The Red Thread of Destiny

Secret journey

Stella knows fate sometimes likes to play tricks on someone. The atmosphere that had been calm before, had now changed. As a person caught in this perplexing situation, Stella could only fall silent.

This time, what else?

Honestly, this is not funny at all. Of the many people that Stella wanted to meet, why did she have to meet him in such circumstances?

...~o0o~...

Under the glittering lights and festive atmosphere of the party, Stella walked gracefully towards the balcony while carrying a cup of wine in her hands. The overcrowded party atmosphere made him a little tired. Smiling too much made her cheeks feel throbbing. Not only that, Stella's legs that must last for hours facing the hungry Hyenas, of course, are no less tormented.

"It's tiring" complained Stella as she took off the high heels that she had been desperate to get rid of. Leaning half of her body to the guardrail, Stella gently steered the wine she deliberately brought.

"The hyenas always try to stick their claws at me."

A purplish-red liquid that crackled as the cup turned softly, Stella noticed. The two netra were as blue as his sea, staring fixedly at every smooth movement of the wine, each time the cup was rotated.

"How do I get rid of them, huh?"

As the only Young Miss who was born into the Vandesca family, Stella was always the target of the parents whenever she attended the party.

"Lately, they've been a little late."

Stella knew that by marrying her the life of the man who became the daughter-in-law of the Vandesca family would be completely changed. Are you a member of the Vandesca family? Obviously, it's tempting. Only a fool would dare to miss out on such a valuable position, within an influential family that was one of the four buttresses of the Ormanda empire.

"That's it, what I think about it for. Needless to ask, I'm sure Orfeo must have blocked that sickening proposal."

In the end, the effort that Stella could put in was simply resisting as hard as she could. As long as the cover letter that kept coming into her brother's desk always ended up fueling the fireplace, Stella only needed to give the most striking rejection, when the Hyenas were directly surrounding her.

"This residence park is beautiful too."

Distracting her from the wine cup, Stella watched carefully the rose garden of various colors that lay beneath it. The smell of the rose that flew with the sweep of the wind, managed to calm some of Stella's inner fatigue.

"Should I ask Brother Orfeo to make a garden like this too?

During this time the Vandesca family garden is only filled with ordinary plants, no flowers. Considering that people with pollen allergies are now gone, so that the atmosphere of the residence is no longer gloomy, Stella thought she should consider a plan to remodel the park to discuss with Orfeo, her second sister.

"It doesn't feel like two years have passed, yeah ...."

Stella breathed out slowly. The atmosphere that slowly turned cold, made him recall only bad memories.

"Things of the year and the death of Fabian."

The time that continued to run after Fabian's death, their eldest brother–Stella and Orfeo–still vividly imagined in Stella's mind. That day, Fabian left as usual. As the chief investigator of the east and heir to the family, it was Fabian's duty to ensure the safety of his homeland.

Nothing strange that day. All passed as the days before were beautiful. Stella who likes to sneak away, Orfeo is busy looking for the whereabouts of Stella, then the servants with a myriad of jobs piling up because soon the Young Miss's birthday party will be held.

Vandesca's residence two years ago was very crowded. So crowded the atmosphere, Stella even laughed at Orfeo who was overwhelmed in pursuit of his footsteps. However, unlike the people who so eagerly awaited Stella's birthday, they were all surprised by Fabian's arrival with a body drenched in blood.

"I know, Fabian likes to surprise. But, Brother's surprise the last time I thought was a little outrageous," Stella muttered, laughing wryly. As much as possible, he tried to hold back the tears that wanted to slide free from the corners of his eyes.

"But Brother promised to give me the best gift. Why did you give me the worst gift I could never have imagined?"

With a gust of wind, Stella let the moon be her moaning companion. No one wants death, of course. In fact, for Stella herself who can peek a little scratches the lives of others through her red thread ability–similar to the oldest Brother.

"Basic, Brother Fabian is stupid."

Stella remembered how trembling her body and Orfeo were when she saw Fabian's body being covered in wounds. The face of the brother who passed pale almost like the snow that was falling at that time, really became a terrible sight in the middle of the atmosphere of a bright and warm residence.

"If that next life really exists, when Big Brother is reborn, let me hit that head once more!"

Instead of holding back the cries, Stella shouted. Although the scream was still held back because he did it silently, Stella felt quite a bit of relief. Although the feeling of tightness was not lifted completely, it was enough. Stella could not let the reputation she had built just break down. Not as long as this place is not a Vandesca residence that has been guaranteed security.

"If such a miracle really exists, I'll make sure Big Brother receives my strongest blow" Stella said, clenching one of her hands. He imagined his annoying sister's face was in pain from his little blow.

"That's enough, Stella. There's no point in swearing at a dead man."

Stella took a breath and threw it away slowly. If he let his older sister's face continue to fill his head, Stella's will only continue to be haunted by guilt.

"Hey, did you know that? I heard at the auction this time there are artifacts containing magic that is used as the main item."

An unusual conversation from the balcony next door, caught Stella's attention. So that he was not too obvious to be eavesdropping, taking a serious look word for word out of their mouths, Stella pretended to be drunk. Stella continued to slowly sip the remaining wine in her cup.

"I've heard it. Wasn't the auction this time held at the cake shop that just opened?"

Information for information, Stella collects. As someone who likes to run away secretly all this time, without much guessing, Stella can already know the position of the shop that the stranger was referring to.

It's catchy.

Stella could not help herself not smiling. Honestly, it has been a long time Stella waited to get information related to artifacts–ancient objects containing magic from the past. What secrets did he keep? What miracle has there been in the past? Really, Stella loves the mysterious side of the artifact, the evidence that history exists.

Give me a sweet cake that will drive me crazy.

The password that he accidentally got, Stella repeated continuously in his head. Feeling that nothing important from the two people was useful to her, Stella decided to leave the balcony with a bright expression.

...~o0o~...

It's been two days since Stella got something interesting in the middle of a boring party. In such a short span of time, it certainly did not become a barrier for Stella to prepare the items she needed.

"The necklace contained disguise magic, a robe along the knee, then a blank check with the family crest."

Just like before, in the dive mission this time Stella also prepared the items she would carry with her attentively.

Starting from clothes that are comfortable to use, money bags for unexpected expenses, and not to forget a few complete snacks and drinks. Stella prepares all of it alone, secretly without being discovered by Orfeo, her second brother.

"good. No one is left behind" said Stella, full of satisfaction because there was not a single item left unturned. Wearing the robe she placed on her bed, Stella noticed her appearance in the mirror that was about the size of an adult male.

"In case, let's hide this showy colored hair."

"perfect."

Using a necklace containing disguise magic as a last resort, Stella once again checked her appearance.

Inside the mirror, there was now no more reflection from a Young Miss. There were no dresses, nor was the jewelry full of sparkles. Although Stella's beautiful face is still clearly visible, with a simple dress in the form of a long-sleeved shirt and black pants and shoes limited to the eyes of the feet, with a simple dress, Stella was sure no one would think she actually came from a respectable family.

"Let's go!"

Imagining just how many artifacts he could find at the auction venue, made Stella unceasingly smile widely. Because all this time her brother has worked hard for the welfare of their lives, as a good sister Stella certainly should not waste money from the hard work of an Orfeo, her beloved brother, right?

I'll spend the money that you gave me. So, don't find me quickly, okay?

Stella waved her hand towards the window that was still reflecting the light. Although Stella knew the anger her sister was showing was quite terrible, it would not be a hindrance to Stella. As long as Stella could obtain artifacts and perhaps even ancient magic circles that could no longer be used freely, Stella would not mind getting a thousand pieces of advice afterwards as the price of freedom.

...~o0o~...

Monster attacks. Perhaps if the news spread in the territory of the four dukes, the news sounded ordinary. Different from the capital that was in the midst of the protection of the four families, the territory of each Duke that sustained the empire, was quite vulnerable to attack.

Not without reason the four Duke family territories are prone to attack. The terrain in the form of mountains, forests, and ravines adjacent to each region, is the residence of the monsters.

Vandesca is the owner of the east, an area surrounded by steep cliffs. Parodio west side by side with deep abyss. Cassie is famous for dangerous snowy land, then don't forget Balges with his misty forest that can make someone hallucinate. There was nothing strange about the news of the attacks from the four regions. Because, the guarded place is directly side by side with the residence of the monsters.

But what if it was the capital? Different from the territory of the four Duke families, the capital was clearly very safe. Like a child who has been protected from various sides, there is no reason for the people of the capital to meet a dangerous situation like the other four regions.

Safe, calm, and protected. The capital of Ormanda should have the thinnest possibility of being caught in a situation that forces its inhabitants to encounter a situation between life and death. Then, why could a monster suddenly make an attack?

As the four regions reported their calmest situation, the capital was strangely attacked.

No one knew what was the cause of the recent attack by monsters in the capital. Whether it was the tower magicians or the trained knights of the Ormanda empire. They were all extremely shocked when they got the absurd news.

"Felix!"

The screams of a black-haired man accompanied by a rude buzz when he opened the door, managed to make Felix as the owner of the room jerked. The presence of no manners, really almost made Felix's heart jump, stop beating because of it.

"Davion. Please knock on the door properly," Felix said, as he managed to take control of himself. The two green netra Felix, staring tiredly at Davion.

"How many times are you going to act like this? You didn't mean to waste that hard-earned manners, did you?"

Felix shook his head as he occasionally stroked his shriveled forehead. Felix is very sleepy. Lack of sleep makes the man start to feel sensitive to the surroundings.

"Yes. I will, but on condition of removing the magic barrier in this room," Davion replied, pointing to the floor of Felix's room with intricate magic patterns. With this blocking magic, Davion as a figure who often gets calls, feels tormented. Already, enough Felix who likes to trouble himself. Davion did not want himself to die silly from exhaustion because he could not use teleportation magic.

"Or do you want that ladder of yours to be all that's missing? If that's the case, I'll tear it down happily for you."

Different from Felix who was calm while holding back sleepiness, Davion was breathing irregularly. Going up a thousand steps to receive this report is not easy. Davion was even amazed by himself for being able to survive when all his energy was almost at the limit.

Uh. I almost died.

Though Felix has the power no less great than Davion. But, because the principle of 'let even our magician still have to exercise' his, as the highest figure of the witches, Felix has unwittingly helped trouble other witches.

Davion, who often gets calls from Felix, clearly objected to the burdening opinion of the leader of the magicians on that one. Indeed, installing blocker magic is good. Felix who wanted to trouble himself by riding a thousand children as well, no problem. But! It could not be applied in the tower, the place where the witches gathered this.

My precious time.

Time wasted when you want to give a report, also very dear Davion. When others have accepted their duties, Davion does not believe he should be stunned first, only able to receive important reports about his duties as a witch, he said, just because this leader of theirs had an office at the top of the tower.

"So? What do you want to say? I hope you call me on important matters" Davion asked as she ruffled her short black hair. The two blinds as dark as night Davion stared flat at Felix.

Davion hopes that what Felix wants to say is worth the fatigue he has put out. Otherwise, Davion would really have thought seriously of a plan to destroy the stairs from this room, so that he would not have to bother anymore in the future.

"Oh! I—"

"You've wasted my energy. If you dare to speak nonsense, I will completely obliterate your damn staircase."

Even though Felix was sleepy, his nosy nature did not disappear. Because Davion knew that pranking others felt like a vitamin to Felix, Davion deliberately cut the words that would come out of Felix's mouth with a threat.

"Give me the important news or plunge for the rest of your life. Choose one" Davion said, trying to smile as sweet as he could. In accordance with what Felix said earlier, Davion uses the results of the lessons of manners that he had mastered in the past.

"Don't threaten with a horrible face and maintain calm. The one who loses his patience the earliest, he is the one who loses. "

That's one of the nobility's etiquette in the social world that Davion knows. Although the lesson is now a memory of the past, the most difficult lesson to master is still firmly attached to Davion's head.

"It's a good thing I picked you up when I hadn't fully mastered the lesson of manners. Otherwise, I'm sure you'll become a monster. Just so you know, your smile looks terrible, Davion."

Not being rude for one day, then it's not Felix. Although Davion also admitted to Felix's words about his terrible smile, Davion was still upset when he heard such a response.

"Just tell me why you called me to this place, Felix," Davion asked, ignoring Felix's temptation.

For Davion, Felix was a demon, not a witch. If Davion allows himself to be ignited by emotions, Davion believes the temptation he will get over the next few weeks will be much worse than today.

So before Felix holds him back for too long and gets all sorts of new ideas to tease him, Davion must make sure he gets his job done quickly, in order to be free from the annoying nature of Felix–Dad lift as well as this boss.

"I will appoint you as the representative of the witch."

Giving up, Felix who was unable to find the slightest shaky side of Davion finally conveyed the reason why the dark-haired man was called. Picking his finger, Felix said, "From today the witches officially accepted the cooperation with the imperial side. Davion Jovaan, I chose you as the shield of the witches. Go and finish your responsibilities well." Without a hint of ridiculous look left. Felix's two green eyes, staring at the seriousness of Davion in front of him.

Picking up the letter floating in front of his face, Davion noticed the crown emblem surrounded by lilies on the letter stamp. No need for Felix to explain in more detail, Davion was able to feel the contents of the letter.

Official emblem of the emperor. Patterns representing the entire Ormanda. If the emperor himself gave this letter, then Davion could guess the situation in the capital at this time was really precarious. Davion should not take for granted the task that concerns the lives of these many people.

"The moon of the witches, as a figure under you, I accept this command with pleasure and will make sure this mission succeeds so as to bring salvation to the people."

Davion changed the way he said things to be more formal. By saying the oath of a witch, Davion has now officially become a representative. Under the watchful eye of Felix, the leader of the witches, Davion takes responsibility not only for himself, but also for all the people and the outstanding figure of Ormanda.