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Chapter 441 – The Fall of the Usher House (1)

As the night walkers took advantage of the darkness, they headed towards the Usher estate.

A land scattered with barren wastelands, marshes, and tall rocks.

In the center of a deep swamp stood the imposing mansion of the Usher Clan.

The mansion, ‘Masyaf’, was as grand as a fortress.

Its Gothic architecture, shrouded in mist rising from the marsh, appeared eerie and foreboding.

Under the walls and windows carved directly from stone, withered ivy clung lifelessly, making it seem as if the walls were cracked.

The windows, clouded and pale like the eyes of the blind, stared vacantly into the void.

A sticky and gloomy humidity from the swamp pervaded everywhere.

Moreover, the reddish-black aura spreading like a phantom through the fog made all the night walkers frown.

“…The Red Death. It’s far worse than before.”

Dolores swallowed hard as she spoke.

The deadly plague, or rather, the poison that had even brought down King Cervantes, cast a heavy shadow over the entire Usher mansion.

“Is father safe…?”

“…”

Bianca bit her lips until they bled, holding back her tears.

Tudor, placing a hand on Bianca’s shoulder, remained silent.

The head of the Donquixote Clan, Cervantes, had been both an old friend and a rival to Roderick Usher, the head of the Usher Clan.

Now, with Cervantes having met a tragic end due to the Red Death, hoping for Roderick’s safety seemed a luxury.

Yet, acknowledging this reality and speaking it aloud were different matters.

Even Camus, known for her bluntness and not being particularly close to Bianca, stayed silent out of consideration for her feelings.

However, the only one who paid no heed to others’ feelings, Marquis Sade, continued speaking as usual.

“What foul air. At this rate, everything inside the mansion must already be dead.”

“Shut that mouth of yours, you old runaway, before I bash it in with a club.”

Orca warned, but Sade kept talking.

“Hey, Vikir. Do you think it’s worth reclaiming the Usher estate at this point? With that strong poison, I bet there are only skeletons left inside.”

“That’s something we don’t know.”

Surprisingly, Vikir’s answer was hopeful.

Usually cynical and prone to negative predictions, Vikir uncharacteristically offered a positive opinion this time.

Bianca urgently asked, “So, does that mean there’s hope? Right?”

“Yes.”

Vikir nodded.

Then, addressing everyone, he spoke.

“Since ancient times, the Usher House has been famous assassins. Before the empire’s unification, they were a meritorious Clan of a hostile nation. After the unification, they became one of the seven major families due to the exceptional skills of their members.”

There was no Clan that better embodied the term ‘elite few.’

The intelligent Sinclaire recounted a legendary tale about the Usher Clan.

“When the Emperor went to subjugate the Usher Clan, they requested that all attendants step back, wanting a one-on-one conversation between the head of the Usher Clan and the Emperor. The Emperor agreed but insisted on keeping his two most trusted generals by his side.”

Everyone knew the story that followed.

The head of the Usher Clan asked the Emperor, “Will you really not send those two away?” The Emperor replied, “These two are like brothers to me. They are my second selves, inseparable from me.”

At this, the head of the Usher Clan silently smiled before asking the two generals behind the emperor, “Can you kill the emperor right now?”

In response, the two generals, who had been steadfastly standing behind the emperor, simultaneously drew their swords and aimed them at the emperor’s neck.

Their eyes showed that they had been waiting for this command.

“…This incident greatly enhanced the Usher Clan’s reputation. The emperor, recognizing their powerful and covert strength, treated them generously.”

As Sinclaire recounted the story, Bianca nodded.

With her inherent pride in her Clan, tales of past glory seemed to momentarily lift her spirits.

But reality was harsh.

The once-great Usher Clan was now at the brink of extinction, devoured by the demon.

Vikir coldly analyzed the current situation.

“Each member of the Usher Clan is strong. Though few in number, their individual skills are outstanding. Hence, it’s likely there are more people who can resist the demon’s influence. Moreover, the Usher Clan mansion, ‘Masyaf,’ has the potential to be fortified into a stronghold. Strategically, it’s as valuable as a fortress. It’s a place that must be reclaimed before a major war.”

“I know the geography of the estate and the layout of the mansion inside out. I’ll guide us.”

Bianca spoke with a determined expression.

It was fortunate that both Tudor and Bianca were knowledgeable about their Clan’s affairs, unlike many other young nobles who were often ignorant of their own households.

However, Vikir shook his head.

“The Usher mansion is filled with mazes and traps. Moreover, the poison is too thick for a large group to enter. A small team must go in first, lure the demon out, and deal with it outside the mansion.”

This left the question of who would enter the poison-filled mansion.

Normally, Vikir would have taken the lead, but this time it was different.

“I cannot go in.”

Vikir shook his head.

“I need to be prepared for when the demon is lured out.”

Thus, the number of people who could enter the Usher mansion was limited.

Dolores spoke hesitantly.

“I can make a strong holy water to protect two people from the poisonous mist.”

Even if she used all her holy power, that was the limit.

There would be two people infiltrating the Usher mansion to lure the demon.

One of them was clear: Bianca.

She knew the mansion’s layout and was a target of Madeline Usher, who now controlled the Clan.

“Aunt Madeline was known to be frail as a child. It was said she was buried alive once after collapsing from a seizure because they thought she was dead. In retrospect, she probably died then. The demon must have taken over her body when she was buried.”

Muttering to herself, Bianca seemed to make up her mind and looked up.

“The demon is likely after my young and healthy body. If I go into the mansion and then escape, it will surely chase after me.”

Hearing this, almost all the night walkers raised their hands.

“I’ll go with you.”

“I want to help.”

“Let’s go together, Bianca.”

Sancho, Figgy, and Sinclaire offered.

But then, everyone’s gaze turned to one place.

Tudor stepped forward.

“Let me go with you.”

“…”

“I have to repay yesterday’s debt.”

Tudor lifted his spear with his one arm, smiling slyly.

Bianca, her eyes reddened, also smiled faintly.

“Still as reckless as ever.”

“Sometimes a knight must be reckless in front of a lady. Isn’t that what chivalry is about?”

Tudor and Bianca exchanged teary smiles, creating an atmosphere that everyone else had to respect and step back from.

However, Vikir, always calm and collected, broke the mood without a hint of tact.

“Can you two really do this alone? This isn’t something love can accomplish. The odds of dying are much higher than surviving.”

“Wh-What love!”

“Anyone hearing that would get the wrong idea! This is about loyalty! And friendship!”

Startled, Bianca and Tudor hastily denied Vikir’s implication, making him tilt his head slightly in confusion.

He then continued.

“Fine. You seem determined, so I’ll trust you. But there are crucial things you must remember.”

Vikir’s instructions were simple yet daunting:

1. Enter the mansion and lure the demon outside.

2. Confirm the fate of Lord Roderick Usher.

Just two missions.

However, whether they succeeded or failed, the likelihood of dying was extremely high.

“The Red Death has evolved further. It seems more varied and my holy power won’t last long. At most, about an hour…”

Dolores spoke hesitantly, lacking confidence.

But Bianca grasped Dolores’s hand tightly and shook her head.

“That’s enough. Thank you so much.”

“Bianca…”

Seeing tears welling up in Dolores’s eyes, Bianca forced a smile.

At that moment, Vikir called Bianca.

“Take this with you.”

“…?”

Bianca tilted her head in confusion.

Vikir placed a heart-shaped hairpin in her palm.

Before she could ask what it was, Vikir turned and handed something to Tudor.

“Take these as well.”

He handed Tudor two fireworks: one red and one black.

Vikir spoke with a serious tone.

“After confirming the fate of Lord Roderick Usher, if he’s alive and can escape with you, set off the red firework. If he’s already dead, or alive but unable to move, set off the black firework.”

This was closely tied to a strategy Vikir was preparing outside.

Bianca, representing everyone, cautiously asked.

“Why are the fireworks different colors? What do they mean…?”

Vikir gave a brief, chilling response.

“It’s better if you don’t know.”

His answer sent a shiver through everyone, reinforcing their resolve.