Commander Solin, Ildrin, and a full squad of knights and adventurers marched into the smoking ridge. They halted on sight of Ferrow and his team, who waited in complete silence beside the beast's remains.
The air smelled of ozone and blood, burned and pulverised beast scattered the burnt area.
Solin stared at the corpse.
"What with this scale of attack.So absurd "
Solin stepped forward, squinting at the beast.
"This power.Probably level 7 adventurer or above. Minimum."
Mara crouched by a crater edge, brushing through the scorched stone.
"Still warm. Whatever hit it… wasn't long before the last roar."
---
Lucan finally stood, cloak shifting in the smoke.
"If this was support, they didn't coordinate. If it wasn't—then someone else is playing on our board."
"And they just cleared the entire threat. Alone."
______________________________________
[Royal Castle Courtyard – Early Morning Mist]
The capital gates creaked open at dawn, sunlight barely breaking over the spires. Hooves echoed on polished stone as a regal convoy entered with full banners raised—the azure-gold standard of the Aldoria Kingdom rippling above sleek black carriages.
Knights in high-polished plate dismounted in practiced synchrony, forming a protective corridor. At the center, flanked by retainers:
Prince Elric of Aldoria, second-born, charming and sharp-tongued.
Princess Almeira, calm, poised, known for her diplomatic tact and rumored magical aptitude.
The Aldorian herald stepped forward, voice rich and booming.
"By invitation neither written nor required, the heirs of Aldoria pay their fond greetings to our allies in the northern crown!"
No invitation had been sent.
No word had come ahead.
Yet here they were—smiling and radiant, as if the kingdom wasn't preparing for war just across its western border.
---
[Castle Hall – A Quick Gathering of Advisors]
Inside, the mood was less festive.
Prince Caelen stood before the main window, unreadable, fingers clasped behind his back. Guildmaster Hale, freshly arrived with a steaming mug and dark under-eyes, didn't bother hiding his scowl.
"Aldoria never 'just visits.' Especially not with escorts armored to the neck."
—Hale
"And yet, if we deny them hospitality, it becomes a problem later."
—Caelen
Duke Kerrel stepped in from the corridor.
"Worse—they picked this morning. We've had no word back from Solin or Lucan."
"We're blind, and they brought guests."
---
A steward entered hurriedly.
"Your Highness, Prince Elric has requested a walk through the city. He says it's his 'favorite in all the north.'"
Caelen exhaled.
"Prepare the outer garden. Keep the public away until noon."
He turned to Hale.
"Keep watching."
---
[Scene: Garden Walk – Diplomacy Over Tea]
In the courtyard pavilion, Prince Elric laughed easily, sipping his tea.
"My sister insisted. She wanted to see the famed morning light over the northern stone. I suppose I wanted to see how much your garden's changed since our last treaty renewal."
"And has it?"
—Caelen
"Less roses. More thorns."
—Elric, smiling
Princess Almeira gave a slow glance at the clouds above.
"Something's tense in the air," she murmured softly. "Like the forest is holding its breath."
Caelen raised an eyebrow, but said nothing.
The garden glistened with dew. Birds sang, ignored.
Prince Caelen remained seated at the stone pavilion with Prince Elric and Princess Almeira, the pleasantries rolling on.
From the garden path came Guildmaster Brannic Hale, cloak freshly brushed but boots dusty from early meetings. Duke Kerrel followed, stately and stiff.
"Forgive the delay, Your Highnesses. We were finalizing this month's knight rotation."
—Duke Kerrel
"You know how it is—bandits, beasts, and bureaucrats."
—Hale, wry
Elric stood and greeted both with an open gesture.
"Ah, Guildmaster Hale. I was hoping to cross paths today. You've done well managing the Adventurer Association north of the divide."
Hale offered a curt nod.
Then—he paused.
His eyes landed briefly on a slender woman standing behind Almeira, arms crossed, half-shadowed by the garden's ivy wall.
A longsword rested on her back. Her silver half-cloak bore no crest. Her expression was unreadable, but her stance screamed veteran. And Hale knew her face.
"I hadn't realized Aldoria's delegation came with…such weight."
—Hale, eyes fixed
"Lady Selvine Virell."
"Still the princess bodyguard, aren't you?"
—Hale
The woman inclined her head, barely a nod.
"Not all battles need maps to reach them."
Elric chuckled.
"Ah, yes—Selvine's here in an unofficial capacity. My sister never travels without her."
"She prefers a sword with her tea."
Almeira offered a small smile.
"We expected to stay light, but with the Allied Nation's upcoming conference…"
"Well, things have weight. And we hear many will gather next month."