The Genius Son-in-law of the Swordmaster Household—Blessed by Authority Chapter 164 : Nightingale (1)

Nightingale (1)

The deepest underground of the magic power extraction facility.

As the massive adamantium door opened, the density of magic power pouring out from within was almost explosive.

"Hmmm..."

Aris Hisperion gazed through the glass wall with an ecstatic expression.

Inside were three enormous tanks standing side by side, and within them, hideous monsters floated, suspended.

Their limbs had been amputated, their eyes and ears extracted, frontal lobes of their brains excised—for they had been reduced to re machines for producing magic power.

Brakium of Wrath, Zeros of Envy, and Gula of Gluttony.

The three Cult Leaders, said to stand at the apex of the Demon Cult, had been preserved alive and displayed together inside the tanks.

"It's truly beautiful..."

Aris slowly turned her head to look at Ian, who stood beside her.

Her voice was thick with genuine reverence and intense curiosity.

It was already astonishing that he had captured nurous bishop-level officers of the Demon Cult—but this ti, he had brought in three Cult Leaders all at once.

And not as corpses, but very much alive.

She couldn't even imagine how Ian had subdued them.

"With just the magic power radiating from these three, we could cover the entire Heavenly Sword Palace's yearly consumption in just a month. No, it could be even more than that."

Aris smacked her lips as she watched the dashboard needles connected to the tanks soar endlessly upward.

"The efficiency is unbelievable. I'm already excited to think of how the young master will use this vast store of magic power... My heart races just imagining it."

Aris was only the administrator of this facility, not its owner.

How the produced magic power would be used was entirely up to Ian.

Yet, just by being able to witness the grand design Ian was painting, she felt a thrill.

"We've also caught a lot of bishop-level officers this ti, so you'll need to check the magic tanks frequently for a while. We might even need to expand soon."

Ian replied calmly, eyes fixed on the tanks.

"And above all, security is paramount."

"Of course. I assure you this place's security level is the highest possible. Only I, the young master, and my trusted aide Roxy have access. As for all the staff, I've shut their mouths by various ans—no information will leak."

"...?"

Various ans?

Aris stepped closer to Ian.

"For the young master to bring such precious 'assets' here—I couldn't possibly allow sloppy managent to ruin this."

She reached out to dust his lapel.

Her gesture was as affectionate as that of a devoted lover or wife, yet her touch carried a sharpness, like a gem appraiser inspecting a rare stone.

"You weren't hurt while capturing the Cult Leaders, were you? If your body's a bit stiff... I could help ease you personally."

Ian answered at once.

"I'm fine. I wasn't hurt in the slightest."

Aris smiled, as if she'd expected as much.

"Hmph, still as resolute as ever. Well, it's fine. Just seeing that bountiful sight is enough to satisfy right now."

Aris turned her gaze once more to the tanks.

'Still, Ian... You may not realize it, but we're growing closer, bit by bit.'

He was showing her his unbelievable strength without hesitation, and entrusting her with the fruits of his power.

Whether it was a sign of trust or simply a calculation to make use of her managent skills—

She didn't care either way.

'What matters is that the young master is needing more and more. If he keeps entrusting with more things... one day, I'll have most of him in my hands.'

Now, the feelings that lingered in her chest were no longer a one-dinsional desire to possess Ian.

It was about becoming so entangled with this mysterious existence called Ian that it would be impossible to separate them.

He might not yet offer his side to her, but—slowly, surely—the distance between them was shrinking.

Aris licked her red lips as she watched Ian's face reflected in the glass.

* * *

Sunshine Castle.

Beneath Yuria's stronghold, there was a secret and luxurious space.

Originally a wine cellar and vault, it had undergone a full remodel at Ian's order, transforming into splendid living quarters.

For vampires who hated sunlight, it was a perfect sanctuary.

"Wow...!"

Judy's eyes sparkled as she looked around the underground hall.

The floor was finished with the finest marble, the classic interior was bathed in gentle magical lights, and the walls were filled with ancient tos and works of art.

"Can we really use this place? It's even better than most noble mansions!"

"Do you like it?"

Ian asked, and Judy nodded vigorously.

"Of course! After living in dank caves and ruins... This is the best ever! It's like a dream!"

Morgan and Marcus, who'd followed, couldn't hide their amazent either.

Worn down by years of captivity and holessness, a safe and comfortable haven was what they desired above all.

"Wow! This is so soft! The sofa's swallowing ! Hahaha!"

"Ian, thank you, truly. I never expected such kindness."

Marcus gripped his cane and voiced his heartfelt gratitude.

Ian replied with a smile.

"If you're comfortable here, sir, that's all I need."

At that mont, Noxcar and Scarlet erged from an inner room.

Noxcar was still a bit pale, but looked far more at ease.

She savored the pure mana of Sunshine Castle's underground, her face showing clear satisfaction.

"This is a wonderful place. I couldn't ask for a better spot to recover."

"If you need anything, please let know. Just tell Sophia and she'll have it ready in no ti."

"No, it's already more than enough. I cannot begin to express the favor you've shown us."

Just as Noxcar started toward Ian—

-tap, tap, tap.

Careful footsteps echoed from the stairs.

"Ian...? Are you here?"

It was Yuria.

She peered in, cautiously reading the atmosphere inside.

Having been told in advance about Ian bringing the vampires, she had co down to see them herself.

"Ah, Yuria, young lady."

"...."

Yuria gasped slightly at the sight of the vampires gathered in the underground hall.

Pale skin, red eyes, a chilling aura.

They were obviously real vampires.

Her instinctive wariness set her expression in a stiff line.

"Are these... the people you ntioned...?"

"Yes. My comrades, and from now on, our family."

Sensing Yuria's tension, Ian moved to her side to reassure her.

"Allow to introduce you. This is my liege lord, lady Yuria Hisperion. And these are Lady Noxcar and the blood kin."

"... Nice to et you."

Yuria pretended to be calm as she greeted them, but her voice trembled at the end despite her efforts.

After all, vampires were generally viewed as evil beings.

But because they were people Ian brought—people Ian trusted—she tried hard to accept them as well.

"My na is Yuria. I'm Ian's... the master of the Dawn Order."

Noxcar glided over with grace.

"You're a truly beautiful child."

"Eh, a beautiful child?"

"Thank you for welcoming us. We owe Ian a great debt."

Her words weren't formal, but neither were they rude.

The dignity of an ancient vampire who had lived for ages was clear in her voice.

"Hmm?"

Noxcar's gaze naturally shifted to Ian, lingering on his cheek.

A small scratch from the battle with the Cult Leaders still remained.

It was such a minor wound that even Ian had neglected it.

"You're injured."

Noxcar reached out with a worried look.

"Leave it to . I'll have you healed quickly."

A red mist of bloodlust wafted up from her fingertips.

One of Noxcar's blood kin authorities—Blood Healing.

A technique that heals others' illnesses and wounds by covering them with her own vitality.

"Ah, it's all right..."

Just as Ian tried to decline—

-swish!

Soone stepped in front of Noxcar.

It was Yuria.

"...!"

Yuria fixed her wary gaze on the red energy rising from Noxcar's hand.

"J-Just a mont. Ian is... I, I've been caring for him myself. He's using his own dicine, and... If the effects got mixed up, sothing could go wrong..."

"Hmmm."

For a mont, Noxcar stared, dazed.

Then, reading the situation, she smiled gently.

For a vampire who had lived for countless ages, reading a young girl's feelings was hardly difficult.

"You're right."

Noxcar looked at her kindly.

She was relieved there was soone who valued and cared for Ian, her benefactor and the Herald of the gods.

Noxcar gracefully withdrew her hand.

"It would be trouble if the dicines got mixed."

"H-hmph."

Yuria slipped her hand around Ian's arm, clearing her throat in slight embarrassnt.

Ian, not displeased, spoke up.

"Then we'll be heading upstairs. Please do rest well."

"Yes. Let's see each other again soon."

With Noxcar and the blood kin seeing them off, Ian and Yuria left the underground.

All the way up the stairs, Yuria didn't let go of his arm.

Today, for so reason, her grip was stronger than ever.

The warmth from her sticking close was transmitted through the fabric.

Ian walked slowly, silently matching her pace.

Even without words, their feelings lingered quietly in the air.

* * *

That night.

Ian sat at his office desk.

On the desk were two glass bottles filled with red liquid, and one with a murky oil.

Brakium, Zeros, Gula.

They contained blood extracted from the three Cult Leaders.

'Now, it's ti to look into their minds.'

Taking a deep breath, Ian activated Bloodscent Mind Reading, a technique he had acquired from Judy.

—sniiiiff.

He opened the first bottle and inhaled the scent.

The mories of Zeros, Sin of Envy Cult Leader.

"Ugh..."

A torrent of hideous malice and twisted desire poured into his mind.

Emotions filled with resentnt for others' happiness, a constant urge to steal what didn't belong to him—ugly impulses overwheld Ian's head.

Ian grimaced as he filtered out unnecessary emotions, searching only for information.

'Imperial military... Magic engineering lab...'

Familiar information surfaced from Zeros's mories.

The man had been bribing or kidnapping key researchers from the empire's military to steal military secrets and technology.

His true target: the blueprints for the latest magic weapons and strategic armants the empire was developing in secret.

The locations of acquired blueprints and parts, and lists of collaborators in the military, all ca rolling out.

'This is sothing Aris would love.'

She would make good use of this information.

Ian quickly scribbled the data onto paper.

'Next is Brakium, Sin of Wrath Cult Leader.'

His mories were full of destruction and slaughter.

True to his brainless nature, most were about brute force rather than intricate conspiracies.

Still, there were things of value.

'Demon Cult's battle slave camps.'

These were locations where Brakium raised and managed soldiers.

There, he might still have children who hadn't been brainwashed, or abducted warriors held prisoner.

'I'll leave this to Silence and Noxcar's blood kin.'

Finally, Gula, Sin of Glutonny Cult Leader.

Ian opened Gula's bottle.

A foul, rotten stench pierced his nose.

He frowned and inhaled deeply.

'...!'

As he read Gula's mories, Ian's eyes sharpened.

'... This is...'

Hidden deep in Gula's mind was an imnse, secret plan.

'The information organization Nightingale...'

The Demon Cult was plotting to devour Nightingale, the continent's premier information network.

Not through brute force, but by infiltrating and corrupting the organization from within.

But Gula was not the one in charge.

'Cult of Lust... Rosalia.'

Rosalia, Sin of Lust Cult Leader.

She had revealed information to Gula while asking for cooperation.

'There's already a traitor among Nightingale's top executives.'

The traitor, recruited by Rosalia, had been leaking information to the Demon Cult and planting moles within Nightingale.

Their first objective: assassinate Nightingale's current guildmaster.

He was a man of integrity who had resisted both Rosalia's seduction and bribes.

So the plan was to murder him and install a puppet of their liking.

If Nightingale fell into the hands of the Demon Cult, humanity would lose its eyes and ears.

At the sa ti, the Cult would gain an unparalleled information advantage.

If the Demon Cult seized control of all intelligence networks and began manipulating information, humanity would once again dance in the palm of their hand, as in Ian's previous life.

'Serana...'

Ian thought of a mory from his previous life.

Serana, his old comrade and Nightingale's final guildmaster.

She would sotis get drunk and murmur in her sorrow:

[If only I'd caught on a little sooner... I could have saved the master. If he'd survived, Nightingale wouldn't have crumbled so easily. Things would have been... so, so much better.]

Back then, Nightingale fell early in the demonkin invasion.

The catalyst was the guildmaster's death.

This incident cost humanity Nightingale's intelligence, and threw their information network into chaos, leaving them vulnerable to demonkin raids.

'I have to stop it this ti.'

According to Gula's mories, the assassination plan was already in its execution phase.

The guildmaster would soon be visiting a secret ruin.

Rosalia's elite assassins from the Cult of Lust were already lying in wait.

The date...

'Just three days from now!'

There was no ti.

'I'll go myself.'

Ian jumped to his feet.

He would erase the tragedy that had haunted Serana in her past life, and safeguard the powerful ally called Nightingale.