A Peaceful Morning in the Emerald Kingdom.
The morning sunlight pierced through the carved glass windows of a modest inn located not far from the heart of Emerald Kingdom. Its light was gentle, touching the leaves and flowers outside the window like a loving caress that awakened all sleeping life.
Lucifer slowly opened his eyes. He lay on a simple yet comfortable wooden bed, still wrapped in a warm blanket. The morning air was fresh, carrying the scent of damp earth and wildflowers growing in the backyard of the inn.
He sat up and swung his legs over the side of the bed, watching the light dance on the wooden floor. The chirping of birds echoed in the distance, blending with the lively morning sounds of the townsfolk outside.
A month had passed since he and Kaela completed the mission together—since they first entered the dark cave that hid the secrets of a salamander and a mysterious egg. Now, the world of Eryndor, once strange and perilous, was slowly beginning to feel like home.
Lucifer got out of bed and donned his black cloak, now slightly worn from training and travel. He tidied his jet-black hair, then walked over to the window and opened it slowly.
The morning breeze greeted his face, and in the distance, he could see the town square of Emerald Kingdom gradually bustling with life. Merchants began setting up their stalls, children ran about laughing, and hunters were preparing to head to the Guild. The city breathed with a peace that seemed almost like a fairy tale.
Lucifer took a deep breath and smiled.
"Good morning, world..." he whispered softly.
---
The following days flew by swiftly. In the blink of an eye, the month passed like morning dew evaporating before it could be noticed.
During that month, Lucifer lived a busy yet meaningful routine. He helped the townsfolk in need—carrying water, lighting lanterns with magic, or simply lifting heavy goods at the market. These small acts made him feel useful, and the people began greeting him with warm smiles.
But the most precious thing of all was the time he spent with Kaela and Arthur.
---
Kaela became his teacher, his mentor, and gradually... something more.
Every morning after sunrise, they would head to a hidden garden beyond the small hills outside the city. The place was filled with ancient trees whose roots sprawled like the earth's veins. There, Kaela taught him to control the basic elements—fire, water, wind, earth—and how to combine them into more complex forms of magic.
"Mana isn't just power, Lucifer," Kaela once said, touching her fingertip to Lucifer's chest. "It's also an extension of your feelings. If your heart is restless, your mana will tremble too."
Lucifer looked into her eyes, feeling the warmth of those words. He realized that with Kaela, he wasn't just learning magic—he was learning to understand himself.
---
The afternoons were usually spent with Arthur at the training grounds, dusty and scarred with sword marks.
Arthur was not a gentle instructor. He was firm, strict, and didn't hesitate to smack Lucifer's back with a wooden stick if he got careless. But behind all that, Lucifer knew there was genuine care.
"I won't always be around to protect you, kid. So make sure you can stand on the battlefield without relying on anyone else," Arthur said, handing him a wooden sword with a slight smirk.
Day by day, Lucifer's movements grew sharper. His reflexes improved, his body became more balanced, and his confidence blossomed. And in between the training, Arthur would often roll his eyes and comment whenever Kaela brought water or food.
"Look, your future wife's here," Arthur muttered teasingly.
Lucifer could only frown, his cheeks slightly red, while Kaela pretended not to hear and chuckled softly.
---
One night, Kaela came to Lucifer's room dressed in all white and wearing a mysterious smile.
"Come with me. Arthur's waiting."
Lucifer didn't ask. He simply grabbed his black cloak and followed Kaela along a small path into the woods they had once visited.
They arrived at an ancient garden, hidden deep in the forest, walled in by towering trees and surrounded by beautiful flowers. It used to belong to the ancient elves, Kaela said. And it would only reveal its true beauty when touched by pure mana—golden mana.
Lucifer closed his eyes and slowly released his mana. In an instant, the dark field of flowers began to glow—red, blue, purple, green, yellow—soft colors forming a sea of living light. Tiny blossoms swayed as if dancing to a rhythm only the soul could hear.
Arthur was silent. His eyes widened, then blinked in awe. "This... is incredible."
Kaela smiled and pulled Lucifer to sit on the grass. "Beautiful, isn't it?"
The three of them sat side by side, watching the shimmering lights, and began sharing stories. Of the past. Of unseen wounds. Of dreams that perhaps were never spoken.
Lucifer sighed. "I have no one in this world... But now, you two... you're my family. And as long as I'm with you, I know I'll never be alone."
Kaela looked at him gently and nodded. "Maybe... I feel the same."
Arthur raised an eyebrow and chuckled. "You two sound like a married couple having a heart-to-heart. Seriously, I don't think anything could separate you now."
That night passed in laughter, warmth, and a kind of magic found only in hearts bound together.
The next morning, as the sun once again illuminated Emerald Kingdom, something in the air felt different. Not because of clouds or rain. The sky was still blue, the sun still warm. But the atmosphere was heavy—as if holding an unspoken tension.
Lucifer woke earlier than usual. He sensed something was wrong. There were no lively market sounds. No children laughing in the streets. Even the morning bell from the city's central tower rang slow and heavy.
He dressed in his black clothes and stepped outside the inn. The main streets were deserted. Shops were closed, most doors tightly shut. A few townspeople peeked from behind curtains, while hunters and soldiers stood guard at every corner.
Kaela approached from the west, her face tense. "You feel it, don't you?"
Lucifer nodded slightly. "Something big is happening..."
Before Kaela could answer, Arthur emerged from a narrow alley to the north. He wore repaired leather armor and looked battle-ready. His face was grim.
"Come. We're going to the Guild now. I want to know what the hell's going on."
The Hunter Guild in Emerald Kingdom was located in the city's center, not far from the main tower. Normally, it was filled with laughter, shouting, and the smell of ale from the adjoining bar. But that morning, it was packed with hunters wearing anxious, even panicked, expressions.
The three of them arrived at the Guild's entrance, guarded by two knights wielding spears. Upon seeing Arthur, the guards saluted briefly and let them pass.
Inside, the main hall of the Guild was crowded. Dozens of hunters stood in clusters. Some were shouting for answers. Some clutched mission scrolls and tore them in frustration. But everyone's attention was fixed on a single figure standing atop a wooden table in the middle of the room.
He was tall, broad, and muscular. His hair was steel-gray, and a scar ran diagonally across his face—from temple to jaw—a mark of a true warrior who had stood on the front lines countless times. He wore dented iron armor yet stood firm like a mountain.
It was Gareth, a senior hunter and former commander of the royal elite troops.
With a deep, commanding voice, Gareth spoke, "Listen to me! This isn't a minor skirmish. Nor a regular ambush. This... is an invasion!"
The crowd instantly fell silent.
"Scout teams report that thousands of orcs from the Northern Mountains are marching toward Emerald Kingdom. They're not a wild band. They're organized. They have heavy weapons, military formations, and... signs point to the presence of an orc warlord among them."
Panicked whispers rose again.
A female hunter shouted, "We can't fight them all! Their numbers could crush us!"
Gareth raised a hand. "Calm down! I know you're afraid. But Emerald Kingdom is no ordinary city. We have high-ranked hunters. We have the royal army. And most importantly, we have something to fight for."
He paused, looking around.
"Because behind these city walls... are families, children, and everything we wish to protect!"
The Guild's mood began to shift. Fear slowly turned into determination.
Gareth continued, "Hunters ranked C and above will join the main force at the eastern fortress. You'll be assigned positions and field commanders. Get ready. This... is war."
After the meeting ended, Arthur immediately grabbed Lucifer's arm and pulled him out of the Guild. His breath was quick, his face serious.
"We're leaving. Now," Arthur said as he marched forward.
Lucifer was startled. "Wait, what do you mean?"
"I won't let you fight in this war. This isn't training. It's not a small mission. It's life and death," Arthur replied, his voice sharp and firm.
Lucifer stopped walking. "You're joking, right? I can't leave. I won't abandon you."
Arthur turned. "You have to go! I don't want to see a stubborn brat like you die needlessly."
Lucifer lifted his chin, eyes sharp. "I'm not running. I can't live with myself if I let the only family I have face danger alone."
Arthur clenched his fists. "Lucifer, this isn't about foolish bravery. This is about surviving!"
They stared at each other—one with the eyes of a protective father gripped by fear, the other with the eyes of a child who refused to be alone again.
The tension thickened… until the sound of soft footsteps came from behind them.
Kaela appeared, clad in her blue robe with her magic staff resting on her shoulder. Her face was calm, but her eyes burned like an inextinguishable flame.
"I'm not leaving my family," she said quietly.
Arthur turned to her, then to Lucifer, then back to Kaela. He let out a heavy sigh and slowly shook his head.
"You two are really stubborn…"
Lucifer smiled. "You taught us that, Arthur."
Kaela added gently, "Family isn't something you abandon. Especially when the storm is coming."
Arthur lowered his head, chuckled lightly, but there was bitterness behind it. "Alright... We face this together. But promise me... if things spiral out of control, you run. Got it?"
Lucifer and Kaela nodded silently.
The sun began to set, the sky turning orange. The three of them stood at the eastern gate of Emerald Kingdom—the gate leading to the main defense fortress.
The wind carried the scent of earth and iron. In the distance, the faint sound of war trumpets echoed, followed by the heavy drumbeats that rumbled like a giant's heartbeat.
The gate slowly opened.
Arthur, Lucifer, and Kaela stood side by side. Their bodies might differ in age, strength, and experience, but their hearts were united by one thing: the will to protect each other.
From behind, their silhouettes formed the image of a small family standing against the dark tide coming from the north.
And in Lucifer's eyes, for the first time since he was reborn into this world, he didn't feel alone. He had a place to return to. He had someone to protect.
And because of that... he would fight.
Until the end.