In a remote region of the unknown North — the continent of Astrion.
The place appeared to be a headquarters, now completely decimated.
Hundreds of human corpses lay scattered about, most belonging to the followers of the Blood Sect!
The same man from the end of the first season appeared: his long silver hair flowing, dressed in dark clothing and a long overcoat, with a mask covering his nose and mouth. He spoke:
"This continent is truly a failure at investigations. The continent of magic, huh?"
A wyvern descended to the ground. Its scales were icy white, distinct from ordinary wyverns—its horns were harder, its features sharper, and its demeanor calm. This was a Great Wyvern!
A girl stepped down from its back, appearing to be in her late twenties.
Her hair was white, and her eyes were a deep, dark red with pupils that looked... like a wyvern's?
The man spoke: "What is with you? You've started coming on missions with the Shadow Legion even though you belong to a different legion!"
The girl remained silent for a moment, then said:
"That disgusting group... will they perform the summoning in Eastron?"
The man looked at her with slight surprise and replied:
"It is not important. Chun Ma will handle it as he always does..."
The girl asked: "When will the time come?"
The man replied: "Very soon."
In a small, simple, and cozy rural house.
A woman sat on a bed, cradling a newborn infant in her arms.
The woman's face and the surrounding atmosphere were blurry, obscuring her features. The dreamer spoke:
"Mama, why are your eyes that color?"
The woman replied: "Because I had a magical mutation when I was young."
The child in the vision asked: "Does that mean I inherited it from you, Mama?"
The woman smiled with a hint of sadness and said:
"No... your eyes are different. You inherited them from your father; his eyes and hair were like that too."
The child muttered: "Hmph, I don't want to know. I'm not interested."
The woman placed her hand on the child's head and patted him gently.
The woman: "You must take care of the baby now. Children bond with those who care for them when they are small."
The child: "I will, Mother... but M—"
The scene suddenly shattered, and Jin slowly opened his eyes.
He didn't look around or speak; he simply rose slightly and sat in his place.
He did not move; his expression was cold yet sorrowful. His features remained still, but tears began to fall. He stayed like that for a long time as if lost in thought.
After a while, the door opened, and Jin walked out. He was in the Demon Doctor's wing, but the doctor was not there.
He stepped out into the palace and looked around. A young maid came running toward him, perhaps thirteen years old.
The maid: "I am sorry, my Lord! I did not know you were awake and—"
Jin interrupted her: "Calm down, child. And why are you calling me 'Lord' in the first place? How long have I been unconscious?"
The maid replied: "...A whole month has passed. And you are now the 12th Elder."
Jin looked away for a moment.
Jin: "So that's what happened. Where is Shin Yuan?"
The maid: "The Young Lord is in his private wing... Sir, are you alright?"
Jin: "Go and rest, child. I do not need service."
Jin made his way toward Yuan's wing. Servants and staff bowed as he passed, greeting him: "My Lord," "Sir," "Elder."
Jin thought to himself: What on earth happened? And what did Chun Ma say that day?
I couldn't hear anything after my name... and what is a Constellation? How did the Tower System appear in a place like this?
He looked around briefly and thought: Damn it, there's no point in thinking about all that now.
He tried to spread his senses to map the palace.
He couldn't see it all because of its massive size.
The palace contained a huge wing for the Council of Elders and another for the Council of High Demons.
There was the Grand Meeting Hall and private wings for each Heir should they need to stay at the main palace.
Jin walked until he reached Yuan.
Inside...
Jin entered the courtyard of the wing. In the small garden, he found Yuan sitting on the ground, leaning against a rock.
Yuan's face was devoid of expression, and he was unusually still.
Jin sat beside him.
Yuan: "It has been a long time, Demonic Dragon."
Jin: "Yes, it's been two months now... Drop that title. I want to understand our current situation."
Yuan: "Our situation? Well... I am now an Heir of the Sect. You are one of the Elders; you have the authority of an Heir as a shield to keep trouble away from you, but you aren't an Heir yourself."
"Also, you are the leader of the Blood Sword Squad."
Jin didn't respond, staring straight ahead.
Jin: "How was your test?"
Yuan: "It was difficult, but I passed... What was your test like for you to sleep for an entire month?"
Jin looked at him for a moment, then looked forward again.
He remembered the events of that day and the horror he had witnessed.
Jin: "It is better... if we do not talk about that."
Yuan: "Fine... regardless, we will go to the squad headquarters soon."
Jin: "Alright."
Jin pulled some bags of chips and some cigarettes from his storage ring.
He started smoking and did not speak again.
End of Chapter