5 Letter(Rewritten)
After drawing the tickets, my attention turned to the letter from the unknown goddess. "Show me the letter," I requested. In an instant, a unique piece of paper materialized beside me. It had an exquisite quality, as if it were crafted by skilled artisans. The paper itself exuded a divine aura, befitting of a goddess.
Eager to uncover the contents, I began reading the letter:
'Dear Callius, or should I say, Aaron. You must have many questions about yourself and the events that have unfolded around you. Rest assured, you will find your answers in due time, but only through your own strength. No one shall hinder your pursuit of truth.
You may have pondered why you have not received a blessing from any god or goddess. Deep down, I believe you have already discovered the reason for yourself.
If you seek to receive your blessing, come to the lake on the day of 'Nightfall's Abyss.'
From your goddess, Nyx
As I read the letter, everything became clear. I finally understood why I had not been granted a blessing from any other god or goddess. The one who had chosen me was none other than Lady Nyx, a goddess of immense power and also one of the most despised among them.
In this world, the goddess most revered is Lady Celestia, the embodiment of light. While there are other gods worshipped by different people, Lady Celestia's influence reigns supreme, and she bestows the most blessings. But where there is light, darkness always lurks.
In the game, the dark side of the gods was often associated with demons and their worshippers. However, I never believed that the Demon God solely represented darkness. The term "demon" denotes evil, not darkness itself. Likewise, the terms "god" and "Celeste" do not solely signify purity or virtue. Even the most virtuous goddesses harbor traces of darkness within them. It is the duality of our nature.
To truly consider oneself good, one must understand the allure of evil, taste the forbidden fruit, and consciously choose to embody virtue. True goodness lies in one's actions and the positive impact they have on others, rather than the titles bestowed upon them by others.
Yet, society always links darkness with evil and light with virtue. It is an innate human inclination. Darkness also symbolizes the unknown, and we often fear what we do not understand. That is why I had never come across the name of Lady Nyx in the game. She had become a forgotten goddess, lost in the shadows of history.
The letter itself seemed cryptic, particularly the phrase "Come to the lake on the day of Nightfall's Abyss," known to only a select few in this world. Nightfall's Abyss refers to the cataclysm that shook the entire multiverse, trapping creatures and mana within the world of Aeris. In the game, developers referred to it as lore, a secret guarded by those in power.
Nightfall's Abyss marked the dimensional rifts and the influx of races and monsters—elves, demons, dragons, vampires—into the world of Aeris. It occurred 2000 years ago, altering the very fabric of this fantasy realm.
The day of Night's Fall commemorates this event and happens to be tomorrow night. The lake mentioned in the letter is likely the 'Lake of the Forgotten,' situated near our duchy and not far from our mansion. Lady Nyx expects me to be there tomorrow.
It won't be an easy undertaking, considering my current powerlessness and the animosity from the mother-daughter duo. Escaping the watchful eyes within the mansion will pose a challenge, but I am determined to find a way.
/KNOCK/ /KNOCK/
Just as I reached my conclusion, the sound of knocking echoed through the room. Curious about the visitor, I commanded, "Enter."
In walked Susan, a maid with a voluptuous figure, brown hair, hazel eyes, and the standard maid uniform. I immediately recognized her, as she was appointed by my father and had always treated me with disdain.
"What brings you here, Susan?" I inquired, my tone reflecting authority and a touch of disdain.
Without a hint of respect, Susan replied, "Lady Adelyn has summoned you to her office, and she sent me to inform you."
Ah, I see. They've sent me this hypocrite, haven't they? Susan, one of the reasons behind Callius's villainous behavior in the game, always favored Arthur and believed Alicia would be a better match for him. From behind the scenes, she manipulated Callius's actions, intentionally aggravating him. She even provided me with potions that caused anger issues, subtly altering my behavior.
Aware of the changes within Callius, Susan knew no one else would notice or warn him. So she took it upon herself to drug him, fostering his descent into darkness. It's truly the epitome of hypocrisy, especially considering that she was plucked from the slums by Austin and given a better life.
However, since they decided to summon me, it's better to show "Lady Adelyn" some respect. Suppressing my anger, I addressed Susan again, "Wait, Maid Susan."
With an angry and commanding tone, I activated my [Tyrant's Aura], a trait that allowed me to intimidate others. Susan, a 5-star rank assassin, should have found the notion laughable, as I had no stars to my name. But for a brief moment, the pressure I exuded unsettled her, causing her to turn towards me.
"You dare?" she muttered in surprise, her eyes widening, abandoning herself as assassin for a moment. This alone was enough to show how comfortable she had become while behaving around me, since this simple thing was enough to make her disturbed.
Feeling a small sense of satisfaction, I continued, my voice dripping with disdain, "Be cautious in how you address me, commoner. Know your place."
Susan visibly trembled, her hazel eyes locked with mine. She hadn't anticipated such a reaction from me, a person she likely considered beneath her notice. With a slight quiver in her voice, she replied, "Yes, my lord. I apologize for my disrespectful behavior earlier, and I am prepared to accept any punishment you deem fit."
It appears the oath she swore when she entered service at this mansion still holds sway. This is for the best. Regardless of Susan's character or Austin's trust in her, it would be unwise to allow her to work here without an oath. The oath prohibits maids from harming or betraying the household, and it seems she cannot harm or kill me at this moment. However, there was a loophole in the oath, allowing her to drug me or manipulate me as her puppet. Since this did not directly harm the household, as I was considered talentless, she exploited that loophole.
"There's no need for punishment. Mistakes are bound to occur for a commoner such as yourself. Just be cautious in your future conduct and never forget what my father has done for you," I declared with a commanding tone, reminding her of her debt.
"I understand, my lord. I will exercise caution from now on," Susan responded, bowing her head in acknowledgment.
"Then let us proceed," I ordered, signaling our departure from the room. Together, we made our way to the office where Lady Adelyn conducted her official duties.
