Chapter 25
Eric's footsteps echoed in the great hall of Everia's residence. The air felt heavy as if welcoming him with a meaningful silence. After a long journey and going through trials that nearly took his life, he now returned to the place that had been the beginning of all this conflict. The Everia family residence seemed unchanged, but its aura felt different—darker and full of intrigue.
Eric stepped into the main hall, where the servants greeted him with looks of astonishment and fear. Some of them bowed hastily, while others looked hesitant. Rumors of what had happened in the Ruins of Lumina had already spread, and many wondered about the outcome of Eric's journey.
"Duke Alaric is waiting for you in the audience room," one of the servants whispered, as if afraid of being overheard.
Eric nodded wordlessly, then walked towards the meeting room with firm steps. Along the way, his eyes caught various small signs of damage on the walls and floor, like the remains of a fight. Something had happened while he was gone.
As he entered the audience room, he found Duke Alaric sitting in his main seat, with Leon standing on his left. Leon's face looked confident, but there was a hint of worry in his eyes. On Duke Alaric's right side, Lady Seraphina smiled faintly, but her gaze was meaningful as if preparing for something.
"Eric," Duke Alaric's voice was heavy but firm. "You're finally back. What did you find there?"
Eric took a deep breath. "I found what should have belonged to the Everia family," he said as he drew the Everia Sword from its sheath. The light of the sword gleamed, emitting an energy that silenced everyone in the room.
Leon bit his lip, clearly displeased with the sight. However, before he could say anything, Lady Seraphina stepped forward. "Very well done, Eric. You have truly proven yourself. But I wonder... is that sword truly worthy of your hands?"
Eric stared at Lady Seraphina sharply. "This sword only responds to the true heir of the Everia family. If anyone doubts it, they are free to try it themselves."
The room was filled with tense silence. Leon stepped forward, his eyes full of ambition. "I want to try it," he said in a cold voice.
Duke Alaric looked at his son with doubt, but he did not stop him. Eric handed the sword to Leon, but as soon as Leon touched the hilt, the sword radiated a painful energy, forcing Leon to retreat with a muffled scream.
"It seems the sword has made its decision," Eric said coldly, taking back his sword.
Leon looked at Eric with hatred, while Lady Seraphina seemed to be thinking about something with a blank expression.
However, before the situation could escalate, one of the elders of the Everia family entered the room hurriedly. "Lord Duke, urgent news!" he said. "An army from another family is moving towards our territory. They demand an explanation for what happened in the Ruins of Lumina."
Eric gripped the hilt of his sword tighter, while Duke Alaric looked deep in thought. "Prepare a meeting with the elders. We must decide our next move," Duke Alaric ordered.
Lady Seraphina smiled slightly as if this was the opportunity she had been waiting for.
Eric looked at the elder who delivered the news. An army approaching their territory was not something to be taken lightly. Moreover, if they were demanding an explanation for what happened in the Lumina Ruins, it meant that there was more to the Everia family than previously thought.
Duke Alaric stood up from his chair with a serious expression. "Elder, who is the leader of that army?"
The elder bowed respectfully before answering. "The troops are led by Marquis Ferelden of the Belveran family. They brought nearly a thousand men fully armed."
The room fell silent. The name Marquis Ferelden is not small. He was one of the rulers of a region under the kingdom, known for his ambition and cruelty.
"Marquis Ferelden..." Duke Alaric muttered, staring at the floor for a moment. "He must be after something more than just an explanation. We cannot let this become an open threat."
Lady Seraphina stepped forward, flashing a small smile. "Perhaps this is a good time to show the power of the Everia family. If we can elegantly deal with them, we will gain the support of the other families in the kingdom."
Leon looked at his mother with a hopeful expression. "Father, let me lead the army to face Marquis Ferelden. I will prove that the Everia family is stronger than they think."
Duke Alaric looked hesitant, but before he could answer, Eric stepped forward. "Confronting them with force would be a grave mistake," he said in a cold voice. "If we attack directly, we will only provoke a greater conflict."
Leon glared at Eric. "You are too cowardly, Eric. Sometimes strength is the only language understood by the likes of Ferelden."
Eric ignored Leon's provocation, instead looking directly at Duke Alaric. "We must learn their true purpose. Marquis Ferelden would not have deployed such a large force just to demand an explanation. There is something they want—and I believe it is related to what I found in the Ruins of Lumina."
Duke Alaric nodded slowly, his eyes deep in thought. "You are right. We cannot act rashly. However, we also cannot allow them to approach too far into our territory without a response. Eric, you will go and speak directly with the Marquis of Ferelden. Make sure you bring some elders with you to show our authority."
Eric was a little surprised by the order, but he nodded. "Okay, Dad. I will make sure the Everia family does not lose face in this meeting."
Leon looked unhappy with the decision, but Lady Seraphina just smiled faintly, as if everything was going according to her plan.
Before Eric could leave the room, the Seventh Elder appeared in the doorway, his eyes calm. "I will accompany him," the Seventh Elder said in a calm but firm voice. "The Marquis of Ferelden is not to be trifled with, and I am sure my presence will give them reason to think twice before trying anything foolish."
Duke Alaric nodded, not doubting the Seventh Elder's presence as an important ally. "Very well. The Seventh Elder will accompany you, Eric. But remember, this is a diplomatic mission. We must not let it escalate into open conflict."
Eric nodded once more before leaving the room with the Seventh Elder. As he walked out, he felt a growing weight on his shoulders. The Marquis of Ferelden was not only a threat to the Everia family, but perhaps the key to understanding who their real enemy in this game was.
Eric stood on a small hill overlooking the Marquis Ferelden's army. From where he stood, he could see rows of heavily armed soldiers camped not far from the border of Everia. Large tents with the Belveran family crest flapped in the wind, giving off an intimidating aura.
Beside him, the Seventh Elder looked on emotionlessly, but Eric knew that the figure was ready to act at any moment if things turned bad.
"Looks like they are planning to bait us," Eric muttered, gripping the hilt of the Everia Sword that now hung at his waist. The sword gleamed faintly in the sunlight as if responding to the energy surrounding it.
"The Marquis of Ferelden is not stupid," the Seventh Elder replied in a low voice. "He must have known that this action would provoke us. But the question is, what is his ultimate goal?"
Before Eric could answer, one of the guards sent as a scout returned with a worried look on his face. "Sir Eric! Additional troops have been spotted moving in from the southwest!"
Eric turned sharply. "How many?"
"About five hundred more people, sir. They carry heavy weapons."
Eric took a deep breath, trying to calm his mind. This was much more than a mere threat. Marquis Ferelden had prepared a strategy to directly attack the Everia family territory if negotiations failed.
"We can't wait any longer," Eric said as he stepped forward. "I will go see Marquis Ferelden now."
The Seventh Elder raised his eyebrows slightly. "A bold move. But you do realize, this could turn out to be a trap."
Eric smiled faintly. "I know. But if we just sit still, they'll think we're weak."
As Eric prepared to descend upon the enemy camp with a small party, a loud boom suddenly echoed through the air. The ground beneath them shook, and a large cloud of dust rose from the southwest.
"They attacked faster than expected!" shouted one of the other elders who was with Eric's group.
Eric immediately drew the Everia Sword from its sheath, bright blue energy emanating from the blade, enveloping his body in a dazzling aura. He stared at the Seventh Elder who was still standing calmly.
"Their first group has already begun attacking our borders. We have no time for diplomacy," Eric said firmly.
The Seventh Elder nodded slowly. "If this is the way, then we will protect our territory to the last drop of blood. But remember, Eric, your power has just awakened. Don't let your emotions get the better of you."
Eric looked towards the enemy camp, where the lines of troops were beginning to move towards Everia's territory. Fires blazed in the distance, signaling the battle had begun.
"Elder," Eric said as he directed his gaze toward the enemy forces, "I will not let them destroy our ancestral land."
With a loud shout, Eric raised the Everia Sword, emitting a wave of energy that shook the air around him. The Marquis Ferelden's troops watching from a distance seemed to pause for a moment, shaken by the power Eric had displayed.
The Seventh Elder looked at Eric with a proud but wary gaze. "Very well. Let's show them who the real Everia family is."
However, before Eric could lead the troops, a long trumpet blast was heard from the other side. From the south, a line of unknown troops appeared with black flags that had no clear emblem. They looked like mercenaries, but their numbers were almost the same as the Marquis Ferelden's troops.
Eric squinted, trying to make out who they were. But what was even more surprising was when he saw one of the horsemen at the forefront.
"Leon?" Eric whispered, in disbelief.
The Seventh Elder turned his head quickly. "What do you mean? Leon?"
Eric stared with mounting anger. He recognized the figure clearly—Leon, his half-brother, standing beside the mercenaries with a sinister smile on his face.
"So this is the plan…" Eric muttered in a cold voice.
The tension in the air was palpable. With three great powers gathered on this battlefield, a turf war that would determine the future of the Everia family seemed inevitable.
End of Chapter