Deep beneath the beautiful walls of alias castle , beneath the tunnels built for ambush and the treasury rooms stacked with war calculations, there exists a chamber that does not appear beautiful and does not respond to ordinary authority, a hall carved from sound proof magic so dark it seems to absorb intention itself, where sound travels slower and words feel heavier, as though even language must ask permission before existing there, and inside that chamber two men stand facing one another across a long obsidian table whose surface reflects them in distorted outline, as if reminding them that in politics no man is ever fully what he appears to be.
The King's right hand stands with his posture straight and rigid ,a man whose loyalty has never been questioned yet whose thoughts are rarely shared without calculation, broad-shouldered, aging had marks related to wars but unweakened, dressed in dark formal armor that carries no emblem because in this hall identity is stripped down to function, and opposite him stands Otto, the foreign political minister of Aliase, a man who wears black not as fashion but as philosophy, curly hair falling slightly over calculating eyes that measure risk the way merchants measure gold, his fingers resting lightly against the obsidian table while his mind moves through possibilities faster than most generals move through battle formations.
The torches lining the walls looks so disciplined rhythm because even winds behaves cautiously in this room, and the right hand finally speaks in a low voice that carries weight without raising volume, explaining that Princess Lily's existence has moved beyond formal status and entered the realm of strategic vulnerability, because the ancient scripture-like markings that appeared on her skin from birth, luminous patterns woven into her back by daeva's ( heavenly deities) and shoulders like divine handwriting, have begun to match fragments found in relic manuscripts recovered from forbidden expeditions, manuscripts that has the knowledge of origin structure of the world and the alignment of the Sixteen Lokas, including the anonymous realm known as Pandemonium whose Knights have already begun to do suspicious activity and decided to make a move towards the southern edges of the kingdom.
Otto listens without interruption, his expression steady yet alert, because he has already suspected this conclusion and dislikes being correct in matters that involve children becoming symbols rather than daughters, and he responds by explaining that if those markings are indeed shankhalipi(undeciphered symbols)related to cartographic fragments rather than some decorative patterns then Lily herself represents a living coordinate system, a human map that could guide seekers toward the scattered fragments rumored to unlock knowledge of the world's origin and perhaps even control or seal access between Lokas, and such a revelation shifts her from protected royalty to contested asset in the eyes of enemies who understand value better than morality.
The right hand moves slowly around the table, his voice lowering further as he acknowledges that external nations may already suspect something unusual, because Velmora's diplomats have increased scholarly exchange proposals suspiciously close to relic discussions, Orrenvale has deployed surveyors near border ruins under the pretense of mineral studies, Mystralyn's spies have gone silent instead of reporting, and their naval inquiries have begun requesting access to coastal archives that historically held fragmented cosmological texts, and these patterns converge in a way that suggests someone else has begun connecting the same pieces they are now afraid to name aloud...
Otto responds and explains that such knowledge cannot be spoken in public councils because even walls develop ears when relics and Lokas are mentioned, and he suggests that kind of information must become priority alongside containment of Lily herself, because if she truly carries a living fragment of ancient cartography etched into her very skin then protecting her requires more than guards and etiquette, it requires strategy layered upon strategy, misdirection layered upon truth, and silence thick enough to suffocate rumor before it breathes.
{{ A noise comes from corridor a path that connects tunnel from. This room incoded with sound proven room. A special room that inside it people can hear noise from outside but exactly opposite those who are outside that room can't hear anything even if a lion roars}}
A faint echo interrupts them, the unmistakable cadence of approaching footsteps traveling through stone corridors that lead only to this chamber, and both men pause instinctively, the right hand's fingers brushing the concealed blade beneath the table while Otto remains composed, listening carefully because whoever walks these halls has already passed multiple sigil locks that respond only to specific authority signatures.
The door opens without ceremony, revealing Claire first, her shield resting against her back as if permanently fused to her profile , an apple already in her hand because apparently even the gravest meetings do not interrupt her habit of eating while speaking, her eyes is filled with laziness like always yet sharp enough to slice through deception, and behind her Christian Cole enters with the same effortless charm that makes half the palace staff suspicious and the other half slightly flustered, adjusting his sleeve casually and offering Otto a faint nod that balances respect with rivalry.
Claire walks forward without waiting for invitation, chewing thoughtfully before speaking in a tone that blends casual irritation with strategic awareness, explaining that southern villages have reported movements consistent with Pandemonium Knight scouting patterns and that treasury resources are already stretched thin between naval reinforcement, 4 years ago that triggered plague has been mysteriously resolved, and the relentless pursuit of relic fragments whose existence remains debated even among scholars, and she questions whether chasing ancient promises while fighting a five-cornered war constitutes wisdom or arrogance disguised as hope.
Christian steps forward and says he has an idea his voice smooth yet edged with calculation, elaborating that manpower has reached a point where elite units cannot be divided indefinitely without weakening the capital's defensive integrity, and he suggests acquiring additional combat assets through unconventional channels, carefully choosing his phrasing before Claire interrupts with blunt clarity by naming the proposal directly about obtaining the experimentally enhanced slaves capable of serving as controlled combat units.
The word settles into the chamber with deliberate gravity, and Otto's gaze shifts slightly as he identifies the source without hesitation, asking whether they refer to Moisis, the underground broker known for modifying slaves into disciplined weapons through methods rumored to involve relic fragments and arcane experimentation, and Christian's subtle surprise at Otto's familiarity is met with the minister's calm reminder that monitoring individuals like Moisis falls precisely within his professional responsibilities.
Christian explains that he had considered approaching Moisis personally, believing negotiation possible, yet Otto raises a hand gently but decisively, explaining that Moisis negotiates based on negotiation leverages rather than charm and that such transactions require political insulation as well as strategic foresight, and he declares his intention to handle the matter himself because he maintains prior dealings with Moisis that intersect with foreign intelligence interests beyond the immediate scope of slave assets.
Claire studies Otto while finishing her apple, her expression balancing skepticism and acceptance, and she remarks that if such enhanced assets are to be integrated into Aliase's forces they must remain controlled and loyal without compromising internal stability, because introducing modified combatants into a strained kingdom during a five-nation war and emerging Pandemonium activity carries risks that extend beyond battlefield outcomes into societal fracture.
Otto assures them that those protocols will be arranged discreetly and that Moisis understands the consequences of betrayal when negotiating with a capital already balancing war fronts and inter-Loka tensions, and he instructs Claire and Christian to strengthen southern defenses while keeping Princess Lily shielded from public exposure, emphasizing that her safety now intertwines with geopolitical equilibrium more tightly than any ceremonial crown ever could.
As the chamber quiets once more, the torches resume their steady rhythm, yet the atmosphere remains altered because decisions have shifted from speculation to motion, and somewhere above them the capital continues its daily routines unaware that beneath its foundations strategies are forming that involve living maps, hidden Lokas, modified warriors, and alliances forged in shadows, while Otto turns toward the corridor in his black attire already calculating his next conversation with Moisis, understanding that in a world where fragments of origin lie scattered and Knights from Pandemonium test the edges of reality, survival favors those who move before the board fully reveals itself.
[Scene shifts]
The corridor outside the royal strategy chamber was still heavy with silence because important decisions had just been made inside, and even the guards standing near the walls looked tense as if they could feel that something larger than a simple meeting had just taken place. Otto stepped out first with his usual calm expression, but the way he walked showed that his mind was already moving faster than his body, completely free and unaware but at the same time adjusting and calculating something that clearly required immediate action. Without turning his head or slowing his steps, he spoke in a firm and controlled voice, "Will, stop leaning on that pillar like a decorative plant and come with me right now because I do not have the patience to repeat myself today."
Will, who had been standing there with one sleeve hanging long over his hand and the other carelessly folded halfway up his arm, slowly lifted his head and looked at Otto with an expression that mixed boredom and mischief as if he had been waiting for this exact moment to annoy him. He pushed himself off the pillar lazily and replied, "First of all, you could try speak like a human being instead of like a commander ordering soldiers to march into some war, and second of all, where exactly are you dragging me because if this is another one of your serious political visits where old men have nothing but talks all about crops and taxes, I would rather stay here and count cracks in the wall."
Otto stopped walking and turned slightly toward him, his eyes calm but sharp, and answered, "You are coming because I said so, and you will walk with me without complaining because whether you accept it or not, I am your superior in this kingdom and you will learn to respect that position properly."
Will walked closer and gave him a long look from head to toe before responding with a small smile that clearly showed he was not planning to behave, "You are my sister's superior, not mine, and even that only works because Claire pretends to listen when it suits her mood, so please do not act like you have full control over the Leonhart family because even we do not have control over ourselves most of the time."
Otto's eyes narrowed slightly, and he replied in a dry tone, "Even your sister shows more discipline than you, and that is saying something because her decisions are often driven by emotion rather than reason."
Will laughed softly and shook his head while walking beside him, "That girl listens only when someone says 'food' or 'fight'. She is a complete numskull. Honestly, she shares half her brain with me."
if you think she is disciplined then I am worried about your judgment old hag, because that means your standards are dangerously low."
Otto inhaled slowly as if holding back the urge to argue further and answered in a controlled voice, "I am not old, and the only reason I appear tired sometimes is because I spend most of my time fixing mistakes created by young people like you who believe being sarcastic in front of your senior would make you look cooler" today's kids think that being sarcastic is a personality...
Will placed both hands behind his head while walking and replied with exaggerated innocence, "If sarcasm is a personality, then you are the opposite of it because you talk like someone who swallowed a law book and forgot how to smile, and if we are being honest here, you huff before sitting down which is usually a sign that your joints have started complaining."
Guards nearly about to laugh but hide their reactions, but Otto simply continued walking toward the palace gates where a carriage was already waiting, and he said calmly, "We are going to Dragon's Redar, and you will observe carefully because this visit is not for entertainment but for correction of a previous mistake."
Will immediately lowered his hands and looked at him with curiosity mixed with suspicion before asking, "Dragon's Redar is that underground place filled with strange experiments and questionable people, so what kind of mistake are we correcting exactly, and why do I feel like this story is going to be embarrassing for you?"
Otto stepped into the carriage first and answered without hesitation, "You will understand when we arrive, and I suggest that instead of guessing foolishly, you use your time to observe and learn because not every lesson needs to be explained" Sometimes you need to see and learn..
Will climbed in after him and sat across with a grin that refused to disappear, "If this lesson ends with something exploding or chasing us, I am officially blaming you for my early death, and I will make sure to haunt you in a very dramatic way"
Otto adjusted his gloves calmly and replied, "You lack the discipline required to haunt me, so let us focus on the present rather than your imaginary afterlife."
The carriage moved.
After a long ride away from the capital, they arrived at Dragon's Redar, which was built inside a rocky hill far from common roads, and the entrance itself looked more like a hidden smuggler's tunnel than a proper facility. Inside, the air was thick with the smell of chemicals and something unpleasantly organic, while green lamps hung from chains casting strange shadows across metal tables covered in tools, glass containers, and several egg-shaped objects resting in controlled chambers.
In the center of the large chamber stood Moisis, a very fat and completely bald man wearing formal clothes that looked expensive but strained at the seams due to his size, and his small eyes shifted quickly when he noticed Otto entering the room. He forced a wide smile and let out his usual eerie laugh that sounded like air escaping from a kettle, "Hehehehehe… Minister Otto, what an unexpected pleasure to see you here in my humble establishment."
When Moisis noticed Will standing beside Otto, his smile faltered slightly and he asked, "And why have you brought a child into a place of serious business, because this is not exactly a playground for curious youth?"
Will looked at him carefully and replied with exaggerated seriousness, "I could ask the same thing about you being here because you look like someone who accidentally became a scientist in a laboratory while chasing food, so maybe we should both question our life choices today."
Moisis' smile became rigid, and before another word could be spoken, he suddenly turned and attempted to run toward a side exit as if instinct told him that Otto's visit was not friendly.
Will blinked in surprise and quickly stepped forward to block his path while speaking loudly, "You are surprisingly fast for someone who looks like he should need assistance standing up, so please slow down before I start thinking you are hiding something more dangerous than your breathing habits."
Moisis froze when Will rolled up one sleeve completely while leaving the other loose as always, and Will leaned closer with a playful but threatening smile before saying, "If you attempt to escape again, I promise I will test whether your body makes interesting sounds when lightly introduced to the floor, and I am in a very curious mood today."
Otto stepped forward calmly and spoke in a low, controlled tone, "Relax yourself because I am not here to break bones today, although you did something very wrong the last time we were discussing business."
Will immediately turned toward Otto with confusion and asked, "What exactly did he do last time, and why are you speaking like there is a very embarrassing story hidden behind that sentence?"
Moisis tried to interrupt by clapping his hands nervously and saying, "Before we discuss history, Minister, allow me to show you new experimental creatures collected from the Hidden Mist Jungle of Alohamra, rare species that could serve as powerful visual assets for the kingdom and intimidate your enemies without even starting a war."
Otto raised his hand slightly to silence him and answered firmly, "No, you will not attempt to distract me with new products because last time you distracted me with something labeled as mountain wyvern eggs, and I will not repeat that mistake."
Will frowned immediately and looked between them before asking slowly, "You bought wyvern eggs from him, and why am I only hearing about this now because that sounds like something important and slightly ridiculous?"
A thin worker standing nearby could not resist speaking and said, "They were not real wyvern eggs, young master, because they were actually hardened waste organs from a mythological flying fish called Volan Pisciss, which leaves behind shell-like remains when its body disintegrates after death."
Will stared in disbelief and asked, "Are you telling me that the so-called eggs were actually leftover organs from a dead flying fish that simply looked similar to real wyvern eggs?"
The worker nodded confidently and continued explaining, "When a Volan Pisciss dies, its body melts and breaks apart naturally, and the remaining waste hardens into round shapes with layered shell patterns that look almost identical to authentic wyvern eggs, which is why the confusion happened."
Will slowly turned toward Otto with a face full of shock and said, "So you spent one million gold coins on hardened fish waste that only looked like dragon eggs, and then you told the entire kingdom that an unnamed thief stole the national treasure when in reality you were tricked by seafood?"
Moisis attempted to laugh nervously while wiping sweat from his bald head and replied, "Hehehehehe… it was a misunderstanding fueled by convincing resemblance, and even experts might have been deceived under pressure."
Otto's expression hardened as he stepped closer and said in a calm but heavy voice, "This time you will not offer me animals, eggs, or jungle creatures because I am here for something specific, and if you attempt to manipulate this transaction again, the consequences will not involve polite negotiation."
The room fell silent as Otto clearly stated, "I want experimental slaves, not beasts, and I want full details before any discussion of price begins."
Moisis swallowed and eventually agreed, leading to the presentation of nine modified individuals whose abilities he began to explain in detail while Otto carefully read through the written reports without interruption.
After reviewing everything thoroughly, Otto finally spoke, "They are suitable for combat, but I require someone who can observe, calculate, and detect enemies hidden behind friendly faces inside the capital, because strength alone does not protect a kingdom from betrayal."
Moisis warned him carefully, "An intelligent asset can become dangerous, and a mind sharp enough to see enemies can also decide to become one."
Otto responded without hesitation, "You will place the Lingua Mortis Seal upon him, a tongue-bound magic that ensures instant death if direct betrayal is attempted, so control will not be an issue."
After a long pause, Moisis signaled for another door to open, and a thin boy with calm eyes stepped forward while the other nine slaves visibly shifted uncomfortably at his presence.
Moisis explained slowly, "This one does not fight with strength but with pure intelligence, He understands my research better than my own assistants. He predicts results before experiments finish. The nine They are jealous of him. He is my most valuable asset."
and I obtained him from a man in the far North Kingdom who gave no name and no history, leaving the boy without memory or identity."
Moisis:" I call him subject -9999".
Will:" negative nine nine nine nine this is not name this is called bad math".
Otto studied the boy carefully and then placed a chess board on the table, explaining the rules clearly before beginning a match.
After the first game ended in Otto's defeat, Will stared in disbelief and said, "You mean to tell me that he learned the rules just now and still managed to defeat you in his first attempt, because if that is true then I am starting to feel slightly concerned about our household power balance."
Otto stood slowly and replied in a steady voice, ok you get what you demanded but this time "I will take all ten for one million gold coins , which corrects the previous imbalance created by your deception."
Moisis protested loudly, but Otto remained firm until he finally agreed.
As they prepared to leave, Will walked beside Otto and said in a half-teasing but thoughtful tone, "You really did lose one million gold to fish remains, and yet today you walked in calmly, corrected the account, and walked out with something far more dangerous than flying beasts, which makes me wonder whether the real threat to the kingdom has never been monsters but minds."
Otto adjusted his coat without looking at him and answered slowly, "Dragons can burn cities, but a single intelligent mind can burn kingdoms from within, and that is why this time I chose carefully instead of emotionally."
Will smirked slightly and replied, "Well, old hag, if that brain boy turns out to be smarter than you, I am definitely switching sides for entertainment purposes."
Otto allowed himself the smallest hint of a smile and said, "If that happens, I will simply outthink both of you."
And with that, they walked out of Dragon's Redar, not with beasts or eggs, but with something far more dangerous.