At the royal court:
—The dark temples are falling one after another... Who is responsible?
—Duke Douglas, Your Majesty.
There was a brief silence.
—Lusian?
—Yes.
Another silence.
—That boy?
The man lowered his gaze.
—No, Your Majesty.
His voice was more serious.
—He is no longer a boy.
In the monasteries:
—Pray for him.
—For Duke Douglas?
The priest closed his eyes.
—Only the gods know how much evil that young man carries.
In the villages:
—If the Duke passes through here, don't look him in the eyes.
—Why?
—They say he'll kill you if you look at him.
And in the military reports, the words were much colder.
Over the past twelve months, numerous cells of the demon cult have been eliminated.
No survivors have been found.
The individuals responsible for the attacks remain unidentified.
It wasn't the speed of the attacks that worried people.
It was something far worse.
The constant disappearance of people.
What if some of them were innocent?
A hideout would disappear overnight.
Then another.
Then another.
No major battles.
No armies.
Not even enough time for the cultists to call for help.
They simply vanished.
The rumors began calling him many things.
The Avenger of the North.
The Duke of Shadows.
The Cult Hunter.
But one story was repeated more and more often.
The Douglases had always been considered killers.
For generations, their family had built its reputation on the blood of its enemies.
Yet even those who had fought under the command of the previous dukes were beginning to say the same thing.
Lusian was worse.
Because his predecessors killed in wars.
Lusian hunted.
And he hunted at night.
His mastery of dark magic allowed him to disappear into the shadows, while Umber moved beside him like a beast born from that same darkness.
To the demon cult, the night was no longer a refuge.
It had become a warning.
When a shadow moved between the trees...
they ran.
When they heard a growl in the darkness...
they prayed.
And when a flash of white lightning appeared in the middle of the night...
it was already too late.
Meanwhile, the kingdom had begun to develop two very different perceptions of the young man.
The heroes were hope.
Lusian Douglas was fear.
They represented the light sent by the gods.
He represented the darkness that advanced without asking permission.
And little by little, the young duke's name stopped being associated solely with power.
It became associated with death.
The faint moonlight entered the window of the ducal palace in Acropolis.
The city was asleep.
After a year of pursuits, bloodshed, and rumors about the so-called Cult-Hunting Duke, the silence felt strange.
Almost unreal.
Inside the room, the atmosphere was completely different from that of the battlefields.
Candles cast soft shadows across the disheveled sheets.
Lusian was reclining against the headboard.
Emily was beside him, resting against his chest.
For a few moments, neither of them spoke.
There was no need to.
Emily's warmth accomplished something that no victory had managed to accomplish during the past year.
For a few minutes, Lusian could forget.
There were no maps on the table.
No temple names.
No blood.
Only Emily.
He closed his eyes.
Then she spoke.
—Lusian...
He opened one eye.
—Hmm?
There was something different in her voice.
—I need to talk to you.
Lusian opened his other eye.
—That never sounds good.
Emily raised her head to look at him.
—This entire year...
She paused.
—You've gotten worse every day.
Lusian looked back at the ceiling.
—I'm fine.
—No.
—Yes.
—No.
Lusian sighed.
—I'm perfectly fine.
Emily stared at him for several seconds.
—Yesterday, I found you asleep on top of a map.
—I was resting.
—You had a sword under your head.
—It was comfortable.
Emily narrowed her eyes.
—Lusian.
—What?
—You're not okay.
He let out a small breath.
The smile disappeared from his face.
Emily continued:
—You hunt at night. You train during the day. You eat absurd amounts of mana and then force your body to endure it as if you were indestructible.
Her fingers tightened slightly around his clothes.
—And when you finally manage to sleep, you barely rest for a few hours.
Lusian remained silent.
Emily lowered her gaze.
—You're destroying yourself.
This time, he didn't answer.
He closed his eyes.
She didn't understand.
No one could understand him.
He wasn't hunting for justice.
Nor was he doing it for revenge.
He was doing it out of fear.
A fear that never disappeared.
The cult.
The Demon Queen.
The ritual.
Elizabeth.
And that future only he remembered.
He had spent a year destroying everything he could find.
But as long as a single temple remained...
As long as a single cultist survived...
As long as one piece of that story remained in place...
he couldn't stop.
—Emily...
His voice came out quieter.
—I can't stop.
She raised her head.
—Why?
Lusian took too long to answer.
His fingers slowly tightened.
—Because if I leave even one of them alive...
He paused.
—Something could happen that I can't allow.
Emily stared at him.
—What?
Silence.
He couldn't tell her.
He couldn't tell her that he had lived through this story before.
He couldn't explain that he knew a future no one else remembered.
So he simply answered:
—Something terrible.
Emily continued staring at him.
She knew he was hiding something.
But she also knew that when Lusian shut himself off like this, pressing him wouldn't accomplish anything.
Instead of insisting, she took his hand.
—All right.
Lusian looked at her.
Emily intertwined her fingers with his.
—You don't have to tell me everything tonight.
He remained silent.
—But you don't have to carry everything alone, either.
Lusian lowered his gaze to their joined hands.
For several seconds, he simply remained there.
Then Emily spoke again.
—Although there is something I do need to tell you.
—What?
—I'm leaving for the Empire tomorrow.
Lusian went completely still.
—What?
Emily sighed.
—I knew you were going to make that face.
—What face?
—That one.
—I have no idea what you're talking about.
—The face that says, "I'm about to do something stupid."
Lusian frowned.
—I'm not going to do anything.
Emily smiled slightly.
—Yet.
Lusian ignored her.
—Why are you going to the Empire?
—The temples summoned us.
The smile disappeared from his face.
—The situation there has gotten worse. The barriers are failing, and the monsters are becoming stronger.
Lusian remained still.
Emily continued:
—The kingdom will send troops.
She paused briefly.
—And Princess Elizabeth has been appointed commander of the expedition.
Lusian's heart skipped a beat.
—Elizabeth?
—Yes.
Emily squeezed his hand slightly.
—It was a request from the temples. I don't know why they specifically insisted on her.
Lusian stopped listening for a few seconds.
The temples.
The Empire.
The barriers.
Elizabeth.
Everything fit together too quickly.
It couldn't be a simple coincidence.
After a year of hunting the cult...
now Elizabeth was heading directly into a region where the barriers were collapsing.
His expression changed.
Emily noticed.
—I know it's dangerous.
Lusian looked at her again.
—When do you leave?
—Tomorrow morning.
—Who's going?
—Kingdom troops, knights from several duchies, priests from the temples...
Emily paused.
—And Adela will be my escort.
Lusian nodded slowly.
—Good.
Emily stared at him for a few seconds.
—Is that all?
—Yes.
—You're not going to say anything?
—No.
—You're not going to try to stop me?
—No.
Emily narrowed her eyes.
—You're definitely planning something.
Lusian sighed.
—I'm just thinking.
—That worries me even more.
He let out a small laugh.
But it didn't last long.
Emily took his hand again.
—Lusian.
He looked at her.
—Promise me something.
—What?
—Don't lose yourself in this war.
Lusian remained silent.
Emily held his gaze.
—I don't want you to look back one day and not recognize the man you've become.
Lusian lowered his gaze slightly.
He could promise many things.
But not that.
Because if the gods were truly moving the pieces...
if the cult was behind everything...
if Elizabeth was in danger...
he didn't know how far he would be willing to go.
Even so, he gently squeezed Emily's hand.
—I promise.
Emily watched him for a few seconds.
Then she smiled.
—That's not exactly the promise I wanted.
Lusian raised an eyebrow.
—Then why did you accept it?
Emily rested her head against his chest again.
—Because I know you.
Lusian remained silent.
—And I know that when you say "I promise" like that...
Emily closed her eyes.
—it probably means you're going to do exactly whatever you want.
Lusian let out a small laugh.
—That's not true.
—Of course not.
She smiled.
—Get some sleep.
Lusian hugged her.
—Yes, ma'am.
—That's better.
Later, Emily fell asleep.
Lusian couldn't.
He remained staring into the darkness of the room.
His heart was beating too fast.
The Empire.
Elizabeth.
The temples.
The gods.
There was something there.
Something he couldn't see yet.
But he would find it.
Carefully, he got out of bed.
He left Emily sleeping and walked out of the room.
He needed to think.
He needed to see her.
Night covered Acropolis as Lusian walked through the palace corridors.
His footsteps barely made a sound.
The darkness seemed to welcome him, as if he belonged to it.
Finally, he reached the room where Elizabeth was staying.
Lusian stopped in front of the door.
He had considered simply walking in.
Then he remembered that doing so would probably end with Elizabeth hitting him for waking her in the middle of the night.
So he knocked.
Once.
—Who is it?
—It's me.
There were several seconds of silence.
—Lusian?
—Yes.
—It's late.
—I know.
—Did something happen?
—No.
Another silence.
—Then something definitely happened.
Lusian sighed.
The door finally opened.
Elizabeth appeared before him with her hair loose and a sleepy expression that disappeared as soon as she saw his face.
She stared at him for several seconds.
—That face...
—What's wrong with my face?
—It's the same face you make when you're about to do something stupid.
—I'm not doing anything stupid.
—Yet.
Lusian looked at her.
Elizabeth stepped slightly aside.
—Come in.
Lusian entered.
Elizabeth closed the door behind him and looked at him again.
—Now tell me what's going on.
Lusian remained silent for a moment.
—Emily told me you're leaving for the Empire.
Elizabeth blinked.
—Was that all?
—Yes.
—I thought you came because you missed me.
Lusian looked at her.
—I saw you this afternoon.
—That doesn't answer the question.
—Elizabeth...
She smiled.
—Fine. What's going on with the Empire?
—I'm going with you.
The smile disappeared.
Elizabeth stared at him.
—With me?
—Yes.
—To the Empire?
—Yes.
She narrowed her eyes.
—Interesting.
—What?
—Nothing.
—Elizabeth.
—It just seems curious.
She crossed her arms.
—Emily is going to the Empire.
—Yes.
—And right after finding that out, you decide to go.
—I'm going with you.
—That's what you say.
Lusian frowned.
—Because you're going.
Elizabeth tilted her head slightly.
—And what if it were Emily who was going?
—Emily is going too.
—You don't understand.
—I understand you perfectly.
—Are you sure?
—Yes.
Elizabeth pointed at him.
—Then tell me why you're going.
Lusian looked at her as if the answer were obvious.
—Because you're going.
Elizabeth fell silent.
For a moment, she seemed satisfied.
But then a small smile appeared on her lips.
—Good.
—Good?
—Yes.
—That's it?
—No.
Elizabeth raised one finger.
—First, I want to know something.
Lusian was already beginning to suspect that this wasn't going to end well.
—What?
—Is Isabella going too?
—I don't know.
—What if she is?
—It wouldn't change anything.
—Are you sure?
—Yes.
Elizabeth nodded slowly.
—Good.
She raised another finger.
—And Adela?
Lusian frowned.
—What's with Adela?
—Nothing.
—That "nothing" means nothing good.
—She's your escort.
—Yes.
—A very beautiful woman.
—Elizabeth...
—And she looks at you quite a lot.
Lusian blinked.
—She looks at me?
Elizabeth opened her eyes in disbelief.
—You hadn't noticed?
—No.
—Of course you hadn't.
—What?
—Nothing.
Lusian stared at her for a few seconds.
—Are you jealous?
—No.
The answer came far too quickly.
Lusian raised an eyebrow.
—Of course.
—I'm not jealous.
—Then why did you just mention Emily, Isabella, and Adela?
—Because I have a good memory.
—That doesn't answer the question.
Elizabeth stepped a little closer.
—Besides, Isabella said in front of the entire duchy that she was your partner.
Lusian froze.
—That was...
—What?
—A complicated situation.
—Uh-huh.
Elizabeth crossed her arms again.
—And I didn't say anything at the time.
—I know.
—You were grieving.
—I know.
—So I decided not to argue with you.
Lusian swallowed.
—Elizabeth...
She smiled.
—But that doesn't mean I forgot.
—I never thought you had.
—Good.
—Good?
—Just making sure.
Lusian let out a small laugh.
Elizabeth lightly punched him in the chest.
—Don't laugh.
—It's because you're jealous.
—I'm not jealous.
—You are.
—No.
—Very much.
—Lusian.
—Yes?
—Shut up.
Lusian smiled.
Elizabeth stared at him.
—And stop smiling.
—I'm not smiling.
—Yes, you are.
—A little.
She shook her head.
—Idiot.
For the first time in a long while, Lusian felt that the conversation had nothing to do with cults, monsters, training, or death.
And he realized he had missed this.
Normality.
Simply being there.
With her.
Without having to think about anything else.
Elizabeth seemed to notice it too.
Her expression softened.
—Now.
—What?
—Tell me the truth.
Lusian stopped smiling.
—About what?
—About the Empire.
She moved a little closer.
—Why do you really want to go?
Lusian took a few seconds to answer.
—Because I don't like the idea of you going alone.
—I'm not going alone.
—I know.
—Emily will be there.
Lusian looked at her.
Elizabeth smiled slightly.
—And several knights.
—I know.
—Then that's not it.
Lusian remained silent.
Elizabeth watched him for several seconds.
—Are you worried about me?
—Yes.
The answer came immediately.
Elizabeth stopped smiling.
—Because of the Empire?
—Partly.
—Because of the monsters?
—That too.
—Because of the temples?
Lusian took another second.
—Yes.
Elizabeth studied him carefully.
—So you are worried.
—A little.
—Lusian.
—A lot.
Elizabeth let out a small laugh.
—At least you're honest.
She stepped closer and took his hands.
—But you don't have to treat me like I'm going to break.
—I'm not.
—Yes, you are.
—No.
—You have ever since I met you.
Lusian looked at her.
Elizabeth smiled.
—I'm a princess.
—I know.
—I'm the Hero of Light.
—I know that too.
—And I can defend myself.
—I know.
—Then...
Elizabeth raised an eyebrow.
—Why are you still worried?
Lusian remained silent.
Then he answered simply:
—Because I can worry even if I know you can defend yourself.
Elizabeth stared at him for several seconds.
Her expression softened.
—I like that.
—What?
—That you don't try to convince me that you're the only one who can protect me.
Lusian smiled slightly.
—I never said that.
—But you think it.
—Sometimes.
Elizabeth let out a small laugh.
—You're impossible.
She stepped closer and rested her forehead against his.
—Fine.
—What?
—You can come.
Lusian blinked.
—Just like that?
—No.
Elizabeth's smile returned.
—There's one condition.
Lusian sighed.
—I knew there was one.
—While we're in the Empire...
She raised one finger.
—Don't flirt with other women.
—I don't flirt with other women.
—Emily.
—She's my fiancée.
—That doesn't help.
—What do you want me to say?
—Nothing. I'm just making the rules clear.
Lusian shook his head.
—Fine.
Elizabeth raised another finger.
—Isabella.
—No.
—Adela.
—Neither.
Elizabeth stared at him.
—Are you sure?
—Yes.
—Not even a little?
—Elizabeth.
She burst out laughing.
—All right, all right.
Lusian sighed.
—Are you done?
—Almost.
—What's left?
Elizabeth smiled.
—For you to admit that you're going to the Empire because of me.
Lusian looked at her.
—I'm going to the Empire because of you.
Elizabeth's smile became much softer.
—That's what I wanted to hear.
She leaned in and kissed him.
Lusian returned the kiss without hesitation.
When they parted, Elizabeth remained close.
—Although I still think Adela looks at you too much.
—I hadn't noticed.
—Of course you hadn't.
—What am I supposed to do?
Elizabeth smiled.
—Nothing.
—Nothing?
—Just remember that I have eyes.
—That's starting to worry me.
—It should.
Lusian let out a small laugh.
Elizabeth hugged him again.
For several seconds, neither spoke.
Then she murmured:
—I'm glad you're coming.
Lusian hugged her a little tighter.
—Me too.
Elizabeth raised her head.
—Although...
—What now?
—If any woman tries to get too close to you...
Lusian sighed.
—Elizabeth.
—I'm just saying.
—I'm not going to do anything.
—You'd better not.
She smiled and rested against him again.
Lusian closed his eyes.
For once, he wasn't thinking about training.
Or the cult.
Or the monsters.
Or everything he still had to do.
He was simply there.
With Elizabeth.
And that was enough.
Although, deep down, he knew perfectly well that the journey to the Empire would not be peaceful.
The barriers were collapsing.
The monsters were growing stronger.
And the temples had specifically requested Elizabeth's presence.
Lusian didn't trust them.
But he didn't need to explain everything to her that night.
He only needed one thing.
If Elizabeth was going to the Empire...
he would go too.
And, of course, he would have to endure his girlfriend watching his every move throughout the entire journey.
For some reason, that seemed considerably more dangerous than facing the monsters.