Click—
The lights went out, and the room plunged into darkness.
That night, Lena and Celia shared a bed for the first time.
Time flew by. Two months had passed.
In the afternoon, Aul sat on the sofa in the villa’s living room. Wearing white gloves, he leisurely sipped his tea. Autumn sunlight streamed through the window, glinting off his cane. The white reflection carried a faint chill.
Beside him, a servant in black-and-white uniform wore a deeply worried expression.
“Lord Aul,” the servant said anxiously, “the Hero assessment is in three days…”
He hadn’t forgotten Aul’s agreement with Instructor Celia. If Celia’s squad defeated a Fourth Rank demon beast during the assessment, Aul could no longer block her path to becoming a Hero.
Originally, he wasn’t concerned. Advancing from Second Rank Hero to defeating a Fourth Rank demon beast in half a year seemed impossible. But recent news left him restless.
“I heard Miss Celia has now crossed the Third Rank mana threshold. With their strength, a Fourth Rank demon beast might not stop them.”
When they were Second Rank, defeating Third Rank demon beasts was effortless. Now at Third Rank, overcoming Fourth Rank ones didn’t seem difficult.
It appeared Lord Aul might lose…
“Third Rank mana? Truly worthy of Her Highness. Her progress is remarkable.” Aul chuckled softly, taking a sip of tea. His calm only deepened the servant’s anxiety.
“Lord Aul! If she defeats a Fourth Rank demon beast, she’ll become a true Hero! Even you won’t stop her then…”
“Do you think I’ll lose?”
Aul’s words stunned the servant. The panic in his heart quietly faded.
Right. This man was the steward of the Fiona Clan. To uphold such a vast family, his abilities far surpassed ordinary people. How could he lose to a mere Hero?
Having served him over a decade, the servant had never seen him suffer a major defeat.
Lord Aul’s ease meant everything remained under his control.
“Do you truly believe they can easily defeat a Fourth Rank demon beast? Gaps exist even among Fourth Ranks. Moreover…”
Aul paused, gazing at the forest beyond the villa. His expression turned unreadable.
“This forest grows restless. The hidden darkness will soon resurface. When it does, even the Silver Blossom Sword Maiden will struggle to survive. How can Her Highness stay in this city?”
“I believe she’ll understand my intentions.”
…
Meanwhile, the door to Governor Roy’s office in Vedona burst open. An aide rushed in with urgent news.
“Governor Roy!”
The wind from the door scattered papers across the desk. Roy set down his pen and frowned at the young man’s frantic state.
“Why so panicked? Has something terrible happened?”
Though Roy looked like a man in his twenties due to his mana, he was nearly sixty.
“Sir! None of the knights sent to investigate the Silent Forest have returned. And their messages…”
“Slow down. What’s the rush?”
Roy’s cold tone cut off the aide. The young man straightened up, face flushed as he bowed apologetically.
“Forgive me, Governor Roy. This incident might threaten Vedona’s survival, so…”
“Even if Vedona’s survival is at stake, you must stay calm. Critical moments demand clear heads. Don’t you understand that?”
“…You’re right, Governor Roy.”
Sweat beaded on the aide’s forehead. Normally composed, this situation was beyond his imagination.
Satisfied, Roy nodded and didn’t dwell on the lapse.
“Speak. What is it?”
“None of the knights returned from the Silent Forest. From their messages, we deduce a Beast Tide far larger than any before will attack Vedona.”
“Far larger? How large?”
“It might include a Sixth Rank demon beast. Or… higher.”
Bitterness filled the aide’s voice.
Vedona faced yearly Beast Tides, but they rarely exceeded Second Rank beasts. The largest recent tide had only a Third Rank beast—easily handled by the governor’s knights.
The aide’s despair came from deducing a Sixth Rank beast might appear. Vedona’s strongest was only a Fifth Rank Hero. A tide of that level could wipe out the city effortlessly.
They wished they didn’t believe it, but it was intelligence bought with knights’ lives.
Yet Roy showed no emotion at the mention of a Sixth Rank beast.
After a moment’s thought, he asked, “Which nearby Heroes can handle this Beast Tide?”
“Only Heavenly Flame from Eagarl. No other Hero can.” The aide replied instantly.
Rumors said Heavenly Flame wielded Seventh Rank mana. She alone could save them.
Roy knew of her but didn’t press further. Instead, he raised an eyebrow.
“I’ve heard there’s a formidable senior in the Heroes Guild lately. Have you heard of her?”
“Apologies, President Sharin refuses to disclose any details about her. We don’t know her background or name.”
The aide looked ashamed. They’d noticed the senior long ago, but Sharin guarded her closely.
“Is there a way for me to meet her?”
“Apologies, normal methods won’t work. Even for you, Governor Roy, President Sharin would refuse. But if we tracked the Fiona Clan’s young mistress…”
“Let’s not. I was hoping to meet her. Now, we can only pray she’ll help Vedona in its hour of need.”
Roy waved off the absurd suggestion. Inwardly, he felt displeasure toward Sharin.
In Roshi Empire cities, relations between governors and Heroes Guild presidents were often strained. No one liked disobedient elements in their domain.
“If we request aid from Eagarl’s Heroes Guild, how soon can Heavenly Flame reach Vedona?” Roy finally asked.
“Based on past experience, at best, five days.”
“Then let’s pray the Beast Tide doesn’t strike within those five days.”
