed more measured than Yulda.
Darian shook his head. "Empty nonsense."
He stood, pushed back his chair. Before leaving, he turned:
"If you ask me... Raven has a son. You should integrate him into the family. No matter his potential, he'd be better than him."
Yulda clicked her tongue. "Raven is no longer one of us, nor is her bastard!"
"Then prepare to watch our house crumble."
The door slammed.
Raven... Darian's younger sister. Banished over a marriage issue.
In the game, I'd skipped her cutscenes. All I knew:
- She helped Eden Folker.
- She appeared in aura farming, slicing a demon's hand to save him.
- Her son was Eden's childhood friend... and died before the second arc in most timelines.
It made sense; in an eroge game, the childhood friend must die so Eden could have his harem of fifteen girls all to himself.
"Daemon?"
I jumped. They were staring at me.
"What?"
Yulda smiled. "That sixtysomething is still immature. Your father doesn't mean what he says."
"No need to lie, Grandmother. I know he's never accepted me, and I couldn't care less what he thinks."
Klaus sighed. "Something more important, Daemon."
"Yes, Grandfather?"
"In three months, it's the Awakening Ceremony."
Shit.
I'd forgotten... Every five years, the Sacred Cathedral held a ritual. Lineage awakening, pacts with spirits or angels depending on the race... Basically, a power boost essential in this world.
And Daemon was going to make a fool of himself.
"Our lie will be exposed. You don't have the Indivar lineage."
"I know. But I can obtain a pact in the Other World."
Klaus looked skeptical. And he was right; pacts were rare, especially for humans. Plus, his life wasn't virtuous enough to pact with an angel, which is why he'd resorted to an archdemon.
Yulda stroked my hair. "I have faith in you."
I smiled, nervous.
I had three months max before my new life fell apart.
And in two weeks, the academy starts. If I don't find a solution...
My only chance would be to pact with Baal, like in the original story.
' And then, I wonder how many returns Eden has already made? If he's already on the thirteenth, I'm afraid he'll kill me at first sight.'