Nolan didn't return the enthusiasm. He knew silently that his decision had already been made—and it wasn't the Knights of the Sword Guild. He had applied to the Death God Guild, his family's guild and the guild of the noble house of Caelthorn.
"I'm sorry, Liza. I've already submitted a recommendation for admission to the Death God Guild."
His words were quiet and his body was still, but a faint sense of regret crept into every word. His expression remained cold. He tried to shake it off, but it was difficult.
Elizabeth's reaction was immediate. Her face fell, her lips pursed, and her eyes became sharp and demanding. A second later, however, she sighed softly and smiled brightly and sincerely, as if she didn't want to show any real disappointment.
"Nolan, there's no need to apologize. You keep repeating that word even though you haven't done anything wrong."
Her slender hand reached out and grasped his.
"Don't let your cold, stiff expression make everyone feel bad. Liza doesn't like seeing you like that."
Nolan listened silently.
"You're different from before," Elizabeth continued. "Liza used to worry about you. You were always sad and looked depressed and scared. Liza didn't want to see you so vulnerable again."
The afternoon sunlight filtered through the large windows of the common room, and the faint sound of birdsong could be heard. Nolan stared ahead. His feelings for her were still flat; they weren't turning into love, not even close. She wasn't Caelthorn. But Elizabeth's sincerity made him feel something resembling warmth.
***
The next day, Nolan's prediction came true.
He stood in the center of the Blue Lagoon Palace's throne hall. The vast room felt cold and oppressive, as if invisible pressure emanated from every wall. On the throne sat only one figure—Catherine. The throne next to her remained empty, a symbol too obvious to ignore.
Nolan did not stand alone.
Beside him stood Mycroft Hills, the Aurora Association President, with a calm yet wary expression. Several members of the Noble Council stood in neat rows to the right and left of the hall, dressed in elegant black suits. Their eyes were fixed on Catherine and Nolan.
Nolan's decision to join the Death God Guild had stirred up a storm.
Catherine had vehemently opposed it. In fact, thanks to her influence, most of the Noble Council members were on her side.
"Your Highness," Mycroft said calmly, "Prince Nolan has risen in rank after successfully fusing his mana core. Furthermore, it is not against the rules for Prince Nolan to choose to join the guild."
"Oh?" Catherine replied coldly.
Her mana aura was released instantly.
The air in the throne hall changed instantly. Her mana waves swept through the room like a storm, causing the crystal lights in the ceiling to vibrate faintly. No one dared to speak—even breathing felt labored.
"Nothing's wrong, you say?" Catherine continued, her voice flat yet threatening.
Her gaze locked on Nolan.
"You mean joining the Death God Guild?"
This time, the wave of mana she released was much stronger.
The pressure slammed into Nolan mercilessly. His knees shook uncontrollably, forcing him to his knees. The same thing happened to Mycroft and several members of the Noble Council. They didn't fall completely, but the pressure clearly demonstrated the difference in power.
Nolan held his breath.
But before the pressure could destroy the room's balance completely—
"Enough, Catherine."
The voice was cold and flat yet carried an authority that was no less terrifying.
The once luminous throne hall dimmed as if the light itself were bowing to the voice. A wave of deep purple mana emerged and collided directly with Catherine's aura. The two powerful forces pressed against each other, making the air tremble violently.
The pressure on Nolan's body slowly lessened.
He raised his head and looked back.
Above the throne hall, a dark purple portal slowly opened. Two scaly black dragons emerged from within, growling lowly. Their bodies were as long as giant snakes, their pitch-black scales reflecting the dim light. Their bright purple eyes stared down.
Their aura was wild and menacing.
A tall man stepped out from within the portal.
His jet-black hair, which fell to his waist, glistened faintly in the dim light of the hall. He wore a long, flowing black robe with a high collar covered in dark dragon scales. With each step, it seemed as if he were striking empty air, yet a cracking sound like shattering glass filled the void.
Nolan felt his chest tighten.
The man's aura was dense, cold, and oppressive. His dark purple eyes radiated a power he didn't conceal at all. Even without moving, his presence alone made the throne hall feel cramped.
Nolan knew him:
Vincent Caelthorn.
The Crownless Prince of Arathen—Antares's eldest brother and Nolan's uncle.
He was a figure who had lived only in rumors, whispers, and twisted historical records. Now, a figure who had long been in seclusion stood before them.
Vincent paused in midair, just above the hall floor. Behind him, the dark purple portal remained open, and two scaly black dragons writhed slowly inside it. Their purple eyes stared down with naked menace.
"I haven't seen my nephew in over a decade," Vincent said calmly, curling his lips into a lopsided smile.
"I see no reason to forbid my nephew from joining my guild."
The waves of mana clashed once more.
Nolan struggled to stand upright; his knees still felt heavy. His gaze shifted to Catherine.
The woman's face hardened. Her eyes were cold and furious, as if she had just seen an enemy who should never have returned to this world. She rose from her throne, her purple robes fluttering in the aura she released.
"Oh, you've finally returned," Catherine said in a flat, almost calm tone.
"Is this for your little brother...or your beloved nephew?"
Catherine's gaze hardened.
"Your arrival will never be welcomed by the House of Lords," she continued coldly.
"Forgotten, huh? You slaughtered your entire Caelthorn family. And don't forget—you also killed a member of the House of Lords."
Nolan swallowed.
He knew the story.
Vincent had been branded a traitor to the kingdom since the reign of his grandfather, the previous King of Arathen. He was accused of slaughtering the House of Lords and his own family, sparking chaos that shook the kingdom's foundations. The public knows him only as a monster born from family conflict and personal ambition.
As a result, Vincent was stripped of his status as crown prince.
He was banished.
After that, Antares, Nolan's father, was forced to ascend the throne and marry Catherine to ensure political stability. The world believed that it was all over.
However, Nolan knew one thing through Caelthorn's memories:
Antares never truly abandoned Vincent.
The founding of the Death God Guild was even done with the king's approval before his illness worsened and he secluded himself in the Church Hall of Arathen, leaving Catherine as the Kingdom of Arathen's temporary ruler.
Nolan looked back at Vincent.
Rumors were just that: rumors.
There was no record explaining why Vincent massacred the Council of Lords or what happened that night. All that remained were the accounts of those who survived and held power.