....
The chill in the Training Hall slowly shifted to a warm thrum as Eilis Mogina raised both hands. Pale silver light gathered in his palms, forming ancient runic lines that pulsed with fine yet powerful energy. With firm, fluid movements, he seemed to carve directly into empty air—weaving symbol after symbol until one vast, intricate seal stood complete.
"Watch closely," Eilis said without turning his head, his gaze fixed on the growing formation.
"I will split this master seal into nine or ten fragments. Each rune will spread across every corner of the Kingdom of Roses, piercing thick walls, fortress ramparts, even hidden crevices beyond mortal sight. It will serve as both watchful eye and catching net—sifting out every trace of foreign energy that does not belong here."
Suddenly the light split with a low, thrumming vibration that rippled through the floor, then surged through the open window, streaking fast across the dark night sky.
Eilis turned slowly, fixing Karrens Bluehost with a sharp look.
"Karrens. Come here," he commanded, brief and weighty. "I need your help—specifically yours."
Karrens flinched, then stepped forward smartly and bowed. "Y‑yes, Grandmaster. What must I do? Whatever you order, I will carry it out."
"This time…" He paused for a moment.
"…leave your enchanted whip behind and give it to me," Eilis said, holding out an open palm toward Karrens, his smile stretching wide and menacing. "I will examine that relic you carry myself. And then—hand over the Grimoire of Paradise to me now."
"Ughhh…" Karrens groaned inwardly, his fingers tightening around his waist. "I knew for certain he would ask for it. That thing is dangerous… yet I dare not refuse."
Meanwhile, at the city's edge market, crowds still bustled long into the night. A figure in a deep, shadowy cloak drifted between stalls, its fabric swallowing all light and hiding every feature. In its hands hung a basket of fresh supplies and newly bought healing herbs.
"The price of bread and wheat has risen again this week…" it murmured to the vegetable seller, sounding like nothing more than an ordinary citizen complaining about costs. "One bunch of celery and a handful of sunflower seeds, please."
As it took the goods, a faint streak blazed high above—shooting from the palace outward in every direction. It glanced up, narrowing its eyes, then shook its head.
SWOOSH...…
"Probably just a palace familiar or a new ward being tested," it told itself, and looked down to keep walking.
But before it could take another step, something hidden beneath the cloak—an energy‑binding seal fixed deep into its back—reacted violently, as if seared by fire.
ZRRRRTTT!!!
A sharp, burning jolt tore through every limb, locking muscles rigid. Breath caught in its throat; the basket slipped and clattered to the ground.
"Ugh… w‑what is happening?!" it whispered, knees buckling. Its body went heavy and unresponsive, as if thousands of hot needles struck all at once, leaving it trembling and paralyzed.
"Ah… ah… ah… dammit… why does this accursed seal flare up now, of all times?" it thought in panic.
It bit its lip hard to stifle a cry, eyes darting fearfully toward the spot where the light had vanished. No longer did it doubt: that was no mere test. It was a net. And the secret it had hidden for years… had just been found.
Back in the Royal Private Training Hall.
Eilis leaned casually against the window frame, letting night air brush his face, then looked at Karrens with an expectant gaze.
"So?" he said slowly and clearly. "Will you give it to me, and let me deal with this palace parasite properly? Or will you keep it, and let the creature roam free while we lock it in a dungeon that cannot hold it?"
He sighed, as if weary of explaining what should be obvious.
"This seal should be enough to flush it out… instead it only complicates things," he muttered, faintly annoyed.
"U‑um… forgive me, Grandmaster," Karrens bowed low, face flushing with confusion. "I truly do not understand what you mean. Does the Grimoire have something directly to do with how we catch this parasite?"
"Heheh… easy now—no need to fret," Eilis chuckled, then spoke with sudden gravity. "Think very carefully before you place something so powerful in the wrong hands. I ask for it not out of greed, but to trace the parasite's true roots and ensure we strike at the right enemy."
"Ah… y‑yes… I understand," Karrens turned away, silent and uneasy.
TRINGGG...
A clear chime rang through the air. A wickedly sharp dagger floated before King Erico, and a thin silver blade appeared before Eleonor. Both recoiled, eyes wide—weapons of this purity and power they had not seen since fighting Morde, the lesser demon that nearly wiped out an entire battalion.
"Unbelievable…" King Erico breathed, unable to look away. "The power here… it is even finer than the palace's most ancient relics."
"Hmm? What was that?" Eilis asked, glancing over with a raised brow.
"Ah—nothing! Nothing at all," Erico said quickly, then steered Karrens toward the door. "I should return to my quarters and prepare. Come, Karrens—walk with me."
"Take those weapons with you," Eilis called before they could leave. "That dagger and blade are strong enough to stand against Them—whatever or whoever they are. Be ready."
"Tha~nk you for your concern, Grandmaster!" Erico and Eleonor said together.
"Oh—and King Erico, Eleonor… you may go first. There is something private I must discuss with Karrens before we begin."
Erico nodded, then gave Eleonor a quiet look. "Very well, if that is what you wish. Let us go."
They stepped out together, leaving the hall to only two—one wise and one naive—standing in a space that felt heavier, darker, and brimming with secrets.
.....
Silence hung heavy.
"So… what is it you actually wish to discuss with me?" Karrens asked sharply, his gaze locked unblinkingly into Eilis Mogina's eyes.
Eilis chuckled softly, then replied with a wry curl of his lip. "Mmm… how should I put it? Who knows… why don't you guess for yourself?"
He stood slowly and stepped toward Karrens. When they stood face‑to‑face at close range, the pressure in the room surged instantly—so heavy it made the stone walls tremble. Aura clashed violently: Karrens's pitch‑black shadow against Eilis's deadly silver light.
BZZTTT~
SWING~
"I must admit…" Eilis grinned widely, his lips stretching into a cruel smirk. "…you are remarkably skilled at hiding what you truly are, aren't you? ——————————"
THUD!
Karrens's heart seemed to stop beating for a heartbeat. But then a thin smile returned to his face—while his eyes blazed bright, blood‑red.
"—————? Who is that person?" his voice shook with suppressed fury. "I do not know any being too weak to even shape this world properly!"
The aura pouring from Karrens raged wilder, searing the floor until it smoked, cracking stone and tearing at the walls. Seeing the danger spiraling out of control, Eilis finally stepped back slowly, holding up both hands in surrender.
"Alright… alright… sorry… my mistake," he said quickly, his smile paling. "I was just reminded of someone I once knew, heh~"
Karrens said nothing more. He turned to leave. But before his hand could touch the door handle, Eilis's voice stopped him—words that pricked every nerve, made his skin crawl, and twisted his gaze into something murderous.
Tap… tap… tap… Karrens's footsteps halted.
"You're leaving just like that?" Eilis asked casually, twirling his fingers in the air. "What if we struck a deal about That… with Him?"
"SILENCE!!" Karrens roared, eyes blazing. "Speak not a word if you know nothing!"
"You haven't changed at all, have you, —————"
A rasping, heavy, bone‑deep voice drifted from the shadows right beside Eilis Mogina.
THUD… THUD… THUD…
Vague memories resurfaced, people who were dying....tortured...even killed and made into offerings.....
"errggh" Hurtful words came out of her
DRIP… DRIP…
Another memory appeared at that moment accompanied by a pain in the chest.
Cold sweat drenched Karrens's spine. He knew that voice—had not heard it in years, yet it haunted him still. He spun around in a blur, and in an instant seized the stranger by the collar, his other fist drawn back ready to strike.
Silence stretched tight.
SWISH…
GRAB! The fabric of the stranger's cloak snapped taut in his grip.
"What right have you to appear before me? Hah?" Karrens's tone was ice‑cold, his aura spilling over, wild and unchecked.
"You want to know?" The stranger laughed—deep, thunderous, shaking the very ceiling. "HAHAHAHAHA… AHAHAHAHAHA… truly, you put on quite the drama, Karrens!"
"W‑what? Hey, damn you—why are you laughing?!" Karrens snarled, yanking the man's collar harder.
"Ugh… honestly… this is going to take forever," the stranger sighed.
SNATCH!
Before Karrens could blink, the stranger's hand clamped around his throat—tight enough to crush windpipe and bone, choking off every breath.
"Tell me—shouldn't I be the one asking you what you are doing here?" The stranger's eyes burned with pure, ancient darkness. "Hah?"
"Ghh… ah… ah… y‑you… c‑cur… b‑bastard… I should… seal… you… ARGHKK!" Karrens gasped, struggling uselessly.
"Tch…" The stranger exhaled with arrogant disdain, as if swatting a fly.
For all his strength, Karrens was utterly helpless before this being's sheer existence—he could not move an inch, could not fight back. Then, without warning, the grip was wrenched away.
SMACK!
THUD! Karrens crumpled to the hard stone floor.
"ARGHKK… ah… ah… ah…" He coughed violently, clutching his burning, bruised neck.
"I will let you go this time," the voice whispered right against his ear, cold as the grave. "But next time… I will drag you back to where you belong—forever."
WHOOSH…
In the blink of an eye, the stranger vanished—along with Eilis Mogina. Only a faint, mocking echo lingered in the empty air.
"Farewell, little one~"
Karrens lay still, trembling, as the cold of that threat seeped into his bones. He knew then: the parasite in the palace was no longer the true danger. The true danger had just looked him in the eye.
"F*CK OFF,Why does it have to be him?said Karrens as tears flowed from her eyes slowly.