That night, the Eleison family couldn't find peace. Seren sat in the family's living room, discussing the situation with Taki.
"So, what's the plan?" Taki asked.
"Tomorrow morning, I'll go to the headquarters. Sister Taki, could you take over my class?" Seren asked.
"You're not thinking of conducting an investigation, are you, Seren?" Taki's voice carried clear concern.
After a moment of silence, Taki continued, "This could be a trap. Seren, I beg you not to get involved with the Balrog Empire—at least promise me you won't do this alone."
Taki stood from her seat and hugged Seren from behind.
Seren felt her sister's deep worry. Especially after Taki had been captured by the Balrog Empire years ago, Seren knew that Taki harbored scars she tried to hide. It wasn't until two years later that Seren learned about the torture Taki had endured during that time.
"I promise, Sister. I'll only discuss this with the Grand Master. If anything happens, I'll let you know immediately," Seren reassured her.
Taki took a deep breath.
"Alright, I'll take over your class tomorrow. Irene will be with me, so you and Launcent, be careful," Taki replied.
When Seren returned to her room, she saw Launcent sitting on their bed, his face filled with worry.
"Uh, ahem," Seren cleared her throat to make her presence known.
"Oh, sorry. I'm a bit worried," Launcent admitted.
Seren quickly sat beside him and hugged him.
"What's with everyone? Why is everyone suddenly so gloomy?" Seren asked.
"Sorry, I'm just scared. If something happens to all of you, and I'm not strong enough to protect you…" Launcent trailed off.
"If Dellain had attacked us earlier, I can't imagine what might have happened. He would've hurt all three of you, and I'd have been too weak to stop it," he continued.
Seren abruptly kissed Launcent.
"Hey, listen. We've been through Numen Kingdom together. I promise, once the Balrog Empire issue is resolved, I'll focus on our life. Besides, Taki won't stop asking when we're going to have kids," Seren said with a smile.
Hearing this, Launcent smiled back.
"Yeah, she keeps asking me that too. She says she misses holding a cute little angel because Irene's growing up so fast," Launcent replied.
The two embraced each other, finding comfort in their closeness.
Downstairs, Taki was helping Irene with her studies.
"Sister Taki, will you and Sister Seren be okay?" Irene asked.
"Of course! Why do you ask, Irene?" Taki replied with a warm smile.
Irene paused for a moment before continuing to read her book.
"I just overheard something at the academy. They said the Nomadic People are targeting Sister Seren," Irene said quietly.
Hearing this, Taki froze momentarily but quickly masked her concern.
She gently stroked Irene's hair.
"Don't worry about it. Your sister Seren is strong and stubborn. Plus, you've got me to protect you. If anyone tries anything, I'll take care of them myself," Taki said, flexing her left arm.
Irene smiled before letting out a yawn.
"Alright, it's bedtime for you," Taki said.
She then picked Irene up in her arms.
"Sister Taki… I'm not a kid anymore," Irene protested while being carried.
"Hahaha," Taki laughed as she carried Irene.
"Completely opposite of Seren. She always wanted me to carry her to her room."
"Did Sister Seren really ask to be carried when she was eight years old?" Irene asked, puzzled.
With a deadpan expression, Taki replied, "Even after she got married, she still asks to be carried to her room when Launcent doesn't do it."
When Taki reached Irene's room, she noticed the closed window but the curtains slightly open.
After tucking Irene into bed, Taki glanced outside and said a silent prayer for the safety of the Eleison family.
She gazed at the moon, which was slowly being obscured by clouds.
"There's a storm coming… God, grant me the strength to get through this," Taki murmured.
Irene noticed Taki looking out the window.
"Sister Taki, are you okay?" Irene asked.
Before Taki could respond, a faint vibration was heard from the ceiling.
"What was that?" Irene asked, startled.
Then Seren's voice could be heard from above, softly exclaiming something.
"Oh my goodness, those two…" Taki muttered, her face showing restrained irritation.
"Don't worry, it's just two happy birds playing upstairs. I'll go and have a word with them," Taki said.
"Huh? But isn't that Sister Seren and Brother Launcent's room?" Irene asked, confused by Taki's words.
Taki left the room, her footsteps audible as she rushed upstairs.
Irene lay quietly in bed, but soon she heard the sound of a door being slammed open from above.
Faintly, Taki's loud voice echoed through the house.
"CAN YOU TWO KEEP IT DOWN?!" Taki shouted.
"WAAAH, SISTER TAKI!" Seren's panicked voice responded from above.
"OH MY, A SPINSTER HAS ARRIVED!" Launcent's playful shout followed.
"WHAT DID YOU SAY?!" Taki yelled.
"Nothing! I was just joking!" Launcent quickly backtracked.
Irene, despite the commotion, tried her best to fall asleep amid the chaos.
By morning, Seren and Launcent had already departed for Fonta Aria, specifically Melody City, while Taki and Irene remained at the Loyal Swords Academy.
Although Launcent appeared calmer, a trace of worry still lingered on his face.
Seren understood his concerns, but the two continued their journey until they arrived at Melody City.
Without wasting any time, they reported the previous night's events to the Grand Master.
"Even within their own royal family, there's conflict about their direction.
Prince Dellain is certainly unique. As the eldest in the Balrog royal family, he's known for being highly thoughtful and strategic.
Additionally, based on some of the information I've received, he also serves as the military defense general of the Balrog Empire. His strength, without a doubt, is formidable," Michael Anderson explained.
"A man like him—what does he want?" Seren asked.
"Absolute power. He doesn't want to share the Balrog Empire's authority with the Sister of Surface Order," Launcent speculated.
"I agree with you, Captain Launcent," Michael Anderson replied.
"Do you think we should help him?" Seren asked.
"Hm… no, not now. At least, not in the immediate future.
First, we need to confirm his intentions. If what he says is true, we also need to consider these 'Tremor Knights.'
They could be a critical factor," Michael Anderson responded.
"I agree. We need to determine if the Tremor Knights are aware of Dellain's opposition to them," Launcent said.
"And worst of all, if his words are accurate, we must be extra cautious about the Deep Elves.
They're incredibly difficult to distinguish from other elves. If there are Deep Elf spies, it will become a significant issue," Michael Anderson added.
"But we can't just sit idly by, can we?" Seren asked.
"No. It would be best to inform the Blade of Mercy—they specialize in matters like this," Michael Anderson replied.
Michael Anderson then began writing a letter in front of Seren and Launcent. Once the letter was finished, he sealed it with special magic.
"Do you need us to deliver it, sir?" Seren asked.
"Haha, no… no need, Seren," Michael Anderson said with a smile.
He lifted the sealed letter to his shoulder. Suddenly, the light behind him began to distort, and a figure clad in a white cloak appeared and took the letter.
Seren and Launcent were startled—they hadn't sensed the person's presence at all.
"Deliver this to Boltor. Tell that old goblin it's important," Michael Anderson instructed.
The mysterious figure simply nodded, then vanished using their white cloak.
"As for you two, I'll be leading an expedition to the continent of The North in four months.
However, I need someone to oversee Katya Port for at least two weeks while I'm away. I'll use Externum Lux to communicate with you and the headquarters in case of emergencies," Michael Anderson said.
"Understood, Grand Master! Uh, but forgive me for asking—given that the Balrog Empire is still at war with us, isn't it unsafe to send Paladin forces out of Ivovnia?" Seren asked.
"I share your concern, to be honest. But there's an unusual movement occurring in The North and Favor regarding the continent of Merk.
Reports from Pegasus Harbor in The North indicate something is happening in Qa'stur.
Some believe it's related to whatever activated the Rift Occult Imperator Knights 1,700 years ago," Michael Anderson explained.
"You mean the Puresworn Order?" Launcent asked.
"Yes. The Rift Occult Imperator Knights' power was weakened because they lacked energy and were in a state of stasis.
The First Raven and Lord File stopped them 1,700 years ago, but the cost was enormous.
The Rift Occult Imperator Knights possessed weapons and technology unlike anything the world has ever seen.
According to the Raven Beak archives and information provided by Lord File, they're some kind of robots fueled by a mysterious energy source.
The Forgiven Shield Paladins detained four of these Rift Knights for study, but to this day, no one knows the nature of their energy source," Michael Anderson elaborated.
"If something like what happened 1,700 years ago rises again…" Seren said, her voice filled with worry.
The Rift Occult Imperator Knights were one of the most mysterious forces to awaken 1,700 years ago.
During the Paladin Order's assault on Qa'stur, these Rift Knights ambushed the Paladins from behind while the Outer God Zotho cultists attacked from the front.
The Paladin Order lost more than 90% of their forces.
Four Grand Masters and all 12 heroes fell in that battle.
Even 1,700 years later, this remains a grim chapter in Paladin history, a tragedy that is still remembered today.
And to this day, the Paladin Order has not been able to eradicate the remaining Outer God cultists in Qa'stur.