The Sickly Youngest Member of the Villainous Family

The dark feast is upon us.

 

I wore a dress provided by the maids as I bid farewell to Recardo, who was leaving for Paramena.

 

“Miss, relax.”

 

Maya patted my shoulders.

 

What makes today different from previous Dark Ceremonies is that from today, I’ll also be placing my item in the Dark Goblet.

 

The Dark Goblet reflects the characteristics and strength of one’s power through flames.

 

It is through the Dark Goblet that the clan determines who is strong and who is weak.

 

So, today marks my initiation ceremony.

 

The concern lies in the fact that my ability is not ‘Dark Flame.’

 

“You’ll do well.”

 

“The goblet won’t be angry, will it?”

 

The Dark Goblet judges the black flames of the Winchester clan.

 

Legend has it that the Dark Goblet may attack if someone from a different lineage places an item in it, so it was a worrisome situation.

 

“You are a true Winchester, Miss.”

 

Maya tried to encourage me, dispelling my worries.

 

Indeed, even if my ability is different, there’s no doubt that I am a Winchester. Would the Goblet attack me?

 

As I was trying to calm my mind, I heard a knock on the door outside.

 

***

 

“Here is what you should put in, miss.”

 

Robin handed me a ribbon, similar to the one tied in my hair.

 

I looked at Robin with a puzzled expression.

 

“But shouldn’t I put my things in it?”

 

“I know it’s hard for you to understand, but we didn’t think it was right to leave the young lady’s information out in the open when there could be enemies inside as well.”

 

“His Grace, you mean?”

 

“Yes.”

 

It seems that Recardo has prepared something different for today.

 

Indeed… the news of my manifestation of abilities had already spread, but the details of what kind of abilities I possessed or what power they held had not been disclosed.

 

The only people who know about it are, at best, key members of the Four Families.

 

After Vanessa’s death, when I revealed myself to be the Key of Mechius, I was told that the heads of the Houses held a meeting, but it is not known what decisions were made.

 

Judging by the silence, they may have issued an injunction.

 

“Understood.”

 

I accepted the ribbon that Robin handed me.

 

“By the way, Robin.”

 

“Yes, miss?”

 

” I noticed you’ve been training with brother Jin lately…….”

 

Robin, my guard, was often gone while I was in the room.

 

“Oh, yes.”

 

Robin scratched his head, looking a little embarrassed.

 

After thinking for a moment, I hesitated before speaking.

 

“If you want to be my brother’s knight, say so. Robin’s a good knight, so I think you’d have better chances by his side than by mine…….”

 

“Oh, no, miss!”

 

Robin hurriedly interrupted me.

 

In the original story, Robin was Jin’s knight. It was consistent in various regressions.

 

“It’s really okay. Brother Jin must have his eye on Robin as well.”

 

“Young master Jin is training me.”

 

Robin interjected with a stern expression.

 

“Because of you.”

 

I hesitated for a moment.

 

“I think it’s good for me to protect you. You’ll grow stronger than me in the future, but…”

 

A smile appeared on Robin’s lips.

 

“Because Miss is a gentle and kind person.”

 

“…….”

 

“Getting stronger is good, but I like the present moment where I’m protecting you.”

 

Robin’s voice conveyed sincerity.

 

The warm sunlight poured in through the window.

 

I nodded.

 

***

 

I made my way to where the ceremony was taking place.

 

It was Winchester’s biggest event of the year, a celebration of family identity and fellowship.

 

But today, instead of the family head, Duke Recardo, Jin was sitting in the main seat.

 

“I heard that there was a riot in the north. It’s led by a person known as the prophet…….”

 

Maya, who was dressing me, had said.

 

“I’m sure it will be easily quelled.”

 

A riot. It was an unprecedented event in Winchester for hundreds of years.

 

As darkness is the symbol of Winchester, many people familiar with darkness gathered in the Winchester Territory.

 

Of course, like other territories, there were many ordinary residents, but there was a tendency for those engaged in dark occupations.

 

Of course, they dared not rebel against the Winchester family.

 

If their hordes are a ragtag bunch, the Winchesters are an immensely powerful core organization.

 

In exchange for paying a certain percentage of taxes, the weak were protected in equal measure.

 

When disputes arose among them, Winchester intervened.

 

So, the riot did not fit in with the Winchester Territory.

 

“He…… Sasha.”

 

“Hel…… lo.”

 

As I entered the hall to perform the ritual, I felt the gaze of the relatives I had seen when I was three years old.

 

Permetis openly turned her head away, and Neville and Balmont, who were at the front of the door, awkwardly greeted me.

 

It was hilarious to have witnessed them running away.

 

“…….”

 

I didn’t return Neville and Barmont’s greeting and walked toward Jin, who had taken Recardo’s place at the head table.

 

Although he still had a boyish face, it suited the seat and emitted a somewhat ominous aura.

 

With his black conquering cloak, he truly looked the part.

 

I lifted the hem of my dress slightly and bowed to Jin.

 

“…….”

 

A wry smile appeared on Jin’s lips.

 

The dark goblet was at his feet.

 

The clansmen all placed their items in it in turn. As a new flame rose, the items were consumed.

 

The goblet was said to be imbued with the energy of the Black Dragon.

 

The goblet not only enhanced the sense of belonging to Winchester but also served as an altar.

 

I stared at the scene for a long time. Neville and Balmont’s flames were still weak.

 

It’s a wonder it’s ever manifested.

 

“…….”

 

And then, Permetis.

 

With a haughty expression, she casually dropped her scarf into the goblet.

 

Before the end could enter the goblet, a splendid flame erupted.

 

“Wow… As expected.”

 

“As expected of Lady Zestia’s daughter.”

 

Permetis smiled with satisfaction. Behind her was Bashiron.

 

“…….”

 

Permetis’s flame might not surpass Jin’s, but it was different from those of Neville and Balmont.

 

I didn’t want to admit it, but it was the truth.

 

Permetis looked at me with an arrogant smile.

 

Soon, the gaze of the people turned to me, the last in line.

 

My ability had manifested, and it was my first Dark Ceremony.

 

Everyone knew that my powers had manifested.

 

I was actually a little curious.

 

I was expecting the Black Flame’s power to manifest, of course, but instead, I found myself with the Key of Mechius, a power close to that of my maternal lineage, Quellen…… but with an unknown identity.

 

I wonder what would happen if I put my real item in this goblet.

 

The Black Dragon wouldn’t be angry, would it?

 

“…….”

 

But it wasn’t the right time to address my curiosity.

 

I pulled out the ribbon Robin had given me.

 

The flames representing the dark power in the goblet each bore their own unique imprint.

 

As such, no one could deceive and claim someone else’s possession as their own.

 

Except for me, who was experiencing everything for the first time.

 

“Manifesting her power at the age of seven, she must be strong.”

 

“Still, wouldn’t it be less beautiful than Permetis’ flames?”

 

“Oh, come on, let’s see the Duke Recardo’s secret weapon.”

 

I slowly moved my hand to the goblet, thinking that Recardo would never give me something that could be recognized as stolen.

 

I could feel Jin’s intense gaze on me. I slowly loosened my grip.

 

But before the ribbon could slip from my hand, I heard a tremendous crash from the ground.

 

I stopped dead in my tracks.

 

“What was that just now?”

 

“It seems to be coming from underground.”

 

“There’s no underground here… Agh!”

 

Something erupted from the ground, and the floor cracked open.

 

I froze at the sight of an armored head and red eyes.

 

It was a creature I’d seen in books.

 

“That…… thing……!!”

 

“It’s a monster. There’s a monster!”

 

I could hear the panicked voices of the people.

 

Like Bahimos, it was a powerful beast known to be extinct.

 

But unlike the Bahimos, which live in herds, this beast travels alone.

 

Its body reached a length of 20 meters, and even leaders of each family were deemed to have difficulty hunting it.

 

Some called it the descendant of dragons, while others referred to it as a mighty creature serving Phersetos.

 

‘Leviathan.’

 

Its red eyes were fixed on me.

 

Its mouth opened to reveal razor-sharp fangs.