"Young Master Connice, the Piga family has diligently served for many years, and each time you visit the shores of the Sea of Death, I have offered you the most esteemed hospitality.
However, I fear I may no longer be able to continue this practice..."
Old Piga stooped, suddenly appearing a decade older, sorrow evident in his eyes.
Seated at the head of the table was a young man clad in a deep blue tailcoat, handsome and affluent, adorned with priceless baubles.
He set down his wine glass, perplexed, and inquired:
"Why do you say this? In three months, I intend to visit Regalia City for my customary retreat. Are you suggesting, Old Piga, that you have grown weary of my service and are now concocting excuses to dismiss me?"
The Black Ice Dragons operated one of the largest banks in the world, and Old Piga had amassed considerable wealth, necessitating his subservience to the clan.
Such arrangements ensured that even if the Dragon Flame family discovered his clandestine dealings, they could not seize his assets. The Piga family could easily abscond, securing their financial future.
To lose one's wealth while alive is the most excruciating fate.
"I would never dare to, Young Master Connice. My family has encountered unprecedented turmoil; a temporary lord has recently arrived..."
Old Piga shared the dire circumstances with Young Master Connice, especially the tragic demise of his family.
As a member of the esteemed Black Ice Dragons, Connice held immense power. Not only was he of the primary bloodline, but both of his parents were formidable A-Class warriors, fiercely protective of him.
Few dared to incite Connice's wrath, both within and outside the clan.
He had an unusual proclivity; he favored women who bore unique scars, particularly those afflicted by the vile creatures of exile.
The injuries inflicted by these beasts left an indelible mark, even after healing.
The Piga family had long engaged in this service, occasionally causing beautiful women from the impoverished districts to "mysteriously disappear" and end up in Connice's bed.
When suitable candidates were scarce, they resorted to purchasing enslaved women from elsewhere, deliberately inflicting injuries to meet Connice's peculiar tastes.
To avoid detection, they would silence any witnesses, treating these women as disposable commodities.
The Piga family's most significant expenses involved regularly procuring new maids, offering generous remuneration to recruit beautiful women, ostensibly serving as potential candidates for Connice.
"Does this mean the banquet I had arranged is no more?"
Realizing the implications, Connice's expression darkened.
"Indeed, my age limits my ability to assist you as I once did, and my son has just taken over the family responsibilities only to meet a tragic end..."
Old Piga buried his face in his hands, weeping.
Connice placed a reassuring hand on the old man's shoulder and said:
"I shall aid you in rebuilding your family and seek vengeance for you; this is my acknowledgment of your family's loyalty over the years."
"But… that lord is also a dragon descendant; isn't it forbidden for dragon kin to engage in lethal combat? How could I allow you to bear such a risk?"
"Not all dragon descendants are created equal; not every dragon can be compared to me.
Moreover, is it not possible that the death of one dragon kin in the Sea of Death was merely an accident?"
Connice rose and turned to stand by the window.
An elderly steward, nearing A-Class strength, appeared, awaiting orders.
"Barleton, accompany me to Regalia City; this year's vacation plans have been moved up."
...
Regalia City.
During several days of preemptive slumber, Shanaoya melded into her blankets, as did the other forbidden ones.
Chu Yan seized the opportunity to knock on his female companions' doors, informing them of the necessity for thorough rest over the next few days.
Of course, he merely rapped on the doors and exchanged a few words through the barriers.
Chu Yan felt inexplicably like a dormitory supervisor...
Simultaneously, he ventured into the impoverished districts over the past few days, organizing relocation efforts, directing residents to move their dwellings beyond the city gates and towards the interior, where they could rebuild their small abodes.
This endeavor faced no resistance; the minor nobles of the Sea of Death occasionally stirred, but they dared not voice their discontent.
The death of the Piga family remained fresh in everyone's minds. Even with Chu Yan's solid alibi, the nobles suspected some connection to him.
He had no desire to shoulder such blame, yet he noticed the nobles had grown remarkably subdued, which he found somewhat agreeable.
On the coastal wasteland, ethereal and enchanting melodies faintly echoed.
According to intelligence, this signaled the presence of sirens.
The alluring song possessed a captivating magic that could not be listened to for too long; under such conditions, it became perilous for the impoverished to rely on the Sea of Death's forces to clear out the riffraff.
"The moon has grown larger, and the ambient magical energy has indeed become thick and abundant..."
Chu Yan inexplicably recalled the humid weather of his previous life, where mists lingered and clothing remained damp.
It was an eerily familiar sensation.
In the darkened sky, the moon, now the size of a bottle cap, loomed ominously, as if it were about to descend, the pockmarked surface of the celestial body faintly discernible.
At the edges of the moonlight, a faint crimson hue began to emerge.
Perhaps soon, it would transform into the Blood Moon mentioned in the journal—ominous and alluring.
"Is this the magical tide induced by the special lunar phase... I should wake them."
The dormitory supervisor returned to the castle and promptly knocked on Janet's door, hoping she would assist in rousing everyone.
However, when Janet opened the door, she promptly flung herself back onto the bed, her disheveled hair obscuring her enchanting face.
"Little lord, have you come to offer a bed... join me."
Chu Yan felt inclined to remind her that as one who oversleeps, she ought to maintain a more presentable appearance, at the very least donning the most basic garments.
Goodness, how alluring she appeared!
"Stop sleeping; it's time to rise. Help me wake everyone, as you have easier access to their rooms."
Janet waved her hand dismissively, indicating that the little lord could leave. She struggled on her pillow, insisting:
"I need to catch a few more winks... You go fetch someone to wake me."
"How am I supposed to enter others' rooms?"
Chu Yan relinquished his efforts, resigning himself to knocking on doors one by one, regardless of whether he could wake anyone, prioritizing the fulfillment of his duty.
Eventually, he returned to his own chamber and threw back the covers to reveal a serene and slumbering beauty—Shanaoya.
Having grown quite familiar with her, Chu Yan effortlessly lifted her, forcing the once-recumbent woman to stand.
However, this "forced awakening" was not successful; Shanaoya groggily stumbled forward, but Chu Yan caught her in time.
Observing Shanaoya resting against his shoulder in slumber, Chu Yan keenly sensed the influence of this celestial phenomenon upon them!
Yet, why did he feel nothing himself?
At most, he was somewhat unaccustomed to being enveloped in this magical atmosphere, akin to wearing damp undergarments while moving about.
The nobles appeared unaffected, merely astonished by the rarity of the weather.
Did it only impact the forbidden ones...
As Shanaoya, unable to rise successfully, attempted to cling to Chu Yan in a bid to return to bed, he playfully resisted her, exclaiming:
"Shanaoya, if you don't wake up soon, I shall take advantage of you and treat you like a baby!"
"Alright... just let me sleep a bit longer, and I won't hold it against you."
"?!"
Despite her languid state, Shanaoya summoned a surprising amount of strength, pulling Chu Yan's head against her soft bosom. Taking advantage of his stunned rigidity, she tumbled back onto the plush bed.
"While I appreciate your uncharacteristic openness in your drowsy state, it is still time to rise."
"...Be quiet; if you keep talking, I'll remember this for ten days."
In her drowsy subconscious, Shanaoya pressed her softness into his mouth, effectively silencing him.