Seraphina gazed at the ceiling above her head and sighed deeply, then stood up with determination etched across her face. "I have planned for a year—I cannot turn back now," she murmured to herself, her voice resolute.
If I wish to ascend to a noble position, I must eliminate Count Aldric. Even if I have to sacrifice several of my people, I will ensure this plan succeeds no matter what obstacles arise.
Lost in these dark contemplations, Seraphina noticed a maid approaching her chambers. She stood motionless, watching the servant's approach, puzzled by the visit. Had they discovered something? Had she missed some crucial detail? These thoughts raced through Seraphina's mind as she maintained her expressionless facade.
The maid closed the distance between them and stopped nearby. After studying Seraphina from head to toe, she bowed respectfully.
"Ma'am," the maid said formally, addressing her as head maid. "Someone has sent a letter for you."
Seraphina stared at the correspondence with growing confusion and suspicion. She couldn't understand the situation at all—who would be writing to her at such a delicate time? Her wariness intensified as she examined the letter, but she had little choice except to accept it.
"Thank you. You may return now," Seraphina commanded, taking the letter from the maid's hands. She watched the servant's retreating figure intently, waiting until she had completely disappeared before daring to examine the message more closely.
Once alone, Seraphina returned her attention to the letter. She studied it with intense scrutiny, feeling increasingly suspicious and slightly frightened by this unexpected development. However, she revealed no emotion outwardly.
"Has someone truly discovered my plans, or am I simply overthinking this?" she wondered aloud.
As she examined the correspondence more carefully, she noticed there was no name visible on the envelope. Her suspicion grew stronger, and genuine fear began to emerge in her heart. She started sweating internally but summoned her courage, broke the wax seal, and unfolded the paper within.
Seraphina opened the letter and began reading its contents. As she finished absorbing every word, a smile slowly spread across her lips.
"Oh, my dear Nil. You have come to me of your own accord."
This is the most fortuitous day for me! Perfect timing, Nil. How could I not meet with my precious girl? Seraphina thought gleefully after reading Nil's message.
Recognizing this golden opportunity, she immediately burned the letter to ash. "Of course I will come, my lovely Nil," she declared with satisfaction. "You nearly escaped from me once, and now you've delivered yourself directly to me. How could I possibly waste such an opportunity?" She smiled as she contemplated removing this final obstacle from her path.
Finally, Seraphina felt the relief she had been missing for an entire year because of Nil's interference.
Meanwhile, Aeren and Nil stood facing the Adventurer's Guild, its sign reading "Astoria Guild (Mid Level)" in bold letters. Aeren studied the nameplate, then turned his head toward Nil. He could see her face clearly now since she was no longer wearing her hood.
Though Aeren could observe her features distinctly, others barely noticed her presence. She had merged her essence with her light spirit, blending seamlessly with the bright sunlight around them. When Aeren focused his intent gaze upon her, his eyes began burning from the radiant luminescence.
After observing her for several moments, Aeren asked with confusion, "Why have we come here?" He hadn't expected to visit the guild, assuming she would proceed directly to his family mansion to conduct her business and be done with it.
Despite Aeren's assumptions, Nil had chosen to come to the Adventurer's Guild instead.
Without turning to face him, Nil took a step toward the guild entrance. "Because I want to become an adventurer too," she explained simply before entering the building.
Aeren watched her figure disappear into the guild, then followed behind her without giving the matter much additional thought.
Inside the guild, both Aeren and Nil were struck by an unexpected sight. Rather than the bustling, energetic atmosphere they had anticipated, the place resembled a makeshift hospital. Some adventurers bore visible injuries, while others studied the quest board like patients checking schedules to earn enough money for treatment. Guild healers looked exhausted from constantly mending wounded adventurers, their eyes barely able to remain open from fatigue.
Observing this grim scene, Aeren reflected on how many people remained trapped and restricted, despite doing everything possible to find meaning or freedom from their circumstances.
As both Aeren and Nil absorbed the sobering atmosphere around them, Nil felt her initial enthusiasm for adventure beginning to waver. Everyone in the guild appeared half-dead with exhaustion. Only a few individuals who seemed relatively uninjured were searching for quests and waiting in the receptionist's queue for approval.
"What do you think, Nil?" Aeren asked in a polite tone, watching the scene that made him realize that no matter which world he might discover, he would encounter the same suffering everywhere he traveled.
Nil continued studying their surroundings, no longer understanding this place as she had imagined it. She had expected to find people laughing and celebrating together within the guild, but instead discovered an atmosphere of silent menace. The environment seemed to declare: if you wish to become an adventurer, you must sacrifice yourself to the world to achieve anything meaningful.
This reality left Nil somewhat perplexed. While she could recognize bravery among the adventurers, she found no trace of the freedom or happiness she had hoped to witness. They all seemed to be acting under compulsion rather than choice.
"There's nothing to consider. Let's join the queue," Nil replied with determination, though clearly disappointed. Despite her disillusionment, she still chose to pursue the adventurer's path.
Aeren turned his head toward Nil and observed her resolve. She also turned to meet his gaze, and both stood in silence, studying each other intently.
Finally, Aeren walked toward the queue with Nil following close behind. Once they had taken their place in line, he asked with confusion, "Why don't you simply use your real name?"
Nil remained silent for several moments before responding, "You could do the same, Prince Aeren."
Upon hearing her answer, Aeren asked no further questions. As they stood waiting in line, Aeren felt a hand upon his shoulder and turned around.
"AHHH!" Aeren could see that Fredric had placed his hand on Aeren's shoulder but screamed in agony as he immediately withdrew it. Fredric almost lost his entire hand from this incident—everything from his palm to wrist had been completely erased, including flesh, muscle, and bone. Only empty air remained where his hand had been just moments before, with the destruction ending cleanly at his wrist.
Aeren observed the scene and noticed that everyone's attention had focused on them. The surrounding people watched with confusion, though no one understood what had just occurred.
Fredric stood alone without companions, unable to comprehend what had happened to him. He tried to make sense of the situation but found no logical explanation. He stared at Aeren with suspicion but couldn't be certain, since such a thing seemed logically impossible.
"What happened to me?" Fredric questioned aloud, looking at Aeren as if expecting him to provide an answer.
Aeren watched the scene unfold in silence, offering no response. Several healers noticed the disturbance and immediately rushed to attend to Fredric.
"What happened to you, Sir Fredric?" a young woman reached him first, her face filled with concern as she examined him, unable to understand the situation.
Fredric's gaze shifted to the healer, but he couldn't find meaning in what had occurred. Though his instincts suggested Aeren was responsible, he didn't want to believe such a thing was possible.
What happened to me? Was it Aeren's doing? But I merely touched him. I felt nothing unusual, and he did nothing in response either. Aeren remained standing in his place without even looking back at me, and his magic showed no reaction. Then what could have caused this? Did someone else do something to me that I'm not aware of?
Lost in these deep thoughts, Fredric forgot about his surroundings and the healing process taking place around him.