Next, they waited quietly in the Shadow Realm, biding their time for the second half of the plan to be implemented by Estelle in the physical world.
On this particular morning, inside the Ducal Manor of Intiles, Undine sat primly at the dining table. After glancing around, she turned her gaze toward her mother and asked in a puzzled tone:
"That do— cough cough, I mean, why hasn't Eros come to the dining room for breakfast yet? It’s getting late."
Hearing this, Estelle’s elegant brows knitted slightly. She set down her glass of warm milk, her voice also carrying a hint of doubt. "It is indeed late. Usually, he would have been here long ago."
Undine’s large eyes darted around mischievously. She suddenly stood up and giggled. "That big lazy pig must still be oversleeping! I’ll go wake him up right now!"
Without waiting for Estelle’s reply, she ran off excitedly. Watching her daughter’s retreating back, Estelle’s soft lips curved upward into a faint, knowing smile.
Undine hummed a cheerful tune as she skipped through the manor, arriving shortly at Eros’s bedroom door. She looked left and right; seeing no one nearby, she pushed the door open stealthily and slipped inside.
Approaching the bed, she looked at the bulging quilt with a wicked grin. She reached out and yanked the covers back, huffing playfully:
"Rise and shine, lazy pig—!"
However, the bed was empty.
Undine puffed out her cheeks, her expression disappointed. Hmph, so he’s not even here. She immediately returned to the dining room to report this to Estelle.
After listening, Estelle fixed her gaze on her daughter. "Did he not tell you where he was going?"
Undine shook her head, indicating he hadn't. At the same time, she looked at her mother with some surprise. "Did he not tell you either?"
Estelle slowly shook her head. Seeing that her mother also knew nothing, a trace of worry appeared on Undine’s small face. Usually, if Eros were going out, he would mention it. Even if he hadn't given prior notice, he would almost always return in time for meals. A situation like today—no prior word and missing both breakfast and lunch—had never happened before.
Seeing the growing anxiety on her daughter’s face, Estelle comforted her softly. "Perhaps he was just delayed by something. Let’s wait a bit longer; maybe he’ll be back soon."
Hearing her mother’s comfort, Undine bit her lower lip, suppressing the unease in her heart, and gave a soft "mm."
But they waited... and waited until two in the afternoon. Eros still hadn't returned.
Undine could no longer sit still. Her face was full of agitation and restlessness. She stood up and looked at her mother. "Something must have happened to him! We have to go find him!"
Estelle’s face was now grave as well. Taking a deep breath, she no longer hesitated and stood up, heading toward the door.
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"Mama, where are you going?" Undine asked hurriedly, seeing her mother leave.
"To the Church!" Estelle replied succinctly.
Undine was puzzled. Eros is missing, so why go to the Church? Shouldn't we be looking for him? Although she didn't understand Estelle’s intent, she was certain that whatever her mother was doing was related to Eros, so she hiked up her skirt and ran to catch up, shouting, "I’m coming too!"
Stepping outside, Estelle spoke directly to the butler waiting by the entrance. "Prepare the carriage!"
"Yes, Madam!" The butler didn't hesitate and immediately arranged it.
Soon, Estelle and Undine arrived by carriage at the Church of Reincarnation in the West District of the inner city.
Ando Calamanda, the Arch-Bishop of the Reincarnation Church stationed in Intiles, was somewhat curious about Estelle’s sudden visit. However, seeing the noble lady’s face full of urgency, he instantly realized something had gone wrong. He skipped the pleasantries and asked immediately:
"Madam! Has something happened?"
Estelle’s voice was frantic. "Eros is missing!"
"What?"
Bishop Ando’s expression changed drastically. He knew Eros’s true identity and exactly what that identity represented—which was precisely why he lost his composure. Forcing down his inner turmoil, Bishop Ando looked at Estelle and said solemnly:
"What exactly happened? Please tell me in detail."
Estelle recounted her discovery to the Bishop. She emphasized that Eros always reported his movements to her, and yet not only had he not checked in last night, he had missed both breakfast and lunch today.
Bishop Ando took a deep breath and said in a heavy voice, "I will arrange a Nighthawk squad... no, I will go personally."
Soon, Bishop Ando himself led a squad of Nighthawks back to the Ducal Manor with Estelle. Arriving at the door of Eros’s room, Ando looked at the door and questioned Estelle:
"His Highness did return to his room last night, correct?"
At this question, Estelle glanced at Undine. Undine sniffled; although she didn't quite understand why her mother had brought the Church into this, she couldn't care about anything else now. She nodded vigorously. "I saw him enter the room with my own eyes last night."
Just then, a Nighthawk walked in from outside and reported to Bishop Ando:
"I’ve questioned the night-shift valets and maids. They all say they did not see His Highness Eros leave the room last night."
Ando nodded and said slowly, "That means His Highness vanished from within his own room." After making this judgment, he turned to the anxious Undine and comforted her in a gentler tone. "His Highness will be fine! The God will protect him."
Turning to his squad, he commanded: "Search the room for any anomalies! Find the cause of His Highness’s disappearance!"
The Nighthawks immediately entered and began investigating every corner. Ando followed them in. As soon as he stepped inside, his brows furrowed. He walked over to the side of the bed and knelt, sensing the air carefully.
His face turned grim. "Though it is faint, I can detect the power of Shadows. It seems those rats in the gutter are behind this."
Beside him, Undine’s face went pale when she heard the Bishop detect shadow power. Her eyes were filled with terror. Bishop Ando noticed her reaction, but he simply assumed the young girl was terrified because her brother had likely fallen into the hands of the cruel and ruthless Night Remnants.
At this moment, he had no heart for further comfort. He knew only too well that Eros’s family title had been earned through the slaughter of Night Remnants. If Eros had truly fallen into their hands, he didn't dare imagine how those brutal survivors would treat their enemy.
Without hesitation, he ordered his team: "Prepare the ritual to open a passage to the Shadow Realm immediately! I can sense that the residual shadow power in this room belongs to a gateway to that world."
"It seems His Highness Eros was dragged into the Shadow Realm by those gutter-rats. We must enter at once to find his trail."
Before long, the Nighthawks brought the spiritual materials required for the ritual.
In the Shadow Realm:
Barbara glanced at the space above and said to Eros: "They are coming. Get ready!"
With that, she merged into Eros’s body and vanished. On the other side, Cynthia returned to the Soul Ring on Eros’s finger.
Soon, this area of the Shadow Realm held only Eros—and a destroyed ritual circle clearly reeking of shadow power.