The Sin of Humanity

At that moment, a group of eleven individuals entered the restaurant, and suspicious murmurs rippled through the diners.

– Aren't those…? – Yes. It's the Night Crow Rebels… and that's their leader: Raven Betehorn.

Raiven was seventeen years old, with blazing red hair and brown eyes cold with cruelty. He wore a scarlet suit, and on his chest hung a white ribbon from which dangled a small red banner bearing a black crow at its center, framed by two dark stripes.

Standing at his side were Jack—blond-haired with piercing blue eyes—and Briley, whose black hair framed a face brimming with malice.

They all wore the same uniform: black jackets with red sleeves, the very same banner gleaming on their chests.

They approached a table where five people were seated. Raiven stepped forward confidently and said to one of them,

— Could you please stand up? We're hungry and would like to sit here.

No threat was necessary. The five rose in silence—some hadn't even finished their meals. They left in a hurry after paying for their food.

One of Raiven's followers pointed out,

— Commander… there are three sitting over there.

Raiven turned his head and saw the table where Mihon, Youray, and a third man were seated. They were eating and talking, as if they existed outside this world.

Raiven stared at them… Suddenly, Youray tilted his head slightly, as if he had sensed the gaze despite his closed eyes. Mihon, however, continued eating without looking up, and the third man was drinking from his jug, unconcerned with anything around him.

Raiven felt a prick of danger. "Leave them alone."

He and his companions sat at two tables close to each other—five at the first, and six at the second.

Jack said, "I haven't seen those three before. Who are they?"

Brilley answered, "Most likely newcomers to this town."

Raiven studied them for a long moment. "The one in purple… I feel like I've seen him before."

One of those seated asked, "Do you mean they're strong?"

Jack replied, "Yes, they are."

Another interjected, "Is that why you asked to leave that table?"

Raiven shook his head. "Not exactly… but we don't want any trouble before completing our mission."

Brielly said quietly: "There are many powerful ones in this kingdom these days."

Raiven replied: "It does not matter who showed up. We will finish what we came for, and we will leave."

**

In another corner of the restaurant, the third man finished his food, wiped his mouth with his hand, then said as he lifted his jug:

"By the way, my name is Lilar. I forgot to ask you two your names."

Mihon replied in a calm tone: "I am Mihon."

And Youray followed: "And I am Youray."

Lilar smiled a mysterious smile: "We will meet again… and I hope we are not enemies then."

Then he left the restaurant.

Raiven looked at Jack: "It seems they do not know him."

Jack nodded: "Yes, it does not seem they are with him."

Elsewhere in the world…

A dark carriage drawn by black horses made its way through a forest of dead trees.

Inside, an old woman sat cloaked in a robe of radiant white. Around her neck hung a golden necklace inlaid with black gems; in one hand she held a clear crystal sphere, in the other, a black candle burning with a black flame. Upon her head rested a tall, folded hat, and beside her leaned a black staff topped with the head of a serpent.

One of the accompanying soldiers said, "My lady, we are nearing the compound."

She did not respond. Silence veiled her like a shroud, and her pale eyes stared into the distance as if seeing through the walls of the carriage.

The carriage reached a massive gate, which opened automatically, and passed through. Soldiers stood lined up in welcome.

The woman stepped down, and a man in his forties approached—his face marked by an X-shaped scar and bearing only one eye.

"Welcome, Lady Paraiuhena. I hope your journey was smooth."

She answered coldly, "It was smooth, Brigadier Ricmond. Is the general present?"

"Unfortunately, he departed north due to an emergency."

She replied firmly, "Then let us get this over with quickly. I have much to attend to."

He led her into a dark room, at the center of which lay a black pentagram, surrounded by black candles and a bowl filled with red dust.

Baraiohina stepped into the heart of the star, placed down her staff, pulled the black candle from beneath her robe—it was still burning. Then she took out the clear crystal orb and began a strange ritual, sprinkling the dust over the orb's surface as she whispered:

> "Silence... Time is cracking..."

"I feel the pulse… It's not the pulse of a heart, but of fate itself!"

"The wind is changing its course… and the sky is whispering to me a forgotten name…"

"Open, O Eye of Destiny… Open, O Memory of Ruin…"

"Show me what was stolen from tomorrow… Show me… who will fall first!"

Suddenly, thick black smoke rose from the pentagram, engulfing it completely.

The brigadier general stood near the wall, watching as a black sphere of smoke formed before him.

Inside that darkness...

The seeress began to tremble.

— No... No... This is impossible... That person is still alive.

— He is still alive...

— This tragic fate... What is this devastation... What is this evil sleeping beneath...?!

Those people are still alive? How is this possible?

Muttering suddenly, she found herself in a dark place.

She lifted her head... only to meet two enormous black eyes staring at her!

She fell to the ground.

And fainted.

**

The smoke cleared, the brigadier general ran toward her, kneeling beside her.

— Lady Baraiuhina! Lady Baraiuhina! What happened?!

She opened her pale eyes slowly, sweat pouring down her forehead.

— A disaster is about to befall us...

— It's not only the army that is concerned, nor is it the only one that should worry...

— The whole world is on the brink of descending into utter chaos...