Charlotte returned home and knocked on the Astrea Head’s door.
To— Tok.
——Come in.
Vanitas’s smooth voice flowed from the room. Charlotte stepped inside.
“Charlotte? What are you doing here?”
Vanitas, seated at his desk and scribbling on a sheet of paper, looked up in surprise.
“Archma—Ahem.” Charlotte caught herself. “Vanitas, I heard you were about to leave for a business venture today.”
“Yes? What about it?”
Despite living in the university dormitory, Charlotte remained in contact with the Astrea housemaids. They had told her about the Family Head, Vanitas’s upcoming business trip.
It was his third ever since taking charge of the family’s affairs.
Charlotte grew curious. Archmage Zen was known for his refined taste in wine and had invested heavily in the winery business.
After his death, the brand faded in the following years.
Charlotte thought this could be a chance to learn. She had always wanted to involve herself in the Astrea Family’s affairs but hadn’t been able to due to her strained relationship with her brother.
This seemed like the perfect opportunity.
“Is it alright if I accompany you?”
“You want to come along? Why?”
“I thought it might be a good learning experience. I want to understand more about the family’s business. And…. well, I think it’s time I started contributing.”
Vanitas leaned back in his chair, studying her for a moment before nodding.
“Alright.”
“Thank you, Vanitas! I won’t let you down.”
“It’s nothing too special,” Vanitas replied. “There’s a vineyard up for sale, and I’ve already found someone interested in the supply.”
The Gambino Family.
Though a mafia organization, they were well-known in aristocratic circles for their successful winery brand, Gambino.
While distancing himself from the underworld, Vanitas thought it wise to maintain certain connections.
The Gambinos were one of them. Conveniently, the original Vanitas had never officially joined the family, but kept a favorable relationship with them.
“A vineyard….” Charlotte muttered.
Vanitas glanced at her. “Is something wrong?”
“Ah, no—nothing. Just unexpected.”
“Alright,” Vanitas said. “I’ll be meeting the owner around 5:00. Return to the university for now and get ready.”
Charlotte nodded. “Understood.”
The vineyard was up for sale, but every interested buyer had mysteriously backed out.
Vanitas had a rough idea of the situation from his investigation and witness accounts.
Still, to uncover the truth, he needed to see it himself.
Moreover, he saw it as a good opportunity, especially with the discounted price.
Even if the land turned out to have infertile soil, he was prepared to take whatever steps were necessary to make it work.
And if monsters were the problem, he’d deal with them personally.
No matter the cost, he was determined to secure that land.
***
“Wow~! You’ve improved, Grand Knight!”
“Have I? Hehe~”
Inside the Crusade Order headquarters, led by Margaret, the atmosphere was modest.
The space was simple, made of plain wood and functional furnishings. Margaret sat at the roundtable playing League of Spirits with one of her crusaders, Johanna.
Of course, Margaret had just lost the game.
“No, really…. Wow~ How did you get so good in just three weeks?!”
“That doesn’t seem like a compliment….” Margaret pouted, shuffling the cards for another round.
“It is!” Johanna grinned. “You’re learning fast. Soon, you might even beat me.”
Margaret raised an eyebrow. Learning fast? She had been playing for a year. If that was ‘learning fast,’ it definitely sounded like an insult.
“Is that so….” she said with a flat tone.
“Yes! Is this all you’ve been doing at the University Tower?” Johanna teased, a mischievous grin on her face.
“….That’s rude.” Margaret pouted again, setting the deck down. “I do my lectures well. The students like me, you know.”
“Oh, I’m sure they do. But are you teaching them or just playing cards all day?”
“Hey!” Margaret frowned. “I only play during breaks. Besides, League of Spirits is a strategic game. It’s…. educational.”
“Oh? For you to improve this much, the person teaching you must be exceptional. Who is it?”
“Just Vanitas.”
“Ah…?”
“Cough! Cough…!’
The moment Vanitas’s name left Margaret’s mouth, every person in the room subtly turned their attention to Clevius, who was choking on his water.
They had just finished their training and thought to take a short break.
“Vanitas… not that Vanitas, right?” Clevius asked.
“What do you mean? There’s only one Vanitas,” Margaret said, brushing off his question as she started another game with Johanna.
“….”
“Grand Knight,” Clevius began. “This person…”
His words trailed off, but the look in his eyes spoke enough. The room in the atmosphere shifted. Margaret sighed heavily, setting her cards down.
“You guys, he’s not that bad,” she said. “We’ve been interacting quite a bit, and honestly…. he’s different now.”
Her words did little to ease the room’s unease.
Margaret understood their concern. Her Order had always been overprotective of her, especially given her history of being clumsy and often falling victim to scams and bad deals.
But when it came to Vanitas, it was different.
To them, they knew he had hurt her in the past.
“Look,” she continued, “I know you don’t trust him, but he’s been helping me. He’s…. not the same as before.”
Clevius frowned. “With all due respect, Grand Knight, people don’t change that easily. Especially not someone like him. I’m just saying…. he might hurt you again somehow.”
Margaret set her cards down, frowning in return.
“Clevius, this is my personal matter. I appreciate your concern, but I don’t see why it’s bothering you so much.”
Clevius looked down as his shoulders slumped. He stayed quiet.
Margaret sighed, leaning back in her chair.
She couldn’t figure out why he was reacting this way. In the past, her Order had always been protective, but this felt different. The others didn’t seem as bothered, only Clevius.
Still, as her second-in-command, she understood his sense of duty and responsibility.
Changing the topic, Margaret turned to Johanna.
“Now, Johanna, are you going to play, or are we just going to sit here all day?”
Johanna chuckled nervously and placed her card. “Uh, yeah, of course. My turn.”
The mood lightened slightly, though Clevius remained quiet. Margaret glanced at him from the corner of her eye, hoping he’d eventually let it go.
“….”
***
The Gambino Family.
Vanitas stood in the office of Don Vincenzo Gambino, the Head of the Gambino Mafia Family.
“It’s an interesting proposal, Lord Astrea,” Vincenzo said, setting down the contract Vanitas had presented. “You’re offering to supply grapes for our winery business, but there are a few things to address first.”
“Of course, Don Vincenzo.”
Vincenzo leaned back in his chair, clasping his hands.
“First, the quality of the grapes. We’re known for producing only the finest wines. I’ll need to inspect the vineyard and taste a sample from your stock.”
Vanitas nodded. “Understandable. However, the vineyard is not yet in my possession. Negotiations are ongoing, but I’m confident it will be finalized soon.”
“And you expect us to assist you in securing it?”
“Not directly,” Vanitas said. “But just in case, your reputation can go a long way in ensuring the deal is expedited. The seller is likely to feel more confident knowing the Gambino Family is involved.”
“Hah,” Vincenzo chuckled. “Of course, do as you see fit. You’ve been a long-time partner of ours. The Gambino Family can do this much for you.”
“Once the vineyard is acquired, I’ll arrange for samples to be delivered. If they meet your standards, we can move forward.”
Vincenzo leaned back in his chair. “Actually, even if the vineyard turns out to be of average quality….”
Vincenzo paused, as if considering something important.
“The deal can still proceed under one condition.”
Vanitas raised an eyebrow. “What condition?”
“My daughter will be returning from abroad soon. Given our family’s reputation, there’s bound to be unwanted attention, especially from rival families. I don’t need you to assist directly, but I need something from you.”
Vanitas nodded, signaling him to continue.
“The Feramon Passage,” Vincenzo said. ” I need you to open it again. If she can travel through there, it will ensure her safety during her return.”
Vanitas tilted his head slightly, considering.
The Feramon Passage was a secluded route owned by the Astrea Family. In the past, the original Vanitas had allowed the Gambino Family to use it for smuggling goods, solidifying their partnership.
“Understood. I’ll have the necessary arrangements made,” Vanitas declared.
***
As advertised, the vineyard was engulfed in a thick, foggy mist. It was nestled in the western countryside of the Aetherion Empire, and was far from the capital and other commercialized urban areas within the Empire.
Vanitas and Charlotte approached the owner, an elderly woman with a wrinkled face. She greeted them with a polite bow.
“My Lord, My Lady. Welcome to the vineyard.”
Vanitas nodded. “We’re here to discuss the property. May I inquire about the vineyard’s issues?”
“Of course, Lord Astrea. The soil here has been exceptionally fertilized with magic dust long ago. It’s rich and perfect for growing grapes of the finest quality. That much, I can guarantee.”
“Then why hasn’t the vineyard been sold?” Charlotte asked.
The woman’s smile faded slightly, and her tone shifted. “There is one lingering problem. Ghosts.”
“Ghosts?” Vanitas brows raised.
“…!”
At the mention of ghosts, Charlotte visibly shuddered. Vanitas glanced at her briefly before turning his attention back to the elderly woman.
Ghosts were, in essence, entities similar to spirits, but with a darker nature. To put it simply, ghosts were the equivalent of humans corrupted into dark mages.
“Have you taken measures to address this?” Vanitas asked.
She nodded. “Yes. Cleansing rituals, exorcisms, even hiring mages to investigate. But nothing has worked. The spirits here are deeply unsettled.”
“Is that so?”
“Uhm….” Charlotte tugged at his sleeve.
“What is it, Charlotte?”
“….I think I’ll wait by the car.”
“Huh?”
From her posture and uneasy expression, it was clear Charlotte was afraid. Her reaction was ironic, given her proficiency in spirit magic.
“You’ll face unique challenges in the future,” Vanitas said. “This is just one of them. Didn’t you say you wanted to contribute to the family?”
“….”
Charlotte hesitated before exhaling a sigh and nodding.
Vanitas chuckled and ruffled her hair. “Don’t worry, I’ll protect you.”
Charlotte blinked, caught off guard by the unexpected gesture. Perhaps, those words, coming from Vanitas, felt unfamiliar. But deep down, she was aware.
He wasn’t the same Vanitas she once knew.
Vanitas turned back to the elderly woman.
“The ghosts aside, everything else seems promising. Let’s discuss terms.”
“Of course, Lord Astrea. I’m willing to offer the vineyard at a discounted price, considering the lingering issue. I’ve grown tired of trying to resolve it myself.”
“A reasonable offer, but I’ll need full ownership of the land, including any underground passages or unused sections. Additionally, I’ll need access to any historical records or information regarding the property.”
“That can be arranged. The vineyard has a rich history, though I’m afraid much of it involves rumors and superstition.”
“That’s fine,” Vanitas said. “I’ll inspect the land further. In the meantime, I’ll secure an advance payment.”
“Ah?” Charlotte blinked. “You’re going to do it yourself?”
“Why not? “It’s not as if ghosts can harm me.”
Charlotte frowned. “Still, shouldn’t you bring someone with you? It’s not safe.”
“I’ve faced worse. Besides, this will help me understand the situation better.”
The elderly woman hesitated. “Lord Astrea, if you insist on going, I suggest starting near the old winery. That’s where most of the disturbances have been reported.”
“Noted.” Vanitas adjusted his coat and began walking toward the direction the woman indicated. “Charlotte, stay here. If anything happens, don’t follow.”
“What? You’re leaving me behind?!”
“You don’t want to go, don’t you?”
“I—Ah!” Charlotte began, but her words were cut off when something brushed against her leg. She jumped, yelping as she rushed to Vanitas, clinging to his arm.
——Woof!
A dog wagged its tail innocently at her feet.
Vanitas gently placed a hand on her head, and said, “I think you’ll be safer with me.”
“I wasn’t scared!”
The elderly woman chuckled softly. “That’s Shadow. He guards the vineyard. He’s harmless unless provoked.”
——Woof!
The dog wagged its tail again, looking up at Charlotte.
The elderly woman turned to them. “I’ll lead you two to the old winery.”
“Understood,” Vanitas replied with a nod. The elderly woman walked ahead, leading the way.
As they started moving, Charlotte glanced at the woman, then leaned close to Vanitas and whispered something.
Vanitas’s brows raised slightly, but he wasn’t surprised at all.
“Is that so?” he murmured.
He turned his gaze briefly to the elderly woman, then nodded to Charlotte.
Sticking close to her older brother, Charlotte followed as Vanitas walked steadily behind the elderly woman toward the old winery.
“Hieeek—!”
Charlotte suddenly yelped, clutching Vanitas’s arm tightly.
Vanitas paused, looking down at her.
“….”
It was just the grass brushing against her leg.