Chapter 11: The Black Invitation
The morning after the duel, the capital of Valoria buzzed with excitement.
Stories of the match between Abster and Prince Lucien spread through every street.
Some claimed Abster was a hidden master.
Others insisted he had used forbidden magic.
Abster ignored the rumors.
He preferred the quiet courtyard of the Adventurers' Guild, where he practiced basic sword forms alone.
Slash.
Step.
Turn.
Again.
And again.
Even after awakening a mysterious power, he believed one thing.
"Power without discipline is dangerous."
Nearby, Lyra watched with a smile.
"You've been training for two hours."
Abster lowered his sword.
"I almost lost yesterday."
Lyra blinked.
"...It was a draw."
"It felt like a loss."
"If I relied on that strange power every time, I'd never become stronger myself."
Lyra nodded.
"You really are different."
Before Abster could respond—
Fenrir suddenly stood.
His ears twitched.
A low growl escaped his throat.
Something was wrong.
A cold wind swept through the guild courtyard.
Black feathers drifted from the sky.
One landed in front of Abster.
The feather dissolved into smoke.
From the smoke emerged a black envelope sealed with crimson wax.
Everyone stared.
The seal bore an unfamiliar emblem.
A crown above a black sun.
Abster carefully broke the seal.
Inside was a single letter.
> To the Hidden Sovereign,
We have waited centuries for your return.
You do not know us...
But we have never forgotten you.
If you seek the truth of your existence,
come to the Ruins of Nox Aeterna.
Come alone.
— Lord Zarek
The letter crumbled into ash.
Silence filled the courtyard.
Lyra looked worried.
"That sounds like a trap."
Garrick, who had just entered, nodded.
"A very obvious one."
Helena took a deep breath.
"Nox Aeterna..."
"I thought those ruins were only a legend."
Abster looked at her.
"You know about them?"
She nodded.
"They're said to be the remains of the first kingdom in history."
"No one who entered ever returned."
At that moment, a Royal Knight rushed into the guild.
"Guild Master!"
"The eastern border fortress has been attacked!"
Helena's expression hardened.
"By whom?"
The knight swallowed.
"Not monsters..."
"An army wearing black armor."
Abster immediately thought of Lord Zarek.
Far to the east...
The border fortress burned.
Royal Knights lay defeated.
Yet strangely...
Very few had been killed.
General Gruk stood among the ruins.
He looked toward the west.
"My Lord's orders were clear."
"We are not here to conquer."
"We are here..."
"...to deliver an invitation."
He planted a black banner into the ground.
Its symbol matched the seal on the letter.
A crown above a black sun.
Back in Valoria...
King Aldric summoned an emergency council.
Around the table sat:
King Aldric Solaris
Queen Elara Solaris
Prince Lucien Solaris
Princess Elena Solaris
Helena Frost
Garrick Thorn
And... Abster.
The king spoke first.
"The Black Legion has crossed our border."
"They made no attempt to seize territory."
"They only left one message."
He looked directly at Abster.
"They are searching for you."
The room became silent.
Abster slowly clenched his fist.
"Then I'll go."
Lyra immediately shook her head.
"No!"
"You don't know what they're planning."
Abster looked around the room.
"If I hide..."
"They'll keep attacking innocent people."
King Aldric studied him for a long moment.
Finally, he nodded.
"Then you won't go alone."
He turned toward the others.
"Form an expedition."
"Find Nox Aeterna."
"And uncover the truth before the Black Legion does."
Lucien stood.
"I'll join."
Lyra stepped forward.
"So will I."
Garrick smiled.
"Someone has to keep you young ones alive."
Fenrir walked to Abster's side without a sound.
His choice was already made.
Helena looked at the group.
"The path ahead won't be easy."
"The ruins are older than any kingdom."
"And if the legends are true..."
"...even the gods avoid that place."
Abster looked toward the eastern horizon.
For the first time...
He wasn't searching for answers by chance.
He had chosen his path.
And somewhere beyond the mountains...
Lord Zarek smiled.
"The Sovereign is coming home."
End of Chapter 11