Arkhiel was walking through the long hallways of the Victorian-style mansion with his mistress, Celica Vallenwood, ahead of him. This captivating young woman stood out with her long, blood-red hair. Her elegant red silk dress marked her high social standing as the daughter of the feared Duke Cedric Vallenwood, also known as the Bloody Duke. While many recognized the Vallenwood family for Cédric's ruthless efficiency, the true fear should be directed towards Celica, as she would become the most dangerous villainess in that world.
His name was Arkhiel, and he was someone who had reincarnated. At first, he was surprised by the fact of being reborn in this new world, but he didn't feel completely alien to the situation since, during his adolescence in his previous life, he used to read novels and manga where the protagonists were transported, reincarnated, or transmigrated to other worlds. This helped him somewhat to assimilate his reincarnation.
Despite being slightly prepared, he was still plagued with uncertainty about how he had ended up there. Was it purely the work of a higher being? He tended to believe the latter, as his appearance and abilities were identical to those of the character he had created in an MMORPG video game he used to play.
But why send him to the world of an Otome game from which he only managed to achieve the worst ending? He had been a failure as a person and wasn't particularly good at the only video game he played. During the first years of his new life, he recognized this world immediately. It turned out that what he had considered a simple fantasy Victorian video game, where magic exists and fantastic races inhabit its lands, titled The Seed of the End, had become his new reality.
The plot revolved around a protagonist born in the lower districts of the country. However, what many did not know was that she was the chosen one, destined to confront an ancestral evil that threatened the extinction of all life forms on the planet.
In his current situation, he served as Celica's butler, although despite describing her as the most dangerous villain in the novel, she did not represent the final enemy. The latter transcended any notion of evil or conventional antagonism, and its true nature surpassed any qualification as a villain.
Any player of The Seed of the End would know that being close to Celica was pointless. Despite her dazzling beauty, she was a terrible person with a tragic destiny for both herself and those around her. However, he was unaware of her past, and it was precisely that past they now shared that drove him to protect her as if she were his younger sister.
Currently, they were in the mansion of Marquess Percival Somerset, where Celica intended to discuss some matters with him. As they walked through the halls, Arkhiel couldn't help but notice the furtive glances of the servants they passed. However, it wasn't just them who were watching; he could sense the presence of at least four hidden individuals.
"Truly, we are in the lion's den," Celica whispered indifferently, expressing her lack of surprise at the situation.
"It seems that is the case," Arkhiel replied politely.
Finally, they reached the imposing door of the Lord's study, where a young maid greeted them with a curtsy.
"Miss Vallenwood, Marquess Percival has been awaiting your arrival. Please, come in," she said, subtly opening the door.
The study was what one would call a reflection of his power and status, the walls adorned with dark wood panels, carefully carved with ornamental details. On both sides of the study were large bookshelves filled with books, various landscape paintings adorning the spaces, and a cabinet filled with fine liquors and wines, clearly demonstrating his need to reflect his wealth.
Seated was a man of perhaps 50 years of neat appearance, slightly overweight, with a kind smile.
"Miss Vallenwood, please have a seat. It's a pleasure to have you in my home. I hope your stay will be to your liking," greeted Marquess Somerset courteously and formally.
"Save the formalities for later, Lord Percival, and let's address the main issue without delay," Celica replied haughtily and challengingly.
"That's what I like about the young ones; they are so direct. Well, do you remember when you approached me to steal those rank 4 magic stones? I regret to inform you that we've encountered a little problem."
"And what might that problem be?" Celica asked coldly.
"The stones are impossible to steal, as the royal guards guard them."
"So, you and your men are useless."
"I'm saddened that you think that. I will show you otherwise," Percival's facial expression subtly changed to a more threatening one.
Celica, sensing Percival's ill intentions, asked emotionlessly, "Well, what do you want?"
"Doing business with you has been unprofitable and has posed many risks to me. I ask for twice the amount you were willing to pay for the magic stones, and you can leave, ending our business relationship without issues."
"I came expecting good news and found betrayal instead."
"You don't seem surprised."
"To be honest, I expected this might happen at some point."
"Tomorrow, before noon, I will be expecting the payment," Percival concluded.
"Hey, Arkhiel, those paintings are really beautiful. Who do you think painted them?" Celica asked, ignoring Percival.
"By the style, I would say they were painted by Ceron Hellagan," Arkhiel replied.
"I thought the same. They would look perfect in my bedroom!" exclaimed Celica enthusiastically.
Percival clapped lightly, and at that moment, four hooded individuals entered the study.
"I am not joking," Percival's words showed anger.
"Neither am I," replied Celica.
"I know your abilities and those of your butler; however, these people are rank 5 assassins."
"It's time to go," said Celica calmly as she rose from her chair.
The assassins took an offensive stance.
Percival expected to see fear on their faces, but he found only indifference, which left him frustrated.
"Arkhiel, you know what to do," Celica instructed.
He nodded, casting the spells Shade Walk and Shade Armament, combining them with the abilities Nocturnal Dance and Night Strike.
His body seemed to turn into black smoke, fading and reappearing behind the assassins. With the Shade Armament spell, he conjured a dagger that seemed to be made of the same dark smoke, and with Night Strike, he attacked them, slitting their throats one by one.
Thanks to the Nocturnal Dance ability, his movement speed increased considerably, as did his reactions, allowing him to carry out the attacks with lethal precision.
In two seconds, all the assassins were dispatched. By the time they realized what was happening, it was already too late. Their throats continued to spill blood.
Finally, Arkhiel returned to his original position.
"What just happened!?" Percival asked in horror, having fallen off his chair.
"I hate traitors," Celica said with slight annoyance as she approached him.
"Please, don't kill me, I'll give you whatever you want!" Percival pleaded.
"Give me all your wealth," Celica demanded.
Percival hesitated for a moment and then nodded. "Yes, take everything."
"You know, for your betrayal, I could make you suffer unimaginable torture, but since you turned out to be useful, I'll grant you a swift death."
"No... You can't kill me. You said if I gave you my wealth, you wouldn't harm me."
"I don't recall saying that," Celica continued, stepping closer. "Arkhiel."
"Wait! If you kill me, everyone will know it was you. Everyone saw you enter here!" Percival exclaimed, trying to save his life.
"Everyone?" Celica asked with an enigmatic smile. "But if everyone is dead," she added.
"What?" were Percival's last words before his head rolled to the ground.
When they left the blood-stained study, they found the bodies of the servants scattered on the floor. Amid that gruesome scene, one person was waiting near the door.
There hadn't been a single scream; everything had happened so quickly, demonstrating the assassin's skill.
That person was Lina, a young woman a year older than Celica. She had slightly short silver hair and great beauty, to say the least. She was dressed in a black outfit that allowed her to move easily.
In the original novel, Lina was Celica's right hand and shadow, although that role now belonged to Arkhiel. There wasn't much difference.
"Lina did well," Lina said as she handed Celica a small hourglass.
"Let's go," was Celica's only response. Previously, she had instructed Lina that if they hadn't left the study after three rounds of the hourglass, she should kill everyone in the mansion.
Lina had waited for the assassins to enter the study to finish off everyone.
Arkhiel couldn't help but internally sigh at the sight of so many innocent people's corpses.
If his former self, before coming to that world, had witnessed that scene, he would have been deeply horrified.
It had been seventeen years since he reincarnated into that cruel world and eleven years since he made that promise to Celica and Lina.