Prince of The Ruined Kingdom

In the hidden corners of the Olfein continent lies a small village called Greyfield, a place seemingly forgotten by modern civilization. The villagers live simply, farming with ancient tools that are far behind the cutting-edge technology found in the outside world. However, beneath the village's simplicity lies a dark secret unknown to outsiders.

At the heart of the village stands a grand mansion, its old architecture both magnificent and mysterious. This mansion belongs to the Einzvil family, a clan of assassins who have long lived beyond the reach of modern society. The family abides by strict rules and has a way of life that differs greatly from most people, including how they conduct their business.

Inside the mansion, Eliphas Einzvil, the head of the family, sat at a large desk in his office, his demeanor serious and unyielding. The room was dim, illuminated only by a few flickering candles and dim electronic lights, creating a tense atmosphere that matched the aura of the man. In front of him lay piles of papers and ancient documents. Even in this modern age, with advanced technology readily available, Eliphas chose to use old-fashioned media to store vital information. To him, physical documents were safer from tracking and hacking, offering a long-term resilience that digital devices couldn't provide. Each piece of paper on his desk was a part of a grand plan he had meticulously crafted over the years.

However, despite Eliphas's adherence to old ways in most aspects of his life, he was not entirely resistant to progress. In one corner of the room, several advanced electronic devices were used for tracking and surveillance. These devices were not connected to public networks but rather to their secure internal systems.

Before these devices sat two twin girls, deeply engrossed in their work. Ophelia and Lilith, Eliphas's daughters, operated the holographic monitors with nimble hands, as if they had been doing this for years. Though they were only about 14 years old, their technological skills were impressive.

Ophelia, with her cheerful face and broad smile, operated her equipment with enthusiasm. Lilith, on the other hand, appeared sleepy, her eyes half-closed, moving more slowly but still efficiently. Despite their contrasting temperaments, they made a perfect team in executing their family's operations.

"Lilith, have you gotten the signal from the cameras in the Lilac area?" Ophelia asked, her eyes glued to the screen in front of her.

Lilith stifled a small yawn and replied lazily, "Yes. I've also blocked the surveillance camera signals around there. No one will see what our sister is doing."

Ophelia smiled with satisfaction. "Great! We need to ensure Abigail stays off the radar."

Amid their busy exchange, a heavy, cold voice broke through from behind them. "Ophelia. Lilith," called Eliphas. His voice momentarily disrupted the girls' focus, causing them to turn in unison toward their father.

"Yes, Father?" they responded almost in harmony.

Eliphas stood from his desk, looking at them with a serious expression. "What's the status of Abigail's mission?"

Ophelia, always quick to respond, immediately tapped the holographic screen in front of her, displaying images captured by surveillance cameras around Lilac. The images revealed various street corners, inns, and areas suspected to be hiding places for their target, Archemidas Evernoir.

"We've tracked every movement around the area where Abigail is. She's safely reached Lilac with the target," Ophelia reported confidently. "But there's one odd thing. The cameras there have also been hacked by someone else."

Eliphas furrowed his brow. "Someone else? Who?"

Lilith, usually slower to react, straightened up this time and added, "But don't worry, Father. I've deleted and obscured every image of Abigail and the boy. No one can see them. That other hacker is probably just an amateur messing around."

Ophelia nodded enthusiastically, a proud smile lighting up her face. "Lilith is right. We've got everything under control. Abigail and the target are safe, at least for now."

Eliphas observed them both for a moment before turning his gaze back to the monitor displaying blurred images from the hacked cameras. He seemed deep in thought, considering all possible outcomes. "Whoever attempted to hack must not be underestimated. Ensure you remain vigilant and monitor every development closely. If necessary, prepare a backup plan."

Ophelia nodded eagerly, while Lilith merely gave a slow nod, yawning again.

"Eliphas," called a woman's voice from the corner of the room. His wife, Seraphine, entered gracefully, her presence calm despite the surrounding air of mystery. "You don't need to worry so much. Our children are well-trained."

Eliphas regarded Seraphine for a moment, his sharp gaze softening slightly. "I know," he replied. "But we're facing something much larger than usual. This target is not just an ordinary child. Many parties want to capture or even kill him. We cannot afford to be careless."

Seraphine nodded in agreement, a small smile playing on her lips. "Abigail knows what she's doing. That girl is more than ready."

Ophelia and Lilith exchanged glances at this exchange. They understood the gravity of this mission and that their sister, Abigail, was at its center. With curiosity bubbling inside her, Ophelia quietly asked, "Father, why is that boy—Archemidas—so important? What makes so many people pursue him?"

Eliphas paused for a moment, looking deeply into his daughters' eyes. He knew they were old enough to grasp some truths, but not all. "He is the key," Eliphas replied succinctly. "To something greater than you can imagine."

Ophelia wanted to ask more but held back at her father's cold gaze, sensing it was the limit of what she could know for now. Yet inside her, determination grew to help complete this mission perfectly.

Lilith, still sleepy, simply nodded without pondering further. She remained focused on the equipment before her, ensuring that every step Abigail and her target took stayed within their surveillance.

Eliphas turned his gaze back to the monitor, his expression serious once more. "Make sure everything goes according to plan. There must be no mistakes."

The twin girls replied in unison, "Understood, Father."

And in the quiet mansion of the Einzvil family, preparations continued, each step carefully planned, for this mission, as Eliphas had said, was something far more significant than mere assassination.

After Eliphas leaves the surveillance room with his heavy, authoritative steps, Ophelia and Lilith remain seated, busy monitoring holographic screens that continuously display data and images from various surveillance cameras across the continent. Despite being only fourteen years old, the atmosphere around them is filled with a professional calmness that is far from the typical behavior of children their age. In this realm, they are marvels of the intelligence and hacking world—two girls not endowed with the killing skills of their older sister Abigail but possessing sharp minds that make them some of the most dangerous assets in the Einzvil family.

"Ophelia, Lilith, it's lunchtime," a gentle yet firm voice breaks the silence from behind.

The girls turn to see their mother, Seraphine, standing in the doorway. With a small smile on her face, she approaches them gracefully. Although Seraphine is an exceptional strategist and possesses unparalleled combat skills, her love as a mother shines through clearly.

"You both must not forget the importance of eating. Your brilliant minds need energy too, not just those devices," she continues, her gaze full of care.

Ophelia, her usual mischievous smile lighting up her face, replies, "Alright, Mother. We're just finishing our monitoring. Abigail is safe, so we'll join you shortly."

Lilith, who tends to be quieter, nods while keeping her focus on the screen, seemingly reluctant to leave. "I just erased the tracks from the surveillance cameras. No one will detect our sister's presence," she says in a soft voice.

Seraphine chuckles softly. "You two are truly remarkable. But still, lunch is important. Come on, let's hurry before the food gets cold."

Once their mother leaves, Ophelia exhales lightly, shuts off the monitor, and stands from her chair. "Okay, Lilith, let's go eat. We can come back later."

Lilith remains focused on her screen. "Wait a minute. I'm just making sure no one is trying to hack our system. A few hours ago, there was an attempt from one of the small kingdoms in the west; they tried to access our data. How foolish."

Ophelia smiles at her statement. "Again? It seems they never learn, do they? We've blocked them countless times."

Lilith nods, pressing several buttons in front of her. "Indeed. But this time they almost succeeded. I only noticed it when one of their signals appeared in the logs. But don't worry, I've inserted a small virus that will paralyze their system for a few days."

At this, Ophelia chuckles. "You're truly wicked, Lilith."

"We have to be. They won't stop if we let them," Lilith replies flatly.

Satisfied with her work, Lilith finally turns off her monitor and stands beside Ophelia. The two of them then exit the surveillance room and walk through the mansion's grand corridors toward the dining room. As they walk, Ophelia glances at her twin with a playful smile.

"Speaking of hacking, do you still remember your secret hacker account? The one you used to leak important information from other nations?"

Lilith raises an eyebrow. "Of course I remember. Why do you ask?"

Ophelia lets out a small laugh. "I'm just curious if you're still playing around with that."

Lilith gives Ophelia a sharp but teasing look, as if she already knows where this conversation is headed. "I won't stop playing with them. Lately, I've come across interesting information about the military of the mercenary army. They're developing new weapon technology, something we've never seen before."

Ophelia's eyes widen with intrigue. "Oh? What is it? Have you gotten the details?"

Lilith nods, a faint smile appearing on her face. "Yes. I recently managed to break into one of their secret servers and found documents about an experimental energy-based weapon they're developing. It's still in the early stages, but it's quite fascinating."

Ophelia laughs. "You always find interesting things. Unfortunately, we can't play with other kingdoms just yet until this mission is complete."

Lilith sighs, a bit disappointed. "I know. Father would be furious if we diverted our focus."

Ophelia teases her sister. "We can save that information for later. After Abigail's mission is over, we can use all that for our own amusement."

Lilith looks at Ophelia and smiles slightly, this time with deeper meaning. "Of course. After all, no one can outmatch us in this regard."

They continue walking, joking and chatting about trivial matters. Despite still being teenagers, their conversations revolve around hacking secret networks, manipulating security systems, and trading intelligence information. This is their game. To others, it may seem daunting, but for Ophelia and Lilith, it's just a part of their daily routine.

Upon reaching the dining room, Seraphine is already seated at the table with a neatly arranged meal. The aroma of the food wafts through the room, enticing the girls' stomachs, which finally realize how hungry they are after spending all day in front of the monitors.

"You two arrived just in time," Seraphine says with a smile. "Now sit down and eat before everything gets cold."

Ophelia and Lilith take their seats and start eating. During lunch, the atmosphere becomes more relaxed, although their conversations remain focused on serious topics.

Ophelia, ever curious, suddenly asks, "Mother, what do you think about Abigail's mission this time? Is there a chance of a major problem arising?"

Seraphine nods slowly, wiping her mouth before responding. "This mission is not like the usual ones. The target that Abigail is protecting is not just an ordinary child. Many parties want to take advantage of his existence. You both must be ready to face the worst."

Lilith listens attentively, while Ophelia ponders for a moment. "So, we need to be more careful, right?"

Seraphine smiles softly. "Of course. You both are very intelligent, and I'm confident you can handle whatever comes your way. But remember, in situations like this, even a small mistake can have fatal consequences."

The two girls nod. They fully understand what their family is up against and how every decision they make will greatly impact the future of their mission.

After lunch, Ophelia and Lilith return to the surveillance room, ready to continue their work. For them, the world of hacking and intelligence is exhilarating, a game they play with extraordinary skill and cleverness.

Behind their cheerful smiles and innocent faces lie brilliant minds ready to shake the world from the shadows, just like the Einzvil family, always working behind the scenes—unseen yet ever-present.

***

Eliphas stepped out of the grand Einzvil mansion with heavy but resolute footsteps. The fresh air from the village of Greyfield greeted him, offering a bit of relief to a mind burdened with worries. To the outside world, Eliphas always appeared calm, but inside, his thoughts were a whirlwind of plans and strategies. With the ongoing mission involving Abigail and a boy named Archemidas Evernoir, Eliphas knew that this wasn't just any ordinary job—it was a matter of family honor, old friendships, and perhaps their destinies.

As he walked down the cobblestone path in Greyfield, he heard light footsteps trailing behind him. Without turning around, Eliphas recognized the approach of his wife, Seraphine, who always seemed to sense when he needed someone to talk to.

"Eliphas," Seraphine called gently, walking alongside him. "You look tense."

Eliphas didn't answer right away. He gazed into the vast expanse of green outside the village, as if searching for answers in the gentle breeze. "This mission... it's too important, Seraphine," he finally said, his voice heavy with thought. "It's not just about that boy. It's about the future of our family and the promise I made to Ornbeth."

Seraphine sighed softly and smiled gently. "You always overthink things. Abigail is there to protect the boy, and Ophelia and Lilith are monitoring every move they make. You're not alone in this. Don't shoulder everything by yourself, Eliphas."

Eliphas paused for a moment, looking deeply into his wife's eyes. "Three long years, Seraphine. Three years searching for that child, moving from place to place, tracking leads that often felt impossible. And now, we've finally found him. That boy is our last hope to fulfill the promise I made to Ornbeth. How can I not worry?"

Seraphine understood the depth of the bond between Eliphas and Ornbeth Evernoir, the last king of a kingdom that now lay in ruins. She gently squeezed her husband's arm, encouraging him to continue walking.

"You've done more than enough, Eliphas," Seraphine said. "No one could have predicted the downfall of the Evernoir kingdom. You're not to blame, and you're not responsible for it. But now, you've found Arche. That's more than enough to honor your promise."

They walked along the narrow paths of Greyfield, a seemingly simple village filled with secrets. The people here lived with tools that seemed ancient, far removed from modern civilization, yet they appeared happy. They were part of the Einzvil family's world, and although they were not directly involved in family matters, they knew well enough to stay out of them.

Eliphas finally sighed, his voice a bit calmer, though his worries still lingered. "I know... but still, I feel like I should do more. Ornbeth is my friend, Seraphine. We grew up together, sharing dreams and hopes. I remember the first time I met him at the Evernoir royal ball."

Seraphine smiled, recalling the story Eliphas had told her many times before. "Ah, that ball. The Einzvil family was invited, and you met Ornbeth for the first time there."

Eliphas nodded, his eyes drifting into the past. "He was still a prince then, but not arrogant like most nobles. We hit it off right away. After that ball, we often met, sharing stories about the futures we dreamed of. He had his vision of building a strong and just kingdom, and I had my plans for my family. We respected each other. That was the beginning of our friendship."

Seraphine listened attentively, trying to soothe her husband's heart, which was clearly weighed down by old memories. She knew how devastated Eliphas had been when the news of Evernoir's destruction reached him.

"And then the war came," Eliphas continued, his voice dropping to a whisper. "I heard rumors that the Evernoir kingdom was under attack, but by the time I arrived, it was too late. Houses were burning, bodies were scattered. And I... I found Ornbeth and Grace in the throne room, lying there. They were both gone."

Seraphine tightened her grip on Eliphas's arm, trying to offer some comfort. "You did your best, Eliphas. There was nothing more you could have done."

"But I was late, Seraphine," Eliphas's voice trembled slightly. "I was late to save them. My dear friend, his family... all lost in an instant. All I can do now is protect Arche, the heir to the Evernoir throne."

Seraphine nodded, remaining calm beside her husband. "And you've done that. You found Arche. You've ensured that he is safe with Abigail by his side. What more can you do but fulfill your promise to Ornbeth?"

Eliphas looked up at the sky, as if seeking answers from the stars beginning to appear on the horizon. "I just want to make sure that promise is truly fulfilled. If anything happens to Arche... I don't know what I would do."

Seraphine gently rubbed Eliphas's shoulder. "Abigail is the best among us. You know that. Ophelia and Lilith won't let anything happen to Arche without being aware first. We've prepared thoroughly for this."

Eliphas took a deep breath. "I know, I know. I just..."

"Worry," Seraphine finished for him. "You worry too much, Eliphas. You're not alone in this. We're all here. Me, Abigail, Ophelia, Lilith. We're all working together to protect that boy."

Eliphas looked at his wife, seeing the sincerity in her eyes. Seraphine always knew how to calm him down, even in the most dire situations.

"I need to learn to trust them more," Eliphas finally admitted.

Seraphine smiled in understanding. "That's what I've always asked of you, Eliphas. Trust your family. Trust us."

Eliphas resumed walking, this time with a slightly lighter heart. Seraphine walked alongside him, offering strength in the simplicity of their steps. Though the weight on his shoulders still remained, Eliphas knew he wasn't alone in facing the future. Together with his family, he would continue the struggle—and fulfill the promise he made to Ornbeth Evernoir many years ago.