...
Their footsteps echoed softly along the palace corridor, adorned with carvings of pink and white roses. Karrens carried Edinowl casually upon his right shoulder, while Eleonor walked beside him, holding the hem of her long gown so she would not stumble. Cool breezes drifted in through the tall windows, brushing against their faces and carrying the sweet scent of roses blooming in the palace gardens, yet a faint tension lingered in the air.
"You noticed it too, didn't you?" Karrens spoke first, his voice low but clear, his gaze fixed straight ahead. "The Kingdom of Zewilste... that region used to be calm and balanced. But lately, the news reaching here has grown stranger and stranger."
Eleonor nodded slowly, her brows furrowing slightly as she pondered the same thought. "Indeed. Their population has been growing extremely rapidly, far beyond the natural growth rate of any kingdom. People from our border villages often speak of many strangers coming and going, yet no one knows where they come from or where they eventually go. And the atmosphere there... I felt it myself while on border duty last month. It felt heavy, cold, and suffocating. As if something is lurking in the shadows behind their trees and buildings."
Karrens let out a short sigh and glanced slightly toward her. "Then there is King Gavriel. I met him once at a royal gathering years ago. He was a wise, firm ruler who truly cared for his people. But from what I have heard lately... he rarely appears in public. And when he does, his face looks pale, his eyes are hollow, and his words often make no sense. Some say he is gravely ill, others claim he has been tempted by dark powers. No one knows for certain what has truly happened to him."
"And what concerns us most..." Eleonor continued, her tone growing graver, "...is the newcomer he appointed as his chief advisor. His name is Zeco."
At the mention of that name, Karrens' hand resting on Edinowl tightened slightly. "You have heard about him as well?"
"Everyone who has seen him tells the same story," Eleonor replied. "The man always dresses entirely in dark robes, his face partly concealed, and he possesses an aura that is... difficult to describe. Unusual, yet deeply terrifying. Anyone who stands near him feels fear without knowing exactly why. It is said that ever since he arrived, all the strange changes in the Kingdom of Zewilste have only intensified. As if he is pulling all the strings from behind the scenes."
Karrens fell silent for a moment, gazing at the room door now visible at the end of the corridor. "If all of this is truly connected, then we cannot remain idle. Zewilste and the Kingdom of Roses are close neighbors. Whatever misfortune happens there will, sooner or later, affect us as well. We must find out what is really going on, and who exactly this Zeco is."
"You are right," Eleonor agreed. "But we must be careful. If he truly wields dangerous power, even a single misstep could endanger our entire kingdom."
Upon reaching the room, Karrens gently set Edinowl down and swung the door wide open. Inside, candlelight burned softly, illuminating a warm and cozy space. Yet in both their eyes, the same worry remained — for unseen danger was approaching slowly but surely, and they had to be ready to face it.
A moment later, the two of them stopped right in front of the large wooden door carved with white roses — the chamber where Edinowl was to rest. Karrens gently lowered the child from his shoulder, then looked at him with a gaze that was firm yet still gentle.
"Now we have arrived. Go inside and lock the door from within. Do not come out until someone calls for you, understood?" Karrens said, patting Edinowl's shoulder lightly. Eleonor added as she opened the door slightly, "That is right. There are many unsafe things happening outside right now. Stay inside — that is our order."
Just as Edinowl was about to step inside, heavy, hurried footsteps sounded from the far end of the corridor. All four of them turned at once to see Andrew and Seraphina running toward them, breathless, their faces pale and filled with deep worry.
"Karrens! Eleonor!" Andrew called out, his voice sounding frantic. "Something huge has happened at the main gate, in the kingdom's open square!"
Seraphina immediately continued, wiping the sweat from her forehead, her eyes wide with fear. "Someone... someone managed to break inside! We don't know how — all our defenses seemed meaningless to them. But what is most terrifying... every place they pass through is instantly destroyed. The ground behind them cracks open in long fissures; flowering plants and lush trees suddenly wither, dry out, and die on the spot. It is as if a power is devouring all life around them, like a corrosion spreading at incredible speed!"
Karrens' and Eleonor's hearts began to pound wildly. Their previously calm expressions turned tense. This was no ordinary occurrence — it was a sign of a deeply evil and dangerous power.
While they were busy listening and discussing in great alarm, Edinowl, who stood quietly beside the door, heard every single word spoken. His curiosity and courage overcame his fear. Without anyone noticing, he slipped silently between the four of them and ran as fast as his legs could carry him toward the great hall, heading straight for the main entrance where the incident was taking place.
A short while later, Eleonor turned back to remind Edinowl once more to be careful. She glanced toward the chamber entrance, but the spot was empty. There was no one there at all. Her expression instantly darkened, her eyebrows shooting up as frustration and anxiety mixed within her.
"Where is Edinowl?!" Eleonor shouted sharply, immediately cutting off their conversation. She looked at each of the three people before her in turn. "The boy is not here! He must have heard what we were talking about and ran toward the scene!"
Karrens quickly looked around, realizing what had happened, his jaw tightening. "He ran toward the main gate, didn't he?"
"Yes! That is definitely where he went," Eleonor replied, her tone both angry and worried. "That child always acts recklessly without thinking about the danger! That intruder possesses a power capable of killing anything that comes near them. If Edinowl meets them, his life will be in danger!"
Eleonor immediately turned to the other three with a sharp, urgent command. "We must go after him right now! Catch him, bring him back, and lock him inside his room. Secure the door from the outside and make sure he cannot escape again. We absolutely cannot let him get anywhere near that dangerous stranger — the risk to him is far too great!"
Without wasting a single second, all four of them sprinted down the long corridor, hurrying toward the main hall, hoping they would still be in time to catch Edinowl before the boy reached that place filled with peril.
Edinowl had just reached the end of the wide corridor leading to the Royal Hall, breathless, yet his eyes gleamed with curiosity and boldness. Standing in the center of the room, clad in his grand robe of pink and gold, was King Erico Roses — his own father. The King, appearing calm yet full of questions, was about to move toward the commotion outside when he saw his son dart past him without stopping for a moment.
"Edinowl? What are you doing here? Where are Karrens and Eleonor?" King Erico called out, his voice low but firm. But the boy did not answer at all. He kept running straight toward the kingdom's main entrance — a massive pair of wooden doors reinforced with iron, carved with the emblem of the rose, shut tight and heavily guarded from within.
Without hesitation, Edinowl grasped both handles and strained every ounce of his small strength to pull them inward. The doors were incredibly heavy; his body was pulled backward and his feet scraped against the floor, yet he refused to stop, pushing and pulling with all his might.
King Erico approached with slow, steady steps, his face full of confusion at his son's behavior. He stopped just behind Edinowl and spoke in a tone that was gentle yet serious. "Hey, stop. These doors are heavy and locked for good reason. Why are you trying to open them, Edinowl? There is danger outside — do not act recklessly."
Edinowl did not stop trying to open the doors, his hands still gripping the iron handles tightly. He glanced back slightly toward his father, answering quickly, briefly, and resolutely. "I know. But I have to see. Whatever is out there… it is what we need in order to understand what is happening."
Before King Erico could reply, the sound of rapid running footsteps came from behind. Karrens, Eleonor, Andrew, and Seraphina appeared at the far end of the hall, panting heavily, their faces pale and filled with alarm as they saw Edinowl already standing right before the giant doors.
Andrew rushed to the front, his voice booming and echoing through the chamber as he tried to stop the boy immediately. "EDINOWL! STOP! DO NOT OPEN IT!"
Hearing the shout, Edinowl instinctively turned his head fully toward them. But at the exact moment his gaze shifted, a loud CRACK — SCREECH rang out. The massive doors shifted and swung wide open, pulled by his final burst of strength — as if an unseen force from outside had pushed them open at the very same instant.
A dry, hot wind rushed in instantly, carrying the stench of scorched earth and dead flowers. There, standing tall in the doorway with the fading sunlight behind him, was a mysterious figure.
He was dressed entirely in dark clothing, almost pitch-black, covering his whole body so that not a speck of skin was visible, while his long cloak fluttered in the wind. In his right hand he held a large spear, its tip sharp and greyish in color — looking rusted, yet radiating a cold, glinting light. And most terrifying of all… the aura surrounding this figure was heavy, cold, and suffocating, making anyone who laid eyes on him feel a fear that pierced straight to the marrow of their bones. The ground beneath his feet was cracked, and the grass near him had already withered, dried up, and turned to dust.
Everyone present froze in place. King Erico's eyes went wide; Karrens and Eleonor stiffened rigid; Seraphina covered her mouth in shock; Andrew stood silent, unable to speak; while Edinowl simply stared straight at the figure — filled with wonder, yet also with vigilance.
The dark-cloaked figure slowly lifted his head, though his face remained hidden in shadow. Then a deep, rasping voice spoke, soft yet distinct, cutting through the silence.
"So… this is the Kingdom of Roses that is guarded so closely…"
The figure stepped slowly inside; with every stride he took, the ground beneath his feet cracked and turned dry instantly. The cold, suffocating aura spread further through the hall, making the air feel heavy, as if a great weight pressed down upon everyone's chest. His dark cloak waved gently, and the tip of his spear scraped against the stone floor — producing a harsh, grating sound that sent chills down every spine. He stopped a few paces before them, standing tall and arrogant, as if he felt no threat from the King or the guards present.
"I did not come here to cause trouble without reason," his voice was deep, raspy, and echoing, as though rising from the dark depths of the earth. He looked into the face of each person before him one by one, yet his own features remained hidden in shadow, impossible to see clearly. "You need not know my name yet. I am merely a wanderer passing through these lands. I have heard that the Kingdom of Roses is known as a place that upholds balance and protection. I came only to ask for permission to rest here briefly, and to deliver a message… that great danger is moving from the north. The lands there are beginning to decay, life is slowly vanishing, and I am merely trying to find a safe haven before that destruction spreads further."
He paused for a moment, letting his words sink in, while his left hand, concealed beneath his cloak, moved slowly. "I mean no harm. The destruction you saw outside… it is only an effect of the power I carry, something I cannot fully control. I only seek shelter, and wish to share the knowledge I possess for the good of all."
However, his gaze shifted slowly, falling precisely upon Edinowl, who stood near the front, only a few steps away from him. His hidden eyes gleamed sharply as he noticed the object coiled around the fingers of the boy's right hand — a simple silver ring carved with a rose, glowing faintly as if responding to the stranger's presence. His tone changed, turning colder, more demanding, stripped entirely of any pretense of friendship.
"Nevertheless… there is one small thing I require from this place," he said slowly, his index finger pointing straight toward Edinowl's hand. "Little child… take off that ring upon your finger and give it to me. That object does not belong to you, nor does it belong here. Hand it over now, and I shall leave in peace, without harming anyone."
Without warning, his right hand moved swiftly. He released his spear for a moment, and drew a long sword of dull grey hue from beneath his cloak — its blade appearing rusted, yet radiating a palpable air of death. The sharp tip was aimed straight at Edinowl's chest, no more than a hand's breadth from the boy's body.
"Hand it over now!" he hissed, his tone full of menace.
In that very instant, the atmosphere changed completely.
King Erico, who had been observing silently until then, leaped forward; with lightning speed, he drew the royal sword hanging at his waist. Karrens and Eleonor moved in unison, flanking the figure from left and right, while Andrew and Seraphina also drew their weapons in the blink of an eye. Five blades were now pressed firmly against the stranger's neck and shoulders, their edges sharp enough to draw blood instantly if he so much as stirred.
Edinowl's heart pounded wildly; he stepped back yet stood his ground, his eyes fixed sharply upon the figure without blinking.
King Erico snorted in fury, his gaze blazing with rage and vigilance. He pressed the tip of his sword slightly harder against the stranger's neck, his voice ringing out in threat through the entire hall.
"A wanderer, you say? Asking for shelter while threatening my child's life like this?! Do you think we believe your empty words?!" the King demanded sharply, his grip tightening around the hilt of his sword. "What is your purpose in demanding that ring? And what do you intend to achieve by pointing a weapon at my son beneath the roof of my kingdom?! Answer now, before we cut your head off right here!"
Karrens pushed his blade even closer, staring straight at the shadowed face. "You claimed you only sought shelter, yet the aura you carry is exactly the same as the corrupting force found at the borders of Zewilste. You did not come here to seek refuge… you came to take what is not yours. Reveal your true purpose, now!"
Eleonor looked on coldly, the point of her sword already touching the vein in his neck. "One wrong move, and you will drop dead before you have time to swing that sword of yours. We care not who you are or where you come from. Here, in the Kingdom of Roses, anyone who threatens the life of the royal family… is treated as an enemy to be destroyed."
A cold wind drifted in again through the gaping doorway, carrying the ever-stronger stench of dried earth. The figure remained silent, his sword still aimed at Edinowl, yet now he was surrounded by five blades ready to pierce his flesh at any moment. Hidden beneath the shadow covering his face, a faint, unseen smile curved his lips — a smile of small triumph, as if everything that had happened had gone exactly according to his plan from the moment he arrived.
The atmosphere in the main hall felt frozen, the tips of the blades still pressed firmly against the mysterious figure's neck and shoulders. He remained silent for a moment, then slowly his deep, rasping voice was heard again, filled with pride yet carrying a faint trace of surprise.
"You... truly are different from the others," he said softly but clearly, his hidden eyes studying each of their faces in turn. "I have set foot in many kingdoms before coming here. The Kingdom of Zewilste — where their ruler is now nothing more than a puppet in a stranger's hands. The once mighty Kingdom of Victoria, which bowed in submission the moment I spoke my demands. Frillen, Abeille, and even the famously stubborn Old Hanks... all met the same fate. Their lands withered, their strength waned, and not a single soul dared or was able to refuse anything I asked for. Everyone simply surrendered..."
He paused briefly, then slowly drew back his sword and spear from Edinowl, returning them to their original positions, yet his demeanor remained arrogant and entirely unthreatened.
"For the very first time, here in the Kingdom of Roses... I have been refused outright," he continued, his tone turning colder and more challenging. He looked straight at King Erico. "Lower your weapon, King Erico. And order them all to step back. Do not do something foolish that will bring ruin upon this entire kingdom in an instant. What I ask for is merely that small object, and it is far less costly than the price you will pay if you force me to act."
King Erico, Karrens, Eleonor, Andrew, and Seraphina exchanged quick glances. The stranger's words about the other kingdoms he had visited sent chills through their hearts, yet their resolve did not waver in the slightest. No one lowered their weapon; no one stepped back even an inch. If anything, King Erico gripped his sword hilt tighter, his gaze sharp and threatening.
"We care nothing for what you have done to other kingdoms," King Erico replied firmly. "Here, our laws and our pride are different. As long as we still stand, you shall take nothing, let alone threaten the life of our child. Lower your weapon and surrender, or we shall destroy you this very moment."
Seeing that none paid him any heed, the stranger let out a low laugh — a dry, terrifying sound that echoed through the hall.
"Very well... if that is your choice," he said coldly.
Suddenly, a thick, toxic energy of dark purple hue exploded outward from his entire body. It spread through every corner of the hall with lightning speed. The ground beneath their feet shook violently, as if struck by a massive earthquake. The air in the room turned dark and heavy, difficult to breathe, as if all oxygen had been sucked away. An immense pressure bore down upon King Erico and the others, weakening their knees, making their breath catch, and making the swords they held feel heavier and heavier, as if cast from molten lead. The ornamental plants in the corners of the room withered and dried instantly; dust swirled through the air, caught up in the violent wind of his power.
"Feel this... it is but a tiny fraction of the strength that has wiped out all life in the kingdoms I mentioned earlier," he hissed, raising his hand as if controlling that devastating force.
While everyone was pinned down, struggling to move and barely able to endure, the sound of calm, rhythmic footsteps descended from the grand staircase at the rear of the palace — a place far higher and more majestic.
Every eye, including those of the mysterious figure, turned toward the sound.
Descending was a figure whose appearance stood in stark contrast to the dark energy filling the room. They wore garments of bright color, shaded in gradients of blue and white that flowed gently as if wrapped in the waves of a calm, clear sea. In their hand, they held a beautiful long staff, set in its center with a large gemstone glowing softly in brilliant pale blue. Their expression was serene, yet their eyes gazed sharply and vigilantly at the cloaked stranger.
They halted at the foot of the stairs, and then their voice — clear, firm, yet composed — rang out, cutting through the silence and the gloom.
"Cease frightening the people of this place with that foul power of yours. Do you believe that merely by blighting the land and choking the air, you may do as you please here?"
Without waiting for a reply, they raised their staff high, then struck its end hard against the stone floor.
THUD!
The sound itself was not loud, but its effect was tremendous. The bright blue light radiating from the gemstone surged outward instantly, forming a wave of energy that rolled forward like a great tide. It collided directly with the spreading dark purple mist, and immediately a clash of powers erupted. The blue energy pressed in, parted, and forced the dark purple aura slowly backward — as pure water washing away and repelling dirty mud. The crushing weight bearing down upon King Erico and the others faded gradually; the air turned fresh and light once more; the ground stopped shaking; and the darkness shrouding the hall dissolved slowly back into light.
The cloaked figure stepped back from the impact of that energy, swaying slightly — the first time he had ever been forced to retreat after a long period of unchecked dominance. Beneath the shadow of his features, profound shock was now clearly visible. He stared at the newcomer with disbelief, yet also with a faint smile.
"You... why, it has been a long time since we met, old friend!" he hissed, full of rage and astonishment. "Power of this magnitude... you are among the top three strongest in this kingdom, are you not!"
The figure clad in colors of the sea stood firm, their staff still shining brightly, ready to unleash an attack at any moment.
"Hmm... is that so? If indeed we have met before, I might perhaps recognize your wretched face," they replied, as they floated lightly down the last steps to touch the floor.
Traces of the dark purple energy still lingered faintly in the air, yet now they were firmly held back by the clear blue light radiating from the newcomer's staff. The cloaked figure — whose name was revealed as Neiro — stood upright once more after his earlier step backward. His arrogant aura gradually shifted, mingling with deep rage, as he stared sharply at the figure clad in wave-like robes before him. His voice rose again, this time hoarse and laden with long-buried resentment, as if reopening wounds that had remained closed for decades.
"You... do you still remember?!" he shouted, his fingers gripping the hilt of his weapon so tightly his knuckles turned white. "Fifty years ago! At the borders of the Kingdom of Frillen, when you looked at me with that disdainful gaze... and dared to claim that my power was ugly, foul, and worthless in the eyes of the world! Those words changed everything! Because of what you said, because you looked down on me... I swore to become what I am now! I absorbed every trace of darkness, every form of destruction, and every kind of power you called 'ugly' — until today I stand before you as a being far beyond anything you could ever imagine!"
He laughed loudly, the sound echoing with pure fury, then pointed sharply at his opponent.
"Do not think I have forgotten who you are... Am I right, Eilis Mogina? The Witch King, said to be the wisest and most powerful being on this entire continent?!"
As he spoke, Neiro moved swiftly. His dull grey sword and long spear were raised once more, their edges now shrouded in violently swirling dark purple mist, radiating a far deadlier aura than before. The crushing pressure returned, yet this time he contained his power, as if determined to focus all his rage solely upon this one person.
Meanwhile, Eilis Mogina descended the steps slowly — his pace calm, relaxed, and entirely unmoved by either the threats or the immense power Neiro had unleashed. He tilted his head slightly, gazing straight at the figure before him, and in his eyes there slowly arose faint yet distinct memories — recollections of a meeting from half a century ago. At last, he recognized the one who had once been merely an ambitious young sorcerer, but had since transformed into this terrifying bringer of ruin.
Eilis halted just a few meters from Neiro. He raised his staff slightly, and instantly the gemstone set in its center blazed with such brilliant blue light that it illuminated every corner of the hall, driving away every trace of darkness that tried to creep closer. The light pulsed gently yet steadily, like ocean tides that never cease and can never be destroyed.
Beneath his calm expression lay a faint smile — not one of mockery, but a meaningful blend of surprise and understanding. His voice rang out clear and composed, yet resounded powerfully through the chamber, answering the name his old enemy had just spoken.
"Well... this is truly an unexpected reunion..." Eilis said softly but firmly, his eyes piercing straight through the shadows covering Neiro's face. "I assumed you had perished long ago, or become lost forever in the darkness you sought. Yet here you are, alive and grown so mighty — all because of resentment over a single remark from the past..."
He paused, then spoke the name again — a name once known only as that of an ordinary sorcerer, but now one that made kingdoms tremble in fear.
"And you still remember me... Of course I would never forget you, Neiro... Neiro, the Sorcerer of Darkness."
The air between them seemed to split apart. On one side lay clear blue energy — calm, yet unshakable. On the other, dark purple mist — ferocious, and brimming with rage. King Erico, Karrens, Eleonor, and the others stood silent behind them, holding their breath, fully aware that they were witnessing the meeting of two colossal forces separated for decades — and that a great battle was now inevitable, about to begin right here in the hall of the Kingdom of Roses.
The air inside the hall instantly transformed into a field of devastating energy. From Neiro's body, dark purple mist surged like molten lava, swirling wildly and radiating an aura capable of erasing every form of life it touched — pure power born from the realm of darkness. On the other side, from Eilis Mogina's staff, waves of clear blue light burst forth like endless ocean tides; calm yet unyielding, carrying the power of balance and a force of magic repulsion of the purest kind.
These two powers confronted each other, pressing against one another with neither side willing to yield, sending tremors so powerful that the entire palace walls shook. King Erico, Eleonor, Andrew, and Seraphina could only stand frozen, their breath caught in their throats. It was not merely the visible physical might, but the immense spiritual pressure and killing intent radiating from both figures that felt like being battered by massive waves over and over again. This battle was not just a contest of strength, but a clash of wills, beliefs, and decades of buried history — something far more terrifying than any ordinary fight with weapons.
Yet, among those who stood stunned and motionless, Karrens Bluehost stood apart. His body tensed slightly, the muscles in his arms tightening as if holding back a thrill long suppressed. Slowly, the corner of his lips lifted into a faint yet sharp smile, his eyes gleaming with excitement as if he had just discovered the greatest entertainment of his life.
"This... this is finally something worth watching," he murmured softly, his tone trembling with barely contained delight.
Without further delay, Karrens stepped past King Erico and Eleonor, moving toward the center of the energy field. His movements were relaxed, yet every step left faint trails of light upon the floor. He raised his right hand, gripping the hilt of a long whip tucked at his waist. With a swift swing, he cracked the whip through the air — and in that instant, the object transformed.
Instead of its usual leather weave, the whip became a blinding silver-white radiance, which then shattered into thousands of thin luminous lines. In the air, these lines arranged themselves into sequences of numbers, symbols, and formulas, spinning rapidly like a giant hologram filling half the hall. The figures glimmered, moving in patterns comprehensible to none but himself.
"Barrier of Separation... activate," Karrens said quietly but firmly.
From those thousands of glowing symbols, a transparent yet solid protective wall emerged, dividing Neiro's and Eilis's domains of energy while enclosing both of them so that their pressure would no longer endanger anyone standing behind. But he did not stop there. His fingers moved swiftly to rearrange the numerical patterns in the air, and instantly the very nature of both forces shifted. Neiro's dark energy now collided directly with the magic-repelling properties encoded in the symbols, while Eilis's radiant light was guided to clash head-on with the dark element itself.
"Go on... give it everything you've got," Karrens said, his smile widening further, his eyes never leaving the two colossal figures. "Look at this — now the realm of darkness, radiant light, and magic repulsion all meet in one place. A perfect battle."
Neiro and Eilis, who until then had focused entirely on each other, immediately ceased their pressure and turned their gazes simultaneously toward Karrens. Both fell silent, stunned for a moment by the intricate barrier and energy manipulation this young man had just performed so effortlessly and casually.
Beneath his dark robes, Neiro began to laugh softly — this time not with rage, but with disbelief mixed with genuine admiration. He lowered his spear slightly, his eyes piercing sharply toward Karrens.
"So it is not only the Witch King who resides in this place..." Neiro said slowly, his tone shifting from awe to challenge. "There exists yet another strange being capable of governing the flow of our power as you please... numbers, formulas, barriers, and magic repulsion... you truly have surprised me, young one. Who would have guessed that behind that relaxed demeanor lies strength capable of standing equal to us?"
On the other side, Eilis Mogina regarded Karrens with a far deeper and more serious look. His smile broadened until his teeth showed, his aged eyes gleaming with immense interest. He shifted his staff slightly, sensing how robust and intelligently constructed the barrier Karrens had created was — something he had rarely encountered in the hundreds of years he had lived.
"Truly unexpected," Eilis said, his voice clear but now sounding heavier and more fervent. "I believed only he and I remained at this level... but you, young man named Karrens... you have just stepped into our circle. You orchestrated the meeting of darkness, light, and magic repulsion with such ease... you are truly remarkable."
The three now stood forming a triangle, each locking eyes with the others. Neiro with his terrifying aura of darkness, Eilis with his unshakable light of balance, and Karrens still smiling broadly in the center, surrounded by thousands of glowing numbers and formulas pulsing and ready to be unleashed. The air in the hall felt denser than ever, as if space and time themselves were held in place by the sheer fighting spirit surging within these three mighty figures.
"We three..." Neiro said slowly, raising his weapon higher once more, the purple aura around his body flaring even larger.
"...share the same reason to fight," Eilis added, striking his staff against the floor, the blue light blazing brighter than before.
Karrens chuckled softly, his whip of numbers spinning faster until it produced a faint, sharp whirring sound. He looked from one to the other, his eyes shining with fierce enthusiasm.
"Now this is getting interesting," he declared firmly and with absolute confidence. "Come then — let us see... which power will be the last one standing here!"
The air throughout the hall instantly turned into a sea of clashing pure power, creating such immense pressure it seemed ready to bring down the entire palace structure.
Neiro stood tall, both arms extended forward, his body shrouded in violently swirling thick purple mist. His voice was deep and trembling as he unleashed his magic.
"Dark Magic: Ilacus!"
In an instant, a massive wave of darkness surged forth, shaped like a wide-open dragon's maw, carrying a corrosive aura capable of erasing anything it touched. On the other side, Eilis Mogina raised his staff high until the gemstone upon it blazed with blinding radiance, and he shouted loudly.
"First Magic: Inferno!"
From the tip of his staff burst forth an ocean of blue-and-gold flame of immeasurable heat, scorching the surrounding air and driving back Neiro's darkness with the pure balancing power of nature. Right in the middle of these two colossal forces, Karrens Bluehost spun his whip of numbers at lightning speed, veins bulging at his temples from the strain, and he cried out briefly but sharply.
"Anti-Magic: Blow!"
Thousands of symbols and numbers exploded into blinding white light, pushing left and right, shattering and compressing both mighty powers so they clashed with full force. The three forces met at a single central point, generating an explosion of pressure so powerful that King Erico was forced to drive his sword deep into the stone floor, his feet scraping backward even as he struggled with all his might to hold his ground. The floor around them cracked in long fissures, great chunks of stone broke loose and floated in mid‑air, and the ceiling shook violently as if about to collapse at any moment. Eleonor, Andrew, and Seraphina had to cling to supporting pillars to avoid being hurled far backward.
Amidst the chaos, Edinowl — who until then had lain helpless, battered by the sheer pressure of their magic — suddenly moved. From his left hand, where the rose‑shaped ring rested, a blazing red light shone forth, growing ever brighter and piercing through all the darkness and brilliance around. That light slowly spread to cover his entire body; and when he stood up, both his eyes gleamed sharply with a cold, empty silver glow, devoid of any expression or emotion whatsoever.
Without speaking a single word, with steps as calm and relaxed as if no danger stood before him, Edinowl walked straight toward the very heart where those three immense powers clashed. He stepped directly into the zone of darkness, fire, and anti‑magic — a place that would destroy anyone else who dared approach. To everyone watching, it looked like suicide — yet the reality was exactly the opposite.
Edinowl's ring‑clad left hand opened, raised upward. The red light from the ring expanded into a vast, swirling vortex. In the blink of an eye, the magic of Ilacus, Inferno, and Blow — locked in furious combat — gradually slowed, was drawn inward, compressed, and entirely absorbed into that ring. The colossal energy that had filled the hall vanished completely, sucked away until not a trace remained.
As the last spark faded, the red glow also died down. Edinowl's body went instantly limp, and he fell unconscious, caught safely in the arms of Eilis Mogina, who had moved swiftly to catch him just in time.
A heavy, eerie silence settled over the entire hall. Neiro, Eilis, and Karrens remained frozen in the stances they had used to unleash their magic, breathing heavily, their eyes wide in disbelief as they stared at the small child who had just devoured their combined power in its entirety.
Neiro slowly lowered his weapon, the purple mist around his body dimming. Beneath the shadow covering his face, profound shock was clearly visible, mixed with a strange sense of respect. He laughed softly — no anger in his tone now, only pure awe.
"It is enough..." he said heavily, his gaze still fixed on Edinowl lying limp in Eilis's arms. "It turns out this small place holds 'something' far greater than I imagined. I shall return to my dwelling for a while. When I shall return... even I do not know. But remember, Witch King — and you too, boy who commands numbers — this meeting is not yet over."
With a snap of his fingers, Neiro's form dissolved into a mass of dark shadows, which slowly shrank and faded away without a trace, leaving behind only a chill that gradually dispersed.
Meanwhile, Karrens Bluehost sank weakly to the floor, supporting himself with one hand while wiping blood trickling from his nose and the corners of his eyes — the toll of the magic he had just unleashed. His breathing was labored, yet a smile still lingered on his face, though fainter now.
"Astonishing..." he murmured softly, looking at Edinowl with a gaze completely transformed. "Power of that magnitude... absorbed so easily..."
Near him, Eilis Mogina still held Edinowl's small body carefully. He studied the child's face closely, his fingers touching the ring on the boy's left hand, his eyes narrowing in deep understanding. He let out a long sigh, and within his mind, memories of a legendary figure long vanished slowly began to resurface.
"This child..." Eilis thought, "This ring, and the ability to absorb any kind of power without being touched in the slightest... he is not merely an heir to the Kingdom of Roses. He will inherit the power of 'that person'... a power whose name even we three once dared not speak aloud."
King Erico, Eleonor, and the others slowly drew near, their faces filled with worry yet also with profound wonder. They had just witnessed something that would be written down in history, and realized that from now on, the future of the Kingdom of Roses was bound to a destiny far greater — and far more dangerous — than they had ever imagined.