Nefarious

5. Underground Vault

Evellyn had been diligently poring over the documents and records in the study for quite some time.

Despite her efforts, she couldn't find any trace of money flowing into the treasury.

The situation puzzled her.

Could there really be no money at all? It seemed unlikely. Throughout the Duchy's history, despite financial challenges, they had maintained their reputation as an affluent noble family within the Empire.

She couldn't shake the feeling that there must be a hidden stash somewhere, safeguarded from theft.

Perhaps the previous Dukes had established a secret room or an underground vault for such purposes.

After deliberating, she decided to call Rowan.

She asked him to lead the way to the secret underground treasury vault in the mansion.

Rowan agreed. He didn't dawdle and guided her outside the mansion.

Together, they ventured outside the mansion and arrived in front of a thorny gate, above it written "Mortiferum Amadeus", a serene garden adorned with Amadeus roses.

The rich, blood-red petals bloomed with a velvety softness, their edges gently curled, creating a striking contrast against the lush green stems.

Despite their delicate appearance, these roses harbored a deadly secret, luring unsuspecting victims into their thorny embrace.

Just like pressing a lemon to extract its juice, it immediately squeezes out the life of its prey.

Fortunately, Evellyn, being of the Nightingale lineage, possessed a unique connection with the creatures of her domain, ensuring her safety among the perilous flora.

As they explored the garden, memories of Evellyn's grandmother and her love for red roses flooded her mind, providing a moment of solace amidst the uncertainty.

She told her that her fascination with red flowers began when she witnessed a large expanse of roses blooming on her feet for the first time.

"My lady, Is everything alright?" Rowan suddenly asked. Evellyn, who was busy recalling her memories, woke up to his call.

"Nothing"

"Actually, I have something to ask. Is this the garden that my grandmother used to visit before?"

"That's hardly possible. Since this garden is exclusive only to the head of the family."

Evellyn was confused by his words. She believed that this was the place that her grandmother mentioned.

"We have arrived, my lady. The entrance is here, underneath this gazebo."

Upon reaching a hidden entrance beneath the gazebo, adorned with ancient runes.

Evellyn realized something. She was oblivious to the key phrase for the entrance.

"Perhaps you could open the door for me", Evellyn requested.

"Apologies. I'm afraid I can't do that, My Lady. As a familiar, I am forbidden from using any incantation your family has created", Rowan politely replied.

"If so, could you please tell me what they are?"

"I can't tell you the words. The answer was with you all this time. It is carved on the item that symbolizes your authority as the head of this family."

Evellyn pondered for a while.

Something that represents the head of the family.

The Ring

She raised her right hand to inspect the inscriptions surrounding the ring's etched emblem.

Evellyn spoke the words confidently.

" I liveth not in darkness, darkness liveth in me "

A large fracture and Amadeus Rose vines suddenly erupted beneath the cobblestone floor.

The vines removed the cobblestones and soil from the path.

Eventually, staircases made of black stones descending the dark abyss appeared between the gaping fissures.

"snap!"

Rowan ignited the flames with a snap of his fingers. The light coming from the torches helped her see the steps clearly and they descended the dark hole.

At last, they reached the end of the winding stairs.

Humongous doors appeared. It was the door of the secret chamber that might hold the treasures that she was finding.

However, Evellyn noticed that the door was locked, and she didn't bring any keys with her, though she wasn't aware if there was even one at all.

So, she assumed that the key must be in the study room. She asked Rowan to retrieve it for her.

All of a sudden, Rowan's hands suddenly held a silver dagger.

Evellyn's eyes glowed with intrigue when she saw the dagger.

On its hilt, the Nightingale's crest was intricately engraved with precious stones.

Although it might look like a pretty knife, it was emanating a mysterious feeling.

She looked at Rowan and asked, "What is this for?"

Rowan responded to her query while keeping his head down.

"This is your family's heirloom. It is called Bloodlust Anelace. You must cut yourself with this dagger, My Lady. Let your blood fill the carving of a key on the altar. Under the influence of the dagger, your blood will start to congeal and mold into the form of a key temporarily."

Rowan enthusiastically explained it to her as if it was excellent news.

Anyone else would surely have their hair on end if they had seen him say such things while beaming ecstatically.

But Evelyn had already anticipated his behavior, given that he was a demon by nature.

She was, nonetheless, not in the slightest surprised.

Evellyn took it from his hands after casting a suspicious look.

When her fingertips touched the hilt, her hand slightly jolted.

She sensed life when she touched the dagger.

A surge of strong malice ran through her body and her mind.

It felt as though she was being forced to lose her sanity and commit heinous acts.

It was unsettling.

Her mind slowly became fuzzy, so she tightened her grip on the knife and forced her mana to penetrate and tame it before her consciousness vanished.

It took her minutes to tame it. She wouldn't deny that it was tough putting her mana into the knife.

This is because it was her first time to encounter such a pure demonic aura in an object. It caused her mana to go slightly into disarray.

She took a while to calm herself and continued to use the knife.

She let the razor-sharp blade cut her left palm. In an instant, it sliced the soft skin and flesh of her hand, staining the small altar with her crimson blood as it trickled down like a little river.

After filling the key mold on the altar with enough blood, she used magic to stop the bleeding.

Rowan removed the dagger from her grasp and placed it on the altar next to a pool of her blood.

She watched her blood instantly begin to congeal and take the form of a key.

A bright red key.

It does look like a genuine key carved out of a ruby stone.

Other people wouldn't notice anything weird unless they knew what had transpired earlier.

Evellyn took the key and inserted it in the keyhole.

Instantly, the massive doors automatically opened with a clicking sound.

"Shhhwaaaaahhhh" A sound of air escaping from the tightly locked doors, welcomed her inside.

She quickly stepped in and was stunned by what she saw.

It has nothing. No treasure at all.

Though she had already anticipated the worst, after seeing the scene with her own eyes, she realized that it was even worse than she had imagined.

Not even a single coin could be seen anywhere.

She carefully looked around the chamber's expansive interior.

Evellyn sighed in disappointment.

There was nothing else she could do but find another way to get some money.

She looked around the room and found some old and damaged antiques lying in every corner. She, too, noticed that the size of the room was the same size as the main floor of the mansion.

It looked like it was a very important venue for secret meetings or rituals.

She solemnly closed her eyes and walked out of the room with a dissatisfied expression.

Evellyn was about to climb up the stairs when she saw Rowan returning the key to the altar next to the dagger.

The key reverted to its blood form, crawled toward the dagger like a snake, and then vanished.

The dagger appears to have drunk the blood.

At that moment, she then recalled a myth about a blade forged out of a rare stone called, Diabraxum.

It is a stone that can only be found in the deepest part of the Forbidden Forest.

According to the story, the stone's origin was that the first angel who was exiled from the sky was said to have fallen to earth in a stony area of the forest.

The impact caused numerous injuries to the angel. Its silvery blood trickled down the rocks and instantly solidified.

In addition, it was said that the stone was accidentally found by an unknown person.

And when the person discovered that it had better qualities than any other metal, he forged a blade from it.

But as soon as the forger finished the blade, it killed him.

After that, the blade was passed down and sold to other people.

Sadly, they all passed away in the same way.

They committed suicide shortly after possessing the blade and died by slashing their bodies multiple times until they bled to death.

It was also stated that the blade drank its victims' blood and soul.

Leaving only a pile of bones and dried skin.

After recalling this, Evellyn suspected that this dagger was the same blade that was mentioned in the legend.

"Rowan, is this dagger made from Diabraxum?"

He raised his head, his eyes wide with surprise.

He had no idea Evellyn knew about Diabraxum.

In this Empire, no one knew or remembered the legend since it was too old.

"Yes, it is, My Lady. Duke Lucious II confiscated the blade after realizing that it posed a threat to mortals. He cast a curse to prevent it from robbing someone of their life. Then later he decided to use it to strengthen the vault's protection."

"I see. Keep it well then."

"Certainly"