Later that night, Caelen stood alone in his study, candlelight flickering.
A single parchment lay in front of him.
To: The Tower of Silent Vale
Subject: Request for Presence — Class Level 9 Adventurer Korran Valis
He sealed it with the royal crest—a black lion and silver crown.
"Bring him back," Caelen muttered to the Lucan.
"If he says no, tell him that we will pay handsomely."
Lucan bowed and vanished into the dark.
--
As the palace settled into silence, the final pieces began to move.
A Level 9 adventurer.
The Zero Knight Order.
And a commander with orders to kill anyone who breaks protocol—regardless of title.
[Royal Security Council Room – Final Preparations]
The long chamber echoed with quiet intensity.
Crown Prince Caelen, Guildmaster Hale, Commander Rell Thorne of the Zero Knights, and Duke Kerrel reviewed the finalized conference directive one last time.
Two guards per delegation. No exceptions.
"We'll issue magically branded every escort with a tokens. Anyone unregistered inside the war hall gets paralyzed,"
—Commander Rell stated flatly.
Hale glanced at the roster being prepared for courier dispatch.
"This'll force their hands. No nation brings their full honor guard—just their most trusted."
Caelen nodded, looking over the initial confirmations already received.
[Bodyguard Confirmations – Received So Far]
Aldoria Kingdom
Selvine Virell – Level 8 adventurer, known for battlefield-level magical annihilation. Reported to have paladin-like skills but hidden arcane capacity.
Maedric Rhune –Level 9 Adventurer, known for being a highest ranked healer ever
Hale: "Bringing Selvine is a power move.Adding Maedric is crazy pull from them."
---
Estrella Kingdom
King Arrion attending in person.
Rell (coldly): "He's quiet. But he's enough to make anyone else reconsider drawing a blade."
---
Aerthwyn Kingdom
Crown Regent Lira attending.
Renhallow – Level 8. Speculated to possess future-sight. Known for being a tactical non-combatant, yet always at the center of major survival outcomes.
Hale: "Interesting pick.I'm surprised they get him to cooperate with them ."
---
Rell folded her arms.
"I assume we'll get more names by the hour."
Caelen gave a short nod.
"But none will outmatch these three. They've already declared their stance: they're bringing the best. Or the strongest."
Hale muttered under his breath.
"If Aldoria really brings Maedric… we better pray Korran shows up."
Caelen's eyes lingered on the empty parchment awaiting Korran Valis's response.
"It's look like we preparing for dungeon raid more than hosting a conference."
[The Tower of Silent Vale – Korran Valis]
The tower stood like a scar on the mountain's edge—windswept, stone-gray, and far from the world of politics. Within its upper chamber, Korran Valis stood barefoot on old stone, watching snow drift past a narrow slit of a window.
The sealed letter sat beside a half-read journal. The royal crest had already been broken.
He read the request again—quietly, thoroughly. No fanfare. No exaggeration.
A simple call: Come to the capital. Sit in the room.Just that .
He exhaled and muttered:
"I never liked war rooms."
Korran moved to a chest in the corner, unlocking it with a word. He pulled free a dark mantle, a sheathed blade, and a travel token with a weathered adventurer's mark.
Lucan waited below. Without a word, Korran stepped into the howling cold.
"Tell them I'll be there."
[Capital – Inner War Room – Two Days Before the Conference]
Commander Rell Thorne stood before a circular table surrounded by unit leaders, mages, and guild marshals. His armor bore no ornament. His tone left no room for misunderstanding.
"Zero Knights control all entry points. We scan for magical glyphs, bloodline tokens, and spirit contracts. Any hidden beast marks or binding links—cut on sight or you don't get in."
A few guards shifted uncomfortably.
"Yes, we're serious."
He walked over to a map of the inner capital, tapping key red circles: the palace hall, the guest quarter, the viewing garden, and the war hall.
" This four zones. No weapons beyond zone three except for registered bodyguards. Zone four? Only those with crest-verified clearance can enter. No second chances."
One young officer raised a hand.
"And if someone does push through?"
Rell didn't blink.
"Then we do what Zero Knights were made for.Cut it immediately ."
There was silence.
He nodded to the back of the room where an empty seat bore a single silver plate.
"If Korran Valis arrives, we treat him like a separate faction. He'll choose his own space. No shadowing him. No questioning. Just let him on his own and don't interfere."