Chapter 6: Manor of the Hollow Veil

Shin felt a mix of confusion and unease as he gazed at the horizon, the noble family's estate still a ways off. He recalled the letter's cryptic message before it had turned to ash. "See how corrupt the family is, hmm? I won't know until I get there and find out exactly what I’ve gotten myself into. And on my first mission too."

He groaned, shaking his head. Under these circumstances, he had no choice but to go through with it. Sighing, he pressed his palm to his forehead. Thinking about it now was a waste of time. He slapped his own cheek lightly, as if grounding himself. "Well, if I’ve been tasked with this mission right from the start, I’d better live up to it and make a name for myself."

From now on, he knew he would have to leave his true family name behind, using only his alias, Gitsunae. The irony wasn’t lost on him. It was a play on words, a subtle nod to his Kitsune heritage. He was still royalty, but his uncle's words echoed in his mind: "What good is a title when there are no subjects to rule?"

Then he remembered his uncle’s wife’s rebuttal: "It doesn’t matter. When people look to you, whether by blood or by choice, if they recognize you as a ruler, then by your title, you rule. People follow those worthy of the position, just as your father once did."

They were both right in their own way, but he had yet to find the middle ground. None of that mattered now. He was on the run, and if he wanted to survive, he would do whatever was necessary, all in honor of his family and those who had trusted him to live.

After moments of silent contemplation, he realized he had arrived. The mission dictated that he would serve as a bodyguard for a noble family, though their name had been withheld to prevent assassination attempts. He scoffed silently. These Westerners were clearly well-versed in betrayal, he mused.

He had much to learn from them, so that neither he nor those he cared for would ever be caught off guard again. He swore by it. A necessary habit for survival, even if he despised it.

Looking out the carriage window, he saw a stunning garden filled with chrysanthemums and lilies, all surrounding a magnificent fountain. At its center stood a grand marble statue, an angel riding a rearing winged horse, a spear pointing skyward as if the figure was preparing for battle at a moment’s notice. The estate itself loomed behind the statue, an imposing structure of dark stone with elaborate stained-glass windows that reflected the fading sunlight in eerie colors.

Straightening his posture, he prepared himself. As soon as the carriage came to a stop and the guard opened the door, Shin disembarked with the dignified grace of a nobleman. He carried himself with quiet authority, his movements deliberate and precise. The guards standing at the gate took notice, their eyes widening as if witnessing the arrival of foreign royalty.

Shin turned to George, offering him a small smile and a nod of gratitude. George returned the nod, sparing a glance at the estate before riding off. As the gates closed behind him, Shin exhaled softly before stepping forward.

Immediately, the weight of the place pressed down on him. The very air felt heavy, saturated with something dark and foul. His stomach twisted, a wave of nausea crashing over him. He covered his mouth, forcing himself to suppress the urge to vomit. The stench of death clung to this place like a second skin.

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The guards glanced at him, some with mild curiosity, others with barely concealed shame. None moved to help him, except one.

"Are you okay, Hunter?" A female guard approached, placing a steadying hand on his arm. Her voice was calm, but her eyes held a warning, as if telling him to tread carefully.

Shin took a deep breath, regaining his composure. His sharp eyes flickered over her hands, noting the bruises marring her skin. These were no ordinary bruises. He exhaled slowly, forcing himself to speak evenly, though his voice still held a faint tremor.

"I’m fine. Just a little motion sickness. I’ll be better once I get something to drink before meeting the client."

The guard signaled for a servant, and soon a young man dressed in ragged clothing approached, carrying a glass of cold water. Shin took the drink, his keen gaze assessing the servant. He noticed the man’s missing fingers and the faint scent of dried blood lingering on him.

Another clue. Another confirmation that something was deeply wrong here.

As he drank, he silently observed his surroundings. The deeper he looked, the more unsettling details he found. Not just the scent of death, but the weight of despair. The suffocating aura of malice. The energy here felt disturbingly familiar, akin to the presence of those who had slaughtered his clan.

Could there be a connection?

He kept that thought to himself, deciding to investigate further. For now, he needed to proceed carefully.

The grand doors to the manor were opened for him, revealing the opulence within. The architecture was reminiscent of the Baroque era, every column and pillar adorned with gothic statues that peered down at him with hollow, unseeing eyes. Art surrounded him, paintings, sculptures, ornate carvings, all painstakingly crafted to perfection. And yet, despite the grandeur, something was unsettling about it. The air smelled too clean, as if masking something rotten beneath the surface.

He took in every detail, his crimson eyes scanning the room as if he were a visitor in a grand museum. The job request had stated that this family held close ties to the Imperial Throne. If that was the case, they were either a key family or a branch of the ruling lineage.

So why did Guild Master Davis want them eliminated?

Shin would find out soon enough.

A guard led him through the halls toward the study, which also served as a library. Towering shelves lined the walls, filled with countless tomes. Even as he walked, he maintained his facade, calm, composed, unshaken, though every fiber of his being recoiled at the oppressive air of the manor. As he passed by, he caught a glimpse of a portrait. The faces of the noble family stared back at him with lifeless eyes, their painted smiles unsettling. It was then that he noticed something else, a small figure in the background, barely noticeable, watching from the shadows.

As they approached, the female guard announced his arrival. Shin strode forward, his movements exuding the dignified air of nobility. Despite her stoic tone, he could sense the woman’s fear. It clung to her like a second skin, barely concealed beneath the surface.

His eyes settled on the figures before him, a man and a woman standing together, the latter clinging to the former’s arm. The man stepped forward, his lips stretching into an almost welcoming smile as he extended his hand.

Even from a distance, Shin could feel their presence. Their auras were steeped in malice, the same oppressive sensation he had felt on the night of his clan’s massacre.

He kept his expression neutral, but his instincts screamed at him to be on guard.

Meanwhile, hidden in the shadows, Laverna listened. Another bodyguard. The fifth one in the last few weeks. They always disappeared.

This one would be no different.

Or would he?