Chapter 27: Rose Sterling

By the following morning, a tense and somber crowd had gathered tightly around Ethan’s household.

The main living quarters had become a hive of grim activity. Inside, the lifeless body of the town’s mayor—Ethan’s father—lay stretched out on the floor, decently concealed beneath a shroud of heavy white cloth.

Outside the perimeter, a detachment of armed town guards stood shoulder-to-shoulder, their stern faces blocking curious onlookers and morbid villagers from pressing past the doorway.

Ethan and Arthur had both been gently escorted outside to wait in the crisp morning air. Standing side by side, neither of them drew an ounce of suspicion from the authorities.

After all, they were merely the grieving sons, and neither of them possessed a water or light affinity—the two elements whose signature marks were supposedly scorched across the crime scene.

Inside the wreckage of the living room, a senior investigator with a distinguished white beard and the insignia of a Deputy Commander crouched down, inspecting the scorch marks.

He muttered under his breath, "The residual mana definitely points to a high-level water mage, or perhaps a piercing light attack... but it doesn’t match any dark or black magic signatures. Yet the villagers swear he had no enemies. He was a respected mayor who kept his hands clean. Why would anyone execute him with such cruel precision?"

The mystery hung heavily in the air, completely baffling the guards.

Out in the courtyard, Ethan played his part to absolute perfection. His shoulders shook slightly, and tears welled in his eyes as well-meaning neighbors patted his back, whispering comforting cliches about how death comes for everyone and that his father had been a good man.

Pulling Arthur into a tight, protective embrace, Ethan buried his face against his brother’s shoulder and said with a trembling, choked voice,

"Don’t worry, Arthur... whoever murdered our father, I swear I will hunt them down to the ends of the earth and make them pay."

Hearing his older brother’s fierce declaration, Arthur felt a wave of absolute terror wash over him. Clinging tightly to Ethan, he sobbed softly, "Big brother... I’m so scared. What if that killer comes after us next?"

"It’s alright," Ethan murmured soothingly, patting Arthur’s back while casting a sidelong glance toward the gate. "We have the guards here. They’ll protect us."

Just then, the murmuring crowd parted as the heavy sound of carriage wheels rolled up to the house. A magnificent, luxuriously appointed carriage drew to a halt. The door swung open, and a striking woman stepped out, commanding immediate attention.

She wore a gorgeous, flowing crimson gown stitched with intricate gold embroidery that shimmered in the morning light, her vibrant red hair cascading like liquid fire over her shoulders. Her refined posture and opulent attire immediately marked her as someone of immense wealth and high social standing.

The moment the guards caught sight of her, the Deputy Commander and his men immediately straightened up, bowing deeply in unison to show their utmost respect.

The woman strode past them with a cool, composed expression, stepping into the ruined house.

The Deputy Commander hurried out to meet her, reporting urgently, "My Lady, the forensic traces indicate the work of a water or light mage, though no dark magic signatures were detected."

The woman gave a single, dismissive nod of her head. "Begin preparations for the funeral rites immediately."

"Understood," the commander replied, before hesitating as he glanced outside. "What should we do with the two orphaned boys, My Lady?"

Without a word, the crimson-robed woman turned and walked past the commander, stepping out into the courtyard. Her sharp, calculating gaze swept over Ethan and Arthur before she walked right up to them.

Kneeling slightly to match their height, a warm, gentle smile graced her lips.

"You two poor boys don’t need to be afraid anymore," she said softly, resting a comforting hand atop Ethan’s head, and then Arthur’s. "From today onward, I am your protector. I will keep you safe."

"My name is Rose Sterling," she introduced softly, her voice smooth and refined.

As soon as she spoke, a flood of memories rushed through Ethan’s mind. Ah, Lady Rose, he thought, a cold, calculated glint flashing in his eyes. Back in my past life, when I went to the city for my studies and early work, she was a close friend of my late mother.

She even gave me a position in her manor, and I helped manage parts of her family’s extensive business. But the moment I finished my academy studies and officially became a Rank-3 Mage, everything shattered.

It had all been orchestrated by her son, Lumian. At Lumian’s instigation, Lady Rose had ruthlessly torn up the engagement between Ethan and her daughter—who had deeply loved Ethan and had even eloped with him in defiance of her family.

Because of that rebellion, Aunt Rose had cast both of them out into the cold, effectively abandoning her own daughter.

Ethan had spent the next eighty grueling years wandering, adventuring, and struggling by his wife’s side until he was dragged into that hellish prison.

Even worse, when Keal had targeted his wife later on, Ethan had naively expected Aunt Rose to step in and protect her own flesh and blood. But she had done nothing.

Instead, she had married her son Lumian—yes, her own son, in a twisted, incestuous scandal that produced two daughters. Lumian had always carried an unsettling, eerie aura about him; looking back, Ethan was almost certain Lumian was another transmigrator who had stolen his way into this world.

Well, look at that, Ethan smiled inwardly, a dark, predatory thrill washing over him. The game hasn’t even fully begun, and the prey has walked right up to my doorstep.

Aunt Rose and Lumian, both of your names are written at the very top of my ledger. Since you’re inviting me into your den yourself, I’ll gladly accept.

Outwardly, Ethan feigned a look of tearful, fragile relief. "Really, Aunt Rose? You’ll protect us from whoever did this and take us with you?"

Rose nodded gracefully, pulling both Ethan and Arthur into a gentle, maternal embrace. "Of course, Ethan. You are my daughter’s betrothed, and Arthur is the favourite son of my dearest sister-like friend.

You both belong with me now. Besides, both of you have awakened powerful high-grade elements; you deserve proper elite schooling in the city. I will personally arrange your admissions."

Hearing this, Arthur froze in absolute shock. A sharp, stinging spike of jealousy flared up deep in his chest—why was this powerful, elegant noblewoman showering such special attention and a marriage alliance on his older brother while he was left out? But almost instantly, he shook his head, feeling a sudden pang of guilt. Why am I feeling jealous? I should be happy for my big brother.

Before any more words could be exchanged, a group of solemn priests from the city’s dominant religious order arrived to handle the funeral rites.