CHAPTER V
Eliana sipped her warm coffee on an unusually warm morning. An air that never existed in Notton, yet felt natural in the Sultanate of Oruman. Sunlight gently brushed her skin with comforting warmth. She sat across from the Sultan of Oruman, Hazrat Aydir. The two of them relaxed inside a small room whose entrance was tightly guarded from the outside. Stone and marble walls surrounded them, adorned with traditional Oruman carvings, while the scent of musk filled the room.
"It's been a long time since we spoke this closely, Master," Eliana began.
"We just did so in your kingdom, child, haha," Aydir replied.
"That's true, but it wasn't private. I needed a place like this," Eliana said.
"So, what brings you all the way here? I doubt this is merely to ease your longing," Aydir asked.
"Actually… I wish to ask you for something," Eliana replied.
"Of course. Whatever it is, I will help if I can."
"Would you… be my guardian at my wedding later?" Eliana asked shyly.
"Hahaha, there's no need to be shy. As for that, I will do my best to attend. If I am healthy, I will surely come," Aydir said warmly.
"But remember, this is not a trivial matter. If you choose someone, be sure that he is good in your eyes and that you are good in his. Do you still remember the criteria?" he continued.
"His physique, his character, and his strengths," Eliana answered.
"I remember them well, and I have already found them in him. I have no doubts anymore, Master!" Eliana said enthusiastically, clenching her fists.
"Good. I can see the goodness in that young man as well. I have no objections. Consider this my blessing," Aydir said after finishing his coffee in three gulps.
"Thank you, Master. Is there any advice you can give me?" Eliana asked.
"If so, then listen carefully. Learn to understand others and stop feeling as though you are always the most wounded. That trait still appears in you sometimes, and it worries me. It not only damages your harmony with him, but also torments your own mind. Your greatest enemy is your emotion—and your greatest ally is also your emotion," Aydir advised.
"I understand, Master, but—"
"The word but is denial," Aydir interrupted firmly. "As I told you, you still have not fully accepted what has happened, Eliana. No matter what you do, the past will not change. The only way to repair what remains is to let those memories rest and begin to become better."
"Yes, Master," Eliana said, lowering her head.
"Seeing you like this reminds me of when you were still a child. I know you carried many burdens, yet I wanted you to stay happy, even if it risked spoiling your way of thinking. Do you remember when you broke the pottery I had just finished? I scolded Fatih even though I knew you were responsible. I thought it would make you careless and disobedient. I was wrong. When I raised the cane to strike Fatih, you stepped in and confessed the truth. That was when I realized—you were truly kind. I want you to remain that way, even when no one is left to watch over you," Aydir said at length, touching Eliana's heart deeply.
Suddenly, one of the Oruman soldiers rushed in.
"My Sultan! Someone has come looking for you!"
Aydir and Eliana stood and walked down the palace corridors, magnificent and grand. They descended the spiraling stairs and moved straight toward the throne room on the lowest floor, which directly faced the city.
A woman stood there with a weary face, her hair messy, eyes swollen with tears. Aydir approached her gently.
"O mother, what sorrow troubles your heart?" he asked.
"Your mayor, Turkan… how long must we live as his slaves? How long will he feed himself with our money? Please help us, Master," the woman sobbed.
Aydir smiled calmly.
"Not long from now, by God's will, we shall receive good news."
---
"Velmora has been defeated. They are now one step closer to us," Katsura informed the others.
The six remaining sinners had gathered deep within the forest, atop a massive structure resembling a battle arena—cylindrical, over a kilometer in diameter, with two staircases at the front and back.
"How is that possible? Velmora was one of the strongest, wasn't she?" Yelena said while brushing her bright purple hair.
"If they beat her, that only means she was weak. I will not let them take a single point from me!" Jonathan said while adjusting his glasses.
"Why are we even gathering here now?" Thomas said as he approached while spinning his blazing scythe.
"Are we going to war?" Hanzo appeared from the black mist.
"As usual, you all desperately need my mana supply, hahaha," Turkan arrived with his bloated stomach jutting forward.
From another direction, an arrow shot down from the sky, aimed straight for Katsura's head.
ZEP!
Katsura caught it by reflex. A small letter was attached to the arrow.
He read it aloud:
"In the name of God, who delivers punishment to the sinful, we have come. We offer you two choices. Repent and surrender the keys willingly. If you refuse the first choice, then the heavens shall send those who do not cling excessively to the world, down upon you who hide behind walls that are, in truth, nothing more than a spider's web."
Enraged, Thomas tore the letter to shreds.
"From the wording alone, the sender must be the former Sultan of Oruman. Who else could it be but Fatih?" Turkan sneered.
"Then we choose to slaughter them all. If Lord Orion cannot possess the sacred weapon, then neither shall they," Katsura commanded.
All of them silently agreed and sat still atop the arena, as if meditating in preparation for war.
---
Meanwhile, deep beneath the earth, only the sound of dripping water echoed through complete darkness. A place where life felt heavy and suffocating. A figure lay upon the mud.
Maria gazed upward with heavy breaths and a delighted smile.
"Kaizo… at last… we meet… I truly missed you… even if you don't know me at all."
She rose from the mud and raised her hand forward. The earth opened a new tunnel as if making way for her. She found an underground hot spring releasing clouds of steam. Maria undressed and submerged herself in the warm water, feeling peace flow through her veins. Within her heart, she repeated only one name.
"Kaizo Dantarona…"
From behind her, footsteps echoed across the wet ground.
A man approached her—Kaizo Dantarona himself.
"I looked into your eyes, and it felt as if they were calling me. So… what is it?" Kaizo said calmly.
"Aaah~ You're not even nervous seeing me bathe. Oh, by the way, do they know you left?" Maria teased.
"Fatih knows. He was worried, but I said I could kill you if you tried anything strange. And I would not hesitate. Know this, Maria—I am far stronger than anyone can imagine. Even Orion," Kaizo declared, his blue eyes glowing.
"You're so intimidating… it makes me curious~" Maria said as she touched the tip of his boot.
"Before I speak, let me get out first—" she tried to climb from the pool.
Kaizo stopped her by placing his foot on her head.
"I will end you if you show that to me. Just speak. I am listening," he said with a smile.
"All right~" Maria replied, pushing his foot away.
They spoke loudly and passionately, yet their voices would never be heard this deep beneath the earth.
---
The following day, as the sun began to set, the four heroes—Fatih, Bones, Kirito, and Zen—were making their way toward the battlefield.
"Kaizo still hasn't returned. Is he all right? Or did he run away?" Zen asked.
"He said it might take time, but he promised he would join us," Fatih answered.
"Well, I'm more worried he might betray Eliana. That woman we met last night seemed very interested in him," Zen muttered.
"If he wants her, he shouldn't settle for just one—take both! Strong men need many companions! Like me, with fifty wives! Hahaha!" Bones laughed loudly.
"Kaizo is not that kind of person. Trust him. He will bring something important," Fatih said.
"Oy! Wait for me!" Kaizo shouted from behind, waving as he ran toward them.
"I told you he'd come," Fatih said.
"Your hair is wet. Did you just bathe?" Zen asked.
"Yes! The underground hot spring was incredible! You should try it sometime!" Kaizo replied cheerfully.
"So, what about her? Did you fight?" Kirito asked.
"We only talked. But I can't tell you the details—we agreed to keep it secret. What matters now is our target. Stay alert. She is not our ally," Kaizo said.
"Wow, keeping secrets now? Really, Kaizo…" Bones grumbled.
"Let him. Kaizo will do anything to defeat Orion. That much is true," Fatih said.
"Exactly. All roads lead to Rome—wait, there's no Rome here, is there?" Kaizo laughed.
The five of them continued toward the battlefield.
---
Eliana tied her hair back. In the middle of Notton's raging blizzard, she wore only a crop top and short pants without any footwear. In the freezing courtyard behind the palace, she clenched her fists, ready to face Vernizel in a purely physical one-on-one battle.
Vernizel stood calmly before her.
To balance the fight, Vernizel threw away his mantle. It was so heavy that it made the ground tremble slightly. Beneath it, he wore a tight black shirt and gray training pants. The storm was so violent that no one else knew the battle was happening—everyone was hiding inside their homes.
Vernizel was unfazed by any concept, for he was the exception that caused all things. Meanwhile, Eliana's body had adapted to all temperatures through merciless training—diving naked into snowbanks until she died again and again. The freezing cold no longer troubled her. This was also why she survived the intense heat around Zamboss before.
"A fair fight?" Eliana shouted.
"Yes. Fair," Vernizel replied, his smile wide despite his furrowed brow.
"Even if I'm a woman, I can fight men in your way," Eliana said, bouncing like a professional boxer.
"Then I shall fight as a woman," Vernizel said calmly as he took a Wing Chun stance.
Eliana closed the distance and threw the first punch straight at his face.
TAP!
Vernizel deflected it outward with his left hand, twisted his body, and drove his elbow into Eliana's right eye. It instantly bruised and blurred her vision. He lifted his knee to strike, but Eliana blocked with both arms—creating an opening.
TRATATAT!
Five heavy blows slammed into her chest, sending her staggering backward. Vernizel advanced relentlessly. Eliana raised her arms defensively. A storm of continuous punches battered her front and sides—ribs, waist, shoulders, ears, and stomach.
Eliana collapsed to her knees. Blood poured from her mouth. Her body weakened.
Vernizel stepped back, offering her a chance.
The snow turned red.
With a roar, Eliana struck the ground, blasting away all the snow around her. In an instant, she fully regenerated and rose again. Vernizel shifted his stance.
Eliana launched a powerful kick. Vernizel bent backward, caught both her legs in mid-air, and forced them apart beyond human limits.
CRACK!
Eliana fell, clutching her thigh in agony. Yet her resolve did not break. As her leg healed, she braced herself again.
Suddenly, Vernizel leaped like a starving tiger.
Eliana countered with a kick. Vernizel blocked it mid-air. They both crashed down. Eliana struggled to remove the grip on her throat—but it was too late.
ZTRAAAK!
Vernizel tore out her throat, killing her instantly.
He raised it as a trophy.
Moments later, Eliana regenerated and sat up calmly, glaring at him in irritation.
Vernizel spoke softly,
"It seems you wish to become stronger. Do not worry—you will."
"Really? How?" Eliana asked.
"The tattoo on your shoulder. I am leaving for a while. The one I appointed to replace me will teach you about it," Vernizel said.
Eliana nodded. Vernizel helped her to her feet.
---
Eliana returned to her room and found a figure sitting by the window—tall, massive, terrifying.
Calabras.
"Vernizel has gone out to play. I will replace him. Do not misunderstand—his absence does not mean he is gone. He exists everywhere. Behave yourself, or I will correct you," Calabras spoke in a deep, icy voice.
Eliana backed away until she was cornered. With what little courage remained, her voice trembling in fear, she said,
"N–Nice to meet you… please help me…"
"There is no need to fear. Since you accept me, I shall take my leave first. I will search for the most comfortable place in this palace," Calabras said, opening the door.
"Oh, I almost forgot. My name is Calabras. A pleasure to be your companion, Eliana," he added, waving without looking back.
"He's so strange… Seriously, I have to deal with him now?" Eliana muttered.
"I can hear that. It's fine—I'm not sensitive!" Calabras shouted from the far end of the corridor.
At that moment, two women arrived from the staircase. One of them, dressed like a kunoichi, nearly dropped the box she was carrying when she passed Calabras.
"Stefania! Haruka! You finally arrived!" Eliana called out.
Stefania was the twenty-five-year-old owner of the bar at the edge of Notton—elegant yet authoritative, with long black hair and bright purple eyes. Her power was Telekinesis.
Haruka, twenty-three, wore a kunoichi uniform with yellow-black accents. Her power was Weapon Summoning.
"It's unusual for you to request us to personally deliver this wine. Normally only trusted soldiers may do so," Stefania said.
"I didn't summon you without reason. There is something I wish to ask you," Eliana replied.
"So, what makes you curious, Your Highness?" Haruka asked as she set down the box of wine bottles.
Eliana placed her hands on their shoulders and said,
"Are the two of you… willing to walk the same path as me—until the very end, even if it means standing against Orion himself?"
Stefania smiled gently.
"My loyalty was never to the throne," she said. "It was to you."
Haruka knelt on one knee.
"My blades exist for your command, Eliana."
Eliana's eyes trembled.
Then she smiled.
To be continued…