"What?!" Sophie and Silei exclaimed simultaneously.
Sophie was shocked because she never imagined that demons truly existed in this world—and were about to invade. Books described demons of all kinds: good, evil, beautiful, grotesque. But they all shared one trait—an inexplicable, universal hostility toward humans, as if coordinated across authors who'd never met.
Silei's surprise stemmed from royal archives stating demons hadn't appeared in over three thousand years. Since his ancestor, Emperor Curtis the Lawgiver, with divine aid, sealed them in another dimension, none had breached the barrier. Those few who slipped through dimensional cracks emerged powerless, weaker than ordinary humans. *Why risk breaking the gods' combined seal now?*
"Libor, how did you learn this?" Silei eyed the vampire skeptically.
"I know you doubt me," Libor said heavily, glancing at Sophie. Were she not married to Silei, he wouldn't care about this kingdom's fate. Vampires and demons had no conflict; his kin wanted no part in this war.
"After settling Bazak and Lina in our realm, I consulted my mother—the Vampire Queen. Though retired, she handles critical matters. This invasion is one." He raised a hand, forestalling Silei's question.
"My mother rules vampires; my father is the former Pope Apollo. That's why I can walk by daylight."
"My father verified this with the God of Light. The three-millennia-old seal weakens. Worse, the gods won't intervene this time. After their last interference angered the Creator, they declared neutrality—demons and humans are both His children. Whoever wins, it's fate."
Libor sighed. The last divine meddling had demoted many gods. The confined God of Light's absence even allowed his father to remain with his mother.
"Thank you, Libor." Silei nodded, then gestured toward the door. "It's late. Rest now; we'll discuss this tomorrow. Demons won't arrive overnight."
With Libor housed elsewhere, Silei "officially" moved back into their bedroom—ostensibly for Sophie's protection. *No way am I leaving my wife near a man who sneaks into palaces unseen.*
---
At dawn, every influential official in Kirisya assembled at the palace. The unprecedented turnout hinted at catastrophe.
King Elroiadin, usually genial, stood sternly before them. "Today, we prepare for war while maintaining order. I will *not* tolerate mass panic or exodus."
As murmurs erupted, he silenced them with a glare. "From this moment, Kirisya mobilizes for total war."
The hall exploded in chaos. *Total war?* Not even the Nepolden conflict warranted this!
Elroiadin's patience snapped. "SILENCE! Do you forget before whom you stand?"
A hush fell. After years of his leniency, they'd forgotten the viper he once was—now awakened.
"Demons invade Kirisya. You will organize defenses, stockpile supplies. Todd leads logistics with Silei's aid; General Bevis commands the military, assisted by Hilbert. Disobedience means treason."
The officials shuddered. The king's mercy had spared them—past versions would've beheaded half the room for such disrespect.
Todd outlined measures co-authored with Silei (and Sophie's input):
"1. A Logistics Corps will centrally procure supplies at 1% above current prices. Price-gouging or hoarding earns execution; assets confiscated."
"2. Local officials appoint Logistics members, but Todd or Silei alone command them. Full compliance required. Misconduct means summary execution."
"3. Civilians may relocate to cities, but looting or theft brings instant death."
...
Sophie's influence showed in these policies. Though no strategist, she knew wars bred chaos where more died from internal strife than battle.
---
Lamybur City now moved under a pall of dread. Even children stayed indoors despite schemes to escape.
Meanwhile, one formerly lazy individual pored over arcane tomes.
"Charles, how's this pronounced?" Sophie pointed to a rune, her fifth query in an hour.
"*Mother*, it's *pingsd*—'water' in Ancient Elvish." Charles rolled his eyes. *How is she this bad at studying?*
"Ugh, why make it so complicated?" Grumbling, Sophie resumed memorizing until the troublesome rune reappeared.
Her mouth opened soundlessly. Rather than ask again (and endure Charles' judgment), she snapped the book shut.
"I'm hungry! The baby needs food!" Waddling toward her private kitchen—staffed by chefs from Odeli and Kirisya—she missed Charles' smirk as he trailed her.
"Mom's slacking again," he muttered.
"Where's Mommy?" Little Agatha rubbed sleep from her eyes. Lately, she'd felt inexplicably weary.
Spotting Sophie in the kitchen, she scampered over—unaware of the violet flicker deep in her pupils.
**Will the kingdom's preparations suffice—or will hidden threats unravel their defenses?**