The sun had barely begun to illuminate the imperial capital when the temple gates opened.
The four heroes entered the Grand Courtyard accompanied by the Heralds.
No servant spoke.
Even the soldiers avoided raising their eyes too high.
Deidara walked at the front, clad in black armor that seemed to absorb the light of dawn. She did not look at anyone as she walked. Her presence alone was enough to make the others step aside.
Eidran followed with light steps. An invisible current slowly stirred his cloak, even though the air in the courtyard remained almost still. He smiled as if this were nothing more than another ceremony.
Valkaria advanced with the rigidity of a weapon ready to be used. The metal spear in her hands slowly twisted, adapting to each movement.
Lethos brought up the rear.
He carried no weapons.
That was more unsettling than any sword.
The Heralds stopped before the inner doors.
"Wait here."
Aster gave the guards a brief signal and entered alongside the other Heralds.
The four heroes were left alone in the Grand Courtyard.
They did not have to wait long.
The side doors opened again.
Princess Elizabeth appeared first, accompanied by her entourage.
Lusian walked beside her.
There was nothing extraordinary about his appearance.
He was dressed with the usual sobriety of an imperial noble. His expression was calm, his pace indifferent.
Until he crossed the threshold.
Eidran stopped smiling.
It was not a conscious decision.
It simply happened.
His eyes fixed on Lusian.
Something was wrong.
He could not explain what.
He sensed no magical pressure.
He felt no hostility.
Nor could he detect any abnormal amount of mana.
And yet, every instinct in his body told him that this man should not be ignored.
"What...?"
The word died in his throat.
Lusian continued walking.
He did not even seem to notice that they were watching him.
Deidara had noticed him as well.
But her reaction was different.
Her eyes narrowed.
She had sensed something.
Darkness.
Not a violent presence.
Not a manifestation of power.
It was something far subtler.
The darkness surrounding Lusian seemed... natural.
Far too natural.
Deidara knew that feeling.
She had lived with it ever since receiving her god's blessing.
She had learned to shape it, spread it, and turn it into a weapon.
Darkness was her element.
Her identity.
Her power.
That was why the sensation unsettled her.
She did not understand why.
She looked at him again.
Lusian passed within a few meters of her.
Nothing happened.
He did not even look at her.
Deidara felt a slight pressure in her chest.
It was not fear.
It was something far too similar to doubt.
What are you...?
Lusian continued walking beside Elizabeth.
Then she noticed the stares.
"Looks like you've already met our heroes," Elizabeth remarked.
Lusian turned his eyes toward them for the first time.
His gaze passed over Deidara.
Then Eidran.
Valkaria.
Lethos.
He did not linger on any of them.
"Yes."
That was all.
He continued walking.
Deidara remained motionless.
Eidran slowly exhaled the breath he had been holding.
"Did you feel it?" he asked quietly.
Deidara did not answer.
Her eyes remained fixed on Lusian.
"What's wrong?" Valkaria asked.
"Nothing."
The answer came immediately.
But Deidara slightly tightened her fingers inside her gloves.
She could not explain what she had felt.
That man did not appear to be using magic.
He did not seem to be hiding his power.
He did not even seem to have realized that she was a hero.
And that was precisely what unsettled her the most.
She had been chosen by a god.
She had been granted an authority no ordinary mage could ever attain.
Yet, during that brief moment, she had felt something strange.
As though the darkness within her had recognized someone.
Someone who should not exist.
A short while later, the Heralds returned to the courtyard.
"The Empress will receive you now."
The four heroes followed Aster inside.
This time, Deidara walked in silence.
But before crossing the doors, she looked back one last time toward the corridor where Lusian had disappeared.
She did not know what she had felt.
Not yet.
But she would remember that sensation.
In the upper chamber, the meeting continued.
Aster spread several reports across the table.
"The northern routes continue to deteriorate. The villages are requesting protection, and the local garrisons are being overwhelmed by the increasing number of monsters."
Naira reviewed the documents without showing any reaction.
"Then mobilize the heroes."
The Heralds exchanged a glance.
"That would not be advisable."
Naira raised her eyes.
"Why?"
"The troops are occupied in other areas. We need the support of the imperial forces; otherwise, several cities will fall."
Naira rested her fingers on the table.
She already knew this conversation.
It was not the first time the Heralds had used a crisis to pressure the throne.
Whenever a region fell into danger, the churches demanded intervention.
When the Empire sent troops, the legions suffered casualties.
And every soldier lost weakened the Crown's military authority a little further.
Naira had no intention of allowing that.
"Then what do you suggest?"
Aster remained silent.
"The heroes and the kingdom's troops are available," the Herald continued. "They can handle the situation."
Naira narrowed her eyes slightly. Ever since she had seen Lusian, a new objective had crossed her mind: sending him into the most dangerous areas would ruin her plans.
"You really can't send your heroes, can you? Or are you lying to me?"
"That would leave other territories without protection."
"I don't see the problem."
Aster remained calm.
"Your Majesty, the situation requires a greater force."
Naira understood the message.
They wanted imperial troops.
It was the same game as always.
The Church presented an emergency.
The Crown was expected to respond.
And if Naira sent her legions, the Church would get exactly what it wanted.
To wear down the Empire.
No.
Not this time either.
"Carphatia can cooperate."
Elizabeth slightly raised her gaze.
Naira continued:
"Your troops can reinforce the northern routes while the heroes maintain their current positions."
Elizabeth looked at her.
"Your Majesty, we are here to help in any way we can."
Naira nodded.
"Thank you, Princess. The situation is urgent."
"Then it is decided."
The meeting continued for a few more minutes before coming to an end.
Nothing had changed.
At least, that was what Naira believed.
She had avoided sending her legions.
She had kept the heroes in their current positions.
And she had forced Carphatia to shoulder part of the burden.
It was exactly as it always was.
Later, far from the imperial chamber, the members of the cult received the news.
The princess would be leaving the capital.
That was enough.
The original plan had always been different.
Carphatia had been chosen as the site for the summoning.
But the cult members who had attempted to establish themselves there had disappeared.
The few survivors had fled.
None of them was willing to return.
They all repeated the same thing:
There was something worse than a demon in that kingdom.
The gods had given an order.
The cult had found an alternative.
They only needed the princess.
And now Elizabeth was going to leave the capital.
The rest would simply be a matter of opportunity.