In a vast hall lit by crystal candles, Saruto and Lucien sat around a round table covered with maps of the kingdoms and sheets of paper bearing the names of princes and princesses. The atmosphere was heavy with seriousness, as if they were planning a war, not a party.
"Hansa, you told me it's a party," Lucien said, resting his hand on his chin. "So what will it be like?"
Saruto smiled confidently. "As I told you before, a gathering of the heirs of the eight families, honoring the achievements of the family heirs at the Academy. Let's say it's a thank-you ceremony."
Lucien clapped lightly. "A brilliant idea… Each king will send his daughter or son to represent the kingdom, and they won't be able to refuse even if they suspect our intentions."
Then Saruto added, scribbling notes on the paper, "Exactly. And you will personally invite the Princess of the Seas, and I will invite the three princesses… Hell, Light, and Stars."
Lucian chuckled softly. "You seem quite confident… Do you really think it'll be that easy?"
Saruto smiled. "It's not about ease, it's about timing… I've already planted seeds in their hearts during our previous meetings. Now, the ball will be the perfect place to water those seeds."
There was a moment of silence, then Lucian said, "Then… let's call it the Royal Unity Ball. That will bring them all here."
Saruto nodded in agreement. "Very well. But remember… this isn't just a ball. It's a turning point in our future, and the future of the kingdoms as well."
Invitations were sent to the heirs of the families, and each one accepted. Two days later, night fell on the palace. The ballroom was decorated, and the crystal chandeliers were lit in preparation for the grand ceremony. Music began to fill the hall as Saruto and Lucian stood on a balcony overlooking the opulent space.
"It's time, Lucien," Saruto said calmly, observing the assembled crowd. "Let's go fetch the princesses, as the script dictates."
Lucien raised an eyebrow in surprise. "A bold idea... but how will you manage to bring all three princesses at once? That's impossible, even for you."
Saruto smiled mysteriously, then slowly raised his hand. Suddenly, darkness thickened around him, and the air grew noticeably cold. Beneath his feet, black shadows stretched out, almost alive and moving.
He took a step forward and said in a deep, cold voice, "Rise."
In an instant, three dark, knight-like beings rose from the ground, their eyes glowing with a cold, violet light. They stood in rows like an army awaiting orders.
Lucien's eyes widened in astonishment. "What?! You summoned beings from the shadows?!"
Saruto smiled confidently as he extended his hand toward the knights. Suddenly, their forms began to shift... their bodies expanded, their features altered, until each one became an exact replica of Saruto himself.
He turned to him, smiling.
"So, what do you think now?"
Lucian took a step back, a shiver running down his spine.
"Copies of you… shadows… this is a whole other level…!"
Saruto chuckled softly.
"These copies will go and fetch the three princesses. I'll stay here to receive and look after the other family heirs. And you, Lucian… go yourself and fetch the Sea Princess. She needs your personal presence."
Lucian stood silently for a moment, gazing at his friend with a mixture of wonder and admiration, then smiled.
"I understand now… you've surpassed all of us, Saruto. Very well, I'll fetch the Sea Princess, and you'll leave the rest to your Shadow Soldiers."
With a brief word from Saruto, the shadows, embodied as his copies, silently vanished down the corridors as if dissolving into nothingness. Each entered a chariot, heading to fetch the three princesses. Saruto had shared his teleportation skill with them so they could arrive quickly.
Lucien, for his part, drew his frosted silver spear and slung it over his shoulder with a smile:
"Then… let the grand ceremony begin."
He strode off confidently, leaving behind Saruto, who stood watching the shadows vanish, his eyes shining with an august coolness, as if the whole world were merely a chessboard whose pieces he controlled.