The Fayjoy estate was massive, as was common for most nobles. Yet sothing about it felt... hollow.
There were fewer servants than expected. The courtyard lacked the quiet bustle such estates usually carried. Even the air felt still.
Luna’s eyes moved slowly across the grounds as the carriage rolled forward.
’Is this because of the war... or am I just getting used to being a little princess of a ducal house?’
Whatever it was, sothing in the way the estate operated felt off to her. She could sense it simply by looking.
’It has to be the war.’
Every noble house was deploying troops to the front lines, no matter how small their forces were. Most of those sent were not even First Class. They would be building roads, paving paths, doing nial labor... or worse.
Cannon fodder.
For an unawakened person, fighting low-level monsters was already difficult. eting a Lesser Demon was a death match. Encountering higher types of demons was a guaranteed disaster.
Her parents had been First Class.
And even they had died.
War was dangerous.
But they could not allow the demons to exist.
As long as demons walked this world, there would never be peace.
’We need to wipe them out completely,’ she thought.
Even though she understood what that ant.
It was genocide. An entire continent. Thousands of cultures. Countless people who likely wanted peace just as much as she did.
Peace.
That was Luna’s philosophy.
Peace by any ans necessary.
It sounded beautiful.
It really wasn’t.
Her philosophy was not as detached as her brother’s.
If anything, it was crueler.
Damon despised the world and only sought to protect himself. His philosophy began and ended with himself. Pain was part of his path, and everything—even fate—stood against him. He did not hate any race or people unless they stood in his way.
Luna was different.
She wanted peace for the world.
And she was willing to destroy for it.
To her, a million deaths was simply a step toward a peaceful future.
A sha she did not yet have the power to carry out such a noble dream. All she had was talent... and a vision.
When there was peace, she could spend all her ti with her brother.
This was righteous.
This was justice.
Peace never hurt anyone.
And no one would be orphaned by demon wars ever again.
Iris, walking beside her, had no idea what storm of thoughts moved behind Luna’s calm face.
"You think they’re going to let us in?" she asked, eyeing the estate gates warily, fully aware of how temperantal nobles could be.
Luna smiled faintly, a clever glint in her eyes.
"As honorable guests."
She tapped twice on the side of the carriage, signaling the coachman.
Monts later, the flags of House Brightwater were raised.
The reaction was imdiate.
Luna watched as the guards at the eastern gate scattered in different directions. So ran inward, likely to inform the lord of the estate. Others hurried to organize themselves, straightening armor, adjusting posture, preparing for a formal welco.
After all—
She was bearing the flag of a Grand Duchy.
Soon, Luna and Iris were welcod personally by the lady of the estate and led into the manor.
She did not ask what had brought them. Instead, she guided them into a large eting room where maids quietly served tea and small refreshnts before retreating to the edges of the room.
The lady of the house bowed her head respectfully to Luna, barely sparing Iris a glance.
"My lady, once again, it is a pleasure to make your acquaintance. We of House Fayjoy are honored to welco you to our humble estate."
Luna’s eyes drifted briefly around the spacious room.
Humble was not the word she would have used.
But compared to a Grand Duchy... perhaps it was.
"I won’t beat around the bush. We seek an audience with Lord Fayjoy," Luna said calmly.
The lady bowed her head again.
"Yes, I understand. He will be here shortly."
Luna had just opened her mouth to speak when the door creaked open.
A man stepped in.
Dark circles hung heavily beneath his eyes. His posture was stiff, as if sleep had abandoned him for months. This was the father of Marcus Fayjoy.
Luna and Iris rose to their feet and offered a polite bow.
Lord Fayjoy returned it carefully. It would be foolish to disrespect this young girl. She possessed enough power and influence to ruin him far more than life already had.
"What brings you to my humble estate, my lady? I hope we have not offended in any way."
Luna shook her head gently.
"Not at all, my lord. I co seeking answers, if you don’t mind being straightforward."
He frowned faintly, a hand moving to his temple as if a headache had already begun.
"Is... is it about my son, Marcus Fayjoy?"
Luna nodded slowly, noticing how weak his voice had beco.
He bit his lip, bitterness flashing across his face.
"Forgive , my lady, if my son hard you in any way. We have already given everything we had. We paid the nobles who lost their heirs. And to make matters worse, the Temple caught wind of the issue and branded Marcus a heretic. As his family, we had to pay for a purification ritual... We are now bankrupt."
Iris noticed the way he still referred to Marcus as his son. Most nobles would have distanced themselves from such a disgrace.
"I see," Luna said softly. "I did not co here for that. Soone close to may have been hard by the incident involving him, but we are not here for money or compensation. We only ask that you answer so questions we are unclear about."
Hearing the calm sincerity in Luna’s voice, he glanced at his wife before slowly nodding.
Luna took a quiet breath.
That was easier than she expected.
"What do you know about the incident that led to the disappearance of Marcus Fayjoy?"
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