The battle inside the banquet hall ended within minutes.
Broken tables and shattered jade ornaments covered the floor.
The masked assassins who had survived were kneeling in chains.
Several had already bitten poison hidden in their teeth.
They chose death over betrayal.
Cassius frowned.
"They were prepared."
Lucien nodded.
"Then they expected to fail."
Everyone in the room fell silent.
"The real objective..."
"...was never this attack."
The Third Elder walked toward Lucien.
She cupped her hands respectfully.
"Crown Prince."
"You've saved Sylvia twice now."
"The Moonlight Sacred Land will remember this favor."
Lucien shook his head.
"The Black Sun Organization targeted her because of me."
"Protecting her was my responsibility."
Sylvia looked at him quietly.
His first concern...
Wasn't claiming credit.
It was accepting responsibility.
The respect in her eyes deepened.
Later that night...
The Moonlight Sacred Land's delegation prepared to return.
The Third Elder stood before the palace gates.
"Our sect thanks the Noctis Empire for its hospitality."
Emperor Adrian nodded.
"The road home may not be peaceful."
"I've arranged an escort."
The Third Elder smiled.
"We appreciate His Majesty's generosity."
Lucien walked Sylvia to her carriage.
For a while...
Neither spoke.
Finally, Sylvia broke the silence.
"You promised..."
"...to teach me how to skip stones."
Lucien smiled.
"I remember."
"Then don't forget."
"I won't."
She looked at him for a moment.
Then...
She removed a small silver jade pendant from around her neck.
It was carved into the shape of a crescent moon.
"My Master gave this to me when I entered the Sacred Land."
"It protects the wearer from spiritual attacks."
She gently placed it in Lucien's hand.
"I know you don't lack treasures..."
"But..."
"I'd like you to have it."
Lucien looked at the pendant.
Then at Sylvia.
"This is important to you."
She nodded.
"It is."
"You should keep it."
A hint of disappointment flashed through her eyes.
Before she could speak...
Lucien took out a black jade token engraved with a silver raven.
"If I accept something precious..."
"I should give something equally precious."
He handed her the token.
"This is a Noctis Raven Token."
"If you're ever in danger..."
"Crush it."
"No matter where I am..."
"I'll come."
Sylvia's beautiful eyes widened.
Such a promise...
Was worth far more than the pendant.
She carefully accepted the token with both hands.
"Then..."
"I'll treasure it."
For a brief moment...
Their hands touched.
Neither spoke.
But both smiled.
Not far away...
Elena watched quietly.
This time...
Instead of sadness...
A gentle smile appeared on her face.
"She's a good person."
"If anyone can stand beside His Highness..."
"Perhaps..."
She stopped herself before finishing the thought.
The Moonlight Sacred Land's carriage slowly departed.
Sylvia looked back through the window.
Lucien was still standing at the palace gate.
Until the carriage disappeared into the horizon...
Neither looked away.
Meanwhile...
Thousands of kilometers away...
A humble mountain village lay hidden among endless forests.
A young man swung his sword again and again beneath a waterfall.
His clothes were patched.
His hands were covered in scars.
Yet his determination never wavered.
Suddenly—
The heavens trembled.
A golden pillar of light descended upon him.
The waterfall exploded.
An ancient voice echoed through his mind.
"Heaven's Chosen has been recognized."
The young man staggered backward.
A golden ring appeared on his finger.
Ancient runes covered its surface.
Inside the ring...
A weak old voice laughed.
"Hahaha!"
"At last!"
"I've finally awakened!"
The young man looked around in panic.
"Who's there?!"
The old voice replied proudly,
"I am Sage Yun."
"The greatest alchemist of the Ancient Era."
"And from today onward..."
"...I shall make you the strongest cultivator beneath the heavens!"
The young man's eyes filled with excitement.
"My name is..."
"...Kai Ashborn."
Far away...
Inside the Crown Prince's Palace...
Lucien's Destiny Ledger suddenly opened by itself.
A new name appeared beneath Lin Tian's.
Heaven's Chosen Detected
Kai Ashborn
Age: 19
Cultivation: Peak Foundation Core
Cheat: Ancient Alchemy Sage
Luck: 108,000
Potential Threat: Extremely High
Recommended Action:
Observe. Recruit if possible. Eliminate only if necessary.
Lucien closed the ledger.
A faint smile crossed his face.
"So..."
"The second Hero has entered the stage."
He walked to the palace balcony.
Above him...
The stars shone brilliantly.
"The game is becoming more interesting."
Behind him...
The shadow of the Black Raven banner fluttered in the night wind.
And somewhere beyond the horizon...
Two Heaven's Chosen had begun walking the path destiny had prepared for them.
Only one person intended to rewrite that destiny.
The Crown Prince of House Noctis.