Lythera sat silently at the long dining table, facing her father.
Her eyes discreetly followed the wine glass in his hand.
“That’s already his fourth glass…” she thought.
Kaelthar Veyron took another sip before looking directly at her.
“So, Lythera Veyron…”
She raised her eyes.
“Yes…?”
“What do you think of this kingdom?”
Lythera calmly chewed a piece of meat before answering.
“What do I think?”
She shrugged.
“I think it’s… stagnant.”
After a brief pause, she added,
“And you know that better than anyone.”
Kaelthar rested his elbow on the table.
“And what would you do to change that?”
Lythera answered without hesitation.
“I would use my research for the benefit of the kingdom.”
She continued,
“That way, I’d have more people working alongside me.”
“More minds thinking together.”
CRAAACK!!
Kaelthar slammed his wine glass onto the table with such force that a huge crack spread across the glass.
Lythera immediately glanced at it.
It was nearly split in half.
Kaelthar spoke in a firm voice.
“Lythera…”
“For years, you’ve kept talking about this so-called ‘other world.'”
His gaze hardened.
“It’s time to accept reality.”
“Things are the way they’ve always been.”
“If you keep chasing those ridiculous theories…”
He narrowed his eyes.
“…you’ll end up losing your mind.”
Lythera took a deep breath.
“I’ve explained this many times.”
She looked straight into her father’s eyes.
“There is something wrong with this world.”
Her voice grew firmer.
“People simply die for no apparent reason.”
“Their bodies remain perfectly healthy…”
“And things just… appear out of nowhere.”
BAAAM!!
Kaelthar’s fist crashed onto the table with enough force to make the plates and silverware rattle.
He cut her off before she could finish.
Silence filled the dining hall.
After several seconds, Kaelthar finally spoke again.
“Very well.”
“After hearing your answers…”
He looked at her without showing the slightest emotion.
“…I cannot entrust this kingdom to you.”
Lythera remained perfectly still.
Kaelthar continued.
“So I will give you two choices.”
He raised two fingers.
“First.”
“You get married.”
“Your child will inherit this kingdom.”
He lowered one finger.
“Second.”
“You will be exiled from the Demon Kingdom…”
He paused briefly.
“…for betraying our culture.”
Lythera’s eyes widened.
She slammed both hands onto the table and shot to her feet.
“What?!”
“What kind of rules are those?!”
Kaelthar simply took another sip of wine.
“They are your only options.”
He placed the glass back on the table.
“I cannot leave this kingdom in the hands of someone whose ambitions chase empty fantasies.”
Lythera slowly lowered her head.
“What do I do now?”
“Can I really fight him?”
She looked at Kaelthar.
He was calmly drinking his wine with his eyes closed.
“He looks vulnerable…”
Quietly, she shifted one foot a few inches forward.
“I wouldn’t do that if I were you.”
Lythera froze instantly.
Her eyes snapped back to her father.
Without even opening his eyes, Kaelthar continued.
“You can’t defeat me.”
A faint smile appeared on his lips.
“And precisely because you’re my daughter…”
“…I’m giving you two choices.”
Lythera lowered her voice.
“But…”
“My research…”
“If I choose to marry…”
Kaelthar interrupted her.
“I want to meet the man you’ve chosen.”
Lythera remained silent for a few moments.
Then she asked,
“And… if I choose exile?”
Kaelthar finally opened his eyes.
His gaze was cold.
“You will leave this kingdom.”
“And if you ever set foot in these lands again…”
His voice became even heavier.
“…you will be sentenced to death.”
He finished the rest of his wine.
A satisfied smile crossed his face.
“Hm…”
“This wine pairs quite well with the meal.”
Lythera frowned.
“But if I’m banished…”
“…you’ll be left without an heir.”
Kaelthar smiled.
“Ah…”
“There is still someone.”
His smile widened.
“He wasn’t my first choice.”
Lythera’s eyes widened once more.
Slowly, she raised a hand to her mouth.
Three seconds of complete silence passed.
“N-No…”
She shook her head.
“You can’t possibly be serious…”
Her voice faltered.
“…Him?”
Meanwhile…
At the bottom of a massive canyon…
A guard was patrolling the entrance to an underground prison.
“Sir, please calm down.”
“You know you can’t leave that cell.”
A voice echoed from behind the thick iron bars.
“When I get out of here…”
The voice dripped with hatred.
“You’ll be the first one I tear apart.”
The guard chuckled.
“That’s…”
“…if you ever manage to get out.”
He crossed his arms.
“The Demon Lord went through a great deal of trouble to capture you.”
“He personally threw you in there.”
The voice answered immediately.
“I will get out of here…”
“And I’ll destroy every other kingdom.”
The guard let out a sigh.
“I think you should get some rest.”
“You’re far too agitated today.”
He raised his torch, illuminating the inside of the cell.
At the very back of the prison stood a blue-haired demon.
Both of his arms, his legs, and even his torso were bound by thick chains embedded directly into the stone walls.
The guard smiled.
“No wonder you’re given a daily dose of poison…”
“It’s the only way to keep your strength under control.”
Meanwhile…
Ren was helping Garrick walk, supporting one of the warrior’s arms over his shoulder.
On the other side, Mirelya was doing the same.
Just then, Lysera pointed toward the horizon.
“There!”
A man wearing a modest uniform from the Kingdom of Dravenhold was leaning against a tree with his arms crossed.
As soon as he spotted the small group, he pushed himself away from the trunk and walked toward them.
Ren studied him carefully.
“Is that Leon’s contact?”
Mirelya observed the man for a few moments.
“He doesn’t look like he’s planning to attack us.”
Lysera rested one hand on her hip.
“Who are you?”
The man stopped in front of the group.
“So you’re the replacements.”
After a brief pause, he continued,
“Leon already informed me about the change.”
Ren frowned.
“Replacements?”
The man nodded.
“That’s right. He sent word through a messenger eagle.”
His eyes swept across the group from head to toe.
“You don’t look particularly strong…”
He shrugged.
“But you should be able to handle it.”
Mirelya stepped forward.
“Fine.”
“Just tell us what the mission is.”
She glanced at Garrick.
“Our friend needs to find the antidote as soon as possible.”
The man gave a small nod.
“You can call me Bram Alder.”
His eyes also shifted to Garrick.
“And your friend is lucky.”
He pointed down the road.
“There’s a town not far from here. There’s a small clinic there, so they might be able to help him.”
Lysera explained,
“He’s been poisoned.”
Bram lightly scratched his chin.
“I don’t know much about poisons.”
“But I’m sure you’ll be able to get some information in that town.”
He turned his attention back to the group.
“Now listen carefully.”
“I’m going to explain the mission.”
Everyone fell silent.
Garrick swallowed hard as beads of sweat rolled down his face.
Bram began.
“The Kingdom of Dravenhold suspects that the Kingdom of Drakthar and the Demon Kingdom are beginning to form a secret alliance.”
The four exchanged uneasy glances.
Bram continued.
“Your mission is to determine whether that rumor is true.”
Mirelya tilted her head slightly.
“So…”
“We’ll be working undercover?”
Lysera smirked.
“That sounds more like my kind of job.”
“I can handle it alone.”
Everyone looked at her.
Bram let out a short laugh.
“Sure.”
“Go by yourself.”
His smile disappeared.
“If you’re discovered, you’ll end up in a ditch.”
Lysera’s eyes widened.
“Huh?”
Bram crossed his arms.
“You’re an Assassin.”
“Leon told me that as well.”
He continued,
“The Kingdom of Drakthar is one of the kingdoms that hates the Crimson Veil the most.”
“If anyone discovers your class…”
“You’ll be the very first target.”
Ren raised an eyebrow.
“Wait…”
“So you’re saying nobody chooses that class anymore?”
“Were you hibernating for a few years or something, kid?”
The entire group fell silent.
Ren could only give an awkward smile as a bead of sweat slid down his face.
Bram sighed.
“Everyone knows that because of the massacres committed by the Crimson Veil…”
“…that class has become despised.”
He continued,
“Nowadays, almost no one has the courage to follow that path.”
Garrick finished the thought.
“…And the few who do end up being looked down on.”
Bram smiled.
“Exactly.”
He looked up at the sky.
“It’s a good time to begin your mission.”
His gaze returned to the group.
“Don’t wander off on your own.”
“Drakthar may seem like a welcoming kingdom…”
He paused briefly.
“But it can also be incredibly cruel.”
“You’ll understand soon enough.”
The four exchanged glances for a few seconds.
Mirelya crossed her arms.
“Is that it?”
“You’re just leaving us here?”
Bram shrugged.
“You accepted the mission.”
He pointed toward the horizon.
“If I were you, I’d start investigating the town of Veshka Hollow.”
A faint smile appeared on his face.
“As a matter of fact…”
“You’re already very close.”
Ren lowered his head slightly.
“Alright…”
“Understood.”
Bram walked past the group without stopping.
“I’ll return to this spot in a few days.”
He raised one hand in farewell.
“But you don’t have to wait for me.”
Without looking back, he concluded,
“Now go.”
The group walked down the road.
Before long, something came into view.
“A town!”
Everyone lifted their heads.
Ren smiled with relief.
“Finally…”
“We’re almost there.”
A few minutes later, they reached the city’s gates.
Ren looked around, taking in the surroundings.
Then something immediately caught his attention.
“That…”
He blinked several times.
“A lizard… walking on two legs?”
Garrick chuckled softly.
“They’re Lizardmen.”
“One of the many races that inhabit this world.”
Just then, a lizardman approached the group.
“Greetings.”
He gave them a slight bow.
“Welcome to the town of Veshka Hollow.”
“My name is Sszarik Vesh.”
The four exchanged glances.
Mirelya was the first to respond.
“H-Hello…”
Ren smiled politely.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
“I’m Matsuda Ren.”
He pointed toward his companions.
“And these are Lysera, Mirelya, and Garrick.”
Sszarik’s eyes fell upon Garrick, who was being supported by Ren and Mirelya.
His expression immediately changed.
“Are you alright?”
Garrick struggled to breathe.
“I-I’m…”
“…ugh…”
Sszarik quickly noticed the dark veins spreading across the warrior’s face.
His expression grew serious.
“That looks like the effects of Veylthrix.”
Mirelya’s eyes widened.
“What?”
Sszarik answered at once.
“A poison produced in our kingdom.”
He looked at the group.
“You’re looking for Sylthara Essence, aren’t you?”
Ren immediately stepped forward.
“The antidote?”
“Yes.”
Sszarik nodded.
“This town usually keeps a small supply.”
“But the city of Kar’zul Drakthar has far more.”
Ren answered without hesitation.
“If there’s even a small amount here…”
He glanced at Garrick.
“…that’ll be enough.”
“We need to save our friend.”
Sszarik pointed toward the main street.
“Follow that road.”
“When you reach the end, turn left.”
“There’s a small clinic there.”
“If you can’t find the antidote there…”
He paused briefly.
“…then your only option is the city of Kar’zul Drakthar.”
He smiled warmly.
“Good luck.”
Mirelya watched the lizardman for a few moments.
“You…”
A faint smile appeared on her face.
“You’re very kind.”
Sszarik answered naturally.
“You all seem like good people.”
Lysera lowered her head slightly.
“Good people…?”
Without another word, the group headed toward the small clinic.