MIDNIGHT PRINCE: Empire of Sin

[LA International Airport]

Backtracking to a bit earlier in the past, when both Viktor and Makarov stepped out of the airplane, they ignored the fact that how some people were obviously stepping aside when they got closer to them.

Makaraov was wearing a pair of black glasses and a black suit that made him look like some bouncer from a bar and Viktor wasn't dressed much differently from his grandson.

All the way from the airport, Viktor kept scratching his face, which caused Makarov to growl out some words in annoyance…

"Stop touching ya face, boy. You are attracting unneeded attention."

Viktor was only able to provide a sheepish smile in response. He was sure that their appearance already attracted enough attention as is but, in the end, he listened to his grandfather's words like the good grandson that he was.

"I am sorry. I'm just feeling a little itchy in my jaws."

"You will get used to it. Can't have you showing your true face now, can we?"

"Heh…What about you then?"

"Ya think if I didn't use the potion like you the flight would have been peaceful?"

Makaravo scoffed at Viktor. Even though he had officially retired from the blacksmithing scene, the moment he stepped outside of his territory, he would be hounded by the government or wannabe hunters from rich families wishing for a custom weapon. If worse comes to worst, his whereabouts would be leaked to criminals and the number that actually wanted to put a slave spell on him or simply kill him was just too many to count.

For traveling purposes, not only did he use an appearance-changing potion that was concocted by his little girl, a witch who specialized more in traditional alchemy, but he also had to use one of the many fake documents he had on hand.

"But… Will your friend be able to recognize us in our disguise?"

"Don't worry. She will know."

Makarov did not explain more and simply walked outside after they took their luggage from the luggage acquisition section.

At first, they were pretty lost about where to go but it didn't take long for them to find the people who were waiting for the arrival of the passengers.

Viktor looked up at the two people standing close to a car. One was a beautiful but pale woman with scarlet red hair and the second was a rather handsome young man.

He had no time to study the young man's features more deeply as the red-haired woman strode towards them with a confident grin on her enchanting yet somewhat sickly face…

"Old man. This face makes you look pretty scary, you know?"

"Hahaha. Your natural face is what is scary."

The two chuckled before Makarov hugged Cecilia tightly, "It's good to see ya, lass. I really thought you died in a ditch or something."

Cecilia patted the strong back of her old friend, "I am quite alright, old man."

They separated from their hug as Makarov scanned Cecilia up and down and the more he did so, the deeper the frown stretching above his scary mask became…

"You… What happened to you, girl?"

He hadn't noticed her condition at first. But the Cecilia standing in front of them right now was so frail that it went beyond his comprehension.

Cecilia as he remembered was like the sun. Her Prana always burnt with unequaled power and vigor while her aura would make people instinctively realize that they were standing in front of someone they should not mess with.

Cecilia was the incarnation of brutality and pure unadulterated power. Even tearing a few Dullahan apart or destroying a few death knights barehanded was just like having breakfast for her. Too common to be mentioned.

But now… Now Cecilia was like a dried lamp with a flickering light inside— ready to vanish at any moment.

"How are…"

"Let's talk about that later over a drink, shall we?"

Makarov scrutinized Cecilia's eyes before nodding in acceptance. He took a deep breath and calmed down his saddened heart.

"Very well. But I swear if you bring some wimpy drink out I am going to riot."

"Don't worry. I have something set aside that should satisfy you."

Cecilia took a few steps back and looked at the young man accompanying Makarov. She squinted her eyes slightly as she was searching through her memory for the identity of the youth.

"Is this…?"

"Yeah. It's my grandson. The one you saved alongside me and my family."

Makarov ruffled Viktor's hair before grinning at the young man standing next to Cecilia. His eyebrow rose in surprise when he noticed the obvious Japanese features and a face that was closer to someone else he remembered from his old memories.

'Hmmm…'

"Is it your lad? A little scrawny, isn't he?"

Cecilia's mouth stretched to form a toothy grin as she patted Adam on the back, causing him to take a few steps forward due to the impact of her violent patting,

"Yeah. It's Adam and don't just look at his appearance, you would be surprised by what he is capable of."

Makarov tilted his head in confusion before giving a second and more profound look at Adam. Trying to see him for what he really was. Now that he looked at it more clearly…

He could indeed notice something weird from the boy. Even though Adam did not have a bulky frame, his muscles seemed to be full of explosive power.

"Definitely interesting, yea…"

Adam advanced further and finally introduced himself to the foreign guests, "Hi. It's the first time I have met one of mom's friends so I don't really know what to say. Thanks for coming here, I guess."

Makarov looked at Adam and then at Cecilia. He continued that back and forth for a few times as obvious disbelief shone in his eyes. "Tell me the truth. Did you kidnap that kid from somewhere? Otherwise, there's no way you can raise such a polite lad."

"Hey. I would like to let you know I raised him quite well."

Adam smiled as he watched Cecilia banter with the old man who would make some bodybuilders question their reason for existence and advanced toward Viktor.

"Hi. I am Adam."

Viktor scratched his chin, still a little uncomfortable and also a little shy.

Despite how big he was, Viktor was quite shy when dealing with people his age. After all, in his village, there was basically no one close to his age with whom he could play.

He was also busy taking lessons from his grandfather so he didn't even have time to make friends with the few people his age.

"Viktor."

He immediately winced at the gruff way his introduction came out. But Adam was not offended.

He could see the halo behind Viktor and Makarov due to his skills.

Viktor's was a deep green and Makarov's was also a green with a hint of gold treading along the edges.

"I feel like the two of us will become good friends."

He brought his hand forward for a handshake to which Viktor answered with a big hearty smile.

(AN: I know the cliche big but gentle guy. It's used many times, But I honestly like it. I like how it suggests that one shouldn't just focus on appearance to judge someone. Of course, appearance is still a very very good indicator in some cases. It's pretty ambiguous.)