A Peacock Husband of Five Princesses by day, a Noble Assassin by Night-Chapter 171: Raw -

But in the midst of this, the firstborn—who had been born healthy and had thus far slept peacefully—stirred not at all. The child, the oldest of the three, remained undisturbed, his face peaceful and his soul pure, as though he had never been touched by the chaos of the world.

The chamber was filled with tension, the cries of the second child still ringing in the air. Emily sank to her knees, and the stream of tears flowed freely. She looked down at her sister, who now lay lifeless on the ritual bed.

Her gaze then shifted to the children. The oldest, his face calm and unmarked by suffering. The middle child, a baby girl, is screaming with all the fury of a storm. And the youngest... a baby boy whose cries cut through the room like a blade.

The High Priestess, struggling to rise from the floor, looked at the sky with a mix of awe and fear as the celestial bodies once again rearranged themselves into the constellation of Ophiuchus. "The children… They are touched by Death. But, which child is it?"

**Eight years later;**

The sun hung low in the sky over the Duchy of Freyles, casting long shadows over the palace grounds. Inside, the halls were filled with life and the quiet hum of activity as servants went about their tasks. Among them, a bright little boy skipped through the corridors, his eyes alight with a curiosity that matched his radiant energy. His name was Raphael Garcia, and at the age of eight, he was already a sight to behold. His pale skin glowed with health, and his dark eyes sparkled with mischief. His hair, dark and tousled, seemed to match the untamed energy that flowed through him.

As he walked, the maids greeted him with smiles. "Young Master Raphael looks like shining brighter than ever," one of them remarked.

Another maid chuckled, "He's like a little sunbeam, always lighting up the place."

"Thanks," Raphael simply beamed in return, not one for modesty, though his smile was warm. He carried a stack of books clutched tightly in his hands, heading toward his father's study.

He reached the large oak door with mystical rune carvings, knocking lightly before entering. Inside, his father, Duke Aurelius Garcia, sat at a grand desk, busied with several thick scrolls and accounts. His presence was commanding, not just because of his broad shoulders, muscular frame, and sternness, but also due to his bloodline—a powerful demigod born from a Nephilim and the goddess Hecate herself. In a way, he carried the blood of a titaness, an angel, and a human.

Raphael entered without hesitation. "Mom told me to give you these," he said, holding out the stack of books.

Aurelius looked up at the boy. His stern expression softened as he reached out to pat his son's head. "Good job, Raphael." His voice was filled with affection. "Are you causing trouble today, or just delivering books?" He asked.

Raphael paused, his brow furrowing in thought. "I think I deserve some compensation for all the hard work." His tone was playful but his expression looked serious. It is tough to understand which one is it.

Aurelius chuckled, amused by his son's boldness. He picked up a scroll from his desk and handed it to Raphael. "Here, take this. It's a small reward for your efforts."

Raphael snatched it eagerly and his smile widened as he prepared to run off. But just as he was about to exit the door, Aurelius called out to him. "Wait, Raphael. How are your siblings? Have they been giving you trouble again?"

Raphael paused, glancing back at his father with a mischievous grin. "They're probably busy fighting again. I mean, bullying some kids." He let out a small laugh before adding, "I'm the only one who seems to get things done around here."

Aurelius sighed, rubbing his forehead. "I don't know how to deal with those two. All they know is violence to solve everything." His eyes lingered on his son, a mix of pride and frustration in his gaze. "Be careful, Raphael. You're the only one who seems to be able to keep your head on straight."

Raphael shrugged his shoulders. "I try."

With that, he dashed out of the study, the scroll clutched tightly in his hands, leaving Aurelius to wonder how long his rebellious children would continue their behavior.

Meanwhile, on the outskirts of the city, another scene was unfolding. The sun was setting, casting an orange glow over the fields and streets. A boy, looking almost identical to Raphael, stood at the center of a small skirmish. This was Azrael Orkney Garcia, in short—Rael, the youngest of the triplets. Beside him stood a young girl, her movements swift and fluid, as they faced down a group of unruly teenagers.

Rael's eyes were cold, and calculating, as he engaged the leader of the gang.

A swift kick to the man's abdomen cracked ribs, sending him sprawling to the ground. But just as Rael was about to finish the fight, a sudden attack came from a distance—an arrow shot through the air, aimed straight at him.

Before Rael could react, the girl beside him moved with a speed that defied logic. It was as if she teleported.

But, in reality, she didn't.

Eon, the middle sibling, paused time around them, her movements frozen in the world's stillness.

She stepped forward, taking the arrow to her chest without hesitation. The moment the time resumed, Eon stumbled back, coughing up blood, but her face remained steely.

"Eon…"

All of a sudden, Rael's eyes flared with fury, and his aura suddenly changed. "You dare to hurt Eon?" A roar escaped from him.

A dark energy rippled from him, filling the air with a suffocating presence. His death energy was so potent that even the Arcana Masters nearby found it difficult to breathe. The temperature seemed to drop, the very air thickening with the weight of his power. 𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢

Before Rael could strike back, a figure appeared out of nowhere. With a swift motion, the newcomer knocked out Rael with a chop to his neck. The man, a tall and broad-shouldered figure, carried an adult on his shoulder as if they weighed nothing. He tossed the unconscious archer to the ground and glared at the gang.

The man said in a deep commanding voice, "I suggest you stop before things get worse."

One of the gang members, the leader, stood up shakily, still trying to appear defiant. "You're a fool if you think you can stop us. I'm the nephew of the King! Even if he's the son of a duke, he'll pay for this."

Eon, still injured, charged forward once more, her time-manipulating abilities flaring as she paused the world again. Without hesitation, she closed the distance and delivered a punch to the gang leader's nose, "This is for threatening my brother." She said as the leader crumpled to the ground, clutching his nose to stop the bleeding. The bodyguard of these two kids, who had intervened earlier, sighed and motioned for the siblings to leave. "Let's go. The Duke will listen to your explanation."

Eon's face hardened for a moment but as she glanced at her unconscious brother on the guard's shoulder, she nodded. "Alright."