[Volume 5: Rising Storm]
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One year later…
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One year later…
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Dun-da-dun-da-dun—! In 'BIG RED' letters—Three Months Until the Third Calamity!
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The sun was high in the sky, and the clouds were clear.
The air carried the distant sound of birds, while the streets below were filled with the calm chatter of pedestrians leisurely going about their days.
This was the City of Llynun, the capital of the southern region, and the royal city of the Hellion Empire!
Flying through the streets and passing just beyond the noble district, a towering palace rose in the center of the city, shining like a magical monolith formed from power and authority! It was a massive, twisting structure formed from ancient stone and earthly rock. Elven defenses and Dwarven armaments, Beastmen, Sky, Sea, and Plan Clans, all shaped its 'shell', with each brick etched using runes unique to their respective races, then reinforced by human hands. Its appearance leaned closer to a fortress than any traditional castle, but no one could question its innate elegance!
Thick battlements and massive towers wrapped the structure in layered defenses. The palace rose higher as it neared its center, its tiered design creating an imposing vertical presence within the city.
Morning sunlight washed over the ancient stone walls, revealing narrow arrow slits, fortified balconies, and a colossal gate plated in magic metal thick enough to withstand even a dragon's breath.
Elevated walkways connected the outer rings of the palace, forming a web of stone bridges where armored guards patrolled overhead. Within the walls, green gardens and arcane lights filled nearly half the space, while beyond them, carefully maintained forest gardens surrounded the outer perimeter. It was a careful balance of nature and stone, woven together with a deliberate aesthetic.
Below, banners of white, red, and gold rippled through the courtyard, each marked with the crest of the Hellion Family. Even from a distance, the palace radiated an unmistakable sense of authority that anchored the heart of the city.
This was a fortress that had endured countless storms, a symbol of imperial pride, and the single strongest citadel ever constructed in the southern region, no, the Cross Continent! Surpassing even the Four Mage Towers!
This was—
The Royal Palace!
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Royal Palace, Throne Room—
The throne room was a massive chamber lined with towering pillars, each one wide enough for three men to conceal themselves behind. On one end stood an enormous steel door that rivaled the castle gate, while on the other rose an enormous throne overflowing with a golden radiance. Along both walls stretched gigantic glass murals, each frame depicting a different scene from the empire's long history, connecting all the way to the current point in time.
Far above the throne was a large circular window split into five equal sections. Carved within its zenith sat the emblem of the Hellion Empire, radiant and dominant, illuminated by the light, while the emblems of the four great families, Dimbeck, Azurefell, Barak, and Gallon, each occupied a section beneath.
Sunlight poured through the window in five distinct rays, casting a grand mural across the polished floor just before the feet of the throne, like a celestial map that changed with the time of day.
The aura of the room was oppressive and powerful, producing a pressure that weighed on one's back, forcing even the proudest nobles into silence when necessary.
Standing between each pillar was a Royal Guard, ten in total, with two preoccupied elsewhere.
Each was clad in silver-gold armor forged from dragon scale and carved with dwarven enchantments. Each knight carried their own style, but in the presence of the emperor, they all raised a crimson spear nearly twice their height, its blade inscribed with runes that glowed densely with a thick bloodlust.
No one questioned their loyalty or their strength.
The twelve were known across the southern region as monsters who stood just below the emperor, acting as his hands and feet.
Their presence alone made the air feel heavy.
Red carpet lined the center of the hall, leading towards the throne, and pausing just before the light.
Everything about the throne room, from its scale, to its grandeur and design, its authority and might, all of it made one thing unmistakably clear…
And that was—
This room was the heart of the Hellion Empire, no, the Cross Continent!
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The emperor was a youthful, middle-aged man with a relaxed yet dignified expression. His posture was both lazy and noble, carrying the natural air of a ruler. His gaze was sharp, wielding a wisdom that far exceeded his appearance. A radiant scepter floated quietly above his throne, while a golden crown rested gently atop his head.
He looked over the hall, his eyes turning down to the small figure standing in the light.
She was a petite girl with delicate features.
She had short blond hair and bright green eyes. Her face was round and cute, with a slight pout that seemed permanently set. She wore a floral green dress, with small roses woven neatly into her hair. Unlike Elena, who had the aura of a 'big sister', this young girl was closer to a 'little sister type'.
The emperor looked down at the girl standing before him and gave a 'sincere' smile.
"Are you and your sister getting along?"
His voice was loud and deep, carried by the hall, filling the room.
"Yes, Father," Rolilly replied, bowing her head politely.
"Good, good…" He leaned his head into his palm and let out a tired sigh.
"Now then, the reason I called you here..." He straightened his posture slightly. "Soon, a large number of outsiders will arrive from overseas. I'm sure you already know about this, yes?"
Rolilly looked up with her big, bright eyes.
While wearing the most innocent expression she could possibly muster, she answered simply, "I'm sorry, Father, but I have no idea what you're talking about..."
The emperor chuckled softly.
"Hmm. Yes, I'm sure you don't…" he murmured, clearly unconvinced by his mischievous daughter's words, even secretly rolling his eyes. "Well—"
He paused, then crossed his legs.
Rolilly tilted her head. "Hm? Does Father wish for me to assist in the welcoming ceremony?"
The emperor shook his head. "No, your sister will take care of that. You just need to behave for the next few weeks. Can you do that for me?"
Rolilly's eyelid twitched, and her expression almost cracked.
Then she immediately smiled brightly. "Yes, father! I understand. Your daughter will do her best!"
Adjusting his posture again, the emperor added, "Ah, also, make sure you leave your sister alone during this time, alright? There's a lot that needs to be done, and we can't mess this up..."
"I don't understand what Imperial Father means?" Rolilly tilted her head, 'confusion' written clearly across her face.
The emperor simply smiled at her. It was a knowing smile.
Rolilly smiled back, a little embarrassed, and stuck out her pretty pink tongue. "I understand, Father! I won't cause trouble, you don't need to worry! Then will there be anything else?"
"No… You're excused."
Rolilly bowed gracefully, then turned and left the chamber. Her footsteps echoed softly as the door closed behind her.
For a moment, the throne room was silent.
The emperor exhaled slowly, his fingers tapping against the armrest.
"…That girl," he muttered, his smile fading just a little. "Ha! These are going to be a long few months…"
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Ko-Dong—! With a dull dong, the massive doors closed behind her...
The moment Rolilly left the throne room, her face fell. The sweet expression vanished, twisting into one of pure wrath and indignation.
"Damn—!! Even after she brought back so many useless people, even after openly displaying all the tools needed for a rebellion! Father still prioritizes her! Can't he see that she's preparing to run away! How is this fair! How is this right!? Damn it!!"
Her eyes were red.
She stomped angrily through the halls of the Imperial Palace, her small feet striking the polished stone in a childish tantrum. "And to make matters worse, he already knows that I've been in contact with those guys!? How! Is there a spy!?"
Her face darkened even further.
The cute little girl from before was gone, replaced by a bratty shrew.
The few lingering servants quietly turned away, pretending not to hear.
This behavior was nothing new.
"Second sister went overseas, and first sister is planning to leave as well! When I leave the continent for my marriage, then who will be left to take over if that old bastard dies!? Fuck! Don't tell me he has an illegitimate son somewhere!"
She gritted her teeth, clenching her jaw as she turned the corner, her body practically trembling with frustration.
"Heh… so it's like that, huh? Fine! I'll play your game! Let's see what happens when I'm the only one left! Then who will be there to take the throne!"
She sneered, rounding another corner.
Suddenly, Rolilly froze.
She turned her head sharply, a scowl forming on her face.
Leaning casually against a pillar nearby stood a tomboyish-looking woman.
It was Rotell, the First Princess of the Hellion Empire. One hand rested on her hip as she looked at her little sister with a smug expression. She waved lazily and strolled forward, her relaxed posture a display that would have given their etiquette teacher a heart attack.
"My good little sister," Rotell said cheerfully. "Your big sister hasn't seen you in months! It seems like you haven't grown at all! Hahaha!"
It was a jovial greeting.
Rolilly's face fell instantly.
She was dressed like a princess, silk and lace fluttering with every breath, while Rotell wore white pants, light armor, and had the aura of someone who'd rather fight a bear than attend a party.
What a joke!
What First Princess!
What heir to the throne!
Doesn't Father just want a son!?
Damn it!
"What does that mean?" Rolilly spat coldly.
Rotell chuckled. "Oh, nothing. Haha~"
Her eyes drifted downwards, specifically, towards Rolilly's chest.
If Rolilly had one fatal flaw, it was that her chest was much smaller than her sisters'.
Rolilly's fists clenched so tightly her nails nearly broke.
The air was still.
The castle halls seemed to grow colder in an instant.
She wanted nothing more than to punch her First Sister in the face, right here, right now! If she could, she absolutely would have! But she knew that she couldn't win in a fist fight, that was clear from the countless brawls they had when they were children.
Damn it!
After forcibly restraining her anger and pulling back the last thread of her sanity, she managed to force out a smiling sentence. "First Sister," she said stiffly, "I've heard that you'll be in charge of welcoming our friends from overseas. I wish you good luck. The safety of the empire depends on it."
Rotell raised an eyebrow.
In her mind, she made a mental note.
This was the first time she had heard of such a thing, but she had no doubt their father had made the decision rather recently, perhaps even during the meeting Rolilly had just come from.
Rotell pursed her lips.
Although she disliked Rolilly, Rotell had never understood why their father treated her this way. There was always a strange disconnect, no, a 'distance', between them...
Her own relationship with her father was good, very good, far better than any normal princess.
It was the same for their second sister…
So why had everything fallen apart with the third?
Was it really just her personality?
Rotell couldn't ask her father.
She didn't want to.
Rolilly wouldn't know either. Perhaps… only their Second Sister, Rorall, could answer that question? Mm, but she was currently off the continent…
When Rotell didn't respond, Rolilly snorted sharply and stormed off, leaving the tomboy princess standing alone in the hallway.
Rotell rested her thumb against the hilt of her sword as she watched her little sister disappear around the corner.
For some reason…
She felt like something was going to happen soon—
Something big…
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