Volume 2 – Chapter 22
The first rays of dawn slipped through the windows of the Royal Fortress.
Raimer hadn’t slept.
The journal remained open on his desk, but no matter how many times he reread the faded pages, the words never changed.
When the stars disappear beneath the Black Moon… seek the Kingdom of Frost.
A knock echoed through the room.
Before Raimer could answer, Finn pushed the door open.
“You look terrible.”
“I appreciate the compliment.”
“I wasn’t complimenting you.”
Finn walked over and glanced at the journal.
“You stayed up all night?”
Raimer nodded.
“I feel like this book is trying to tell me something.”
Finn scratched his head.
“Maybe it’s trying to tell you to sleep.”
Raimer laughed.
“You might actually be right.”
The training grounds were unusually crowded that morning.
Squads from across the fortress had gathered for routine drills.
The moment Squad Seven stepped onto the field, conversations stopped.
“They’re the Ashveil squad.”
“I heard they opened the Royal Vault.”
“They even fought the Black Crows.”
Finn puffed out his chest.
“I could get used to this.”
Kael smacked him on the back.
“Don’t let it get to your head.”
“It already has.”
Commander Varick arrived with several officers.
“Listen carefully.”
The training grounds immediately fell silent.
“Reports of Shadow Beast attacks have increased along the eastern frontier.”
“The Black Crows have also been sighted in multiple regions.”
Murmurs spread through the soldiers.
Varick continued.
“For the next month, every squad will undergo advanced combat exercises.”
“No one leaves the fortress without permission.”
Raimer frowned.
“So they’re preparing for war…”
Alyra quietly nodded.
“They know something we don’t.”
The first exercise began.
Unlike previous training, this one paired different squads together.
Squad Seven was matched against Squad Three, one of the strongest units among the recruits.
Their leader stepped forward.
“So you’re the famous Squad Seven.”
“My name is Darius.”
“I’ve been looking forward to this.”
Finn whispered,
“He definitely practices that introduction.”
Mira smiled.
“I think so too.”
The rules were simple.
Capture the enemy flag.
No lethal force.
No magic above third-circle level.
Commander Varick raised his hand.
“Begin!”
Immediately, Darius’ squad charged.
“They’re fast!” Mira warned.
Raimer remained calm.
“They’re expecting us to defend.”
“So we won’t.”
The others looked at him.
“Finn.”
A grin spread across the rogue’s face.
“I already know.”
Within seconds, Finn disappeared into the surrounding trees.
The battle unfolded quickly.
Kael held the center, blocking every attack that came his way.
Mira provided cover from a nearby watchtower.
Alyra moved like the wind, forcing two opponents to retreat.
Raimer focused on Darius himself.
Their swords collided.
CLANG!
Darius smiled.
“Not bad.”
“So I’ve been told.”
Raimer answered with another strike.
The duel intensified.
Steel flashed beneath the morning sun.
Neither fighter gave an inch.
Then—
A loud whistle echoed across the field.
Everyone turned.
Finn emerged from behind Squad Three’s base, waving their flag above his head.
“Looking for this?”
Darius froze.
“You… what?”
Finn laughed.
“You were all too busy looking at the hero.”
He pointed at Raimer.
“So nobody noticed the handsome genius.”
Commander Varick sighed. The source of this chapter is g.com.
“Victory.”
“Squad Seven.”
The training grounds erupted into cheers.
Even Darius couldn’t help but laugh.
“I’ll admit it.”
“You outplayed us.”
Raimer offered his hand.
“You fought well.”
Darius accepted it.
“This won’t be the last time.”
“I hope not.”
That evening, the squad gathered on the fortress wall to watch the sunset.
For once, there were no missions.
No monsters.
No ruins.
Just peace.
Mira looked toward the horizon.
“I wish days like this lasted forever.”
Kael folded his arms.
“They never do.”
Silence settled over the group.
Alyra quietly stepped beside Raimer.
“You’ve been thinking about the journal all day.”
“I have.”
“What does your heart tell you?”
Raimer looked toward the distant snow-covered mountains barely visible beneath the setting sun.
“…That everything is connected.”
“The ruins.”
“The key.”
“The Black Crows.”
“And the Kingdom of Frost.”
Before Alyra could respond, the fortress bell rang.
Once.
Twice.
Three times.
An emergency signal.
A messenger sprinted across the courtyard.
“Commander Varick!”
“A royal convoy traveling from the eastern provinces has been attacked!”
“The attackers left only one symbol behind…”
The messenger unrolled a torn black banner.
Upon it was the emblem of a raven with crimson wings.
The Black Crows had struck again.
And this time…
They were no longer hiding in the shadows.
End of Chapter 22