"Alright! Now it’s time for you to explain the real reason behind this sudden visit."

  Seeing her youngest son remain silent after her own explanation, Estelle prompted him with a gentle, serene smile. Eros grinned, dropping the suspense. "I've received news regarding the location of a fragment of the Ancestor's Divine Kingdom."

  "What did you say?"

  Estelle’s composure shattered. It was unbelievable—her son was tucked away in a Church Academy; where could such classified information possibly come from? Could the Church have discovered something and planted a bait? Her expression grew increasingly grave at the thought of a trap.

  Eros knew exactly where his mother’s mind was wandering. He quickly recounted the entire sequence of events from the previous night, including the encounter with the "shadow-dwellers" and the rescue of Irina. As he spoke, he handed over the necklace engraved with the clan’s secret ciphers.

  Estelle listened while deciphering the message within the charm. When she finally grasped the full picture, she gasped in astonishment. "So... Irina has truly become your shadow?"

  She had never heard of such a miraculous technique, but considering it was the work of the Artifact Spirit, it was within the realm of possibility. She glanced down at Eros’s feet; his shadow looked perfectly ordinary. She couldn't help but wonder what it felt like for a person to exist as a reflection.

  "I can sense her current state," Eros said, reading her mind. "She’s still in a deep slumber and hasn't woken up yet."

  Estelle nodded, her focus shifting to the most critical matter. "According to Irina’s intel, the fragment is located within a Sin-Domain Crack just outside the city of Kayyam."

  Eros knew Kayyam. It was a city south of the Capital, Indiles—about a three-hour journey by steam train.

  "Should we send word to the clan via Shadow Raven so they can handle it?" Eros asked.

  Estelle pondered for a moment before shaking her head. "No. That would waste too much time. By the time the message reaches the main family and they dispatch experts, too many variables could change. If the Sin-Domain crack closes or the Church discovers and purges that area, the fragment will be lost forever."

  Eros raised an eyebrow. "So, Mother, you're suggesting we handle it ourselves, and then the clan can send people to retrieve it from us in the Capital?"

  "That is the best plan for now," Estelle sighed. "However, recovering a Divine Kingdom fragment without the aid of a Divine Artifact is... complicated, to say the least. Doing it with just our strength here in the Capital will be troublesome."

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  Eros cleared his throat loudly. When his mother didn't react, he gave a second, even more pointed cough. She looked at him, and he gave a helpless shrug. "Mother, have you forgotten that I have a Divine Artifact with me?"

  Estelle was well aware that Eros had the recognition of the Ancestor’s Artifact and was accompanied by its spirit. But she hadn't considered involving him. The fragment was inside a Sin-Domain—a place of extreme danger. Even with her protection, there were risks. How could she let her child step into such a peril?

  Yet, the recovery would be exponentially easier if a Divine Artifact was there to act as a vessel. On one hand was the hope of the clan; on the other, her son’s safety. She wavered.

  "It's like you said, Mother," Eros pressed. "If we don't hurry, something will go wrong. If the Church found Irina’s trail, it won't be long before they sweep that region and find the Sin-Domain. If they get there first..."

  He didn't need to finish the sentence. Estelle closed her eyes and let out a long, defeated sigh. She was convinced.

  Eros smiled comfortingly. "Don't worry. Once we’re inside, I’ll follow your every instruction. Besides, I'm not weak; nothing bad will happen."

  Now that the decision was made, there was no point in second-guessing. Estelle could only warn him sternly: "Once we enter, you stay glued to my side. Understand?"

  Eros nodded obediently. After a few more minutes of shared warmth, he prepared to head back to the Academy. He needed to officially request a leave of absence tomorrow. While he could get away with skipping, being cautious was the family way.

  Once again, he ran back to the Academy on his own two feet. Returning to his dorm, he saw Undine sprawled across her bed, clutching her quilt and snoring softly. A mischievous smirk played on his lips. He reached out with a hand chilled by the night wind and pressed it against her neck.

  Undine bolted upright like a corpse coming back to life. Shivering, she snapped her eyes open to see Eros’s wicked grin. "Do you want to die?!" she hissed.

  Her outburst startled the night maid stationed outside. The maid knocked urgently. "Your Highness! Is something wrong?"

  Eros coughed and answered quickly, "It's nothing! Just playing a joke on her!"

  A joke in the middle of the night? The maid was baffled, but since her young master said it was fine, she couldn't pry. "If you need anything, please let me know!"

  Eros acknowledged her and turned back to Undine, who was sitting up with an indignant expression. Looking at her graceful, slender silhouette, he huffed, "I’ve been running around all night, and here you are, sleeping like a log."

  Undine’s righteous anger deflated instantly. She muttered, "Well, I can't do Shadow Leaps like you can."

  "You couldn't even stay up for me? Weren't you worried I might get caught?" Eros teased, reaching out to pinch her soft cheeks, pulling them slightly. He was being completely unreasonable, of course, but teasing his sister was far too entertaining.

  Undine looked even more guilt-stricken. Eros chuckled internally, stopped his teasing, and slid under the covers beside her.

  "You haven't even changed your clothes!" Undine exclaimed.

  "I'm dead tired after that round trip," Eros said dismissively. "I'm not changing. This is fine."

  "You really have no standards," she grumbled.

  "Hehe! Come here and give me a hug. If I'm dirty, you're going to be dirty too!" Eros reached for her. Undine made a face of mock disgust but eventually sighed and snuggled into his embrace.