As the four walked together through the bustling streets of Mordell, citizens couldn't help but stop and stare at Melody. Her presence was a rare sight outside of her Ice Palace, and her reputation preceded her. Melody was known not just for her exceptional beauty and the potent ice magic she wielded, but for something far rarer and more dangerous—her mastery of Black Frost, a trait so rare that only two out of five hundred ice wielders might develop it. This trait made her both feared and revered, turning her into a living legend among the people. The Black Frost wasn't just ice—it was a deadly, cold darkness that could freeze not only the body but the soul.
As they continued their path to the palace, Melody's sharp eyes caught Sylvie taking down another mana potion. Normally, this wouldn't concern her, but she had seen Sylvie do this multiple times already. Something was draining Sylvie's mana at an alarming rate. Melody couldn't sense any injuries, nor was there an ongoing battle that required such constant magic use. Her curiosity piqued, she decided to probe.
"Not to pry, but that's your fourth potion," Melody said, her voice carrying a hint of concern. "You might want to slow down, or you'll risk poisoning your mana streams. Why are you drinking them like water?"
Sylvie glanced at her, her expression guarded. "I only need to keep this up until we reach the palace and contact Serena."
Melody's suspicion deepened. "Speaking of which, you three have been awfully quiet. I don't know the two of you well enough to sense anything off, but my daughter… she's not known for holding her tongue. Care to tell me what business you have with the Warmaster?"
Mia, who had been lost in her thoughts, hesitated. She knew her mother well enough to understand that Melody wouldn't let this go without an answer. After all, Melody hated surprises, especially when they involved her daughter. "Well… I think I may have had a grade increase during our mission," Mia admitted, though her tone lacked the usual excitement such a revelation would bring.
Melody blinked, her initial response one of joy. "Oh, my honey bunch, I'm so proud! We can get you tested immediately to ensure it happened... But if that's it, why would you need to see the Warmaster?" Her tone shifted as she processed the information. "A grade increase on a D-Ranked mission? That's extremely rare, even in battle. What could have possibly—" Melody's voice trailed off as she noticed Mia's calm demeanor turning to anger.
Her motherly instincts kicking in, Melody demanded to know what had happened. Bane took the lead, recounting the events of the mission, sparing no detail. As Melody listened, the air around her grew colder, frost creeping along the ground and up the nearby buildings, causing cracks in the stone. Mia watched her mother with concern. "Um… Mom?"
"That little shithead dared to put my daughter in harm's way," Melody hissed, her voice as cold as her magic. "I don't care whose brother he is; he will explain himself, or I'll deal with him in the harshest way possible. Where is he?" She tried to calm herself, remembering that they were in public.
All eyes turned to Sylvie, who gave a knowing smile. It all made sense now—Sylvie must have been using some sort of containment magic to keep Gram restrained. "You were right to ask me to come along," Melody said, her voice steadier now. "These matters require a certain amount of finesse, especially considering who he's related to. But don't worry, I won't allow you to be looked down upon."
---
When they arrived at the palace, the guards didn't even ask for an invitation. With a Guildmaster in tow, they were granted immediate entry to meet with Serena. As they waited in the grand hallway, Mia and Sylvie couldn't help but admire the palace's intricate architecture. The walls and floors were adorned with dragon scale patterns and complex magic symbols. Sylvie, recognizing the work of hundreds of mages, was in awe. This was more than just decoration—it was a grand and complex magic formation, protecting the palace from all manner of threats.
A guard soon came out and motioned for them to enter. As they walked into the room, they were surprised to see Serena in martial robes, devoid of armor or weapons. But appearances were deceiving. This was the side of the Warmaster that few saw—the strategic mind behind Mordell's defenses. She was engrossed in her work, reading reports, analyzing maps, and making annotations. The role of Warmaster was far more than leading Warlords into battle; it involved coordinating the kingdom's entire security posture and networking with other Kingdoms.
Melody took a seat with the grace and poise befitting her station, while the trio remained standing, aware of the formalities that their rank demanded.
"Report!" Serena commanded, her voice firm, as she continued her work without looking up.
Mia stepped forward, her voice steady. "Warlord Mia Lockhart of the Infinite Light guild, accompanied by Sylvie and Bane of the Orionsheart guild, here to give an After-Action Review following our recent mission and to file an official inquiry."
This caught Serena's attention. She glanced at Melody, who sat with a knowing smirk. Serena recognized the game Melody was playing. 'You're a sly one,' she thought. Her gaze then shifted to Mia, the daughter she had heard so much about. 'So, the baby bird has finally left the nest,' she mused.
"I've received your report," Serena said, her tone less formal now. "Normally, I wouldn't entertain such a rapid request from three unknown, unranked Warlords. But since the Guildmaster here is so kind as to accompany you, I'll grant this audience. With that being said, since there are members from different guilds here, it's only right that they all be represented."
Right on cue, Jack walked through the door, looking as if he had been roused from sleep. "What have you two gotten yourselves into that requires an official inquiry?" he asked, his voice tinged with both amusement and mild exasperation. Bane and Sylvie laughed nervously, exchanging guilty glances as Jack shook his head. 'What is it with these three?' he thought, recalling the reports he had already received from Sue and the incidents involving Haruto. Trouble seemed to follow them wherever they went.
Serena's gaze sharpened. "Since you've inadvertently pulled two Guildmasters away from their work, as well as myself, I hope your report warrants this level of importance. You may begin."
The room fell silent as all eyes turned to Mia, Sylvie, and Bane. The weight of their next words hung heavy in the air. This was no ordinary debriefing; it was the beginning of something much larger, something that would ripple through Mordell and beyond, changing the kingdom in ways none of them could yet imagine.