Torain Royal Castle – Midday
A flash of violet light sparked in the outer courtyard of the now-ruined palace. From the swirling teleportation magic emerged Darwin, Evelyne, Gerald, Velmira, and Maevina. Dust still hung heavy in the air. Stones and rubble lay scattered, and the stench of burning filled the skies of Torain.
Gerald stepped forward first, his eyes sweeping over the once-majestic structure now reduced to ruins.
"Damn it…" he muttered. "We're too late."
Maevina covered her mouth with a trembling hand, stunned. "This… how could the castle be destroyed this badly?"
In the center of the courtyard, several soldiers and healing mages were tending to the wounded. One of the stretchers carried a figure wrapped in a golden cloak—King Thalreos, now under the care of royal healers. Burns covered his arm and shoulder, but his consciousness remained intact.
Evelyne and Gerald rushed toward him.
"Father!" Evelyne cried, panic in her voice.
The king slowly opened his eyes, offering a faint, weary smile. "Evelyne…" he whispered. "You've returned."
Evelyne gripped her father's hand tightly, fighting back tears. "I… I just wanted to get some air outside the palace… but everything fell apart. I'm sorry…"
Queen Elvianne, seated quietly by the king's side, wrapped her arms around her daughter without a word. Her face was pale, but her eyes gleamed with relief.
Darwin stood a short distance away, allowing the family moment to remain undisturbed. He turned to Maevina and asked softly, "How's your tracking spell?"
Maevina shook her head slowly. "No trace. Just like when Princess Evelyne vanished… but this is even stranger." She frowned at the ruins. "The teleportation… wasn't ordinary magic. It felt more like a high-tier skill."
Her gaze shifted to the fallen royal guards, some of them in pieces. Her expression tightened. She knelt briefly, offering a silent salute.
"I'm sorry, Master Garthen… I was too late."
Darwin closed his eyes, then called out to Zero in his thoughts.
'Zero… did you see anything?'
'But?'
Darwin gave a subtle nod, his eyes scanning the scattered rubble. Things were becoming more complicated.
Elsewhere, King Thalreos slowly rose with the aid of two attendants and a healer. Though weak, he addressed his subordinates firmly.
"Clear the area. All those who fell… give them the highest honors in their burials. I will attend them personally once this is over."
The soldiers saluted in unison. "Yes, Your Majesty!"
Then, the king looked at Darwin. There was no anger in his gaze—only calm, profound understanding.
"I've already heard the full story from Evelyne," he said quietly but firmly. "You saved my daughter."
Darwin bowed respectfully. "I only kept a promise." He glanced at Evelyne, who stood shyly beside the queen. "It was nothing."
The king nodded. "Very well. In that case, I've decided that once this is over, I will grant you a reward and… we will hold an emergency royal council. There is much to discuss, especially regarding this attack and those responsible for it."
In the distance, the warning bell rang three times—a signal that an emergency war council was about to begin.
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An Underground Ritual Chamber – Location Unknown
The air was thick, filled with the scent of metal and ancient dust. Dim candlelight flickered from black wax torches along the stone walls. At the center of the room, three dark red fragments—shaped like shards of a sphere—glowed faintly, pulsing as if to the heartbeat of a demon.
Simmon stood closest to them, his eyes gleaming as he touched one of the pieces. A wicked grin crept across his scarred face.
"At last… the three fragments are united."
Derek, the red-haired man, leaned casually against a stone pillar, one foot propped on the wall, arms crossed. His wide grin exposed rows of jagged teeth.
"I thought we'd hit some snags… but everything went smoother than expected."
On the other side, Olivia stood with a tired expression, her clothes disheveled and her arm wounded from the escape from Dawnery. But her eyes still burned with determination. She stared at Simmon and spoke with quiet but firm intensity.
"You remember our deal, don't you?" she said. "Aldo… my little brother. You promised to bring him back."
Simmon half-turned, his smile still lingering but now edged with mockery.
"Relax, Olivia. I'm not the kind of man who forgets a debt. Especially not to a pawn who turned out to be… surprisingly useful."
He patted her shoulder lightly, as if speaking to a child.
Olivia clenched her fists but said nothing. She knew one misstep, and Simmon could erase his promise with a single laugh.
Derek strolled over, his voice light but laced with threat.
"And now we have everything… the artifact… and…"
He paused, glancing toward the corner of the room.
There, Liriel sat within a magical prison made of black crystal. Her clothes were torn and her body weary, but her eyes still shone with fierce resolve.
"What about this little elf?" Derek asked, snapping his fingers and causing a spark to dance in the air.
Simmon shrugged. "Who knows. Rather than killing her now, she might be useful later. As bait… or as a pawn to break the enemy's morale."
"Or…" Derek's grin widened, "…a trigger for her sister's hysteria."
They both chuckled quietly, while Olivia simply stared at Liriel with empty eyes.
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Royal Throne Room – Torain Palace
Tension gripped the throne room. The King sat on his throne, taking a deep breath before addressing the generals and selected advisors.
"The artifact…" he began, his voice low but thunderous. "It's not just a magical tool. It's a summoning device from another realm. It can call forth an endless army—but to activate it, a sacrifice is required."
All eyes were fixed on him.
"And now it's confirmed…" the King continued. "Duke Ravion of the South, along with three other nobles—Baron Telvern, Marquis Endros, and Count Sereth—have betrayed us. They've sacrificed their own people to feed the artifact's power."
Outrage rippled through the chamber.
"To stop it, we must destroy its core."
Suddenly, a soldier burst into the room, panting.
"Your Majesty! Enemy forces have been sighted! They're approaching the outer gates!"
Tension spiked. The King stood.
"Prepare the army!"
He turned to Evelyne.
"You're to remain in the castle until the war ends. That's an order."
But Evelyne, standing beside Darwin, shook her head firmly.
"I want to fight. I'm not a child anymore!"
Gerald stepped forward, his face stern.
"This isn't a picnic, Evelyne."
"Shut up, Gerald!" she snapped, storming out of the chamber. The Queen followed after her, whispering to the King,
"I'll stay with her. You focus on the battle."
The King gave a small nod.
Darwin glanced at Evelyne as she threw him a quick wink before exiting. He let out a deep sigh.
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Torain Kingdom – Outer Gates
The enemy began to appear on the horizon. Their numbers were staggering—eighty thousand humanoid creatures, their eyes glowing unnaturally, bodies wrapped in the haze of another world, and a dreadful aura surrounding them.
The Torain army formed up in defensive ranks. Sixty thousand soldiers stood strong, supported by five thousand mercenaries and adventurers from various guilds.
The King stood at the front, atop a small tower, his voice amplified by magical resonance. He raised his voice, slicing through the fear with commanding clarity:
"They do not come only for our kingdom. They come to steal your lives, your families, and your homeland!"
"But I say this—We will not yield! Today, we are the last wall of humanity! Fight—not for me, but for the world that awaits tomorrow!"
A thunderous roar erupted from the troops. Morale surged.
"Charge!"
The Battle Begins
Darwin surged into the battlefield, twin daggers gleaming. He activated [Shadow Predator]—his shadow stretched long, his speed increased, and his intimidating aura began to corrode enemy morale.
Behind him, Velmira moved nimbly, activating her [Hunter] skill. Her body blended into the terrain, and magical arrows struck enemies from unseen positions. Green runes glowed across her skin, enhancing her movement and precision.
From the right flank, Gerald roared and slammed the ground. [Acceleration] surged through him, turning him into lightning tearing through the enemy. With his palm, he unleashed his next skill, [Flame Burial]—a wave of red-gold fire incinerated dozens of otherworldly beasts.
The Torain army clashed in a fierce battle. Steel met claw, magic collided with darkness. Blood, spells, and screams filled the skies over Torain.
Darwin cut down foe after foe, but wounds began to accumulate. Scratches on his cheek and shoulder were healed by [Regeneration], but the pain lingered. Zero's voice echoed in his mind.
"Don't get carried away. There are more than you think."
"I know," Darwin muttered.
Suddenly…
All enemy movement ceased.
As if time froze only for them. The once-pressing force stood motionless. The royal army, who had been overwhelmed, now stared in confusion.
Darwin narrowed his eyes… then slowly smiled.
"…Liriel."