The years of violence finally came to an end.
The long-lasting war between humans and demons left a horrifying mark in history known as the 'Age of Destruction'.
And the day when the humans emerged victorious was recorded in the books.
A severed head was displayed at the entrance of the Baskeville residence, renowned for their fierce swordsmen.
Vikir. 'Vikir Van Baskeville'.
The illegitimate child of Hugo Le Baskeville, the head of the Baskeville family.
He was the hidden figure who had shed countless blood for the family.
He was the Baskeville's hound.
Vikir fought.
He had always fought.
An outcast. The son of a mistress.
Hence the middle name 'Van'.
He was not bestowed with a surname like 'Le' or 'Re', which his half-siblings in the main family received. Because of this, he had to work tirelessly, surpassing others by a hundredfold.
But in the end, it was all in vain.
Espionage, assassination, abduction, blackmail, smuggling... He undertook over 500 perilous missions for the sake of his family, only to be abandoned in the end.
He clenched his jaw.
He desired survival.
Oh- Oh- Oh-
The sound of a baby crying filled the room.
The Baskeville family, known for their strong warriors, had many generations of skilled fighters.
Marquis Hugo Baskeville, the family head, glanced over the newborns with a critical eye.
"These children don't seem promising."
It was a harsh assessment for a father to make about his newborns.
...at that moment.
Hugo, walking through the nursery, paused at one crib.
Vikir. Vikir van Baskeville.
An illegitimate child who was not expected to be there.
Unlike the other babies who were 6 to 8 months old, Vikir had just turned 100 days old.
He was not crying.
He lay there quietly, eyes closed, almost motionless.
"..."
Hugo gazed at Vikir, his expression softening slightly.
Not because he was pleased with Vikir's potential, but because in a room full of disappointment, it was better to have a quiet disappointment.
Hugo talked to lots of nannies in the city. He had a special message for them: "Take the Baskeville kids to the 'Cradle of the Swords'."
From the moment Baskeville kids are born, they face tough challenges, from the cradle to the grave.
The first challenge starts right away.
So, what's this 'Cradle of Swords' all about?
Well, it's a unique tradition for Baskevilles.
Picture this: a round hill covered in countless knives, like a maze. And right in the middle, a baby is placed.
The baby's stuck in this knife maze, getting cuts all over as it crawls around.
It's a tough gig, navigating through this needle maze.
But here's the deal: to become a true Baskeville, you gotta soak in the river 'Styx' outside the maze.
Now, here's the catch: the Styx water only works if you're under a year old. It turns your whole body super tough, like steel.
But, here's the thing: if one baby soaks up most of the river's power, the others get less. Because, well, there's only so much power to go around.
It's as if they were their mother's lifeline.
Now, the Baskeville children were cast into the Cradle of Swords.
Whoever dared to navigate the maze and dive into the river first would determine their fate.
This year, thirty-two children, including legitimate sons, bastards, and cousins, all competed for the honor in the midst of the blade-filled cradle.
The blades created a thick, thorny path for the children.
Some wept, others were wounded by cuts, and a few remained still, displaying typical infant behavior.
But Hugo's assessment was severe.
To him, these infants were fragile, dependent on others for survival.
Not even his own child received special treatment.
As one of the top swordsmen on the continent, Hugo believed that only the strong should prosper, leaving the weak behind.
He looked at the waters of the Styx, longing to participate if he were under a year old.
Then, in the midst of the chaos, a child made a bold move towards the river.
Hugo, usually impassive, displayed rare excitement.
This child, less than 100 days old, navigated through the maze, leaving a trail of blood.
His determination impressed everyone, including Hugo.
While his siblings struggled, he broke free and leaped into the Styx.
The river turned red as he vanished beneath the surface.
Hugo, typically composed, gripped the railing tightly, his agitation visible.
The attendants were amazed to see his uncharacteristic emotion.
The child did not reappear, causing alarm.
When the knights checked, they found him drinking from the river.
A smile formed on Hugo's lips at the sight.
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