Everyone at Queen Fiora's meeting listened attentively to Prince Lon's testimony.
"We were divided into six groups, each consisting of a hunter and three recruits. Our mission was to hunt the assigned beasts!" Lon declared, but Reece abruptly interrupted him.
"We all know that already. We all went through this trial in our youth—get to the point, boy!" Reece remarked. Liliam quickly told him to be quiet, as Lon was nervous and needed to recount everything he had experienced.
"Young Prince, please continue. I need everyone here to hear your testimony!!" Fiora exclaimed. At this, both Reece and Liliam fell silent. Lon continued.
Flashback of Prince Lon Bright…
"We had been riding for quite some time. The rain suddenly intensified, and as we neared the Blue Wasteland, Alistar ordered the groups to separate. I remember all their faces—my friends were nervous. Then, a strange mist surrounded us. The rain became heavier, the air turned dense, and suddenly... we heard screams. Those monsters appeared. Arata, our leader, immediately ordered defensive stances. He led us toward the outskirts of Threnafell, but we were terrified."
End of Prince Lon Bright's Flashback…
"I saw so many of my comrades get devoured by those monsters!" Lon cried out, tears beginning to spill from his eyes. Liliam immediately rose from her seat to comfort her son, who was on the verge of breaking down. Fiora also stood from her throne and approached them.
"Liliam, take him to his chambers. Let him calm down. Once he does, come find me, and I'll tell you everything!" Fiora commanded. Liliam obeyed and left with Lon, leaving Fiora alone with the nobles.
"This is truly horrifying, Your Majesty… What will happen to the families of the children who died!?" Akira asked, concern written all over her face. Reece remained silent.
"I will personally take care of the families of the fallen. But this was not just an attack—it was orchestrated!" Fiora declared. The expressions of the three nobles shifted dramatically, filled with fear and confusion.
"What are you saying, Your Majesty?" they asked, incredulously. Fiora shared her suspicion.
"According to a survivor, someone who was nearly devoured by one of those creatures. She managed to observe a pattern in their attack!!" Fiora revealed.
"What kind of pattern? Are you saying he is near?" Rohan questioned. Reece was lost in thought while Akira recoiled in her chair.
"The huntress who survived noticed something… Those creatures were incredibly organized. She is certain they were looking for something—or someone!" Fiora exclaimed. At her words, the three nobles to rise from their seats.
"Then… he's searching for one of our recruits?" Reece asked in fear. The others were just as disturbed.
"I don't know… Maybe he was looking for my daughter. Perhaps he believed she would be there at that moment…" Fiora responded.
"I know this may sound cruel to you, but I will use this incident to convince the other kingdoms to allow my Sentinels to study the Eighth Gate!" Fiora declared, shocking the nobles with this revelation.
"What does this mean, Your Majesty?" Rohan questioned. Fiora looked at him.
"I have already spoken with King Mustaffa of Aledis. He will support me in front of the other three kingdoms. In two days, they will meet at the ruins of Aldelviewreld. I will be there to negotiate. Because we must unite all the kingdoms to stop that bastard!" Fiora announced with unwavering authority.
"Your Majesty, are you certain they won't try anything against you? They could be setting a trap!" Akira warned, worried about the Queen's safety.
"I'll be fine. Mustaffa is on my side—that much is certain!" Fiora replied. But their conversation was interrupted by the sudden opening of the chamber doors. Crown Princess Sonia Windham entered.
As she approached, the nobles bowed, but they all noticed she was carrying a scroll.
"Mother, news has arrived from the Kingdom of Aledis!" Sonia exclaimed, breathing heavily, it was clear she had run all the way there.
"Catch your breath, my daughter. Why the rush!?" Fiora asked, puzzled. Sonia took a deep breath, then opened the scroll and handed it to her mother.
"King Mustaffa received news from Aldelviewreld—the climate has changed drastically, Mother. It's snowing heavily!" Sonia declared.
Fiora reads the scroll…
"To the Queen Fiora Bright-Windham, Sovereign Queen of Averford,
I fear that our meeting must be moved forward due to an emergency. Something is happening in Aldelviewreld—the climate has changed, and it is snowing intensely, accompanied by thunderstorms. We are bringing supplies and provisions for our forces. We will meet this evening. Along with this scroll, I am sending a runestone so you can link with me in Aledis and join us for arrival in Aldelviewreld together. I recommend bringing warm clothing and your trusted spear, as we do not know what might happen. Everyone will be armed. A cordial greeting to Your Majesty—I will be waiting for your arrival in Aledis."
Fiora finishes reading…
Fiora took the runestone in her hand.
"I must prepare immediately. I can't miss this opportunity!" Fiora exclaimed. The nobles pleaded with her to take guards for support, but she refused.
"My spear will suffice. Besides, I hope I won't have to use it. You may all leave—our meeting for today is over. I will summon you again when I return!" Fiora declared as she left the hall alongside her daughter, Sonia.
"Do you think it's a trap?" Akira asked. Reece pondered for a moment.
"I don't think so. If he recommended bringing her weapon, I'm sure even Mustaffa himself is afraid of whatever is happening there now!" Rohan remarked.
Fiora hurried to her chambers, grabbing a quill and the runestone, swiftly writing on an old parchment. As she wrote, she summoned one of her most trusted guards, who arrived immediately.
"At your service, My Queen!" he said.
"Take this scroll. Deliver it to Alistar. It is my order that he finds Montecristo wherever he may be and gives this to him if I have not returned within two days from today!" Fiora commanded.
The guard took the parchment and left. Fiora searched through her spacious wardrobes for a warm cloak and found a blue one. As she grabbed it, something fell—a black metal bracelet with a gray gemstone. Fiora picked it up gently, remembering the first time she saw it, a gift from her father when she was just twelve years old. Overcome with nostalgia, she placed the bracelet on her left wrist. As she activated it, a magnificent steel shield materialized, gleaming brilliantly.
"So, you were in this cloak all along… I wonder how long you've been there!" she whispered.
She put on the cloak and removed her crown. Sonia entered, watching her mother, her nervousness was evident.
"Are you okay, Mother?" Sonia asked.
"I'm nervous… and scared. This could go very well… or very badly!" Fiora admitted.
Sonia hugged her mother tightly. Fiora smiled, stroking her daughter's head, letting go of her fears.
"I'll be fine, my daughter. Don't worry about me!" Fiora reassured her.
"I know, Mom… I just really needed a hug!" Sonia replied. Fiora looked at her and kissed her forehead.
TO BE CONTINUED…