The sun rose over the Satoru nation, casting a warm glow on the bustling village below. Villagers began their daily routines, the streets filling with the sounds of commerce and chatter. Farmers headed to their fields, merchants opened their shops, and children ran through the streets, laughing and playing. The air was filled with a sense of community and industriousness, the village alive with activity.
At the Satoru mansion, the atmosphere was particularly vibrant. Maids were busy decorating the grand hall, arranging flowers, and hanging banners for Kibo's birthday celebration. The scent of fresh pastries and savory dishes wafted through the air, originating from the bustling kitchen where chefs were hard at work. They chopped, stirred, and tasted, creating a feast worthy of the occasion.
Kibo's room was a peaceful sanctuary amidst the flurry of preparations. The room was tastefully decorated with elegant furnishings, a large window letting in the morning light. Kibo sat on his bed, deep in meditation, focusing on accumulating mana throughout his entire body. Sweat dripped down his forehead as he concentrated, and finally, he felt a sense of completion. "Finally, the accumulation of mana throughout my whole body is a success," he thought, clenching and unclenching his fist in satisfaction.
Just then, a maid entered the room. She was a young woman with a petite frame, dressed in the traditional maid's uniform of the Satoru mansion. Her hair was neatly tied back, and her eyes were kind and attentive. Kibo glanced at her and noticed a tiny bit of mana in her body, something he hadn't seen before. "What? I can see people's mana now?" he thought, bewildered.
The maid approached Kibo with a warm smile. "Good morning, young master Kibo," she said, gently picking him up from the bed. Kibo, feeling shy, was carried to his bathroom. As the maid began to bathe him, he blushed and thought, "This is so embarrassing." But as the maid scrubbed his back, he relaxed and thought, "It's not that bad."
After the bath, the maid carried Kibo through the hallway. They passed workers diligently preparing for Kibo's birthday. Kibo observed them, noting the different colors of mana around them. "Not all people have mana, and those who do have different colors," he mused.
They reached the lord and lady's bedroom. As the maid opened the door, they saw Lady Luna and Sylvie talking. Lady Luna was dressed in a simple yet elegant noble dress for the party, her blonde hair cascading down her back. Sylvie wore her usual maid attire and was combing Lady Luna's hair.
Lady Luna noticed Kibo's presence and quickly stood up, moving towards the maid carrying Kibo. The maid handed Kibo over to her, and Lady Luna embraced him warmly. "Mama, good morning," Kibo said, his words piercing Lady Luna's heart with joy.
"My baby is talking! My baby is talking!" Lady Luna exclaimed, hugging Kibo tightly. Kibo thought, "Isn't she overreacting?" but then reflected, "I haven't felt this love in my past life, and it shouldn't bother me."
Sylvie gently interrupted, "My lady," bringing Lady Luna back to the present. She smiled at Kibo and said, "Good morning, my darling. Happy birthday, Kibo." She carried him to her bed and laid him down, saying, "Mama is now going to give you your gift."
Kibo's mind raced with anticipation. Lady Luna closed her eyes and touched Kibo's chest with her finger. She opened her eyes and said again, "Happy birthday, Kibo." Kibo checked his chest, confused, but found nothing. "Is that how she gives her gift?" he thought, sulking in disappointment.
Lady Luna noticed and asked, "You don't like your present?" with a sad face. Kibo quickly smiled and hugged her. "I love you, mama," he said aloud, surprising himself. Lady Luna beamed and hugged him tighter. "Mama will always love you," she said.
Sylvie, witnessing the tender moment, smiled. Lady Luna then instructed Sylvie to bring Kibo's clothes. Sylvie retrieved a beautiful outfit from the lady's closet as Lady Luna explained, "This is from the Elegance Couture store. They gave it to us after Sylvie protected them from the explosion."
Sylvie handed the clothes to Lady Luna, who showed them to Kibo. He was surprised by the elegant attire, a perfect fit for his special day.
Ryuu's Study Room
The afternoon sun filtered through the tall windows of Ryuu's study, casting a warm glow over the room. The study was grand, with towering bookshelves filled with ancient tomes and scrolls. A large mahogany desk stood in the center, cluttered with various documents and letters. The walls were adorned with tapestries depicting historical battles and landscapes of the Satoru nation.
Ryuu, dressed in his noble attire for the party, was the epitome of elegance. He wore a dark green tunic with intricate gold embroidery, black trousers, and polished leather boots. His white hair was neatly groomed, and his emerald eyes shone with a mixture of concentration and concern as he checked the list of invited guests.
Tanaka stood by his side, the perfect picture of a loyal butler in his crisp uniform. His hands were clasped behind his back, and he waited patiently for any instructions from his lord.
As Ryuu scanned through the list, he paused, his eyes narrowing. "Is the priest from the Eastern Province really attending my son's party?" he asked, not looking up from the papers.
Tanaka nodded. "Yes, my lord. He is on his way."
Ryuu sighed, setting down the list. "What is that priest thinking? I didn't invite him."
"The church mentioned they are having some issues, and the Saintess is needed elsewhere. They had to send the priest instead," Tanaka explained.
Ryuu looked at Tanaka, his expression serious. "We need to be very cautious. That priest is not to be trusted. He's a cunning man."
"Yes, my lord," Tanaka agreed.
Returning to the list, Ryuu continued, "What about the king?"
"The king has sent someone to represent him," Tanaka informed him.
Ryuu nodded, then asked, "Any news from my father?"
"No, my lord. The guards are on high alert, and the secret workers are vigilant as well." Tanaka replied.
"hmm," Ryuu said, a hint of concern in his voice as he returned to his list.
The Village Shop
In the bustling village of the Satoru nation, a seemingly ordinary shop stood at the heart of the market, selling ladies' products. The shop's exterior was charming, with flower boxes in the windows and a sign that read "Lily's Boutique." Inside, the shop was well-lit and neatly arranged, with rows of colorful dresses, perfumes, and accessories.
However, beneath the facade lay a dark secret. Deep below the shop, in a hidden dungeon, men and women of the beastmen race were sold into slavery.
In one corner of the dungeon, a man with a cruel smile was flogging a young beast girl, her cries echoing in the dim, cold space. "Get up, you beast," he snarled, laughing at her pain. In another area, beast women were being tortured by men, their pleas for mercy ignored.
In a small, dimly lit room, a fat merchant with greasy hair and beady eyes licked his lips as he leered at a small rabbit girl. Her large, frightened eyes and trembling form made his grin widen. He beat her roughly, causing her to scream for help. The merchant, ignoring her cries, lifted his hand to strike her again.
"Stop yapping. No one is going to—" his words were cut short as a figure in a black hood appeared from the shadows, slicing off the hand he was using to beat the girl. The merchant screamed in agony, blood spraying everywhere. The young girl, terrified, stared at the cloaked figure.
"Who are you?" the fat merchant gasped, clutching his bleeding stump. "Whoever sent you, I'll pay double! Just spare me!"
The mysterious figure asked, "Are there any more slaves in this nation?"
The fat merchant, desperate, quickly replied, "No, there aren't. Please, spare me."
Seeing the figure remain silent, the merchant fumbled for a small orb in his pocket to alert his men. The cloaked figure spoke calmly, "There's no need for that. I've already killed all your men."
Rage and desperation flared in the merchant's eyes. "You damn bastard!" he roared, attempting to stand and fight. But before he could move, his body fell to the ground, his head rolling away.
The young rabbit girl, witnessing the gruesome scene, trembled in fear. She shut her eyes tightly as the cloaked figure approached, bracing for her end. Instead, she felt a gentle hand on her head. She opened her eyes to see the face of an old man in his sixties with emerald eyes and pure white hair.
"Don't be scared," the old man said softly. She recognized him as the Reaper. Overwhelmed with relief, she cried and hugged him tightly.
"Shh, it's alright," he soothed, hugging her back. "No one is going to hurt you again."
The afternoon sun cast a warm glow over the Satoru mansion as a procession of elegant carriages rolled up to the grand entrance. Each carriage was a work of art, adorned with intricate gold filigree and vibrant house emblems. Nobles and important guests stepped out, their attire reflecting their status and wealth. Silks, velvets, and brocades in rich hues of crimson, emerald, and sapphire shimmered in the daylight, creating a kaleidoscope of colors as they moved toward the mansion.
Inside the mansion, the main hall was a spectacle of opulence. The high, arched ceilings were draped with silken banners in the Satoru family colors, and crystal chandeliers cast a warm, inviting light over the room. Long tables laden with gourmet delicacies and ornate ice sculptures were strategically placed around the hall. Noblemen and women mingled, their laughter and conversation mingling with the harmonious notes of a string quartet playing in the background.
Servants in crisp butler uniforms and maids dressed as butlers moved gracefully among the guests, offering trays of sparkling wine and delectable hors d'oeuvres. The atmosphere was one of celebration and sophistication, with clusters of guests engaging in animated discussions about politics, trade, and the latest fashions.
Up the grand staircase, Luna stood poised in a simple yet elegant noble dress. Her blonde hair cascaded down her back in soft waves, and her blue eyes sparkled with joy that matched her outfit. She wore delicate silver shoes adorned with tiny sapphires, completing her graceful appearance. In her arms, she carried Kibo, who was dressed in a finely tailored outfit from the renowned Elegance Couture store. His attire consisted of a crisp white shirt, a navy blue vest with silver embroidery, and matching trousers. His white hair and blue eyes made him a striking figure.
Kibo looked down at the bustling party below, both amazed and intimidated by the crowd. Ryuu, dressed in a dark green tunic with intricate gold embroidery, black trousers, and polished leather boots, approached them. His white hair was neatly groomed, and his emerald eyes shone with pride. He embraced Luna and said, "You are the most beautiful lady in this hall," causing her to blush. Kibo, observing his father's affectionate behavior, thought to himself, My, my, this father of mine is so full of himself.
As kibo checked for any mana in his father's body and found none, he mused, I guess not every noble has mana. Ryuu, cutting off Kibo's thoughts, said, "Happy birthday, Kibo," and kissed his forehead. Luna smiled warmly.
As Tanaka began to introduce them, Ryuu extended his hand to Luna, saying, "Shall we?" Luna took his hand, carrying Kibo, and they descended the stairs gracefully.
Tanaka announced, "Attention, ladies and gentlemen, the Duke Ryuu Satoru and Duchess Luna Satoru are proceeding in, accompanied by Kibo Satoru, the newest member of the Satoru household." The guests clapped as Ryuu, Luna, and Kibo made their way down the stairs.
Ryuu touched Tanaka's shoulder, who bowed and stepped aside, allowing Ryuu to address the guests. "Thank you, everyone, for coming today to celebrate the first birthday of my son," he said, gesturing to Luna, who carried Kibo. Kibo, overwhelmed by the attention, began to sweat, his trauma resurfacing. Ryuu continued, "As we gather to celebrate my son's first birthday, I hope everyone enjoys themselves to their hearts' content." The guests clapped enthusiastically. Luna, sensing Kibo's distress, whispered, "Everything is alright, Mama is here," comforting him.
Ryuu, noticing the presence of other important guests, excused himself from Luna and Kibo, saying, "I need to attend to some other nobles. I'll be back soon." He kissed Luna on the cheek and patted Kibo on the head before moving into the crowd to engage with the guests.
The party continued with its vibrant energy, the music playing softly in the background as the guests enjoyed the festivities.
As the party continued, Luna was approached by the two ladies who had been with her in the garden in the past. One woman, tall with raven-black hair and striking green eyes, greeted her warmly. The other woman, petite with auburn hair and hazel eyes, commented on Kibo's attire, saying, "Your son looks splendid in his outfit."
Kibo, scanning the room, noted that most of the nobles lacked mana, with only their guards possessing it. Disappointed, he turned his attention back to his mother. Suddenly, he noticed a man approaching them, his mana a pitch-black aura. The man, with black hair and black eyes, wore priestly robes adorned with silver symbols. The noblewomen, recognizing the priest, greeted him. "Priest, it's a pleasure to meet you," one said. The other added, "I didn't know you attended parties."
The priest smiled and replied, "This party is a special one," his gaze settling on Luna and Kibo. Luna, smiling politely, said, "My, my, what brings you here, priest?"
The noblewomen sensed that the priest wanted to talk to Luna alone and excused themselves, saying, "We'll leave you to your conversation, Lady Luna." They moved back into the crowd, leaving Luna, Kibo, and the priest alone.
The priest extended his hand to shake Luna's, but she ignored it, maintaining her smile. The priest, undeterred, reached out to touch Kibo, saying, "I just wanted to see your son." Kibo, alarmed, thought, Don't let him touch me, Mom, don't, and closed his eyes. He then heard an old man's voice and opened his eyes to see an elderly man in his sixties with white hair and emerald eyes, wearing a hood, holding the priest's hand.
"Don't think about it, priest," the old man said with a stern expression. The priest, smiling back, said, "Ah, the Reaper. It's been a long time." Luna smiled as the priest withdrew his hand, and Kibo wondered, Who is this old man with enormous light red mana?