Night fell.
Lora's grandfather, Lantra, returned with groceries, and Grandma Caitlin busied herself in the kitchen. The elderly woman's cooking was excellent—the steaming aroma of onion soup alone was enough to stir one's appetite. Thin slices of ham lay neatly arranged on a platter, enticing even without further preparation. The merchant had claimed it was imported black pork from the Kingdom of Tria—a warrior nation famed not only for its soldiers but for its exceptional livestock breeds.
"Roast chicken's ready!"
Caitlin carried the final main dish to the table.
"All right, children, that's everything."
They took their seats and offered prayers according to their faiths.
Charlotte, a devotee of the Goddess of Light, clasped her hands together and pressed them against her forehead. Lantra shared the same belief. Caitlin and Lora, however, followed the Goddess of Night, tracing a six-pointed star over their chests.
Though their faiths differed, one line of the prayer was shared by all:
"Saint Messiah is Your representative walking upon this earth. We praise His holiness and selflessness."
After the prayer, Caitlin clapped her hands cheerfully.
"Now then! Dig in, children!"
"Mmm! It's delicious!"
Lora immediately grabbed her utensils and began devouring her food, cheeks puffed full.
"Shalotte you gotta come more oftun—"
"Swallow before you speak," Lantra said, frowning.
"Cough—!"
Lora hurriedly gulped down her food, nearly choking before washing it down with soup.
"You have to come more often, Charlotte! Grandma only cooks this good when you're here!"
"You silly girl," Caitlin laughed fondly.
The dinner atmosphere was warm and harmonious.
Until—
Knock. Knock.
Caitlin paused. "Who would it be at this hour?"
"I'll check."
Lantra rose and walked to the door.
"Yes? Who is it?"
"Good evening. I'm here to see Prosecutor Lantra."
A low male voice answered from outside.
Lantra's brows knit together. Looking for me? After all these years?
A recent case on Narcissus Street flashed through his mind.
"You've mistaken the address," Lantra replied cautiously. "There's no Lantra here."
"Heh… is that so?"
A hoarse chuckle echoed.
Lantra's vision swam for a split second.
Then his body stiffened.
Something sharp pressed against his back.
"Don't move, Mr. Lantra. Don't move."
The man's voice was low and amused.
"I have quite a few things I'd like to discuss with you…"
"Ah!"
"Grandpa!"
Charlotte and the others saw what was happening. Caitlin gasped aloud. Lora froze in panic. Even Charlotte, mature beyond her years, felt helpless. She had never faced something like this.
And judging by the way the man had appeared just now—he was likely a spellcaster.
Everyone present was just an ordinary person.
This was bad.
"Caitlin. Don't come closer," Lantra said firmly.
Caitlin quickly shielded the two girls behind her.
The man laughed softly.
"No need to be so tense, Mr. Lantra. I'm only here for you."
"…What do you want?"
"Heh… I wonder if you still remember the name 'Sicana.'"
Lantra froze.
"Sicana?! H-how do you know that name?"
"I didn't expect you to remember."
The man pressed the blade closer.
"You've probably forgotten his voice, though."
Lantra fell silent.
The man's laughter deepened.
"It's been a long time, Mr. Lantra."
"…You're… Sicana?"
"Yes," the man said calmly. "The pitiful insect who was falsely accused and imprisoned. Sicana."
Lantra closed his eyes briefly.
"You've… been released?"
"As you can see."
"…Then why do this?" Lantra demanded. "You were finally free. Was the incident on Narcissus Street your doing?"
"Yes."
"Why? You could have killed me if you hated me! Why harm innocents? Do you realize you could be thrown back into prison for this?!"
Sicana laughed.
"Prison? Hahaha… prison?"
His voice rose, trembling with fury.
"If revenge is within reach, what is prison to me? I'd sell my soul to an Evil God if I had to!"
"Revenge…?"
Lantra sighed deeply.
"What happened back then… you were framed. I know that. If you seek vengeance against those responsible, it's understandable. But what about your family?"
"Family?"
Sicana smiled bitterly.
"Mr. Lantra… I don't have a family anymore."
"…What?"
"Those beasts!"
His voice turned frenzied, icy and sharp.
"They broke my father's legs and threw him into the street to freeze to death!"
"They stripped my wife naked, dragged her into the street, violated her—and then dumped her into the river!"
"My child was seven years old! Seven! They threw him into a dog pen and let him be torn apart!"
"My mother witnessed all of it… and went mad!"
Lantra's pupils trembled.
Even Charlotte and Lora, hiding behind Caitlin, felt their hearts twist in horror.
"You tell me to live well after being released," Sicana snarled. "How could I let them go when my family is dead?!"
"Why? Why do we suffer while those beasts wear gold and silver and drink themselves senseless in their estates?!"
"I want revenge, Mr. Lantra! I want revenge!"
"But they're nobles!" he shouted bitterly. "I can't kill them! I can't even question them!"
"Fortunately… fortunately the Order found me."
"They gave me power."
He laughed wildly.
"Mr. Lantra… look at me now. I have power."
Lantra's eyes widened in horror.
"You… you joined a cult? You'll die! Followers of evil cults never meet a good end!"
"So what?!"
Sicana cut him off.
"If it means revenge, they can take my body, my soul—everything!"