Silvermirror Lake stretched across the heart of Bell Prefecture like a vast sheet of polished silver.
The Brevis River flowed into the lake from the south, carrying merchant vessels, fishing boats, and passenger ships from the countless settlements scattered along its banks.
Upon the lake’s eastern shore stood Bell City.
From afar, the city appeared magnificent.
Towering white stone walls surrounded the settlement, protecting it from both beasts and invaders.
Rising above those walls stood the city’s most famous landmark.
The Bell Tower.
Its massive silver bell could be heard for dozens of kilometres on quiet nights.
Within the city, the Governor’s Mansion occupied the highest hill.
Elegant gardens surrounded the estate.
White stone pathways wound through carefully maintained flowerbeds and fountains.
At the centre of the mansion, Cassandra sat beside a small wooden table.
As the eldest princess of the Silver Blade Kingdom, she carried an air of effortless authority.
Long silver hair flowed down her back.
Sharp blue eyes calmly examined the documents spread before her.
Seated opposite her was Adam Farrow, a member of the influential Farrow Family and one of the Silver Sword Academy’s most promising young talents.
The two quietly discussed provincial matters while servants waited at a respectful distance.
Behind Cassandra stood a young woman dressed in a fitted black uniform.
Lily.
Her personal attendant and bodyguard.
Suddenly, Lily stepped forward.
“Princess, Michael has returned from the capital.”
A faint flicker appeared in Cassandra’s eyes.
The capital had remained unusually quiet during recent months.
Michael’s return likely meant new developments.
She set down the document in her hand.
“Send him in.”
“Yes, Princess.”
Lily bowed and left the room.
Moments later, the doors opened once more.
A tall man entered.
Dust still clung to his travelling cloak.
Although fatigue showed on his face, his posture remained straight and disciplined.
The moment he saw Cassandra, he knelt.
“Princess.”
Cassandra studied him briefly.
“You returned sooner than expected.”
Michael lowered his head.
“His Majesty has issued new instructions regarding the Danube Ruins.”
Adam immediately sat upright.
The atmosphere within the room changed.
Everyone present understood the significance of those words.
The Danube Ruins had already attracted the attention of Demon Lords, powerful clans, and numerous independent experts.
Any decision from the capital could alter the balance of power throughout Bell Prefecture.
Cassandra folded her hands.
“Speak.”
Michael took a deep breath.
“Princess, His Majesty has ordered that the exploration of the Danube Ruins be placed under General Clayborn’s command.”
A faint ripple passed through Cassandra’s expression.
“General Clayborn from Blackstone Fortress?”
“Yes, Princess.”
Adam raised an eyebrow.
“Isn’t General Clayborn one of Marquis James’s closest allies?”
Cassandra’s gaze immediately shifted toward Michael.
Adam leaned back slightly.
“What is His Majesty planning?”
Michael hesitated before continuing.
“His Majesty has also appointed Marquis James as Prince Cade’s personal tutor.”
Silence filled the room.
For the first time since Michael entered, genuine shock appeared on Cassandra’s face.
“What?”
Her father was dying.
The physicians had concealed the truth from the public, but those close to the royal family already knew.
The King did not have many years remaining.
And now he had personally created a path to power for Marquis James.
General Clayborn controlled one of the kingdom’s strongest armies.
Prince Cade stood next in line for the throne.
And Marquis James had just become the prince’s teacher.
The implications were impossible to ignore.
Cassandra’s fingers slowly tightened beneath the table.
Anyone could become king.
Anyone except James.
Because she knew something the rest of the kingdom did not.
Years ago, her mother’s death had officially been ruled an accident.
A convenient scapegoat had been executed.
The case had been closed.
Yet Cassandra had never believed the verdict.
And every clue she uncovered pointed toward the same man.
Her uncle.
Marquis James.
Michael noticed the dangerous look forming in her eyes.
“Princess, I shall take my leave.”
Without waiting for a reply, he bowed and withdrew.
Cassandra dismissed him with a wave.
The room fell silent.
Adam watched her carefully.
“Cassandra, what are you going to do?”
No answer came.
He continued.
“You accepted the position of Governor because you intended to control access to the Danube Ruins.”
“Now your father has effectively stripped that authority away.”
Cassandra slowly exhaled.
Years of political training quickly concealed her emotions.
“What can I do?” she asked softly.
“General Clayborn will oversee the ruins.”
Adam narrowed his eyes.
He knew her too well.
Cassandra was stubborn.
Proud.
Calculating.
But she was not someone who surrendered.
The fact that she sounded resigned only made him more suspicious.
Unfortunately, he also knew she would never reveal her plans before they were ready.
After a moment, he rose.
“Cassandra, I should return to the Academy.”
She looked up.
“Returning already?”
Adam nodded.
“The situation around the ruins is becoming increasingly unstable.”
Then his expression softened.
“If you need me, send a letter.”
A faint smile appeared on Cassandra’s face.
“I know.”
She stood as well.
“Travel safely.”
Adam nodded before leaving.
The doors closed behind him.
Silence returned.
The smile disappeared from Cassandra’s face.
Her expression became cold.
Dangerously cold.
Several moments passed.
Then she finally spoke.
“Lily.”
“Yes, Princess.”
“Invite the Rainbow Light Circus to perform in Bell City during the Bell Tower’s twenty-fifth-anniversary celebration.”
Lily blinked.
Confusion immediately appeared on her face.
Of all the orders she had expected, that was certainly not one of them.
The Danube Ruins.
General Clayborn.
Marquis James.
Prince Cade.
And now a circus?
The connection completely escaped her.
Had the Princess abandoned the matter?
Lily quickly lowered her head.
“Yes, Princess.”
Cassandra glanced at her.
“Go.”
“Why are you still standing there?”
Lily immediately bowed and departed.
Soon, Cassandra sat alone.
The room became quiet once more.
A wasp flew through the open window overlooking the gardens.
It buzzed lazily through the air before landing upon the table.
Cassandra looked at it.
Then she casually waved a hand.
The insect vanished.
A fraction of a second later, it reappeared.
Dead.
Its tiny body dropped onto the tabletop.
Cassandra never glanced at it again.
Instead, she gazed through the window.
Planning.
Calculating.
Preparing her next move.
Far away, completely unaware of the schemes unfolding within Bell City, Kaelan walked out of the inn and headed toward the centre of Moonflow City.
The streets were already crowded.
Demons of countless races moved between shops, markets, and restaurants.
Merchants loudly advertised their wares.
Adventurers exchanged stories of recent hunts.
The city was as lively as ever.
Eventually, Kaelan arrived at the heart of Moonflow City.
A colossal tree dominated the entire district.
Its trunk was wider than most buildings.
Its branches stretched across the sky like a vast green canopy.
Leaves larger than shields rustled gently in the wind.
Countless vines hung from the enormous limbs.
The tree was unlike every other tree in the city.
Because it was not a tree.
It was a demon.
Just as beasts could awaken intelligence and pursue cultivation, plants occasionally did the same.
Although far rarer, they too could become demons.
Standing before the colossal tree, Kaelan felt an immense vitality radiating from it.
The life force contained within the giant tree resembled a blazing sun.
For a brief moment, he considered examining it with his Spiritual Perception.
Then a faint warning tingled through his instincts.
Danger.
The sensation appeared the instant the thought arose.
Kaelan immediately abandoned the idea.
His instincts had saved his life many times.
Ignoring them would be foolish.
From the owl’s memories and information gathered throughout the city, he already knew the tree’s identity.
The Sky Tree Demon King.
According to legend, it had lived since the era of the Night Dynasty.
For more than a thousand years, it had remained rooted within Moonflow City.
No one knew how powerful it truly was.
They only knew one thing.
It was a Demon King.
A realm beyond Demon Lord.
A realm that should have been impossible for demons to reach after the ancient curse descended upon demonkind.
Yet the Sky Tree Demon King existed.
No one knew why.
Kaelan had no intention of investigating.
If he ever needed to kill a Demon King, he would have to reveal his Void Monster bloodline.
And the moment he did, he would attract the attention of the World’s Will.
That outcome would place him in far greater danger than any Demon King.
As far as Kaelan was concerned, the best way to deal with a Demon King was simple.
Stay far away.
After one final glance at the colossal tree, he continued onward.
Passing beneath its enormous branches, he entered the streets beyond and headed toward the mountains overlooking the city.
Eventually, a broad stone staircase came into view.
The staircase wound upward along the mountainside.
Two armoured guards stood at its entrance.
Their gazes immediately fell upon him.
“Obelisk Token.”
Without a word, Kaelan produced the bronze token.
The guard examined it briefly before nodding.
“You may proceed.”
Kaelan tucked the token away and began climbing.
The staircase stretched hundreds of meters up the mountain.
As he ascended, Moonflow City gradually shrank beneath him.
Eventually, he reached a large stone platform built into the mountainside.
The platform was crowded.
Dozens of demons occupied the area.
Some cultivated.
Others chatted in small groups.
Several simply rested against the stone walls.
Kaelan listened to their conversations.
It did not take long to understand the situation.
The obelisk itself was hidden deep within the mountain.
A cave system led down to it.
However, only fifty cultivators were permitted to enter at a time.
Each group received one week of access.
The current group still had three days remaining.
Only after they emerged would the next fifty cultivators be allowed inside.
Kaelan checked the number engraved on his token.
Thirty-eight.
A faint look of understanding appeared in his eyes.
If he left now, he would forfeit his place.
That could easily delay his opportunity by another week.
Kaelan immediately dismissed the idea.
Three days was insignificant.
He had spent two thousand years drifting through the Void Ocean.
Waiting a few days was nothing.
His gaze swept across the platform.
Eventually, he found an empty section of stone wall.
Walking over, he settled against it.
The cool stone pressed against his feathers.
Around him, conversations rose and fell.
Cultivators discussed techniques.
Adventurers exchanged information.
Merchants negotiated prices.
Meanwhile, Kaelan quietly closed his eyes.
Three days.
Then he would finally enter the mountain and see the ancient obelisk left behind by the Night Dynasty.
And perhaps, for the first time, begin comprehending a true Intent.