It had been four months since hearing the news that Roria had become the Duke of Altia. Now, only five years remained until the original story was set to begin. The world, once blanketed in white by winter, was gradually transitioning into spring, a season that brought with it a lethargic drowsiness to all living things.

“Young Master—no, perhaps I should call you Count now?”

“I haven’t had the succession ceremony yet.”

Although Alon hadn’t formally held the succession ceremony, he had begun to use the title of Count Palatio for himself, rather than the heir to the Count’s family.

“Even so, you’re effectively the Count now, aren’t you? It’s quite emotional to see you become the Count.”

“Is that so?”

Alon gave a faint smile—a bitter one at that. ‘It’s something I never planned for, actually.’

Alon’s original intention was not to become a Count but to live a leisurely life as a noble, with the title serving only as a means to an end. However, due to the unexpected assassination of Leo, who was supposed to be the Count, Alon found himself in this position.

‘My goals have changed, but it’s not necessarily a bad thing.’

For Alon, spending his time in Rodmill dabbling in magic research and baking bread wasn’t a bad life. Still, being a Count came with its own perks. The title of Count allowed him to enjoy the peaceful noble life he originally envisioned in a more detailed and luxurious manner.

Of course, with the increase in the quality of life came added responsibilities, but having dealt with minor tasks as the heir of the Count’s family over the past six months, Alon found his work-life balance to be quite satisfactory.

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‘I never thought being part of a rogue noble family would be so helpful.’

Typically, nobles are busy due to the territories they manage, but politics play a much larger role in their hectic lives. However, in the case of Count Palatio, since the family had not involved itself in politics, they could lead a leisurely life unless something urgent arose. Furthermore, while the assassins who dealt with Avalon had indeed taken care of them cleanly, they left behind all the money they had accumulated. This meant that unless he indulged in excessive luxury, the wealth they had amassed would be enough to last for five years.

“Ah, by the way, have you found any new information?”

“If you’re referring to information about the assassins who killed Leo…”

When Alon nodded, Evan shook his head.

“It seems even the Information Guild is taking this matter seriously, as they’re conducting a meticulous investigation, but nothing has been uncovered yet.”

“I see.”

At Evan’s words, Alon clicked his tongue in slight irritation. He wasn’t investigating the assassins to exact revenge on Leo’s murderers. The reason he continued the investigation was that the past he knew was gradually diverging from what he remembered.

‘The butterfly effect… I suppose I should call it that. I had anticipated some changes.’

Alon had already expected that the past would change due to the actions he had taken. After all, he had intervened here and there to prevent the occurrence of troublesome events in the future, as well as to secure the Five Sins. Even a small flap of a butterfly’s wings can create a storm, and the things he did were on a scale far greater than the flap of a small butterfly’s wings—they were enough to create a hurricane.

‘It’s only natural that the past would change… though there are some changes I don’t fully understand.’

Aside from the fact that he officially became a Count, Alon recently recalled one significant change in the future. Roria—who had become the Duke of Altia six months ago—was originally supposed to be dead. Yet she not only survived but also became the Duke of Altia, and her influence in the underworld was growing rapidly.

Alon wondered which of his interventions had caused this change in the future, where she was supposed to die but instead lived and rose to power. After pondering for a moment, he shrugged, realizing it was pointless to think about it any further. Instead, he shifted his focus back to the assassins who had killed Leo.

“…That’s enough. Stop the investigation.”

“Is that really okay?”

“There’s still some curiosity that hasn’t been satisfied, but if the Information Guild can’t uncover anything, then there’s no point in continuing.”

There was another reason why Alon decided to stop the investigation he’d been pursuing for nearly a year. 

‘In this world, some knowledge is better left unknown. Besides, things seem rather ominous.’

The Information Guild in this world holds at least a little information on everything, largely because its owner and Guildmaster is the leader of the ‘Night’s End Darkness.’ As far as Alon knew, only a few organizations could escape the Information Guild’s network. Knowing this, Alon realized that there was nothing to gain from uncovering their identities. After all, the more you dig, the more assassins would come to silence you.

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In the end, Alon decided to abandon his search for information. His goal was to prepare for any unforeseen circumstances, but he realized there was no need to bring more danger upon himself by acquiring knowledge that would only increase the threat to his life.

‘Besides, if Leo was attacked by a group that the Information Guild couldn’t even identify, then they wouldn’t likely target me.’

Secret organizations usually don’t make a move unless their identity is exposed or someone directly interferes with their activities. They were excessively obsessed with maintaining secrecy.

“Understood.”

Evan nodded, turning to leave the office. However, as if suddenly remembering something, he returned and handed Alon a letter.

It was a letter from Yutia.

“I brought it with me to give you a report as well.”

Nodding briefly, Alon unfolded the letter and began to read. The letter contained updates on the orphanage’s daily life. Recently, whenever he read Yutia’s letters, Alon felt a warm sensation in his heart without even realizing it. It was no wonder, as Yutia’s letters, which arrived monthly, were filled with the mundane details of life at the orphanage, alongside the activities of the Five Sins. These letters had a way of warming his heart.

‘Lately, Deus has been performing puppet shows frequently, and Seolrang is engrossed in games with friends…’

Additionally, there were stories about Rine quietly reading books and making things, while Ladan had taken a liking to landscaping. These tales naturally brought a fatherly smile to his face. Of course, he hadn’t personally raised the Five Sins, nor had he ever met them face-to-face, but after nearly five years of supporting them and watching them grow, he couldn’t help but feel this way.

‘I think it’s about time to send them out into the world…’

Alon was considering the idea of releasing the Five Sins from the orphanage.

“Evan.”

“Yes, Count?”

“How old is Yutia… no, how old are the Five Sins now?”

“Let’s see… Yutia should be nineteen by now.”

“And the others?”

“The ones you personally brought in should be around that age as well. Rine is seventeen, and Ladan is probably twenty now. But why are you asking about their ages all of a sudden?”

“I’m thinking it’s time to send them out.”

“Those kids? Well, I suppose it does seem a bit late for them to still be at the orphanage.”

Unlike the modern world, in this world, sixteen was considered the age at which one became an adult and began participating in society. Understanding Alon’s reasoning, Evan nodded in agreement.

“But didn’t you gather them for a reason?”

“Well… I did, but that doesn’t mean I planned to keep them forever.”

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The reason Alon had gathered the Five Sins was to prevent them from awakening as the Five Sins who would destroy many kingdoms in the future. In other words, once they were sufficiently cared for, there was no longer a reason to keep them confined to the orphanage.

‘Besides, if I place them in the right positions, each of them should be able to secure a place for themselves.’

Alon recalled the talents that each of the Five Sins possessed. He remembered the typical boss battle narration that exaggerated the strength of bosses in games.

‘Yutia excels in faith, Deus in swordsmanship, Rine in research…’

While the exact extent of their talents wasn’t clearly defined, Alon was confident they would manage well on their own. As he began to write letters to them, he decided to include a small gift for each, as they were about to venture out into the world.

‘Since I was planning to give them these gifts eventually, I might as well do it now.’

After spending considerable time writing letters to the five, Alon sealed them and handed them to Evan, who then left to deliver the letters. Watching Evan’s departing figure, Alon smiled quietly, thinking, ‘If things go well, maybe I’ll reap some benefits too.’

***

A few weeks later, in the basement of the orphanage in the eastern region, the five who had each received a letter from Alon gathered to read them. The first to speak after reading his letter was Deus.

“The Great Moon commands me to head to the ‘Caliburn,’ the land of knights.”

“To the ‘Colony’ in the desert… Ugh, I hate the desert…”

“I’m to go to the labyrinth city ‘Lartania.'”

“I’m assigned to the pleasure city, ‘Raxas.'”

As they read their letters, each of them mumbled to themselves—Seolrang, Rine, and Ladan among them. And then…

“…The Holy Kingdom of Rosario…”

Muttering as she read her letter, Yutia caught Deus’s attention, who spoke with a somewhat puzzled expression.

“What could be the purpose behind sending us to these places?”

“Hmm? Didn’t it say in your letter, Deus?”

“Well, the letter did say to become a knight in Caliburn… but I’m not sure why I should become a knight.”

Deus muttered, still confused by the innocent comment from Seolrang.

“I’ve told you before, Deus. We don’t need to understand; we just need to follow.”

At Yutia’s words, Deus nodded.

“And besides, we’ll understand the reason once we get there. The letters clearly state what we need to do first, right?”

As Yutia spoke, they all looked at their letters again. Indeed, the letters not only instructed them on what professions to pursue but also mentioned that they would continue to receive support, along with the location of a ‘gift’ from the Great Moon.

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So, with Yutia’s final words,

“Just remember, everyone, don’t ever mention the Blue Moon anywhere unless He speaks of it first.”

The Five Sins—who were destined to become the Five Sins—now members of the Blue Moon, departed to follow Alon’s instructions.

***

Three months later…

“Count, did you know? Deus has been knighted in Caliburn.”

“Really?”

Alon, who was researching the ancient language of Babiloia, first heard the news about Deus from Evan.

And another three months later…

“Count.”

“Hmm? What is it?”

“Deus has established a knight order.”

“A knight order?”

“Yes.”

“Hasn’t it only been two months since he was knighted? And isn’t creating a knight order something only an expert or above can do?”

“That’s right.”

“…He’s brimming with talent.”

“I think so too. The fact that word of his deeds has spread so quickly suggests that things are quite lively in Caliburn. There’s even talk that he might become the fifth Master Knight within ten years.”

Listening to Evan’s words, Alon nodded in admiration.

And then, six months later…

“Count?”

“What?”

“…Deus has become one of the five Master Knights in Caliburn.”

“Already?”

“Yes.”

“…???”

Alon was left in a daze by Evan’s words. This all happened within just one year of the Five Sins leaving the orphanage…