In General Akaria's spacious office, a heavy silence reigned, broken only by the soft, rhythmic hum of mana-monitoring devices that tracked the kingdom's borders in real-time. Akaria stood before her massive obsidian-framed window, watching the midday sun bathe the Kingdom of Arcadia in a deceptive golden light.

  ?From this height, the kingdom looked like a pulsing hive of undisturbed life. Its people went about their daily routines in a state of blissful peace, entirely unaware of the tectonic shifts occurring behind the scenes. Despite the distant news of chaos in the Demon Rift Empire, most commoners placed their absolute trust in the Black Spear. They lived their lives comfortably, laying the crushing burden of their protection onto the shoulders of these few elite soldiers.

  ?Zorua Machiavelli stood behind her, his posture as rigid as a statue, waiting for her to break the silence. He finally spoke, his voice carrying a note of formal inquiry. "May I ask why I have been summoned here, General Akaria? The training schedules for the new elites require my attention."

  ?Akaria turned slowly. Her eyes, usually sharp and commanding, appeared for a moment to be drowned in a sea of weary apprehension.

  ?"I apologize for the delay, Zorua," she said quietly. "I drifted away for a moment, captivated by the beauty of what we protect. Ever since I was born in these lands, my only ambition was to rise through the ranks and obtain power. Not for the love of authority, but to be the nightmare of anyone who dared to disturb this peace. I wanted this to be an era of light. But I feel that dream is beginning to fray at the edges."

  ?She paused, her expression hardening. "The myths of the Dark Age's rebirth are no longer stories. They are a reality we can touch. Therefore, Zorua, regardless of your personal reservations or your suspicions about Nico Sigmund, his presence on our side is a miracle we must utilize. We cannot afford to be picky about the origins of our salvation."

  ?Deep, visible reservations appeared on Zorua's features. He stepped forward, his voice firm and unyielding. "I appreciate your vision, General. Truly. But I believe that the simplest uncalculated detail could lead to our total destruction. Do you realize the scale of the disaster if we trust the wrong entity? We are dealing with a man whose very existence is an anomaly. We must be cautious, not desperate."

  ?Akaria interrupted him, her tone gaining a sharp, crystalline edge. "I have spoken with Nico, Zorua. Your theories that he is not from this era are likely correct, but that doesn't change the tactical reality. Antagonizing him or making him feel as though he is a prisoner under observation is a suicidal move. If Nico decided to turn against us or simply leave, it could mean the end of the Empire's stability. We need his strength."

  ?Zorua tightened his gloved fist, his insistence overriding his usual decorum. "I apologize, Lady Akaria, but as your deputy, I cannot accept this without proof. Allow me to face this man in the arena. I will prove to you, and to the entire unit, that he does not deserve this level of unvetted trust."

  ?Akaria looked at him coldly, measuring the depth of his stubbornness. "Have you lost your focus, Zorua? When was the last time you slept? The pressure of Kaizen's rise is affecting your judgment. I am temporarily relieving you of your position as deputy so you can regain your clarity."

  ?Zorua didn't flinch. "I accept stepping down from my rank in exchange for a single chance to face Nico Sigmund."

  ?Akaria closed her eyes, weighing the variables. A confrontation might be the only way to reveal the true limits of Nico's power without asking questions he wouldn't answer.

  ?"Fine, Zorua. I agree," she said finally. "But I warn you: do not overdo it. This is a sparring session to improve efficiency, not a duel to the death. I will convince Nico to participate, but you must be careful. If you break our best asset, the consequences will be yours to bear."

  ?Zorua bowed respectfully, a flicker of cold satisfaction in his eyes. "Thank you, General."

  ?The Royal Garden

  ?In the grand royal garden of the Black Spear headquarters, where massive marble fountains released a refreshing mist into the afternoon air, Nico Sigmund sat alone on a stone bench. His red eyes were fixed on the horizon, but his mind was elsewhere. He was reliving the silence of the Field of Doom—the smell of the burnt trees and the sight of the Scarlet Elves' blood soaking into the dirt. That memory was a stain that refused to be washed away.

  ?His train of thought was interrupted by the sound of light footsteps. He didn't need to turn to know who it was.

  ?"Hello, Nico," Akaria said as she approached. "I hope I haven't disturbed your meditation."

  ?Nico replied coldly, his voice devoid of emotion. "On the contrary. My thoughts were not pleasant. It is good to be pulled back from them."

  The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

  ?Akaria sat on the opposite end of the bench, mirroring his gaze toward the sky. "Nico, I have a request. Zorua has asked to challenge you in the arena. He wants to test his strength against yours. You can refuse if you wish; I will not force a member of the elite into a meaningless scuffle."

  ?Nico asked calmly, "What is the intent? Is this a standard sparring session, or a battle of attrition?"

  ?"I asked him to keep it controlled," Akaria answered honestly. "But Zorua is a man of logic and pride. He wants to prove that your rank is an exaggeration. He believes you are an ordinary person who has mastered a deceptive aura."

  ?Nico offered a mysterious, thin smile. "He might be right. Perhaps, in the end, I am just an ordinary person." He turned to Akaria, his gaze sharpening. "No matter. I will face him. I won't harm him intentionally, but tell him to expect serious injuries if he truly wishes to see what I am hiding. Power is not a toy."

  ?Akaria looked at him with a silent, growing admiration. "I trust your judgment, Nico."

  ?"And after I finish with him," Nico added, his voice dropping into a lethal, low register, "you will be next, General. We must train together. We need to push our limits to the absolute maximum. We do not know how brutal the coming days will be, and I do not intend to be unprepared."

  ?Akaria stood up, her spirit ignited by the challenge. "I agree. I was going to suggest the same. You are someone who truly interests me, Nico."

  ?The Slip of the Tongue

  ?Nico remained in the garden after Akaria left, watching the shifting clouds. It wasn't long before Elara approached. She hesitated with every step, her cheeks flushed a deep crimson. She stood a few feet away, her fingers nervously twisting the fabric of her new uniform.

  ?Without turning, Nico spoke. "Sit down, Elara. Standing there is a waste of energy."

  ?Elara sat beside him shyly, her gaze fixed on her boots. Nico eventually broke the silence. "Did you come to look at the sky? It is a magnificent sight today. But tell me, Elara... have you ever wondered what lies behind that blue curtain?"

  ?Elara replied in her usual, faint whisper. "Stars... planets. At least, that is what the imperial books on astronomy say. A vast, empty space."

  ?Nico offered a mysterious smile, his eyes distant. "Yes, that is what the eyes see. But it is mere surface dust compared to the depths. I have seen things that a human mind couldn't possibly imagine. There is a greater existence behind this universe... and I am not talking about the 'gods' your people invent. Those are just products of limited minds trying to explain a void they cannot comprehend. If you think the Dark Age or Kaizen is the ultimate danger, you are entirely mistaken. There is something hidden... far greater than all of this."

  ?Suddenly, Nico realized the weight of his words. He saw Elara staring at him in a state of stunned disbelief, her mouth slightly open. He had allowed the residual memories of the Void to leak into his speech.

  ?[Dammit,] he thought. [I am talking too much.]

  ?He turned back to her, his face returning to its cold, neutral mask. "Please, Elara, do not take my rambling seriously. I was drifting too far into my own thoughts. Forget what I said."

  ?Elara stood up quickly, gave a deep, respectful bow, and then ran out of the garden, her face a mask of confusion and awe. Nico placed a hand over his face, sighing deeply.

  ?"How stupid," he muttered. "Why did I say those things? She will think I've lost my mind." He looked back at the sky. "But unfortunately, it is the truth. And truth is rarely palatable."

  ?The Shadow of Regret

  ?As Nico tried to regain his composure, he sensed eyes watching him from behind the thick trunks of the garden trees. It was Melina Aethel.

  ?She stood in the shadows, her features etched with despair. She whispered to herself, her voice trembling. [I can't believe it. The 'Emperor' rank... the power I thought was a myth. And here you are, wearing it as easily as a cloak. I know you will reach the peak, Nico... but I am not sure you will ever forgive me for my stupidity in the past. My heart can't even take the pressure of speaking to you.]

  ?Nico shifted his gaze toward her direction without moving his head. He had known she was there from the second she arrived.

  ?[I wonder what is troubling her?] he thought. [She has been avoiding my presence since I arrived at the Bastion. Perhaps she is facing her own internal struggles. I will leave her be. My presence would only unsettle her further.]

  ?Nico stood up, feeling a slight hunger. "I should see what they serve for a midday meal here. I am curious about the quality of the food in this headquarters."

  ?The Encounter

  ?In one of the advanced training halls, Zorua was pushing his body to the absolute breaking point. Frost mana circulated through his veins, coating his skin in a thin, shimmering layer of ice that increased his defensive density. He finished his workout, wiping sweat from his face with a towel, his breath coming in heavy, cold plumes.

  ?As he walked down the corridor toward the lounge, he crossed paths with Nico, who was heading toward the kitchens.

  ?Their eyes met. Zorua's gaze was sharp, a direct challenge. Nico maintained his usual icy features, his expression unreadable.

  ?Nico spoke first, his voice calm. "So, you are Zorua. I assume you are preparing for our meeting tomorrow?"

  ?Zorua stopped, his voice stern and arrogant. "Yes. Tomorrow, we will see if you are truly a man of power, or just a fool pretending to be one."

  ?At the mention of the word "fool," Nico's gaze shifted. It became sharper, more disciplined, like a blade being unsheathed. He stared directly into Zorua's eyes.

  ?"Did you just call me a fool?" Nico asked, the air in the corridor suddenly feeling significantly colder.

  ?Zorua didn't back down an inch. "Yes. Exactly as you heard it, Nico."

  ?Nico offered a cold, dangerous smile. "I admire your courage, at the very least."

  ?Zorua spoke as he walked past Nico with overbearing confidence. "I think you've forgotten your place. You were an ordinary student. Your natural level is with those children in the arena. Our talk is over. We will meet in the circle tomorrow."

  ?Nico watched Zorua's back as he walked away. He whispered to the empty hallway, a mysterious smile playing on his lips.

  ?"I like that kind of confidence," Nico said quietly. "I think I will be a little sharp tomorrow."

  ?

  [End of Chapter 29]