The Snow Leopard Baby of the Black Leopard Family

Alpheus looked at his grandson Ludian with a resigned expression just five seconds after telling him not to say anything.

"Why are you here?"

"I came to ask where Ferdie and Tiel have gone. But what were you saying not to tell?"

"If you didn't hear it, that's better."

"What's dead? Ossian, that bastard?"

Ludian had heard everything.

Alpheus, unable to discipline Ludian's behavior, just rubbed his forehead in frustration.

Ludian, having been sent to the academy, had returned with an increasingly bold attitude, now even cursing in front of his grandfather.

"Yes, he's dead. I was just about to go check on him."

"I want to come too."

"Don't follow me."

Nevertheless, Ludian stubbornly followed Alpheus, ignoring his protests.

Alpheus finally gave up on trying to dissuade his grandson and together they headed to the Asterian family's dungeon.

There, the body of Ossian lay covered with ~Nоvеl𝕚ght~ a white cloth, presumably placed there by the Asterian physician, since the guards had mentioned showing the body to a doctor.

As Alpheus and Ludian stood in front of it, the guards cautiously lifted the cloth to reveal Ossian’s face.

"......!"

Ludian grimaced.

Alpheus looked down at the body with a composed expression. The corpse had a horrific appearance, eyes wide open as if it had seen something terrifying before death.

Alpheus asked without examining the body for long, "Any signs of intrusion?"

"No, sir. He wasn't killed by a replacement during the guard shift, but died right in front of the guards. So, there's no chance someone could have sneaked in."

The guard explained in detail. Alpheus nodded; it was indeed impossible for anyone to infiltrate the Asterian dungeon.

So why then had Ossian died?

'Was it suicide?'

But the timing and manner of his death were too coincidental and odd for suicide.

After pondering for a moment, Alpheus concluded that it likely wasn't suicide.

If you are reading this translation anywhere other than Novelight.net or SilkRoadTL, it has been stolen.

"Keep the body well-preserved for now, and don't clean the cell he used; leave it as is."

"Yes, Lord Alpheus."

Alpheus and Ludian left the dungeon, leaving behind Ossian's terribly disfigured body on the cold floor.

The guards followed Alpheus’s orders not to disturb the scene.

Shortly thereafter, an indistinct black mass silently slithered away from the scene.

***

When Tiel and Ferdie returned to the Asterian estate, the clean-up of Ossian’s body had already been completed.

Karsus, having confirmed there was nothing more to scrutinize on Ossian's body, handed it over to his family. He made sure the funeral was conducted under the watchful eyes of the Asterians to prevent any mishaps.

Not long after,

"People from the temple have come?"

Tiel widened her eyes in surprise. Ria, who was arranging Tiel’s hair, also looked up in astonishment towards the doorway.

The servant who had come to deliver the message bowed and answered,

"Yes, the High Priest himself has visited. He is waiting in the reception room right now."

Tiel quickly acknowledged this and then turned to Ria.

"Ria, why would someone from the temple come all of a sudden?"

"I'm not sure, miss. Maybe something has happened at the temple. Otherwise, the High Priest wouldn’t visit personally... Let me finish tying your hair first."

Ria swiftly tied Tiel's hair and added a beautiful ribbon.

Unable to make the High Priest wait any longer, Tiel swiftly got up from her seat.

Being the nominal head of the Asterian family, she couldn’t delegate the responsibility of meeting him to someone else.

Descending the spiral staircase, Tiel reached the door of the reception room.

She turned to the servant who had informed her about the High Priest's arrival and asked,

"Have you informed Grandfather and Father?"

"They are not currently in the estate, so I haven't been able to tell them."

The servant replied apologetically. Alpheus and Karsus had been too busy lately to stay long at the estate.

It would have been better if Ferdie and Ludian were here, but they too had left for the academy due to some issues.

Left to meet the High Priest alone, Tiel swallowed nervously and slowly opened the door.

The High Priest sat on the sofa in the reception room, sipping tea as he waited for her.

As the door opened and Tiel entered, he turned his head towards her, set down his tea cup, and stood up.

Now not just an Asterian daughter but the head of the family, Tiel was due the proper respects from the High Priest.

"Greetings, Lord of the Asterians. I am High Priest Andreas."

Having met Andreas before, Tiel was not shy and bowed politely in response.

"Hello, High Priest Andreas. I'm Tiel Asterian."

At seven years old.

Tiel had met Andreas shortly after arriving at the Asterian estate for a paternity test.

Back then, she hadn't yet been recognized as an Asterian daughter.

Meeting Andreas as 'the head of the Asterians' felt strange, her chest ticklish and something warm rising within her.

Suppressing all those feelings, Tiel composed herself and courteously invited Andreas to sit first.

She then sat opposite him and looked at Andreas as she started,

"I heard you were looking for me."

"Yes, to be precise, I came looking not just for 'the head of the Asterians,' but for the child of the god Lysset."

Tiel understood what Andreas meant and cautiously nodded, asking,

"Has something happened at the temple?"

"No more oracles from god Lysset have come through. It's rare for them to come frequently, but it has been quite a while since the last, so I urgently sought to see you."

"No more oracles..."

Tiel's eyes widened in shock.

She remembered when she was younger, an unknown warm and kind voice often whispered in her ears.

After she learned she was a child of light under Lysset's protection, she realized it was the voice of god Lysset.

But she hadn't heard that voice since she was seven.

"Therefore, I came to see if you had experienced any issues."

"I'm fine, but there's something I need to tell you."

Tiel began carefully.

She then shared with Andreas that when she was seven, she often heard what she believed to be 'the voice of god,' a detail she had never mentioned before.

She also hadn't heard it since turning seven.

"Could there be a problem with god Lysset?"

"It's possible. Because..."

Andreas pulled out a handkerchief to wipe his sweat. Tiel blinked patiently, waiting for him to continue.

After dabbing his brow and taking a sip of tea, Andreas finally spoke,

"Are you aware that in the Crasion Empire, the length of day and night remains constant regardless of the season?"

"Yes, I am aware."

"Recently, however, the night has begun to last slightly longer than the day. Initially, it was thought to be a mistake or a misunderstanding, but it was not."

"Night has grown longer?"

Tiel looked astounded.

Andreas continued,

"This signifies that the power of Lysset, who guards the Crasion Empire, has weakened. Fortunately, it's so subtle now that almost no one has noticed."

"If day continues to shorten and night to lengthen..."

Andreas looked squarely at Tiel.

"The people of Crasion will begin to doubt the powers and qualities you possess as Lysset's child."