Dahlia smiled, utterly unfazed by Black Swan exposing her. "You're still as charming as ever, always able to see through my most superficial layer of disguise."
"Then, to show my sincerity and answer your questions, I'll show you a short fragment of a past buried beneath the dust—just this once." She raised one finger, putting on an air of mystery.
"Aren't you very interested in the Eternal Flame Manor, and in Grand Duke of Blazing Flames's fate?" Her words carried a note of temptation.
Under Yan Huan's curious gaze and Black Swan's calm scrutiny, Dahlia extended her fingertip. Deep-blue Memoria intertwined with a faint aura like the embers of Destruction, forming a clear scene before her—
It was the Eternal Flame Manor's iconic hall, filled with burning patterns and thrones.
At that moment, Dahlia was the only one left in the image. She stood sideways to the "camera," wearing an almost crazed smile of cold satisfaction.
The manor was empty, yet the floor and the enormous throne were splattered and drenched with large amounts of dark golden, viscous liquid, like molten metal.
The entire scene was silent and eerie.
"..." Yan Huan stared at the image, frowning deeply, his dark golden eyes filled with confusion.
The image revealed limited information: Dahlia standing alone within the ruined Eternal Flame Manor, with golden liquid that looked suspiciously like blood everywhere.
The time was unknown, and so were the exact circumstances.
When had this happened?
Was it after he had attacked them?
Or after Acheron had attacked them?
Was the golden liquid on the ground blood, or freshly spilled paint?
While Yan Huan was bewildered and suspicious, Black Swan seemed thoughtful, light shifting within her eyes.
"The blank in that music box's memories was indeed erased by your own hand." She connected it