Kaelthar Veyron walked alone through the corridors of his enormous dark castle, built around a massive canyon.
A faint smile appeared on his face.
“I’m looking forward to tonight’s dinner, my daughter…”
At that moment, a long-haired woman silently approached him from behind and gently rested her hand against his chest.
Like him, she also had horns.
“What are you thinking about?”
A slight smile crossed Kaelthar’s lips.
“I’m thinking about who will inherit this kingdom.”
She tilted her head slightly.
“Well… you have your daughter.”
He let out a quiet sigh.
“But she’s never wanted it.”
Silence lingered between them for a few seconds.
“Still…”
“I already know what I have to do.”
He turned toward her.
“Wear something elegant tonight, Lena.”
Without waiting for a reply, he continued down the corridor and pushed open the large double doors leading to his chamber.
Meanwhile, Mari was carrying out her usual duties at the Lions Guild, helping adventurers at the reception desk.
It was just another ordinary day.
Suddenly, a blonde-haired archer and a towering warrior clad in heavy armor approached the counter.
The moment Mari recognized them, her eyes lit up.
“Ah! Sylvara Nightveil and Dargan Stoneheart! I-It’s so good to see you! The two greatest adventurers of the Lions Guild!”
Sylvara answered coldly.
“Spare me the compliments, Mari.”
Dargan rested his massive arms on the counter.
“Is Leon here?”
“Yes. He’s in his office.”
Sylvara nodded.
“Good. Let’s see him right away.”
Mari smiled awkwardly.
“Wouldn’t you like to get some rest first?”
“No.”
Dargan answered without hesitation.
“We’re fine.”
Mari blinked in surprise.
“But you’ve spent an entire week in Demon Territory…”
Already walking toward the stairs, Dargan replied without even looking back.
“Mari…”
“We’re Diamond-ranked adventurers.”
A confident grin spread across his face.
“You know exactly how strong we are.”
Mari let out a small laugh.
“Hehe… that’s true.”
She waved at them.
“Have a nice day!”
As soon as the two disappeared upstairs, Mari released a long sigh.
“Whew… finally.”
A younger receptionist cautiously approached her.
“W-Who were those people, senpai?”
Mari looked at her.
“Hm?”
The girl pointed toward the stairs.
“The two who just went upstairs.”
Mari smiled.
“Oh… you’ve only been working here for a few weeks, haven’t you?”
The newcomer nodded.
Mari folded her arms.
“The Diamond Rank is only one step below Guild Master.”
She paused briefly.
“And those two have already reached that level.”
She continued,
“When they fight together, they’re capable of taking down several high-ranking officers of the Demon Army.”
The young receptionist’s eyes widened.
“Wow…”
Mari wore a tired smile.
“Yeah…”
She sighed.
“…Pretty much.”
Inside Leon’s office…
Sylvara and Dargan stood before his desk with their arms crossed.
Leon took a deep breath.
“I originally asked the two of you to investigate something for me…”
He paused.
“But you don’t have to worry about that anymore.”
“I’ve already sent another team.”
Sylvara frowned.
“Hm?”
She narrowed her eyes.
“Who did you send?”
Her expression became serious.
“Aren’t you afraid of losing even more guild members?”
Dargan got straight to the point.
“Just tell us where the mission is.”
He smiled confidently.
“We’ll relieve whoever you sent.”
Leon remained silent for several seconds, staring out the window.
“Come on, Leon.”
“I don’t want our reputation being tarnished.”
Finally, Leon turned toward them.
“The mission is in Drakthar.”
Neither of them spoke.
“I sent a small team of four.”
“One of them has been poisoned.”
“And according to the information we received, the antidote may be in Drakthar.”
Dargan rubbed his chin.
“Hmm…”
“I’ve heard about that particular poison.”
Leon nodded.
“I assume you’ve also heard the rumors spreading through the underworld.”
He looked at both of them.
“They say the Demon Army is trying to form an alliance with the Kingdom of Drakthar.”
Sylvara raised an eyebrow.
“So?”
Leon answered calmly.
“I sent that team to find out whether those rumors are true.”
Sylvara shrugged.
“Oh…”
“So that’s what this is about?”
A faint smile appeared on her face.
“Even so…”
“I’m much better suited for missions like this.”
Dargan shook his head.
“I’ll pass.”
“I’ve never been good at espionage.”
Sylvara looked at him.
“I need you watching my back.”
Dargan let out a long sigh.
“Then you owe me a whole roasted pig.”
Leon smiled.
“Fair enough.”
“Your mission is simple.”
“Just support my team.”
“Confirm whether the rumor is true.”
“You two are already somewhat known throughout the neighboring kingdoms.”
“No one knows the team I sent.”
“Do you understand why?”
Sylvara sighed.
“We’re not idiots, Leon.”
She reached for the door.
“We’ll support your team without drawing attention to ourselves.”
Leon smiled with satisfaction.
“Excellent.”
“They left this morning.”
Dargan grinned.
“We’ll catch up with them in a day.”
Leon raised an eyebrow.
“In a day?”
Sylvara chuckled softly.
“You sent that lazy coachman again, didn’t you?”
“I bet he fell asleep before he even crossed Beast Territory.”
Leon shrugged.
“I can’t control how he does his job.”
He smiled.
“But yes.”
“I sent Jack.”
Sylvara turned toward the door.
“We’re leaving.”
“See you later.”
The door closed behind them.
Leon remained standing by the window.
I hope everything goes well…
Hours passed quickly.
Night had finally fallen.
Inside the carriage, Garrick was asleep, slumped against the door, practically drooling.
Mirelya watched him with concern.
“Ren…”
“Garrick doesn’t look well at all.”
Ren grabbed his friend by the shoulders and carefully helped him sit upright again.
“Hey…”
“Hang in there.”
Garrick slowly shook his head.
“Ahh…”
“Damn…”
“Sorry, everyone…”
“I feel… strange…”
Lysera looked out the window.
“Are we almost there?”
Suddenly—
JOLT!
The carriage came to such an abrupt stop that everyone was thrown forward.
Mirelya fell onto Garrick.
Lysera landed directly on top of Ren.
Mirelya glanced at the two of them for a brief moment before quickly looking away.
“W-What was that?”
“Why did we stop like that?”
“We’re here!”
Everyone’s eyes widened.
They quickly climbed out of the carriage.
The only thing surrounding them was a dirt road lined with scattered trees.
Ren looked around in confusion.
“Here?”
Jack nodded.
“My instructions were to leave you right here.”
He pointed down the road.
“Head straight in that direction.”
“The Imperial Soldier is stationed nearby.”
Mirelya asked,
“How long will it take us to get there?”
Jack thought for a moment.
“At a normal walking pace…”
“About ten minutes.”
Then he glanced at Garrick.
“But with him in that condition…”
“It could take twenty.”
Garrick frowned.
“Ah…”
“How could you tell?”
Jack smiled.
“From the way you’re walking.”
“It’s noticeably off.”
He shrugged.
“Besides, nobody comes to this region for sightseeing.”
He climbed back onto the driver’s seat.
“Well…”
“I’m heading back.”
“I’ll report everything to Leon.”
“See you.”
Ren stretched out his hand.
“W-Wait, you…!”
Before he could finish, Garrick slowly began walking forward.
“I-It’s fine…”
“Argh…”
“We just…”
“Need to get there…”
Mirelya hurried to his side.
“Garrick…”
“You…”
He was breathing heavily.
“The sooner we get there…”
“Argh…”
“The sooner I’ll get the antidote…”
“Huff…”
Lysera started walking as well.
“He’s right.”
“But we don’t even know where that old man who poisoned us is.”
Ren and Mirelya exchanged glances.
Both of them sighed.
Then they quietly followed after her.
I wonder…
Does that city really have the antidote?
Ren thought.
It was already night.
Lythera stood before a gigantic castle shrouded in darkness.
She wore an elegant blue dress.
The enormous double doors slowly opened.
Standing on the other side was a blue-haired man with faint wrinkles on his face and a single horn resembling her own.
A warm smile spread across his face.
“My daughter…”
“What a pleasure it is to see you.”
“I’m truly glad you came.”
Lythera answered calmly.
“But you’re the one who summoned me, Father.”
He smiled.
“Yes.”
“Even so…”
“I’m happy you’re here.”
He then turned toward a demon carrying a massive battle axe.
“Don’t let anyone disturb us.”
“I’ll be meeting privately with my daughter.”
The demon bowed respectfully.
“Yes, Lord Kaelthar Veyron!”
Father and daughter walked into a spacious hall built from carefully polished stone.
At its center stood a massive rustic wooden table.
Kaelthar sat down at the head of the table.
“Sit down, my daughter.”
He rested both hands on the table.
“I need to tell you about the kingdom’s new plans.”
A smile slowly appeared on his face.
“And, of course…”
“…the plans I have for you.”
Lythera slowly took her seat.
A bead of sweat rolled down her cheek as she swallowed nervously.
What is he planning…?