TSYMVF 77

Chapter 77

Finally, the day of darkness had arrived.

After seeing Recardo off to Paramena, I put on the dress the maids had prepared for me.

“Miss, try to relax,” Maya said, rubbing my shoulders.

What made today different from the other Days of Darkness was that, from today onward, I would also place my own item into the ritual.

The Cup of Darkness expresses the nature and strength of one’s abilities through flames.

The family members use the cup to determine who is strong and who is weak.

So, this was essentially my initiation.

The only concern I had was that my ability was not Black Flame.

“You’ll do fine,” Maya encouraged.

“The cup won’t get angry, right?” I asked.

The Cup of Darkness judges the Black Flame of the Winchester family. There were legends that it would attack if a non-family item was placed, so fear was natural.

“You are a proper Winchester, after all,” Maya reassured me, trying to calm my worry.

Yes, even if my ability was different, I was still a Winchester—there was no way the cup would attack me, right?

As I tried to calm my heart, there was a knock from outside.

“This is the item the miss will place,” Robin said, holding out a ribbon similar to the one in my hair.

I looked at him with a puzzled expression.

“But… shouldn’t I be the one putting in my own item?”

“It may be difficult to understand, but in a situation where there may be enemies inside, it was judged inappropriate to reveal the miss’s information directly,” he explained.

“By His Grace, the Duke?”

“Yes.”

It seemed Recardo had prepared a different item for today.

Indeed… though word had spread that I had manifested an ability, the exact nature and power of my ability had not been revealed.

Only the core members of the four great families knew the details.

After Vanessa’s death, when I had revealed that I was the Key of Mekius, there were rumors that the family heads had held a meeting, but no decisions had been publicly disclosed.

Judging by the silence, they may have issued a decree of secrecy.

“Understood.” I took the ribbon from Robin.

“But, Robin…”

“Yes, Miss?”

“It seems like you’ve been training with Jin lately…”

My bodyguard, Robin, often left the room while I was inside.

“Ah, yes.” Robin scratched his head awkwardly.

I hesitated, then spoke carefully.

“If you want to become Master Jin’s knight, just say so. You’re a fine knight, Robin, but you might have more opportunities by being with him…”

“No, Miss!” Robin hurriedly interrupted.

In the original story, Robin was Jin’s knight, and it was the same in other timelines.

“It’s really fine. I’m sure Master Jin has noticed you,” I insisted.

“The reason His Highness trains me,” Robin continued, his brows firm, “is because of you, Miss.”

I paused.

“I still think protecting you is best. One day, you will grow stronger than me, but…”

A small smile appeared on Robin’s lips.

“You are thoughtful and kind, Miss. Becoming stronger is good, but right now, protecting you is what matters to me.”

His sincerity was clear in his voice.

Sunlight poured in through the windows, warm and bright. I nodded.

I proceeded to the place where the ritual was to be held.

This was the largest Winchester event, sharing the family’s identity and strengthening bonds.

But today, instead of Duke Recardo presiding, Jin sat in the master’s seat.

― “I heard there was a rebellion in the north. They say someone called a prophet is leading it…”

Maya, who had helped me dress, had mentioned this.

― “It will surely be easily suppressed.”

A rebellion. Something that hadn’t occurred in the Winchester lands for hundreds of years.

Since the Winchester family was associated with darkness, many in their territories were familiar with the dark arts.

Of course, ordinary residents existed, but many had tendencies toward dark occupations.

Yet, none dared defy the Winchesters. Their gangs might be small, but the Winchester family wielded immense power.

In exchange for paying a fixed portion of taxes, even the weak were fairly protected.

If conflicts arose among them, the Winchesters would intervene.

So a rebellion didn’t fit the Winchester territories.

“Ah… Sasha.”

“H… Hello.”

As I entered the hall for the ceremony, the eyes of collateral family members, whom I had met as a toddler, turned toward me.

Permetis looked away openly, while Nevil and Barmont at the front awkwardly greeted me.

It was almost comical how they scurried away.

I ignored Nevil and Barmont’s greetings and walked toward Jin, who sat in the master’s seat in Recardo’s place.

Though still looking like a boy, he suited the position well. His black uniform and aura were striking.

I lifted the hem of my dress slightly and bowed to Jin.

A small smile curved his lips.

The Cup of Darkness was visible in the distance.

Family members placed their items one by one. Black flames rose, consuming them.

It was said that the cup contained the aura of a black dragon.

It not only enhanced Winchester belonging but also acted as an altar.

I watched for a long time.

Nevil and Barmont’s flames were still weak. It was astonishing that their abilities had manifested.

“….”

And then, Permetis.

She threw her scarf into the cup with a haughty expression.

Before the end even reached inside, a brilliant flame erupted.

“Wow… impressive.”

“Truly, the daughter of Zestia-sama.”

Permetis smiled slyly. Bashron stood behind her.

Her flames couldn’t match Jin’s at his toes, but they were in a different league compared to Nevil or Barmont.

Reluctantly, I had to admit it.

Permetis glared at me with an arrogant smile.

Soon, everyone’s gaze turned to me, the last in line.

It was the first Day of Darkness for my manifested ability.

Everyone knew that I had manifested my ability.

I was a little curious myself.

I had expected the Black Flame to manifest, but instead, my ability, close to the maternal Quern family but still unknown—the Key of Mekius—had appeared.

What would happen if I placed my real item into this cup?

Surely, the black dragon wouldn’t get angry… right?

“….”

But it wasn’t the right time to satisfy curiosity.

I took out the ribbon Rowen had given me.

The black flames of the cup had distinct fingerprints. No one could claim another’s item as their own.

Everyone except me, for whom this was the first time.

“She manifested her ability at seven, so it should be strong.”

“Still, I wonder if it will be less beautiful than Permetis’ flames.”

“Let’s see the Duke Recardo’s secret weapon.”

Hoping that Recardo hadn’t given me an item that could be accused of theft, I slowly moved my hand toward the cup.

Jin’s intense gaze was on me.

I relaxed my grip little by little.

But just before the ribbon left my hand, a tremendous rumble came from beneath the ground.

I froze.

“What… was that just now?”

“It sounds like it’s coming from underground.”

“There’s no basement here… Aaah!!”

Something erupted from the floor, breaking it apart.

I froze at the sight of the armored head and red eyes.

It was a beast I had read about in books.

“T-That…!!”

“It’s a monster! A monster has appeared!”

People’s panicked voices rang out.

Like the Bahimos, this was a powerful beast believed extinct. Unlike the Bahimos, which traveled in packs, this creature roamed alone.

It measured 20 meters in length, even the heads of families would struggle to hunt it.

Some said it was a descendant of dragons, others called it a subordinate of Persetos—a formidable creature.

Leviathan.

Its red eyes were fixed on me.

And it opened its massive jaws, revealing sharp fangs.