The following morning, the imperial capital of Evernight, Laveny, buzzed with anticipation as the royal council convened before the emperor for a court session.
Once every minor and major issue had been addressed, a heavy silence settled over the room as the council finished their reports.
The ministers shifted in their seats, watching one another. The air brimmed with expectation until a single minister gathered his papers, stepped forward, and spoke. The worry that had haunted him since dawn now found its voice.
"Your Majesty, I have reports of an abnormal red gate that appeared yesterday in Ironheart's duchy—unlike anything we've encountered," said Minister Evan Lutherknight, head of war. He stood, black hair and eyes, a scar hinting at past battles. Though he appeared thirty, he was already past seventy. He addressed the Emperor with respectful authority.
"Explain, Evan. I've heard rumors from Ironheart," James Evernight said, chin resting on his hand.
"Yesterday at midnight, a reg gate suddenly appeared, but it was already a break-out gate as monsters were starting to come out of it even though it was just opened," Evan reported.
"Since the gate had just broken out, Shane Ironheart and Sera Azurestorm entered it with their troops. From what I've heard, the boss monster was a goblin emperor who recognized Shane Ironheart by name and wanted to kill him," Evan added, uncertain.
"What about the legend of their son, Arthur Ironheart?" the emperor asked, glancing at his ministers.
As the emperor's gaze lingered on them, the ministers grew tense. Each wondered what scheme he might be plotting this time.
They were all too familiar with the emperor's reputation: for the sake of the empire, he wielded cunningness, ruthlessness, strength, and courage in equal measure.
"Yes, Your majesty, we have heard about the legend of him that he cured his mother who was on her dying breath," a minister answered.
All the ministers nodded their heads as they all had heard the same thing; this kind of thing can't be hidden, as people have connections spread out across the empire.
The emperor paused, allowing a weighty silence to spill into the room. Leaning back slightly, he glanced at his ministers, measuring their reactions before speaking again.
"I've never heard of a newborn saving a life. How credible do you think this is?" he remarked, his tone neutral yet laced with an undercurrent of skepticism. His eyes flickered, revealing a brief hint of doubt before returning to their usual impassive stare.
All the ministers nodded quickly. None had seen such a thing.
"What if the boy is prophesied one, as there is a prophecy that he will be out of the ordinary with power so extraordinary that one wouldn't be able to fathom," Evan mused.
"Maybe, but the prophecy is from Chronveil's late matriarch. We can't confirm it," another minister said.
"What do you say, Morgana Chronveil?" the emperor asked as he looked at Morgana Chronveil, who was sitting in one of the seats below.
"Yesterday, I felt fate being shifted. Someone is trying to tamper with it. But, fate isn't something that can change so easily, and I am not sure whether he is the one whom my late grandmother prophesied about, as something is trying to block me from seeing fate," Morgana said calmly.
"For now, court is dismissed," the Emperor ordered, rising from his throne.
After leaving the lively throne room, the emperor moved through the halls and entered his private chamber. There, a shadowy figure emerged and silently approached, bowing deeply before presenting a letter listing the names of yesterday's newborns.
After reading each child's name, he paused and asked, "Is he the one?"
"This servant isn't sure, but from what I've checked, he must be the one. The others are all normal." Shadow quivered under the emperor's power.
Unfazed by the report, the emperor burned the letter in his hand. He left his chamber, his steps firm as he made his way to the training grounds.