"He was born stillborn," says Lady Ersia.
The words echo in the minds of everyone present, leaving a lingering silence in the air.
Confusion washes over their faces, some blinking as if trying to shake off the sudden revelation.
But among them, Fellicia's expression darkens, her brow furrowing deeply.
She opens her mouth to speak, but before she can utter a word.
The atmosphere around Lady Ersia crackles with an intense surge of magic energy. Energy swirls violently, the air itself bending to her will.
In a sudden motion, she turns sharply to the left, her hand raised high. Ice follows her movement, a towering iceberg forming instantly before her, freezing everything it touches. A storm of frost spreads rapidly, so cold that even the space itself seems to solidify under its presence.
In mere moments, the ice formation is complete, leaving only thick vapor swirling in the aftermath. The immense iceberg now stands like a monument, glistening cold and imposing, as if it has frozen not just the land but the very fabric of space itself.
"REVEAL YOURSELF!" Lady Ersia's voice echoes with commanding authority, her sharp gaze cutting through the icy mist.
At first, there is nothing but silence.
"Reveal yourself before I freeze that space entirely," she repeats, this time more calmly, but her words are laced with a lethal chill.
Finally, a voice emerges from the distance, soft yet steady. "Lady Ersia, I mean no harm."
A glint of annoyance flickers in Lady Ersia's eyes. "You speak of no harm, yet you dare enter my estate unannounced," she says coldly.
Silence once again fills the air, thick with tension. Slowly, the vapor clouds begin to thin, revealing the massive iceberg. The entire area is encased in ice, frozen solid by Lady Ersia's magic. But it is the strange, wide circular gap in the center of the iceberg that draws everyone's attention. The space around this gap shimmers, distorting like the surface of a mirror, and soon, something begins to take form.
A circular structure, formed from an otherworldly black material known as Metorium, appears in the gap. Its surface is smooth and obsidian-like, adorned with glowing runes that flicker and pulse with an ethereal energy.
The sight of it leaves the onlookers bewildered, their minds racing with questions.
Before anyone can react, a sound resonates from within the circular structure. The runes on its walls shift, rearranging themselves into new symbols. A door begins to materialize, and with a loud metallic thud, it slowly creaks open.
Everyone's attention is drawn to the opening. They wait, breath held, curious and wary of who might emerge.
At first, the figure is barely visible, just a shadow framed by the dim light of the runes. But as the door continues to open, the figure becomes clearer.
A tall, lean man steps forward, his long black coat trailing behind him like a shadow, shimmering faintly in the dim light. His hair, dark and slick, is neatly in place. His skin is pale. A crisp white shirt clings to his broad chest, and dark pants complete his appearance.
Most striking, though, are his eyes—a mix of bright yellow, glowing faintly. His gaze sweeps over the frozen landscape, and he releases a sigh of worry.
"Why are you here, Avernus?" Lady Ersia's voice breaks the silence, sharp and demanding. Her gaze locks onto him.
The ice in front of the doorway evaporates in an instant, leaving a clear passage from the circular structure to where Lady Ersia and the others stand.
Avernus leaps down gracefully, landing softly before taking a moment to survey his surroundings.
The air around Avernus shimmers as he takes in the sight of the iceberg surrounding him. His expression remains neutral, but there is a quiet unease beneath his calm exterior.
"It was wise of me to come here in person," he says, his gaze lingering on the massive iceberg.
He turns back to the circular structure, his eyes narrowing as he studies the runes adorning its walls. Their faint glow has dimmed, and some have even stopped glowing entirely. A shadow of frustration crosses his face.
"It's damaged," he mutters, his voice filled with quiet grief.
He turns back toward Lady Ersia, pointing a finger in accusation. "Ersia… you… you damaged it."
Lady Ersia's face darkens at the accusation, and she roars back, "Who told you to come here uninvited?",
she asks coldly. "First, you barge into my home like a thief, and now you accuse me of harming you? How brazen and uncivilized of you."
She continues her sharp rebuke, but Avernus barely seems to hear her. His face flushes with anger, and he struggles to remain composed. "Stubborn... old witch monster," he mutters through gritted teeth, his frustration palpable.
He takes a deep breath, his shoulders relaxing slightly before turning back to the structure. "I'm sorry… because of her, you were hurt." He raises his hand, and with a simple wave, the circular structure vanishes as though it had never existed.
His earlier anger seems to melt away, replaced with an amused glint in his eyes as he scans the frozen area. He glances to the side where a large group of knights stands, hands on the hilts of their swords, ready to strike at a moment's notice.
The tension in the air is palpable, as if one wrong move would ignite a battle.
"Amusing," Avernus mutters under his breath.
His gaze then drifting to the other end of the area. There, a large translucent bird-like figure hovers in the air, its form emitting a powerful, pure magic. The creature seems to be the source of the magical region enveloping the area.
"Interesting," he murmurs.
His eyes flicking back to Lady Ersia.
He takes a step forward, but a frown crosses his face as his body refuses to move. Glancing down, he sees his feet, legs, and torso encased in a layer of ice.
"Damn… this woman," he thinks, a smile curling on his lips as he looks up at Ersia.
"Oh, my goodness, Lady Ersia," he says. "You look as beautiful and youthful as ever. And -- your strength is still impressive. I didn't even notice when you trapped me in ice. Very impressive, indeed."
Richard, who has been quietly listening to the exchange, can't hold back his irritation anymore. His hand tightens around the hilt of his sword, eyes narrowing. "Avernus, cut the nonsense before I slice you into pieces."
Avernus's eyes widen in exaggerated surprise, his voice rising dramatically. "Nonsense?"
He continues "Richard, my dear friend, are you implying that Lady Ersia is not beautiful? That she isn't as youthful as ever? Richard, you old man—"
"Shut up!" Richard interrupts, his voice tinged with panic as he turns toward Lady Ersia. Her icy gaze is now fixed on him, sharp as a blade, her expression clearly saying, "You better explain yourself."
Richard clears his throat awkwardly, stumbling over his words as he desperately tries to mend the situation. "Ersia... you look younger than ever. Truly. You're more beautiful now than... before. A much better person too."
The more he speaks, the darker Lady Ersia's expression becomes, the air around her turning colder with every awkward compliment. Her eyes narrow dangerously, and Richard, sensing the shift, immediately stops.
Avernus lets out a low chuckle, smirking. "Nice try, Richard."
Richard's gaze sharpens as he turns to Avernus with growing disdain. "You've entered the Estate despite the no-trespassing order. Why don't you tell us how should we punish you?" His voice remains firm, though he can still feel Lady Ersia's icy gaze burning into his back.
Lady Ersia, still irritated, shifts her attention from Richard to Avernus. With a swift, dismissive wave of her hand, sharp ice spears materialize in the air, hovering around Avernus's neck, inching dangerously closer to his skin.
Her voice drops to a chilling whisper, colder than the ice she commands. "Tell me, Avernus, why should I not kill you where you stand?"
Avernus remains entirely unfazed, his smile never faltering. "For starters, I'm devastatingly handsome."
He pauses, his tone shifting to something more serious. "But more importantly, I'm here with a Government Order."
At those words, the atmosphere shifts dramatically. The tension thickens, and the expressions of everyone present change.
Even Lady Ersia's eyes narrow, her focus now fixed on Avernus.
With a casual wave of her hand, the ice restraining him vanishes as if it had never been there.
Avernus straightens, brushing the remnants of frost from his coat with an infuriatingly smug grin. He reaches into his inner pocket and pulls out a sleek black card adorned with intricate golden designs. One side is emblazoned with the letters "R D" in shimmering gold, next to the emblem of a dragon. The other side is inscribed with glowing runes, pulsating faintly in the magic energy.
The crowd falls into stunned silence. Even the knights, who had been ready to strike, shift uneasily, recognizing the weight the card carries.
"Honestly," Avernus says with his usual nonchalance, "when I left for Caelus, I didn't know the province was under lockdown or anything of the sort."
He shrugs. "I'm here solely to escort Lady Ersia to the Government Building."
Richard, his eyes narrowing with suspicion, speaks up. "I don't remember hearing anything about a meeting."
Avernus's smirk fades slightly as he turns to face him. "It's an emergency meeting, arranged only last night," he explains. "It will be chaired by the President himself."
At the mention of the President, the air grows heavier, more oppressive.
Lady Ersia's cold gaze sharpens, a flicker of curiosity behind her icy demeanor. "The President called for this meeting?"
Avernus nods, his tone serious now. "Yes. He personally requested the presence of every SSS-ranked individual. That's why I've been sent to escort each of you."
Avernus -- General Secretary of the World Government, an SS-ranked individual known for his mysterious Doppelganger ability. If he's here in person, something far more significant is taking place. The mention of the President and the gathering of all SSS-ranked individuals signals a crisis beyond ordinary concern.
The weight of the situation settles over the crowd like a suffocating blanket.
"I hope you understand the gravity of the situation," Avernus continues, his voice calm yet firm.
Lady Ersia's icy exterior remains unshaken, though her gaze briefly flicks to the gathered children of the Caelus family. "Fine," she says at last, her tone flat. "But you will wait. As you can see, my family's children are currently undergoing the Caelus Family Trial. That takes precedence for now."
Avernus nods, his tone respectful. "Of course. I'll wait."
The tension eases slightly, but it's clear the urgency still lingers in the air.
"Sure, but I'll wait for—" Avernus's sentence is abruptly cut off by a piercing shriek that echoes through the sky.
Everyone instinctively turns toward the source of the sound.
High above, a massive figure speeds towards them.
"A Gryphon…" they all think in unison.
Richard's eyes narrow, his expression turning grim. "A Royal," he mutters, his voice thick with frustration.
"First a government official, and now a member of the royal family. What a great day this is turning out to be," he adds sarcastically, tension lacing his words
The Gryphon circles lower, its massive wings beating with power as it descends. Just as it is about to land, it lets out another deafening shriek, its eyes locking onto the ethereal Caeltheris manifestation hovering in the distance.
Without warning, the beast released a stream of flames directly toward the Caeltheris figure.
The fire is interrupted midway by an iceberg.
For a brief moment, fire and ice clash, both forces pushing against one another in a tense equilibrium.
But the balance is short-lived as the ice rapidly overpowers the flames, extinguishing them with ease.
In a matter of seconds, a glowing magical circle materializes around the Gryphon. Chains made of pure magic shoot out from the circle, wrapping tightly around the creature, binding its movements completely. The beast struggles, but it is quickly subdued.
All eyes turn to Selene, who stands calmly with one hand raised, her body glowing with magic. The chains binding the Gryphon are hers—crafted and controlled with expert precision.
At that moment, a figure leaps down from the Gryphon's back, landing lightly on the ground before them.
A tall, athletic man stands up, his regal posture unmistakable. His sharp, defined features and shoulder-length black hair displays elegancy. Dressed in an immaculate royal robe lined with gold accents, he gleams under the sunlight. His piercing gold eyes flicker with worry as he surveys the scene. His presence is commanding, the weight of his royal bloodline evident in every movement.
"Prince Jeret," Richard says, his voice filled with barely concealed anger, "attacking us the moment you set foot in our house? What are you thinking?"
Jeret glances around at the gathered figures, utterly unbothered by Richard's accusation. "It wasn't me," he replies coolly, brushing off Richard's anger. "The Gryphon lost control the moment it sensed the manifestation. Beasts like this can't easily suppress their bloodline instincts. So, I'd hope Sir Richard doesn't assume I came here to attack you."
Aulus, standing nearby, steps forward. "What are you doing here, Jeret?"
A small smile curls at the corner of Jeret's lips as he turns to face Aulus. "My sister Erina is giving birth today, and as her good brother--and a dutiful uncle--I had to be present."
His tone is light, but the glint in his eyes tells a different story.
No one believes a word of what Jeret says, but no one moves to challenge him either.
Ignoring the wary stares from the crowd, Jeret glances briefly at the Caeltheris manifestation before turning his sharp gaze to Lady Ersia. "I never imagined the Caelus family possessed something of this magnitude," he remarks, his tone laced with intrigue. His eyes narrow slightly. "Where are my sister and nephew?"
"They are resting inside," Aulus interjects, his voice tense but controlled.
"Interesting... very interesting."
Before the conversation continues, Avernus interrupts with a soft laugh, his amusement clear.
It's only then that Jeret's attention shifts toward Avernus, his eyes narrowing in recognition. "What are you doing here, Avernus?" he asks, his voice sharp.
Avernus raises an eyebrow, his usual smirk tugging at his lips. "It's Uncle Avernus to you, child."
Jeret's expression remains unchanged, his golden eyes unwavering as he stares down Avernus without a word.
Noticing his expression, Avernus casually take out his black card, flashing it in Jeret's direction. The golden dragon emblem and glowing runes instantly cause Jeret's expression to shift. His arrogant demeanor falters, replaced by a flicker of recognition.
At that moment, Lady Petronica, Lady Galleria, Lady Erina, Lady Suna and several other prominent figures emerge from the palace. Among them, Lady Erina stands out, her face pale and drawn, clearly showing signs of exhaustion. Her aura has noticeably weakened—a consequence of her recent rank demotion.
The moment Jeret lays eyes on his sister and notices her frail state, his expression darkens. A flash of uncontrollable rage surges in his golden eyes.
Without warning, he kicks off the ground, dashing toward Aulus with lightning speed.
Before anyone can react, Jeret is already in front of Aulus, his fist drawn back, ready to strike. Aulus barely manages to meet him, throwing his own punch just in time. The two blows collide with a thunderous impact, but Aulus is at a disadvantage, as he throw his punch a second later.
They exchange a rapid series of blows, their fists clashing in a deadlock. For several moments, they seem evenly matched, neither gaining ground. Finally, both men step back, creating distance between them.
Jeret's eyes blaze golden, flames beginning to flicker across his hands, while across from him, Aulus channels his own energy, his body glowing with the aura of sword energy.
The tension builds rapidly, both men readying for another clash.
But before they can strike, the clear, resonant sound of a bell echoes across the estate.
Thung.
Thung.
The sound reverberates through the air, and suddenly, all the magic energy they had gathered dissipates into nothingness. The power surrounding them evaporates, leaving the two men standing motionless.
Everyone turns, searching for the source of the sound. At the edge of the courtyard, three figures dressed in pristine white robes stand calmly, their presence commanding attention. The insignias of the Ten Gods Temple gleam on their robes.