Two days later.
Dawn greeted them among mist-covered hills.
In the distance, the gray walls of Dunverne rose above the valley like a crown of stone.
Dunverne was the last major city before entering the heart of the Douglas domain.
It wasn't particularly large, but its defenses made it clear that it was a strategic location. Square towers flanked the main entrance, and thick walls surrounded the city.
Above the enormous gate flew the Douglas banner: a silver dragon on a black background.
When the caravan passed through the gates, the silence of the road was left behind.
The city erupted in cheers.
Men, women, and the elderly knelt as the carriages passed. Some waved handkerchiefs; others threw dried flower petals onto the road.
Lusian watched the scene through the carriage window.
It was strange.
Outside the duchy's territory, the Douglas name inspired fear.
Here, it was different.
Here, they were protectors.
Almost kings.
Laurence greeted the people with a solemn gesture.
Martha lowered her head with a faint smile.
Sofia, on the other hand, barely paid attention to the celebration. Her eyes moved across the streets, the walls, and the faces of the inhabitants.
As if she were making sure everything was still in its place.
In the main square, a gray-bearded man wearing a blue cloak was waiting for them.
"My lord Duke," he greeted with a bow. "Dunverne is honored by your return. The castle is ready to receive you."
"Thank you, Aurel," Laurence replied. "It's good to be home."
Count Aurel Van Drast mounted his horse and led the caravan toward Ardenthal Castle.
The fortress stood on a hill surrounded by stone gardens and ancient cypress trees.
The reception was worthy of the ducal family.
Servants lined up.
Torches burning.
Gates open.
After several days of travel, they were finally home.
A few hours later, the castle had returned to its usual tranquility.
In one of the rooms in the east wing, Lusian was trapped.
Literally.
"Mother... you can let me go now."
Sofia's arms were wrapped tightly around him.
"No."
"I'm sixteen."
"So?"
"I'm not a child anymore."
Sofia smiled and ruffled his hair.
"To me, you always will be."
Lusian sighed.
He had fought monsters.
He had survived situations that should have killed him.
He was even involved with the future Demon Queen.
But apparently, none of that was enough to escape a mother's hug.
A knock sounded at the door.
"Come in."
Albert entered.
"My lady. The troops have already been settled, and the staff has been assigned according to your orders."
"Good work."
Sofia still hadn't let go of Lusian.
Albert kept a serious expression.
Although a small smile threatened to appear.
"We will rest today. We will leave for the capital of the duchy at dawn on the second day. Make sure everyone is ready."
"As you command."
Albert turned to leave.
"Albert."
The captain stopped.
Lusian poked his head out from between his mother's arms.
"It's been a while since I've seen you, old man."
Albert smiled.
"Does my young lord miss our training sessions?"
Lusian went pale.
He remembered those sessions perfectly.
Wooden swords.
Running until he vomited.
And Albert hitting him every time he lowered his guard.
"No."
The answer came far too quickly.
Albert burst out laughing.
"What a shame."
"I just want to take a walk around the city."
Lusian looked at his mother.
"You'll come with me, right?"
Sofia finally released him.
"You may go."
Lusian blinked.
"Really?"
"Yes."
She paused.
"But come back before nightfall."
Lusian smiled.
"I promise."
"And don't go into any taverns."
His smile disappeared.
"Why does everyone think I'm going to do that?"
Albert cleared his throat.
Sofia raised an eyebrow.
Lusian sighed.
"All right."
He headed toward the door.
Before leaving, he heard his mother's voice.
"Lusian."
He turned.
Sofia was looking at him with a peaceful smile.
"Welcome home."
Lusian stood still for a moment.
Then he smiled.
"Thanks, Mom."
And left the room.
Sofia watched him go.
For a few seconds, the woman who had faced the bear that morning disappeared.
Only a mother remained.
Lusian descended the castle stairs as sunlight filtered between the towers of gray stone.
The air smelled of freshly baked bread and iron.
Albert walked beside him, carrying himself with the rigid posture of a veteran who seemed incapable of relaxing.
A little farther behind, Adele rode Rasha, her white tiger. Isabella walked beside them with her usual elegance, still somewhat uncomfortable with the new clothes she was wearing.
Ten knights completed the small escort behind them.
Lusian sighed.
"I just wanted to take a walk."
Albert didn't even look at him.
"And that's exactly what we're doing, my lord."
Lusian glanced over his shoulder.
Ten armed knights.
"Does this look like a walk to you?"
"Your safety is the duchy's responsibility."
"Then the duchy needs to relax."
Adele let out a small laugh.
"It could be worse."
Lusian looked at her.
"How?"
"My teacher could be following us."
Lusian went pale.
"Don't say things like that."
Adele smiled.
"Then stop complaining."
They passed through the fortress gates and entered Dunverne.
The city was full of life.
Merchants shouted their offers, blacksmiths worked beside the walls, and children ran through the streets carrying small silver-dragon banners.
When they saw Lusian pass, people stepped aside and greeted him respectfully.
There was no fear.
Only pride.
Lusian watched the scene in silence.
How strange.
Outside the Douglas lands, his family name could inspire fear.
Here, it was different.
Here, the Douglases were protectors.
Almost kings.
They continued until they reached a small square.
A group of apprentices were practicing with mana crystals.
One of them began glowing too brightly.
POP!
A small blue explosion made several boys stumble backward.
"I told you not to overload it!"
"I didn't!"
Albert frowned.
He approached the crystal.
"Let me see."
Lusian stopped as well.
The crystal was still emitting small flashes.
"Is that normal?"
Albert shook his head.
"Not exactly."
"Why?"
The veteran examined the crystal.
"Small anomalies have been occurring lately. The crystals are charging faster than usual."
Lusian remained silent.
"Since when?"
"A few days."
Lusian looked at the crystal.
Then he raised his eyes toward the sky.
The strange lights from that night were no longer visible beneath the sunlight.
But he knew they were still there.
"Do the priests have an explanation?"
Albert shook his head.
"They talk about changes in the mana currents."
"And what do you think?"
Albert shrugged.
"When crystals start behaving strangely, it's usually better not to stay nearby."
Lusian let out a small laugh.
"Finally, you say something sensible."
Albert looked at him.
"My lord, that's exactly what I've been trying to tell you since we left the castle."
Adele laughed again.
Isabella smiled as well.
Lusian sighed.
"Why is everyone against me?"
"Because you tend to have bad ideas," Isabella replied.
Lusian turned toward her.
"You too?"
Isabella shrugged.
"I'm only starting to get to know you, my lord."
"That was cruel."
"I'm sorry."
But she was smiling.
Lusian shook his head.
"You're definitely a terrible maid."
Isabella lowered her gaze to hide another smile.
And they continued walking toward the central market.
The stalls were filled with fruits, vegetables, and game meat.
A musician played a lute while another accompanied him on a flute.
For a moment, Dunverne seemed completely normal.
Lusian observed the streets.
The people.
The children.
The shops.
The walls.
Everything was in its place.
But he knew something was changing.
And this time, he wasn't going to wait for the change to reach his doorstep.
Adele stopped in front of a weapons stall and picked up a dark steel dagger.
"Good balance."
The blacksmith smiled proudly.
"Forged right here, my lady. Douglas steel."
"Not bad."
A few steps away, Isabella had stopped in front of a flower stall.
She picked up a small sprig of white lavender and brought it close to her face.
Lusian watched her for a moment.
For the first time since leaving the capital, Isabella seemed to forget that she was wearing a magical oath around her neck.
She was simply enjoying a flower.
Lusian smiled slightly.
"Do you like it?"
Isabella seemed to realize that he was watching her and immediately lowered the sprig.
"It's pretty, my lord."
"Then buy it."
"There's no need."
"That wasn't a question."
Isabella opened her mouth in surprise.
Adele giggled.
"Looks like someone is learning how to be a good lord."
"Don't ruin the moment."
Lusian continued walking.
Albert cleared his throat.
"We should return before nightfall."
"All right."
But before they could take another step, a gust of wind swept across the square.
Small glowing fragments rose between the cobblestones.
Adele stopped smiling.
"Albert..."
The veteran caught one of the fragments between his fingers.
"Mana crystals."
Lusian looked around.
Nobody seemed alarmed.
The merchants continued working.
The children kept playing.
As if it were normal.
Lusian pressed his lips together slightly.
It wasn't.
"Let's go back," he said.
This time, he didn't complain.
On the morning of the third day, the caravan set out again.
Three hundred knights accompanied the carriages while the silver dragon banner flew above the column.
Inside the carriage, Lusian watched the landscape.
Forests.
Fields.
Small villages.
Too many villages.
His mind wouldn't stop turning.
The phenomenon has already reached Dunverne.
And if the mana keeps increasing, the rural areas will be the first to suffer the consequences.
He remembered the bodies beside the road.
Then he remembered the beasts.
A monster that shouldn't have left the forest.
And the sky.
Everything was happening far too soon.
Lusian rested a finger against the glass.
"We need a census."
Sofia, sitting across from him, raised an eyebrow.
"A census?"
"I want to know how many people live in every village. How much food they produce. How many soldiers they have and which roads they use."
Sofia watched him for several seconds.
"And why do you need to know all that?"
Lusian remained silent.
Sofia narrowed her eyes.
"You want to move them."
Lusian nodded.
"Before it becomes necessary."
Sofia leaned back against her seat.
"Then do it."
"Just like that?"
"You're the heir of the Douglases. You can order a census."
Lusian let out a small laugh.
"I suppose that title is useful for something."
Sofia looked at him proudly.
"Much more than you realize."
Lusian turned his gaze back toward the road.
He still didn't know how to stop what was happening.
He didn't even know what was causing it.
But he knew one thing.
He couldn't protect everyone.
Not yet.
So he would have to start with what he could control.
The duchy.
If the duchy remained strong, so would he.
And if the duchy survived...
Perhaps he could prevent that story from ending the way he remembered it.
Lusian closed his eyes.
"First, the census."
Then he slowly opened his hand.
"After that, we'll see what the hell is happening to this world."