Chapter 174: The Empty Chair

The private residence of Alessandro Vittorio Orsini stood within one of Zenith City’s most prestigious residential districts, surrounded by landscaped gardens, towering trees, and an extensive security perimeter maintained by Darkstar Guild.

The mansion was an elegant three-story building constructed from pale stone, with enormous windows overlooking the gardens and spacious balconies extending from the upper floors.

Despite the considerable wealth and influence associated with its owner, the residence possessed a surprisingly restrained atmosphere, reflecting Alessandro’s preference for comfort and privacy rather than unnecessary extravagance.

Shortly after seven in the morning, Alessandro’s vehicle passed through the entrance gates and approached the mansion.

He had spent most of the previous night at an O.R.D.O. medical facility, speaking with investigators and waiting for updates concerning Damian’s condition.

Although the physicians had managed to stabilize his nephew, the injuries he’d sustained during his confrontation with Jet were severe enough to require continuous medical supervision.

Several fractures, extensive burns, and damage to his internal organs had left Damian unconscious, while the enormous amount of Mana he’d expended during the battle had complicated his recovery.

Alessandro stepped out of the vehicle and entered the mansion without his usual greeting to the security personnel stationed near the entrance.

His dark coat hung loosely across his shoulders, and faint exhaustion could be seen beneath his eyes.

As a 5-Star Awakener, he possessed enough physical endurance to remain active for considerably longer than ordinary humans, but the fatigue weighing upon him had very little to do with his body.

"Welcome home, Master Alessandro," an elderly butler greeted him, approaching from the entrance hall with a respectful bow. "We weren’t expecting you until later this morning. Would you like me to have breakfast prepared?"

Alessandro removed his coat and handed it over before glancing toward the staircase. "Yes, Bernard. Something simple will be fine. And please inform the household staff that I don’t wish to receive any visitors unless the matter is urgent."

Bernard accepted the coat, his expression becoming concerned as he examined his employer.

The elderly man had served the Orsini household for more than three decades, long enough to recognize when something was troubling Alessandro.

However, he also understood that the Guildmaster preferred discussing personal matters when he was ready.

"Of course, sir," Bernard answered, stepping aside. "I’ll have breakfast served in the dining room. Would you prefer to rest beforehand?"

Alessandro shook his head. "Not yet, Bernard. I doubt I’ll be able to sleep."

He continued through the entrance hall, passing several familiar paintings and decorative displays that had occupied the same positions for years.

Normally, returning home brought him a sense of relief after dealing with the countless responsibilities associated with managing Darkstar Guild.

Today, however, the mansion seemed strangely unfamiliar, and the quiet footsteps of the household staff only emphasized the silence surrounding him.

When Alessandro entered the dining room, his gaze immediately settled upon the long polished table positioned beneath an enormous chandelier.

Several chairs stood along its sides, although only two were regularly used whenever he ate at home. One occupied the head of the table, while the other stood immediately to his right.

Damian’s chair.

Alessandro stopped walking.

The chair was empty, just as it had been during countless mornings when Damian was occupied with his businesses or traveling outside Zenith City.

There was nothing unusual about its appearance, and yet Alessandro found himself unable to look away.

He remembered a much younger Damian sitting in that exact position, his small legs swinging beneath the table while he complained about the vegetables placed on his plate.

The boy had been barely six years old at the time, possessing an astonishing ability to argue over the simplest matters.

"Uncle Alessandro, why do I have to eat these?" Damian had complained one morning, pushing several pieces of broccoli toward the edge of his plate. "Bernard says vegetables are good for me, but I don’t like them."

Alessandro remembered lowering his newspaper and examining the boy with exaggerated seriousness. "Because Bernard is correct, Damian. And if you intend to become powerful, you should start by learning how to finish your breakfast."

Young Damian had immediately frowned, his expression becoming stubborn. "But you’re already powerful, Uncle Alessandro. Can’t you just give me some of your strength?"

The memory brought a faint smile to Alessandro’s face.

He remembered laughing at the question before explaining that strength couldn’t simply be handed from one person to another.

Damian had looked terribly disappointed by the answer, although his mood improved considerably when Alessandro promised to take him to one of Darkstar Guild’s training facilities after breakfast.

That had been many years ago.

Alessandro slowly approached the table and pulled out his chair, sitting down while Bernard supervised the servants preparing breakfast.

A plate of eggs, toasted bread, and fresh fruit was placed before him, accompanied by a cup of coffee. He thanked the servants, but when he reached for his utensils, his gaze returned to the empty chair beside him.

"Bernard," Alessandro called quietly, looking toward the elderly butler standing near the doorway. "When was the last time Damian had breakfast here?"

Bernard considered the question before answering. "A little over two weeks ago, sir. Young Master Damian arrived rather early that morning. I believe the two of you discussed one of his recent business acquisitions."

Alessandro remembered the occasion immediately.

Damian had arrived wearing an expensive suit, carrying several documents concerning a logistics company he intended to purchase.

He had spoken enthusiastically about expanding his business interests beyond Zenith City, explaining how transportation networks and private security contracts could become increasingly valuable as the world continued developing around the Dungeons.

At the time, Alessandro had been pleased to see his nephew succeeding independently.

Now he wondered how much of that conversation had been genuine.

"Did he seem different to you?" Alessandro asked, setting down his untouched fork. "During his recent visits, I mean. Was there anything unusual about his behavior?"

Bernard hesitated before answering. "Not particularly, sir. Young Master Damian has always been ambitious, and he sometimes becomes impatient when discussing business matters. But he was respectful toward the household staff, as he usually is. If something was troubling him, I’m afraid I didn’t notice."

Alessandro nodded slowly. "Neither did I, Bernard. Neither did I."

The butler remained silent, recognizing the pain beneath his employer’s words. After a moment, Alessandro dismissed him with a quiet gesture, asking to be left alone while he finished breakfast.

However, he barely touched the food.

His thoughts drifted toward another memory, one considerably more recent than Damian’s childhood.

The night of the First Red Moon.

It had been an event that changed the lives of countless people across the world, including Damian.

Like countless others, Damian had undergone Awakening when the mysterious phenomenon swept across humanity. And when Alessandro eventually learned that his nephew had awakened an S-Rank Divine Rune, he had been overjoyed.

Alessandro remembered examining the elaborate tattoo, its design depicting a horned golden calf surrounded by ancient coins and interlocking chains.

"Uncle Alessandro, can you believe it?" Damian had exclaimed, his excitement evident as he showed off the markings. "An S-Rank Divine Rune! I never imagined that the the Red Moon will appear again and I’d awaken something this powerful!"

Alessandro had smiled, genuinely delighted by his nephew’s achievement. "It’s remarkable, Damian. But remember, possessing a powerful Divine Rune is only the beginning. What matters is how you choose to use that power."

Damian had nodded enthusiastically, promising that he would someday become someone capable of standing proudly beside his uncle.

Alessandro had believed him.

He had imagined Damian becoming a respected Awakener, perhaps eventually establishing his own organization or using his extraordinary talent to accomplish something meaningful.

When Damian later expressed greater interest in business than joining Darkstar Guild, Alessandro hadn’t opposed the decision.

He wanted the young man to choose his own path rather than spend his life following expectations imposed by his uncle’s reputation.

But somewhere along that path, something had gone terribly wrong.

Alessandro stared into his coffee, remembering the images he’d seen at the industrial district. Damian’s shattered armor, his bloodied body, and the enormous crater left behind by Jet’s final attack remained painfully clear in his memory.

Then there was Jet.

The white-haired young Awakener had impressed Alessandro from their earliest interactions.

His determination, unusual combat instincts, and willingness to learn reminded the Guildmaster of the qualities he’d admired in talented young Awakeners throughout his career.

He had genuinely enjoyed their training sessions.

More than once, Alessandro had spoken about introducing Jet to Damian, believing the two might develop a friendship despite their different personalities.

Now he understood how terribly mistaken he’d been.

One young man lay unconscious beneath armed guard, accused of organizing an assassination campaign.

The other had nearly killed him.

Alessandro slowly placed his cup on the table, his expression becoming increasingly troubled. He knew Jet wasn’t responsible for Damian’s decisions.

The young Awakener had been defending himself and the people he loved, and Alessandro couldn’t reasonably condemn him for refusing to become another victim.

Nevertheless, understanding Jet’s actions did little to diminish the terror he’d experienced upon seeing the Vorpal Blade raised above Damian’s chest.

He had already lost his younger brother.

For a few horrifying seconds, he’d believed he was about to lose the boy he’d raised in his brother’s place.

Alessandro leaned backward, closing his eyes as another question emerged within his thoughts.

How had Damian become someone capable of ordering murders?

He had watched the boy grow up, celebrated his achievements, supported his ambitions, and believed he understood the kind of man his nephew was becoming.

Yet the accusations presented by Jet and Adesewa suggested a reality so different from everything Alessandro believed that he struggled to reconcile them.

Had Damian changed without him noticing?

Or had Alessandro simply been too willing to overlook the warning signs?

Before he could pursue those thoughts further, his communication device vibrated against the table.

Alessandro opened his eyes and examined the incoming call.

The identification displayed an official O.R.D.O. investigation number.

He immediately answered.

"Guildmaster Orsini?" a serious male voice asked from the other end. "This is Adrian Keller, assigned to the Damian Visconti investigation. I apologize for contacting you so early, but we’ve made several important discoveries."

Alessandro straightened in his chair, his attention sharpening immediately. "It’s all right, Investigator Keller. Has something happened to Damian? Is his condition getting worse?"

"His medical condition remains stable for now," Keller replied. "However, our teams have completed the preliminary examination of several properties and communication records recovered during yesterday’s operation. We believe you should come to O.R.D.O. headquarters as soon as possible."

Alessandro frowned, sensing something troubling in the investigator’s tone. "What exactly have you discovered?"

Keller remained silent for a moment before answering.

"Guildmaster Orsini, I’m afraid the evidence against your nephew is considerably worse than we initially believed. The assassination attempts against the Palladium expedition survivors may only be part of what Damian Visconti has been involved in."

Alessandro’s fingers tightened around the communication device.

For several seconds, he stared at the empty chair beside him, unable to find an immediate response.

Then he slowly rose from the table.

"I’ll be there shortly, Investigator Keller," Alessandro answered, his expression becoming grim. "And I want to see everything you’ve found."