The Shadow Patriarch's Rebirth: Cast Aside as the Weakest, I Returned to Rule the World
Chapter Four — The Night Attempt
Location:
House Valerius Estate — Inner Courtyard & East Wing
Time: Same night as the aptitude test
Scene 1: Uneasy Silence
Moonlight washed over the Inner Courtyard.
Wind rustled through ancient trees.
Inside the East Wing, Celsius lay on his bed, eyes closed, breathing slow.
Celsius (thought): Too quiet.
The shadows beneath his bed trembled.
Eridiaries (voice): "They move."
Celsius's fingers curled slightly.
Celsius (thought): So soon…
Scene 2: The Intruders
Three figures slipped over the tiled roof.
Black cloth. Masked faces.
No insignia.
Assassin #1 (whisper): "Target confirmed."
Assassin #2: "Silent kill. No traces."
A blade slid through the window.
The room darkened unnaturally.
Scene 3: First Kill
The assassins entered.
The bed was empty.
Assassin #3: "What—"
The shadows rose.
A thin black line wrapped around a throat.
No scream.
A body fell.
The remaining two froze.
Assassin #1: "Magic?!"
Celsius stepped out of the darkness, barefoot.
Celsius (calm): "Leave."
Steel flashed.
Too late.
Shadow hardened like glass.
One blade shattered.
The assassin's eyes widened.
Assassin #2: "Monster—!"
Darkness swallowed him.
Silence returned.
Celsius swayed.
Celsius (thought): Too much…
Scene 4: Almost Discovered
Footsteps echoed.
Torches flared.
Guard Captain: "What was that sound?"
Celsius dissolved the shadows instantly.
The bodies faded—dragged into a sealed pocket of darkness.
He collapsed onto the floor.
The door opened.
Lyra rushed in.
Lyra: "Celsius?!"
He forced a weak smile.
Celsius: "I… fell."
She hugged him tightly.
Lyra: "Don't scare me like that."
From the corridor, Duke Magnus watched in silence.
His eyes lingered on the shattered blade fragment embedded in the wall.
Scene 5: Brothers' Orders
Location: High Balcony
Kael slammed his fist against stone.
Kael: "They failed?"
Darius's expression was dark.
Darius: "The assassins are gone."
Kael laughed quietly.
Kael: "So the rat has teeth."
Scene 6: The Shadow God's Price
Location: Inner Void
Celsius knelt, exhausted.
Celsius: "I used too much."
Eridiaries: "You survived."
Celsius: "At this rate, I'll be exposed."
The god's voice deepened.
Eridiaries: "Then grow faster."
A shadow sigil burned briefly on Celsius's chest.
Eridiaries: "Your body will adapt."
Eridiaries: "Pain is the toll."
Celsius gritted his teeth.
Celsius: "I'll endure."
Scene 7: The Patriarch's Suspicion
Location: Duke's Study
Magnus stared at reports.
Magnus: "Three intruders… no bodies."
Seraphina frowned.
Seraphina: "Do you think it was him?"
Magnus closed the file.
Magnus: "No child could do that."
But doubt flickered in his
To be continued.