In the midst of the Stygian Forest, a group of dark clothed figures gathered.
"Is the plan going smoothly?" A tall figure who seemed to be the leader asked.
"Yes, Your Highness. We have received the report from our spies that the castellan of the fortress had established a group of high class professionals and were now going to the forest as we speak."
"Your Highness, we and the other mages have already finished provoking the beasts in the forest. They can be unleashed at any time."
"Your Highness, the spies have also reported that the castellan took most of the mages and priests with him."
…
Dark clothed figures reported in succession.
The tall figure nodded in satisfaction, "Very well, continue with the preparations. Make sure that no accidents will happen."
"""Yes, Your Highness!"""
"Then go on. May the Holy Light guide us…"
"""...by the will of the Goddess!!!"""
The dark clothed figures responded loudly before they left in a flash, leaving only two people in the area.
"Your Highne—" Before the other remaining figure could finish speaking, the leader raised his hand.
"Brett, don't call me that, just Kael is fine."
"But to address an agent by his name is disrespectfu—"
"Just do as I say. After all, this mission will help me get ahead of the other agents and increase my chances of being the executor of our church. It could be said that you've done me a huge favor."
Brett nodded in understanding and knelt, "Then Sir Kael, may I ask a question?"
The tall figure named Kael raised his brows, "What is it?"
"I wonder why the Goddess places so much importance on these heretics…"
However, Brett didn't dare to continue speaking as he could see the frown and displeasure on the other party's face.
"Don't question the will of the Goddess."
"I-I didn't mean that… I-It's just that I didn't expect the church to send an agent just to deal with some remnants of heretics…"
Kael's expression softened, "Frankly, I myself don't know much. But thinking too much won't really help us. We just need to follow the will of the Goddess."
"Understood, Sir Kael." Brett bowed his head slightly.
Kael looked at the sky and said, "The sun will begin to set in a few hours. You want to personally deal with the children of the heretics, right?"
"Yes, Sir Kael."
"Then let's get moving too." Kael clasped his hands together and said, "May the Holy Light guide us…"
Brett stood up and responded as he clasped his hands together too, "...by the will of the Goddess!"
* * *
"""Bye Brother Jin! Bye Sister Tanya!! See you tomorrow!!!"""
Rowena, Lisa, Denise and the other girls shouted as they waved at Jin and Tanya.
"Let's play again tomorrow, okay!?" Tanya shouted in response while Jin smiled politely and waved back at them.
On the other hand, Marco shouted, "Brother Jin! Let's beat the girls at Dodgeball again tomorrow!"
Anton, Matt and the others laughed while the girls stomped their feet in frustration.
Tanya also glared at Marco and shouted, "Shut up, Marco! You only won because of my brother!"
"Bleh! Are those the rumblings of a loser? Ahh— Hahaha!"
As soon as Marco saw that Tanya was about to lunge at him, he ran away while laughing.
Everyone laughed at their antics before going home.
"Argh, he really makes me angry! Can you stop being friends with him, brother?" Tanya pouted as they walked.
Jin smiled, he knew that Tanya also enjoys the company of Marco and the others to some extent.
"I'll kill him tomorrow… I promise… I'll beat him up tomorrow…"
'Or maybe not…' Jin though as he heard his sister's mutterings.
The two of them kept chatting as they walked and after a few minutes, their house came into view.
"I wonder how dad is… I hope he'll be beside us when we wake up tomorrow." Tanya said softly.
Clearly, she already misses their father.
Jin noticed this and said reassuringly, "Don't worry, sister. Dad will be home soon."
He unlocked the door and opened it, entering the house followed by his sister.
The frown and worry on Tanya's face disappeared as she smiled, making Jin smile too.
"Okay, since dad isn't here, then we're free to cook whatever we like! Tell brother what you want for dinner!"
His words made Tanya smile wider, she started counting with her fingers as she spoke, "Ummm, I want mashed potatoes! I also want mushroom stew! Oh, and steak too! Uhh, I also want some sou—"
Bump–
Before Tanya could finish speaking, she bumped on her brother.
"Brother? Why did you stop–"
"Shhh."
Jin's tone and alarmed expression made Tanya confused, but she still obeyed her brother and remained silent.
Jin's eyes darted around the house.
He first looked around the living room, then the way to the kitchen, then the mini library, then the stairs to the second floor and finally, the prayer room.
Jin's eyes constricted as his expression became heavier as time passed by.
In his sight, particles of mana floated around in the surroundings together with some vague energy signatures of him, his father and his sister.
However, there were also energy signatures that were more vibrant than the others.
'Someone broke into our house…' Jin was sure of this thought.
Sweat trickled on his temple as anxiety and worry overwhelmed him.
Tanya noticed the strangeness of her brother and worriedly whispered as soft as she could, "Brother, what's wro—"
'Huh?' Tanya didn't know what happened. All she knew was the fact that she was falling and that her brother's left hand was outstretched.
Clearly, she was pushed by her brother.
Shing— Thud!
However, what was stranger was the knife that was embedded on the ground where she was standing earlier.
"Oh? As expected, you're still as strange as ever." An unfamiliar voice sounded around the room.
"W-Who's that!?" Tanya shouted, maintaining a calm expression.
However, her trembling voice couldn't hide her fear.
Furthermore, she saw the scary expression on her brother's face as he looked at a certain area.
She followed suit and saw nothing but darkness.
"You really are strange, are you? Even with my aura art, you can still sense me…" The voice sounded again.
Then, Tanya was shocked as she saw a figure suddenly appearing out of thin air.
It was a figure in dark clothes, they couldn't see the figure's face as everything was covered in dark cloth.
The only thing the siblings could guess was the figure's gender based on his voice.
The figure tilted his head and stared straight at Jin, "Huh? Why is your face like that? Could it be that… you remember me?"
Tanya was confused at the figure's words.
On the other hand, Jin remained silent.
There was only a single thought in his mind.
'The one from four years ago…!'