Chapter 84
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The bond that Alec shared with his Awakened let him know that Franz, Blanche and Dietrich had the situation well in hand. Kieran and himself were not needed at all, which was why he was feeling relaxed.
On the other hand, the same couldn't be said for Kieran. He was visibly worrying; his pace was flat out running. If it wasn't because he was concerned that Alec wouldn't be able to keep up with him, he would already be tearing down the hallway himself.
Alec, sensing Kieran's worry, sped up to keep pace with the blonde. Just because he knew that they were safe didn't mean that it would stay that way.
After all, accidents happened for a reason.
Even if Alec made sure to keep his footsteps silent, Kieran was trying and failing to do the same – he just hadn't had any experience trying to keep himself silent, much to his embarrassment.
He would have to ask his uncle for tips later.
The two of them headed towards the right wing of the mansion, where the master bedroom was.
Kieran subconsciously pushed himself harder, increasing his pace. He didn't realize that Alec was effortlessly keeping up with him despite his increased speed, too lost in his worry for his family.
With how the branch family members had tortured him in his own bedroom, he had no doubts that those who visited his parents' bedroom would be any less equipped.
Of course, since Alec said that Dietrich had headed towards them to warn their parents, they should be fine, but there was a faint, niggling suspicion that something was about to happen.
Alec's eyes sharpened when he found the shadowy figure of the Ash Phoenix, through the bond, hearing it before he saw it. The sound of it was faint – lingering in the shaking air.
The eerie, haunting song that trilled throughout the air was punctuated by the clear, ringing sounds of fighting that occurred further down the hallway.
Alec immediately followed it, turning, while Kieran continued down to his destination.
Kieran spotted his brother exchanging blows with one of his cousins – he ignored the sting of betrayal that he should've already expected – but it still hurt – sliding forward, he stabbed the filthy traitor in the back of his neck, reminiscent of the way Alec handled the situation earlier.
Dietrich grunted as the weight on his blade increased then slid off balance as his opponent fell over, dead. He saved the thanks for later, studying his brother's form.
He was one part relieved and one part worried.
"Idiot! Why are you here! Look at yourself!"
Kieran immediately rolled his eyes. "As if those branch family members could kill me," he spat. His emphasis on the word 'those' sounded like he tasted something disgusting.
Dietrich waved a blade in his direction. "Like I said, look at yourself. You're covered in blood! Where are you hurt? You should've just stayed behind to tend to your wounds."
Kieran huffed, annoyed and relieved that his brother was back to his usual nagging. He was always babying him! He was already nineteen. He knew about the risks and consequences. "I'm fine. I'm not injured. I have those pills dad gave me. If you're talking about blood, then I'm honestly not as bad as our uncle-"
Dietrich cut his brother off before he could go on rambling. "Where's our uncle?"
"What do you mean? He's right behind me-" Kieran turned around, wide-eyed.
There was an empty hallway, no signs of anyone else.
"Mom's going to kill me," Kieran despaired. "I left him behind!? Well… then again, he probably doesn't need our help anyway."
"Kieran, this is no time for your antics-"
"I'll show you antics," Kieran muttered. "You never saw the way he took care of those branch members! Ugh, whatever. Out of the way, big brother, I have to check on our parents!"
-
Alec followed the sound of the Ash Phoenix's song, inwardly despairing at what he was doing.
Of course the Mainframe had to choose this time to step in.
Of course it would. Why would Alec ever doubt?
[Mission: Follow the Ash Phoenix.] was a go.
Mn. People ran away from death, yet here Alec was, running along like a particularly suicidal (or just oblivious) Main Character. Towards death.
Why!?
Alec even felt like just ignoring the mission. He could afford the penalty, but then his damned curiosity was also piqued.
If it wasn't the Rothschild main family member's deaths – they were all back there in the master bedroom – then who was it?
Just what else could possibly lead to a gruesome and gory murder in here if it wasn't the Rothschilds?
See – this is what he got as punishment when he binged detective novels as a System – the Mainframe tracked everything then used it so that he couldn't resist!
Damn! It!
It was both parts sneaky and effective. Even if he knew it, it still worked!
The sound of the Ash Phoenix's crooning was growing louder, echoing in his ears. Alec's heart was pounding in his chest for some strange reason.
The bright lights tapered off slowly as he trailed after the Ash Phoenix like someone following a trail of breadcrumbs left behind for them to swallow up one by one.
There was an uneasy feeling within him now.
They were moving further down in the mansion, heading below the ground floor, where Alec could only assume were the servant's quarters.
The house was silent – very silent.
Then, it struck him.
Why was it silent?
That was just… it was impossible.
Though it was late at night, the sounds of the clashing upstairs should have alerted them. Some – if not all – of them should have come out to investigate, or at least try and get to cover, but the servants' quarters were completely silent.
So, they were either dead… or held as hostages.
Unfortunately, with the Ash Phoenix flitting down the hallway, even in the darkness, Alec could only lean in the direction that someone was killing them off.
Even as Alec thought, his feet still brought him forward towards the silence.
Alec recounted the number of people that he knew were in the mansion right now. He'd spotted eleven of them coming into the mansion.
When he got to Kieran's, there were five of them. Four dead, one was handled.
From what he could see from his bond with the master bedroom's door, there were another five there.
That meant that there was one person unaccounted for.
At this moment, Alec finally caught up with the Ash Phoenix.
By now, the Ash Phoenix's melody was already louder than he'd ever heard it. Even louder than before, when he had been situated outside of Kieran's bedroom.
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With sheer reflex and thankfully superb instincts, Alec ducked down, just barely avoiding the killing blow.
Alec's smile froze as he rolled out of reach, cursing. "Fuck!" he cursed in a low voice.
The Rothschild branch family's member sneered at him. "Quite a mouth on you there, boy."
Of course. Of fucking course.
He should have known! Just as he was following the Ash Phoenix, the Ash Phoenix was also following the trail of death and possible deaths. And the target was himself!
Just like how the Rothschild main family members were facing death threats, that didn't mean that he himself was a part of this situation. Alec had neatly placed himself outside the equation when he'd noticed the intruders earlier on, thinking that they were targeting others.
But he'd stupidly been led here by the Ash Phoenix.
He'd been played. Both by himself, AND the Mainframe! Damnit!
Alec had just been thinking about how it felt like a plot, and sure enough, he had let himself be careless enough to put himself in this situation.
The man outclassed him for sure. Alec couldn't get a read on him.
Then, as the situation was escalating, the Mainframe's voice echoed in his ears.
[Mission: Follow the Ash Phoenix completed.]
[+100 Points]
[Current Points: 480]
Not now, dammit!
Please report us if you find any errors so we can fix it asap!
The bond that Alec shared with his Awakened let him know that Franz, Blanche and Dietrich had the situation well in hand. Kieran and himself were not needed at all, which was why he was feeling relaxed.
On the other hand, the same couldn't be said for Kieran. He was visibly worrying; his pace was flat out running. If it wasn't because he was concerned that Alec wouldn't be able to keep up with him, he would already be tearing down the hallway himself.
Alec, sensing Kieran's worry, sped up to keep pace with the blonde. Just because he knew that they were safe didn't mean that it would stay that way.
After all, accidents happened for a reason.
Even if Alec made sure to keep his footsteps silent, Kieran was trying and failing to do the same – he just hadn't had any experience trying to keep himself silent, much to his embarrassment.
He would have to ask his uncle for tips later.
The two of them headed towards the right wing of the mansion, where the master bedroom was.
Kieran subconsciously pushed himself harder, increasing his pace. He didn't realize that Alec was effortlessly keeping up with him despite his increased speed, too lost in his worry for his family.
With how the branch family members had tortured him in his own bedroom, he had no doubts that those who visited his parents' bedroom would be any less equipped.
Of course, since Alec said that Dietrich had headed towards them to warn their parents, they should be fine, but there was a faint, niggling suspicion that something was about to happen.
Alec's eyes sharpened when he found the shadowy figure of the Ash Phoenix, through the bond, hearing it before he saw it. The sound of it was faint – lingering in the shaking air.
The eerie, haunting song that trilled throughout the air was punctuated by the clear, ringing sounds of fighting that occurred further down the hallway.
Alec immediately followed it, turning, while Kieran continued down to his destination.
Kieran spotted his brother exchanging blows with one of his cousins – he ignored the sting of betrayal that he should've already expected – but it still hurt – sliding forward, he stabbed the filthy traitor in the back of his neck, reminiscent of the way Alec handled the situation earlier.
Dietrich grunted as the weight on his blade increased then slid off balance as his opponent fell over, dead. He saved the thanks for later, studying his brother's form.
He was one part relieved and one part worried.
"Idiot! Why are you here! Look at yourself!"
Kieran immediately rolled his eyes. "As if those branch family members could kill me," he spat. His emphasis on the word 'those' sounded like he tasted something disgusting.
Dietrich waved a blade in his direction. "Like I said, look at yourself. You're covered in blood! Where are you hurt? You should've just stayed behind to tend to your wounds."
Kieran huffed, annoyed and relieved that his brother was back to his usual nagging. He was always babying him! He was already nineteen. He knew about the risks and consequences. "I'm fine. I'm not injured. I have those pills dad gave me. If you're talking about blood, then I'm honestly not as bad as our uncle-"
Dietrich cut his brother off before he could go on rambling. "Where's our uncle?"
"What do you mean? He's right behind me-" Kieran turned around, wide-eyed.
There was an empty hallway, no signs of anyone else.
"Mom's going to kill me," Kieran despaired. "I left him behind!? Well… then again, he probably doesn't need our help anyway."
"Kieran, this is no time for your antics-"
"I'll show you antics," Kieran muttered. "You never saw the way he took care of those branch members! Ugh, whatever. Out of the way, big brother, I have to check on our parents!"
-
Alec followed the sound of the Ash Phoenix's song, inwardly despairing at what he was doing.
Of course the Mainframe had to choose this time to step in.
Of course it would. Why would Alec ever doubt?
[Mission: Follow the Ash Phoenix.] was a go.
Mn. People ran away from death, yet here Alec was, running along like a particularly suicidal (or just oblivious) Main Character. Towards death.
Why!?
Alec even felt like just ignoring the mission. He could afford the penalty, but then his damned curiosity was also piqued.
If it wasn't the Rothschild main family member's deaths – they were all back there in the master bedroom – then who was it?
Just what else could possibly lead to a gruesome and gory murder in here if it wasn't the Rothschilds?
See – this is what he got as punishment when he binged detective novels as a System – the Mainframe tracked everything then used it so that he couldn't resist!
Damn! It!
It was both parts sneaky and effective. Even if he knew it, it still worked!
The sound of the Ash Phoenix's crooning was growing louder, echoing in his ears. Alec's heart was pounding in his chest for some strange reason.
The bright lights tapered off slowly as he trailed after the Ash Phoenix like someone following a trail of breadcrumbs left behind for them to swallow up one by one.
There was an uneasy feeling within him now.
They were moving further down in the mansion, heading below the ground floor, where Alec could only assume were the servant's quarters.
The house was silent – very silent.
Then, it struck him.
Why was it silent?
That was just… it was impossible.
Though it was late at night, the sounds of the clashing upstairs should have alerted them. Some – if not all – of them should have come out to investigate, or at least try and get to cover, but the servants' quarters were completely silent.
So, they were either dead… or held as hostages.
Unfortunately, with the Ash Phoenix flitting down the hallway, even in the darkness, Alec could only lean in the direction that someone was killing them off.
Even as Alec thought, his feet still brought him forward towards the silence.
Alec recounted the number of people that he knew were in the mansion right now. He'd spotted eleven of them coming into the mansion.
When he got to Kieran's, there were five of them. Four dead, one was handled.
From what he could see from his bond with the master bedroom's door, there were another five there.
That meant that there was one person unaccounted for.
At this moment, Alec finally caught up with the Ash Phoenix.
By now, the Ash Phoenix's melody was already louder than he'd ever heard it. Even louder than before, when he had been situated outside of Kieran's bedroom.
Find authorized novels in Webnovel，faster updates, better experience，Please click www.webnovel.com for visiting.
With sheer reflex and thankfully superb instincts, Alec ducked down, just barely avoiding the killing blow.
Alec's smile froze as he rolled out of reach, cursing. "Fuck!" he cursed in a low voice.
The Rothschild branch family's member sneered at him. "Quite a mouth on you there, boy."
Of course. Of fucking course.
He should have known! Just as he was following the Ash Phoenix, the Ash Phoenix was also following the trail of death and possible deaths. And the target was himself!
Just like how the Rothschild main family members were facing death threats, that didn't mean that he himself was a part of this situation. Alec had neatly placed himself outside the equation when he'd noticed the intruders earlier on, thinking that they were targeting others.
But he'd stupidly been led here by the Ash Phoenix.
He'd been played. Both by himself, AND the Mainframe! Damnit!
Alec had just been thinking about how it felt like a plot, and sure enough, he had let himself be careless enough to put himself in this situation.
The man outclassed him for sure. Alec couldn't get a read on him.
Then, as the situation was escalating, the Mainframe's voice echoed in his ears.
[Mission: Follow the Ash Phoenix completed.]
[+100 Points]
[Current Points: 480]
Not now, dammit!
The bond that Alec shared with his Awakened let him know that Franz, Blanche and Dietrich had the situation well in hand. Kieran and himself were not needed at all, which was why he was feeling relaxed.On the other hand, the same couldn't be said for Kieran. He was visibly worrying; his pace was flat out running. If it wasn't because he was concerned that Alec wouldn't be able to keep up with him, he would already be tearing down the hallway himself.Alec, sensing Kieran's worry, sped up to keep pace with the blonde. Just because he knew that they were safe didn't mean that it would stay that way.After all, accidents happened for a reason.Even if Alec made sure to keep his footsteps silent, Kieran was trying and failing to do the same he just hadn't had any experience trying to keep himself silent, much to his embarrassment.He would have to ask his uncle for tips later.The two of them headed towards the right wing of the mansion, where the master bedroom was.Kieran subconsciously pushed himself harder, increasing his pace. He didn't realize that Alec was effortlessly keeping up with him despite his increased speed, too lost in his worry for his family.With how the branch family members had tortured him in his own bedroom, he had no doubts that those who visited his parents' bedroom would be any less equipped.Of course, since Alec said that Dietrich had headed towards them to warn their parents, they should be fine, but there was a faint, niggling suspicion that something was about to happen.Alec's eyes sharpened when he found the shadowy figure of the Ash Phoenix, through the bond, hearing it before he saw it. The sound of it was faint lingering in the shaking air.The eerie, haunting song that trilled throughout the air was punctuated by the clear, ringing sounds of fighting that occurred further down the hallway.Alec immediately followed it, turning, while Kieran continued down to his destination.Kieran spotted his brother exchanging blows with one of his cousins he ignored the sting of betrayal that he should've already expected but it still hurt sliding forward, he stabbed the filthy traitor in the back of his neck, reminiscent of the way Alec handled the situation earlier.Dietrich grunted as the weight on his blade increased then slid off balance as his opponent fell over, dead. He saved the thanks for later, studying his brother's form.He was one part relieved and one part worried."Idiot! Why are you here! Look at yourself!"Kieran immediately rolled his eyes. "As if those branch family members could kill me," he spat. His emphasis on the word 'those' sounded like he tasted something disgusting.Dietrich waved a blade in his direction. "Like I said, look at yourself. You're covered in blood! Where are you hurt? You should've just stayed behind to tend to your wounds."Kieran huffed, annoyed and relieved that his brother was back to his usual nagging. He was always babying him! He was already nineteen. He knew about the risks and consequences. "I'm fine. I'm not injured. I have those pills dad gave me. If you're talking about blood, then I'm honestly not as bad as our uncle-"Dietrich cut his brother off before he could go on rambling. "Where's our uncle?""What do you mean? He's right behind me-" Kieran turned around, wide-eyed.There was an empty hallway, no signs of anyone else."Mom's going to kill me," Kieran despaired. "I left him behind!? Well then again, he probably doesn't need our help anyway.""Kieran, this is no time for your antics-""I'll show you antics," Kieran muttered. "You never saw the way he took care of those branch members! Ugh, whatever. Out of the way, big brother, I have to check on our parents!"-Alec followed the sound of the Ash Phoenix's song, inwardly despairing at what he was doing.Of course the Mainframe had to choose this time to step in.Of course it would. Why would Alec ever doubt?Mission: Follow the Ash Phoenix. was a go.Mn. People ran away from death, yet here Alec was, running along like a particularly suicidal or just oblivious Main Character. Towards death.Why!?Alec even felt like just ignoring the mission. He could afford the penalty, but then his damned curiosity was also piqued.If it wasn't the Rothschild main family member's deaths they were all back there in the master bedroom then who was it?Just what else could possibly lead to a gruesome and gory murder in here if it wasn't the Rothschilds?See this is what he got as punishment when he binged detective novels as a System the Mainframe tracked everything then used it so that he couldn't resist!Damn! It!It was both parts sneaky and effective. Even if he knew it, it still worked!The sound of the Ash Phoenix's crooning was growing louder, echoing in his ears. Alec's heart was pounding in his chest for some strange reason.The bright lights tapered off slowly as he trailed after the Ash Phoenix like someone following a trail of breadcrumbs left behind for them to swallow up one by one.There was an uneasy feeling within him now.They were moving further down in the mansion, heading below the ground floor, where Alec could only assume were the servant's quarters.The house was silent very silent.Then, it struck him.Why was it silent?That was just it was impossible.Though it was late at night, the sounds of the clashing upstairs should have alerted them. Some if not all of them should have come out to investigate, or at least try and get to cover, but the servants' quarters were completely silent.So, they were either dead or held as hostages.Unfortunately, with the Ash Phoenix flitting down the hallway, even in the darkness, Alec could only lean in the direction that someone was killing them off.Even as Alec thought, his feet still brought him forward towards the silence.Alec recounted the number of people that he knew were in the mansion right now. He'd spotted eleven of them coming into the mansion.When he got to Kieran's, there were five of them. Four dead, one was handled.From what he could see from his bond with the master bedroom's door, there were another five there.That meant that there was one person unaccounted for.At this moment, Alec finally caught up with the Ash Phoenix.By now, the Ash Phoenix's melody was already louder than he'd ever heard it. Even louder than before, when he had been situated outside of Kieran's bedroom. Find authorized novels in Webnovelfaster updates, better experiencePlease click www.webnovel.com for visiting. With sheer reflex and thankfully superb instincts, Alec ducked down, just barely avoiding the killing blow.Alec's smile froze as he rolled out of reach, cursing. "Fuck!" he cursed in a low voice.The Rothschild branch family's member sneered at him. "Quite a mouth on you there, boy."Of course. Of fucking course.He should have known! Just as he was following the Ash Phoenix, the Ash Phoenix was also following the trail of death and possible deaths. And the target was himself!Just like how the Rothschild main family members were facing death threats, that didn't mean that he himself was a part of this situation. Alec had neatly placed himself outside the equation when he'd noticed the intruders earlier on, thinking that they were targeting others.But he'd stupidly been led here by the Ash Phoenix.He'd been played. Both by himself, AND the Mainframe! Damnit!Alec had just been thinking about how it felt like a plot, and sure enough, he had let himself be careless enough to put himself in this situation.The man outclassed him for sure. Alec couldn't get a read on him.Then, as the situation was escalating, the Mainframe's voice echoed in his ears.Mission: Follow the Ash Phoenix completed.+100 PointsCurrent Points: 480Not now, dammit!
