Days had passed since Kael Valcrest took control of Aurevale.
But calling it a village now would be an insult.
What once had been a quiet settlement of broken roads and fragile houses had transformed into a thriving trade city. Merchant caravans lined the stone streets, adventurers filled the inns, a newly established Adventurer Guild flew its banner at the city gate, and the sound of life echoed through every corner.
Aurevale had become a rising power.
And at its center stood one name.
Lord Kael Valcrest.
The young lord had rebuilt homes, secured water sources, established defenses, opened trade routes, and created a structure for governance. Yet even with all his success, one truth remained unavoidable.
A lord's mansion without order…
was chaos.
Kael woke to noise.
Shouting.
Crashing.
The sound of something breaking.
He opened his eyes slowly and frowned.
"Why does it sound like a battlefield…"
He dressed quickly and walked downstairs.
The sight that greeted him froze him in place.
The grand hall of the mansion was a disaster.
Clothes scattered across chairs, tools left on tables, broken crates, spilled food, and dust everywhere.
At the center of the chaos…
Nathan and Arin were arguing loudly.
"I told you it was your turn to clean!" Arin shouted.
"I was reinforcing the western wall!" Nathan snapped back. "You said you'd handle it!"
Kael walked forward, his aura suddenly shifting.
"Enough!"
His voice echoed through the hall.
Both of them froze.
Kael looked around slowly.
"…What is this mess?"
Silence.
Nathan lowered his head. "Master… since the mansion was built, only the three of us stay here. No staff, no cleaners. Everyone is busy building Aurevale… no one thought about maintaining the house."
Kael closed his eyes.
Then sighed deeply.
"…I really messed up."
His mind flashed with images of Seraphina and Elowen.
How can I bring them here like this?
He straightened.
"Listen carefully."
Nathan and Arin stood at attention.
"I'm giving two orders."
They nodded.
"First — announce across Aurevale that the lord's mansion is hiring maids and staff. Anyone who wants to work here must come for testing in two days."
"Second — we are forming the Aurevale Knight Battalion."
Both of them widened their eyes.
"In two days, trials will be held. Anyone who wishes to become a knight must come. Warriors, magic users, support mages — all are welcome. I will personally conduct the trials."
Their eyes burned with excitement.
"For the maids, I already know who will handle the testing," Kael added calmly.
He pulled out a small magical device and placed it on the table.
"If anything urgent happens, use this to contact me. I'm going back home."
Nathan stared. "M-Master… how will you go and return in two days?"
Kael smiled faintly.
"Leave that to me."
Light surrounded him.
And he vanished.
He reappeared inside the Valcrest Mansion in the capital.
The familiar warmth of home wrapped around him.
He walked downstairs.
"Big brother!!"
Lyria ran toward him and hugged him tightly.
"I missed you so much!"
Kael laughed and patted her head. "I missed you too."
Elara walked in and crossed her arms. "You're eating too much again, aren't you?"
Kael smiled. "Mother, I'm fine. Actually, I came for work."
She looked proud. "Your father told me. You're ruling Aurevale well. I'm proud of you."
Kael's expression softened.
"Where's father and Lucian?"
"Lucian is in the academy. Your father is in his own domain."
Kael nodded.
He turned to a servant. "Stain, call Lilith."
Moments later, Lilith arrived.
Her face brightened instantly. "Master Kael!"
"I need your help," he said. "I'm hiring maids for my mansion in Aurevale. I want you to conduct the tests."
Her expression shifted. "I want to… but I can't leave the capital. I have a younger sister. She has no one but me."
Kael smiled gently.
"Then bring her with you. Both of you will live in my mansion."
Lilith froze.
Elara smiled. "It's settled. Go with him."
Tears formed in Lilith's eyes. "Thank you, Master."
"Prepare. We leave tomorrow."
Before leaving, Elara spoke again.
"Kael… there's something you should know."
Her voice grew serious.
"The First Queen and Second Queen… they're not well. It started ten days after you left. Healers can't cure them. They don't have much time."
Kael's heart tightened.
"…Thank you for telling me."
He turned.
"I'm going to the palace."
Light swallowed him.
He appeared in a dark chamber.
Soft breathing filled the air.
Two women lay on separate beds.
A voice whispered, "Seraphina… Elowen?"
Kael stepped forward.
"No. My name is Kael Valcrest."
The women smiled weakly.
"I am Queen Amaris."
"And I am Queen Stitania."
They looked at him with gentle eyes.
"We have heard of you from our daughters," Amaris said softly. "We don't have much time… so please take care of them."
Kael knelt.
"I swear it."
He placed his hands on theirs and activated Status Magic.
His expression changed.
"…A curse."
He used High Heal.
Golden light filled the room.
Nothing happened.
Frustration crossed his face.
Then he saw their smiles.
Seraphina's smile.
Elowen's smile.
Kael's eyes hardened with resolve.
"Then I won't heal you."
The air changed.
"Creation Magic."
Mana surged violently.
Light and runes formed in the air.
"Curse Structure Analysis."
Golden and silver symbols spun like celestial gears.
"Curse Extraction Formula."
The room trembled.
A black mist began rising from their bodies.
The curse screamed.
Kael's voice was calm.
"Light of Origin — Purification Construct."
A massive magic circle formed beneath the beds.
Golden-white light exploded.
The curse was torn apart.
Silence fell.
The queens' breathing stabilized.
Color returned to their faces.
Life returned to their bodies.
Kael collapsed to one knee.
Panting.
Exhausted.
But smiling.
"…It's done."
Their eyes slowly opened.
Amaris whispered, "We… we feel warm."
Titania touched her chest. "The pain is gone…"
Tears streamed down their faces.
Kael stood.
"This isn't just healing. It's purification. The curse is erased permanently."
They bowed their heads.
"You are not just a noble…" Amaris said.
"You are destiny itself."
Kael turned toward the window.
Outside, the moon shone over the kingdom.
Trials awaited.
Knights would rise.
A city would grow.
And bonds would deepen.
Aurevale was no longer just a city.
It was becoming a legend.
And Kael Valcrest…
was no longer just a lord.
He was becoming a pillar of the world's future.