"Another fire in the countryside?" Count Ladislao said with horror as he skimmed through the newspaper. "That's the fifth one this month!"
The count, Countess Rachele, and Lucifer all sat in the conference room in the higher rooms of the castle, discussing the mysterious fires that have been appearing all across the countryside. Countess Rachele's face was completely grim while Lucifer's remained emotionless.
"Just outside the town's city limits, five fires have accrued where there have been no survivors," Lucifer stated. "All of them happening out of nowhere to just simple poor farmers..."
His eyes darkened.
"From the looks of it, it sounds like a homicide."
"Yes, but who could have committed it?" Countess Rachele questioned, worry in her voice. "The tribe hasn't been in any wars since the Tribe of Darkness had been banished. We have no enemies!"
"But the fires all have the same patterns," Lucifer objected. "They flow the same way, react the same way, and they only destroy the house and never the farmland! They are fires caused by magic. And magic does not simply perform on its own, it has to be performed by someone. And with fires such as these...this magician must be extremely powerful."
Countess Rachele's eyes blazed with anger.
"I know that, Lucifer. I know how magic works. But it doesn't answer who or why it is happening!"
"There is no reason to get worked up, Rachele."
"And why not? My people are dying because of them, people who I'm responsible for!"
The countess narrowed her eyes.
"Unlike you, Lucifer, I can't ignore a human's pain because it is not my own. I have to do what is best for my people, and not just myself."
Lucifer stood up from his chair, his breathing thickening as he used all his self control. He gave a small, twisted smile.
"Now, my countess, think of what you are saying..."
"But it is true, isn't it?" Countess Rachele snapped as she stood up as well. "In fact I'm surprised you have been reporting these like you have been. Normally this sort of subject would not interest you, unless Ladislao or I request your assistance. But the fact is that you are more interest in the magic is being preformed, and the lives of these people are second rate!"
Rage sparked in Lucifer's eyes.
"...Enough."
Countess Rachele and Lucifer turned to Count Ladislao, who stared down at the table.
"Both of you bring valid points," Count Ladislao said. "But...I think we are looking at the situation wrong."
At that moment, Count Ladislao stood up and walked over to a file cabinet. There, he took out some old documents and sat them next to a pile of newer ones.
"Right here I have the documents of the fire victims and the names of the soldiers who fought in the Pixl Rebellion," the count explained. "Look through both of these and see if any of them have anything in common."
With a confused expression, Countess Rachele approached the documents and compared them. Her eyes grew wide.
"Why...the farmers all have some kind of kinship to the men who fought in the Pixl Rebellion!" the countess exclaimed.
"So our murderer is targeting people connected the rebellion," Lucifer said, mostly to himself. "Well at least we have an idea of what kind of people they are targeting."
"And not only that," Countess Rachele added, "but by comparing last names, the farmers were all related to high rank officials. Specifically, those who helped bring down the Tribe of Darkness."
"Exactly," Count Ladislao replied. "And since there are no current enemies of our tribe..."
There was a long silence. Countess Rachele's face paled, her eyes going between the documents.
"...I never thought it would be possible," she said softly. "But the evidence adds up. The Tribe of Darkness has returned."
"Impossible!"
Lucifer's cry was so loud that Count Ladislao and Countess Rachele stared at him in shock. Lucifer's face was incredibly pale, as white as a sheet, his eyes glowing with fear that he could not hide.
"The Tribe of Darkness was banished hundreds of years ago!" Lucifer said his voice cracking. "They are dead and can never return!"
"But it's the only thing that makes sense," Countess Rachele reasoned. "The Tribe of the Ancients has no other enemy besides them. And the dark tribe has been well known for being masters at magic, so it would explain the fires."
Her eyes darkened.
"I hate to admit it, but it sounds like that they are making a comeback."
Lucifer's whole body tensed up, cold hard sweat falling down his face. He looked down on the ground like someone shot him.
"...Cynthia..."
Without another word, Lucifer stormed out of the room. Countess Rachele's eyes widened with shock.
...Lucifer?
Count Ladislao stared at the doorway for a long moment. Trying to pretend the incident never happened, the count got up and took the documents that his wife had.
"I will start sending soldiers to the countryside to see if we can learn anymore about these fires," Count Ladislao said. "Until then, this is kept a secret."
"Wait, what?" The countess stared at her husband like he had gone mad. "We can't just keep this a secret! If the Tribe of Darkness are really back, we must warn everyone!"
"And spread mass panic? No, Rachele, we can't let us all live in fear and paranoia. Not until we are for certain that they have to know."
Countess Rachele narrowed her eyes.
"Ladislao, that is a foolish move. If we are to defend against the dark tribe, we must stand as one and grow stronger. And with strong leadership, we can prevent panic."
Count Ladislao looked deeply into his wife's eyes.
"...Just do as I ask. Please, Rachele, I don't want to argue about this."
"So you are just going to ignore it until you have no choice but to act?"
"Rachele, please..."
The count and countess glared at each for a long moment. Finally, Countess Rachele let out a heavy sigh, but her eyes still remained firm.
"...Fine, if that's what you want," she finally said softly. "But just let you know that I am going to get to the bottom of this, even if you won't."
Count Ladislao refused to make eye contact. For he couldn't bear to show his wife the fear that was in his heart. For how long would it be until the Tribe of Darkness came after him and his family?
I have to make sure my family stays safe above everything else. For I will not allow one of those hell spawns to touch my wife or daughter!