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墨書 Inktalez
Luna's big, watery eyes sparkled with a cunning that belied her age.
She babbled, pointing her small finger out the window, mumbling indistinctly, "The back mountain... over there..."
Aelia was already troubled by Leonard's matters, and at the mention of "the back mountain," her heart skipped a beat.
She leaned down, focusing intently on Luna's little face, trying to glean more information from it.
"Luna, what are you saying? What about the back mountain?"
But Luna only giggled, wriggling in her cradle as if she were just playing.
Yet Aelia knew that Luna was not simply being whimsical.
She recalled Luna's various unusual behaviors over the past few days and began to form a nagging suspicion.
Could it be... that Luna knew something?
Aelia was not entirely ignorant of the rumors surrounding the back mountain.
The back mountain of the Glorious Demon Fortress had always been regarded as a forbidden place.
It was said to be the resting place of the ancestors of the Magic Castle, and it harbored some unknown secrets.
Rumor had it that unfortunate infants had been abandoned there, their cries echoing in the night, sending chills down one's spine.
But these were merely rumors; Aelia had never seen them for herself and had never delved deeper into them.
After all, as the Lady of the Fortress of Glorious Demon Fortress, she had far too many concerns to spare time for such gossip.
But now, Luna had taken the initiative to mention the back mountain, prompting Aelia to reassess the situation.
She gazed at Luna's innocent face, a strong sense of responsibility swelling within her.
No, she could no longer stand by and do nothing.
Whatever secrets the back mountain held, she was determined to uncover them!
Aelia's expression grew resolute as she took a deep breath and instructed Qin Si, “Qin Si, prepare the Horse-drawn Carriage. We are going to the back mountain.”
Qin Si hesitated for a moment, concern etched on her face. “Madam, it’s already nightfall. The back mountain is eerie and frightening; perhaps we should wait until tomorrow?”
Aelia shook her head, her tone leaving no room for argument. “No, we cannot delay. We must go now.” She paused and added, “This matter must not be disclosed to anyone, including Leonard.”
Qin Si understood Aelia's temperament; once she had made up her mind, nothing could deter her.
With a resigned sigh, she replied, “Yes, Madam.”
As night fell, the Glorious Demon Fortress was shrouded in shadows.
The back mountain appeared even more ominous and foreboding.
Aelia rode in the Horse-drawn Carriage, bumping along until they reached the foot of the back mountain.
She disembarked from the carriage and looked up to see an expanse of darkness that seemed like a massive web enveloping the entire back mountain.
The surroundings were eerily quiet; all that could be heard was the rustling of leaves in the wind and distant hoots of owls, sending chills down her spine.
Aelia tightened her cloak and said to Qin Si, "Let's go."
The two of them walked step by step along a winding path, making their way up the mountain.
The higher they climbed, the colder the temperature became, and a strange aura filled the air.
Suddenly, a commotion arose ahead.
"Who goes there? Stop!"
Several armored guards, armed with spears, blocked Aelia's path.
"My lady? What brings you here?" one of the guards recognized Aelia and quickly lowered his spear, asking respectfully.
Aelia's expression turned serious as she replied, "I received reports of unusual activity in the back mountain, so I came to investigate."
The guards exchanged worried glances, their expressions anxious.
One of the guards hesitantly spoke up, "My lady, actually... we aren't quite sure what is happening either. We just suddenly sensed a strange Magical Fluctuation a moment ago, which is why we..."
"Magical Fluctuation?" Aelia furrowed her brow, feeling increasingly uneasy.
She knew that the back mountain was anything but simple.
"Take me to see," she said in a low voice.
The guards dared not delay and quickly led the way, guiding Aelia and Qin Si toward the source of the Magical Fluctuation.
Not long after, they arrived at a clearing.
In the clearing lay several skeletal remains, scattered haphazardly.
These bones were very small, clearly the remains of infants.
On top of these bones was a layer of black Magical Energy, emanating a nauseating aura.
Aelia was stunned at the sight before her.
She covered her mouth, unable to believe what she was witnessing.
She never imagined that the back mountain of the Glorious Demon Fortress concealed such a horrifying secret!
“What… what is going on?” Aelia's voice trembled, filled with anger and sorrow.
A guard spoke hesitantly, “My lady, it is said… it is said that these are abandoned infants. For various reasons, they were forsaken by their parents and thrown to the back mountain, ultimately… ultimately dying here.”
“Nonsense!” Aelia exclaimed fiercely, “The Glorious Demon Fortress is noble and kind; how could it commit such an atrocious act?!”
The guards fell to their knees in fear, not daring to speak.
Aelia struggled to contain her fury as she approached one of the infant skeletons.
She knelt down and gently touched the cold bones, tears streaming down her face uncontrollably.
“Poor children, what have you endured?” Her voice choked with emotion, filled with compassion and grief.
Qin Si stood to the side, tears streaming down her face.
She had served Aelia for many years and had never seen her so heartbroken.
"Madam, please don't be sad," Qin Si gently comforted.
Aelia shook her head, wiped her tears, and stood up. Her gaze became resolute and sharp.
"No, I cannot be sad. I must get to the bottom of this and seek justice for these children!" she said through gritted teeth.
"Qin Si, immediately summon Eldest Brother, Second Brother, and Brother San. Have them come to the back mountain to see me," Aelia commanded.
"Yes, Madam," Qin Si replied and turned to leave.
Before long, Eldest Brother, Second Brother, and Brother San hurried to the back mountain.
"Mother, what happened?" Eldest Brother asked anxiously, leaning on his cane.
Aelia pointed to the infant remains on the ground and said solemnly, "You can see for yourselves."
The three men followed Aelia's gaze and their faces instantly changed.
"This..." Second Brother exclaimed with wide eyes, unable to believe it. "How could this happen?"
Brother San was equally shocked; he murmured to himself, "Could it be... could those rumors be true?"
Aelia looked at her three sons and spoke with a serious tone: "This matter concerns the reputation of the Glorious Demon Fortress and countless innocent lives. I hope you can set aside everything in hand and assist me fully in investigating this."
Eldest Brother, Second Brother, and Brother San exchanged glances, each seeing the determination reflected in the others' eyes.
"Don't worry, Mother. We will do our utmost," Eldest Brother declared first.
"That's right. We will never allow such evil to persist," Second Brother added.
"For the Glorious Demon Fortress, and for those poor children, we have no choice but to act," Brother San affirmed his resolve as well.
Aelia nodded with relief.
She knew that with the help of her three sons, she would surely uncover the truth and bring the mastermind to justice!
"Alright, since that's settled, we will split up. Eldest Brother, you will investigate the identities of these infants and find out where they came from. Second Brother, you are skilled in magic; analyze the magical energy on these remains to see who cast this evil magic. Brother San, you will look into the guards on the back mountain to determine if they are aware of anything," Aelia organized the tasks methodically.
"Yes, Mother!" the three responded in unison.
The night wind howled, stirring Aelia's hem and igniting the fury within her heart.
She gazed into the distance,
believing that justice would ultimately triumph over evil!
As everyone busied themselves with their tasks, a shadow silently appeared in the distance.
The figure observed everything unfolding, their gaze deep and complex.
"An interesting turn of events... It seems I need to take action..."
He murmured to himself, his voice deep and hoarse, as if it came from the depths of hell.
He turned and walked away, disappearing into the night, leaving behind a few fallen leaves that danced aimlessly in the wind.
Meanwhile, in the Master Bedroom of the Glorious Demon Fortress.
Luna had already drifted into a dream, her little face flushed, with a hint of a sweet smile at the corners of her mouth.
Suddenly, a bright shadow enveloped her.
The light was gentle and soft, like a mother's hand tenderly caressing her Luna.
As the glow gradually faded, it formed a transparent Magic Barrier that surrounded Luna's Cradle.
Mysterious runes flickered above the barrier, emanating powerful Magical Energy.
With this barrier in place, no force could disturb Luna's sleep...
Shortly after the barrier appeared, a commotion arose at the investigation site. The voice of her elder brother faintly reached her: "Mother, this magic..." Aelia raised her hand to silence him, her gaze turning toward the distance... The night air was thick with the humid scent of damp earth and decaying leaves.
Flickering torches cast long, swaying shadows on the ground, illuminating this terrifying discovery.
Aelia's face turned pale and haggard as she stared at the small skeleton scattered on the ground, an unsettling premonition creeping into her heart.
The air was filled with a faint, sickly sweet scent of Dark Magic that churned her stomach.
The guards whispered softly in fear, echoing her inner unease.
She could feel the cold, damp earth beneath her boots, the rough texture of the cloak pressed against her skin, but her thoughts were elsewhere, struggling to cope with the horrific scene unfolding before her.
At the same time, a shadow detached itself from the darkness of the surrounding trees.
Lucius's face was obscured by shadows as he observed the scene with a complex expression of concern and helplessness.
He heard Mother’s anguished cries, the murmurs of the guards, and his Brothers' urgent gasps.
The air crackled with untamed, raw Magical Energy, a stark contrast to the controlled and refined magic he was accustomed to.
A wave of guilt washed over him; he felt responsible for the darkness that had seeped into their family legacy.
He knew he had to take action, not for the family's reputation, but for that small, innocent life within the walls of the estate.
He slipped away unnoticed, like a ghost in the night.
His footsteps were silent on the grass where Luna lay, his movements fluid and graceful.
He entered the estate, where the warmth of the fireplace contrasted sharply with the cold night air.
A faint scent of Lavender wafted from his sister's room, her favorite fragrance.
He paused at the door, a strong urge to protect swelling within him, accompanied by a sharp pang.
He could hear her soft, even breaths and the gentle rustling of her blanket.
In the room, soft moonlight streamed through the window, enveloping everything. Xiao Luna lay there, her angelic face relaxed in slumber.
Lucius felt a surge of warmth for this little life; she was so innocent, completely unaware of the darkness swirling around her.
He softly whispered a spell, and his fingertip glimmered with a gentle, ethereal light.
A flickering, translucent barrier rose around the cradle, woven from pure magic.
It emitted a soft glow, warding off any negative energy and the scattered whispers of the horrific events unfolding beyond the walls of the estate.
Then, he placed a small, intricately carved wooden box beside her cradle.
Inside the box, resting on soft velvet, were some rare and potent magical herbs, resources of considerable value.
These were not just ordinary herbs; they contained the essence of life itself, capable of healing the deepest wounds, whether physical or magical.
He had been saving them, hoarding them for a rainy day, and now he was aware that the moment had come.
He knew that these resources, combined with Luna's extraordinary wisdom, could be the key to restoring his family's shattered magic.
Gently, he brushed a curl from her forehead, a silent promise hanging in the air.
Then, with one last tender glance, he turned and vanished into the night, leaving behind only the faintest magical traces and a quiet hope for a beautiful dawn.
Sunlight streamed through the window, bathing the nursery in hues of gold and rose.
Luna stirred and slowly opened her eyes.
She saw the box, its exquisite carvings shimmering in the sunlight, and couldn't help but let out a soft gasp.
She immediately recognized the herbs; even through the wood, their powerful magic pulsed faintly.
A broad, joyful smile spread across her face.
"Perfect," she said with a laugh, her voice carrying an unsettling wisdom.
Later that morning, Xiao Luna, with an authority beyond her years, guided the perplexed and furrowed Brother San in the precise allocation of these magical resources.
She pointed and gestured, her movements surprisingly clear, as her small palm controlled the family's destiny.
The herbs destined for her elder brother, once crushed, would be brewed into a special potion to alleviate the torment of his Magic Backlash.
That rare flower, its petals shimmering with a rainbow glow, would mend Second Brother's magic, shattered by betrayal and curses from a so-called friend.
In her hand was a tiny, glimmering crystal; its facets reflected light as she explained how to use it to enhance Brother San's still-developing magic.
Her little hands moved purposefully, driven by a plan and a strong determination to rewrite the tragic story she knew awaited them.
There was a sense of urgency in her actions, a desperate need to patch together the broken pieces of their family before the true storm arrived.
Aelia stood at the doorway, watching with a mix of awe and confusion.
The night before, she had followed Luna's mysterious instructions and discovered that the situation was even more dire than she had imagined.
She saw the unwavering determination in Luna's eyes and her steadfast focus on restoring their family.
Kneeling beside the Cradle, she held the baby's hand tightly.
"Luna," she whispered, her voice choked with excitement, "what do you know?"
Luna looked up at Mother, her large, intelligent eyes reflecting a wisdom beyond her years.
She pointed with her chubby fingers to a picture hanging on the wall, an image of Leonard, his handsome face always adorned with a smile.
Then, in a barely audible voice, she uttered a chilling word: "Lies."
Aelia felt a wave of coldness creep down her spine.
She stared at the picture, at the smile that had once been the center of her world, and a flicker of hatred ignited in her eyes.
All the clues aligned—the whispers of rumors, the strange disappearances, and the unsettling feeling that had plagued her for months.
Everything pointed to him.
She clenched her fists, Ailya's white nails digging into her palm.
"He will pay for this," she murmured, her voice low and filled with rage. "He will pay for everything."
Suddenly, a knock echoed through the room, followed by Qin Si's subdued voice.
"Madam, there's a messenger at the door. He says it's urgent." Aelia's gaze shifted. "Let him in," she said, her tone carrying a chilling calmness. "This," she glanced at the picture again and then at Luna, adding, "is just the beginning."
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