The massive gates of Kalburg's inner district slowly opened with a deep metallic groan that echoed through the streets like distant thunder. Captain Finn rode at the front while the soldiers surrounded the group from every direction, their hands resting near the hilts of their Nexometal swords as if they expected betrayal at any second.
The people of Kalburg stared in silence.
Some stopped working entirely just to watch them pass.
Others whispered nervously to one another.
Mothers pulled their children closer.
Shopkeepers froze behind their market stalls.
And almost every pair of eyes eventually drifted toward Barry.
Fear spread through the streets faster than fire.
The Titan Golem towered above everyone else, his enormous stone body moving carefully through the city so he would not damage anything. Even while trying to appear harmless, he still looked terrifying.
Johann slowly looked around in amazement.
„Johann: Wow... this place is way better than our village ever was."
Kalburg truly felt like another world.
Beautiful stone roads stretched across the city. Bright banners danced in the wind between rooftops. Large markets overflowed with food, fabrics, jewelry, and tools. People laughed. Children played. Music could be heard somewhere in the distance.
For the first time in what felt like forever...
the group saw a place untouched by horror.
No ruins.
No corpses.
No monsters crawling through the darkness.
Just life.
And somehow, that almost felt unreal.
Meanwhile...
Deep inside the forest bordering Kalburg's outer fields, two figures stood hidden between the trees.
Lilithra leaned lazily against a rock while a tiny Hell Beetle crawled across the ground in circles, sniffing the dirt repeatedly.
„Lilithra: So? Did you find them yet, Jo?"
The small creature chirped excitedly.
„Jo: Dh dh dh!"
Lilithra smirked.
„Lilithra: Good. So they really are somewhere behind those giant walls."
Behind her, Mimic slowly stepped out from the shadows. His glowing eye focused on the distant kingdom visible through the trees.
„Mimic: Good... then this will be easier than I expected."
Lilithra crossed her arms.
„Lilithra: Oh really? And how exactly do you plan on getting through walls that big?"
A twisted smile slowly spread across Mimic's face.
„Mimic: Because I know someone inside."
The wind suddenly grew colder.
„Mimic: Someone who will open the gates for us."
Lilithra raised an eyebrow.
„Lilithra: Huh. So what now?"
Mimic turned toward the darkness behind them.
„Mimic: Gather the army. Tell every Karagnist to prepare themselves."
His smile widened further.
„Mimic: Because tomorrow... Kalburg falls."
His laughter echoed through the forest.
„Mimic: Hahahahaha!"
Back in Kalburg, the group finally arrived at the castle gates.
The enormous structure towered above them like a mountain of stone and gold. Guards stood absolutely motionless near the entrance, their armor shining beneath the sunlight.
Captain Finn stopped walking.
He turned toward Noah.
„Finn: Alright. You follow me."
His eyes drifted toward Barry.
„Finn: But that thing will be taken somewhere far away from the castle and placed under heavy supervision."
Noah looked worried for a moment before nodding.
„Noah: Alright... as long as it's only temporary."
Finn gestured toward several soldiers.
„Finn: Take the Titan Golem to the holding cages."
„Soldiers: Yes, Captain!"
Barry slowly looked at Noah.
For a moment, Noah could almost see uncertainty in the giant creature's eyes.
„Noah: It's okay, Barry. We'll get you out soon."
Barry slowly nodded before allowing the soldiers to lead him away.
The giant castle doors opened.
The group stepped inside.
The interior was breathtaking.
Massive chandeliers hung from the ceiling. Red carpets stretched across endless hallways. Elegant paintings covered the walls beside ancient suits of armor.
Even Karoschi looked impressed.
„Heinrich: Holy shit... this place is insane."
„Karoschi: I have to agree."
As they continued walking, Noah noticed something strange.
Every single guard carried a Nexometal sword.
Just like his.
His eyes widened slightly.
He leaned closer to Karoschi and whispered quietly.
„Noah: Karoschi... look at their swords."
Karoschi immediately noticed it too.
„Karoschi: You're right…"
His expression darkened.
„Karoschi: But where did they get so much Nexometal?"
„Noah: I don't know... but if they fight beside us against Karag…"
Hope slowly returned to his voice.
„Noah: Then maybe we actually stand a chance."
„Finn: Stop whispering."
The group immediately went silent.
Eventually, they arrived before a massive pair of doors guarded by heavily armed soldiers.
The guards opened them.
The moment Noah stepped inside, he froze.
The throne room was enormous.
Rows of guards stood along both walls like statues. Sunlight poured through giant stained-glass windows, painting the room in gold and crimson colors.
And at the far end of the hall sat two thrones.
King Leopold Kal.
Queen Amalia Kal.
Captain Finn stepped forward before kneeling respectfully.
„Finn: Your Majesties. I have brought the outsiders before you so their judgment may be decided."
King Leopold leaned forward slightly.
„Leopold Kal: I see…"
His calm eyes studied the group carefully.
„Leopold Kal: And what exactly have these young people done?"
Finn answered immediately.
„Finn: They attempted to bring a Titan Golem inside Kalburg."
Murmurs spread across the room.
Several guards tightened their grip on their weapons.
„Finn: The creature is currently secured under heavy watch."
The King's expression remained unreadable.
„Leopold Kal: Can you explain yourselves?"
Noah slowly stepped forward before kneeling.
„Noah: Your Majesty… our village was destroyed by monsters."
The throne room became silent.
„Noah: We lost everything."
He looked directly into the King's eyes.
„Noah: During our journey, we met Barry. He wasn't like the others. He protected us."
His voice grew more desperate.
„Noah: He's not evil. Please… believe me."
Finn frowned immediately.
„Finn: Humans and monsters cannot coexist."
„Noah: Yes they can!"
Everyone looked toward Noah.
„Noah: We came here because we need allies. We want to kill Karag."
Even the guards looked shaken after hearing the name.
„Noah: We want revenge for everyone we lost."
King Leopold remained silent for several moments.
The tension in the room became unbearable.
Finally—
„Leopold Kal: In my name, you are free."
Relief instantly spread across the group.
„Anna: We actually did it…"
„Noah: Thank you, Your Majesty."
But Finn immediately stepped forward again.
„Finn: What?! Your Majesty, this is madness! They are dangerous!"
„Johann: Oh, shut up already!"
Several guards immediately glared at him.
The King's voice suddenly became colder.
„Leopold Kal: Captain Finn."
Finn immediately fell silent.
„Leopold Kal: They committed no crime."
Before Finn could answer—
another voice suddenly echoed through the hall.
„Leyla: There are monsters outside the walls?"
Everyone turned in shock.
Princess Leyla stood hidden near one of the pillars.
King Leopold's face immediately changed.
„Leopold Kal: Oh no…"
Leyla stepped forward angrily.
„Leyla: I want the truth."
The Queen stood up carefully.
„Amalia Kal: Leyla, please—"
„Leyla: No! Did you really think you could lie to me forever?!"
The room became painfully quiet.
King Leopold closed his eyes briefly.
Then he sighed.
„Leopold Kal: Prepare rooms for our guests."
A guard bowed.
„Guard: Yes, Your Majesty."
The group was eventually escorted through the castle halls toward their rooms.
„Guard: These chambers will be yours for the night. If you need anything, I'll be nearby."
The group slowly entered.
Soft beds.
Warm blankets.
Safety.
It almost didn't feel real.
Noah carefully placed his backpack containing the Nine Parts beside the wall before sitting down silently.
But his mind wouldn't rest.
What were the King and Queen telling Leyla right now?
And why did this kingdom possess so many Nexometal weapons?
Meanwhile...
Far outside Kalburg…
Lilithra sat beside a campfire while Mimic stared toward the distant kingdom walls.
„Lilithra: The army arrives tomorrow."
„Mimic: Good."
He slowly closed his eyes.
Then he spoke telepathically.
„Mimic: Can you hear me?"
A voice answered inside his mind.
„???: Yes, sir."
„Mimic: Prepare everything. Tomorrow we attack Kalburg."
„???: Understood."
Mimic opened his eyes again.
„Mimic: It's done."
Lilithra smirked slightly.
„Lilithra: So… we're completely alone now?"
Mimic immediately looked annoyed.
„Mimic: Seriously? Here?"
Lilithra laughed softly.
„Lilithra: Fine. Another time."
Nearby, the tiny Hell Beetle curled up on top of her hat and instantly fell asleep.
And far away...
inside the peaceful walls of Kalburg...
nobody yet realized that by tomorrow—
war would arrive at their gates.