After their brief rest by the river, Kael and the others resumed their journey.
The road stretched endlessly ahead, dust rising beneath their boots. The sun moved across the sky, marking progress.
They were moving.
They were advancing.
Even if slowly.
But far away from them…
In the heart of the Empire—
Within the vast Royal Palace of the Imperial Kingdom—
Tension thickened the air inside the Throne Room.
The King sat slouched upon his grand throne, fingers pressing against his temple.
Exhaustion clung to him like a shadow.
Before him stood several royal knights, their polished armor reflecting the golden light from the tall windows.
"They are pathetic."
One of the captains dared to say it aloud.
Another nodded.
"In physical training, magical training, even basic discipline… the summoned heroes show alarming deficiencies."
The King exhaled slowly.
"Summon them."
Moments later, the four summoned heroes stood before the throne.
Nervous.
Silent.
The King's voice echoed across the chamber.
"I believe you know why I have called you here."
The tension tightened.
He began listing the complaints.
"First — the former librarian."
The human heroine lowered her head.
"Your magical affinity is promising. However… your physical constitution has become a distraction."
The court shifted uncomfortably.
"No armor fits properly. No uniform solves the issue. The knights complain that discipline collapses the moment you enter the training yard."
The girl's cheeks burned with humiliation.
"Second — the former athlete."
The tall young man crossed his arms defensively.
"Your body is exceptional. Your endurance, impressive. Yet your magical performance is abysmal."
The King's gaze hardened.
"Brute strength alone will not defeat what is coming."
The athlete clenched his jaw.
"Third — the former professor."
A man with glasses stood stiffly.
"You memorize every spellbook with perfect accuracy. Every theory. Every strategy."
The King's tone dropped.
"But you lack instinct. Adaptability. Presence."
The professor said nothing.
"And finally…"
The room grew heavier.
"The former actress."
The woman smiled faintly, unbothered.
"Your influence over the guards is… disruptive."
A few knights coughed awkwardly.
"You avoid structured training. You charm your way out of discipline."
The King suddenly struck the armrest of his throne with a furious punch.
The crack echoed through the hall.
"Why…?"
His voice trembled.
"Why did the failed hero show more promise than all of you, who were carefully selected?!"
Silence swallowed the room.
Then—
The massive doors of the throne room opened.
A presence entered.
All heads turned.
The Scarlet Knight — Seraphine Drakmor.
Commander of the Royal Army.
Her long crimson hair flowed behind her like a banner of war. Her armor, white plated steel adorned with gold accents, embraced her form with elegant precision — practical, yet undeniably striking.
Her steps were measured.
Confident.
Each echo of her boots against marble silenced the chamber further.
She knelt before the throne.
"Your Majesty."
Even her voice carried strength.
The King straightened.
"What news?"
Seraphine's eyes lifted slightly.
"The mage assigned to the remote village has disappeared."
The air shifted.
"The black-haired one?"
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"Nyx…"
The King's expression darkened.
"And the man?"
"No confirmed sightings. But witnesses report a small group leaving the village days ago."
The King rose from his throne.
"Enough."
His authority returned in full force.
"Seraphine Drakmor."
She stood.
"Travel personally. Investigate. If that man is involved…"
His gaze turned cold.
"Kill anyone connected to him."
The heroes stiffened.
Seraphine's lips curved into a faint, captivating smile.
"As you command."
She turned.
As she walked toward the exit, her presence alone commanded attention. Guards straightened unconsciously. Even the summoned heroes found themselves unable to look away.
It was not seduction.
It was dominance.
Confidence.
Power refined into human form.
The King cleared his throat sharply.
The spell broke.
"Training resumes at dawn."
His voice regained steel.
"You will undergo direct evaluation."
He pointed toward the athlete.
"You will be paired with battle mages. If you cannot wield mana, you will learn to channel it through your body."
To the librarian:
"You will train under female knight instructors. We will adjust your armor — properly."
To the professor:
"You will be placed in live combat simulations. Knowledge without action is worthless."
Finally, to the actress:
"You will train under Seraphine upon her return."
That wiped the smile off her face.
"Dismissed."
As the heroes exited, whispers filled the hall.
The King slowly returned to his throne.
Alone once more.
He stared at the ceiling.
"If this fails…"
His fingers tightened.
"The Empire falls."
Far beyond the palace walls, the Scarlet Knight mounted her white warhorse.
Her crimson cape flowed behind her as the gates opened.
She smiled to herself.
"A failed hero who succeeded…"
Her eyes gleamed with curiosity.
"How interesting."
And somewhere on a distant road—
Kael laughed at something Nyx had said.
Unaware.
The hunt had begun.