Dong. Dong. Dong.

  The bells of Genise tolled overhead. Their sound rolled down the ancient palace towers in a melody that seemed to vibrate bone-deep.

  “Adovoria, I present to you: your Queen and King!”

  The herald’s voice rang out across the capital, swallowed immediately by deafening cheers and thunderous applause. From the balconies of East Genise’s more humble buildings to the towering windows of West Genise’s noble estates, onlookers all bore witness to the event. The guests in attendance were a mixture of the poor and nobility, locals and those who had traveled from across the continent.

  Grandov clapped his own hands, standing on one of the balconies on the periphery of the grand wedding ceremony, as one of thousands of witnesses in the union between Evelyn and Micah. It was spring of the Adovorian calendar year 781.

  Below, people were clustered shoulder to shoulder on either side of the main road. The noise and color of celebration spilled out into every street and alley branching off. Soon, the open-top white carriage carrying the newly crowned pair would pass through, completing the ritual.

  ?In a symbolic gesture not lost on the people, the ceremony was held outdoors, in the center of Genise, directly on the wide road that split the capital in two. It was a hint that perhaps, the kingdom would be ruled by a union meant to bridge divides across the West and East, the rich and the poor, those living in the light and those in the shadows.

  ?At the center of that road stood an altar of white stone, covered in delicate golden roses and pale peonies—all chiseled magically out of stone. It was an intricate piece of art that, for all its splendor and delicacy, would be removed by the day's end with its purpose having been served. Yet it was destined to live in memory far longer.

  ?A talented Lithomancer whom Grandov had never encountered in past playthroughs had been responsible for the magnificent sculpture.

  ?His gaze drifted toward the city’s east side, where another wonder rose from the skyline: a towering stone building still half-veiled by scaffolding, yet already nearly rivaling the royal palace itself. The Royal Academy of Arcane Disciplines

  ?It was founded and built up in an improbable partnership between the Adovorian crown and the Spider Syndicate—the very group that, until but half a year ago, was the main force behind the subjugation and enslavement of mages.

  ?While the shift in opinion wasn’t instantaneous, a genuine belief that mages could find protection in Adovoria had spread far and wide. The Lithomancer was one of many other mages who had pilgrimaged to Adovoria’s capital for a chance to live in the open and improve their talents at the new academy, which accepted all with even an inkling of a mana core.

  ?The academy still lacked polish. There were the unfinished walls, incomplete towers, and many bureaucratic and administrative tasks needing to be done. Yet despite all that, fifty-three mages already called it home, and basic lessons in mana control had begun under the guidance of elder practitioners.

  ?Grandov exhaled softly.

  ?To imagine that there was such a simple and elegant way to gather mages….

  ?Grandov shook the thought away.

  ?No. It was simple, but far from easy. Not without the crown’s backing.

  ?His gaze drifted toward the younger Adovorian princess standing among the royal family near the altar. Her long blonde hair fluttered in the breeze, and the folds of her pink silk gown rippled around her. Though she couldn’t have been pleased by the marriage and her elder sister’s ascension to the throne, her poise was impeccable. Despite her many faults, she was someone who had been trained from birth in matters of diplomacy.

  ?Such a miracle would have never been possible under the rule of Queen Naomi.

  ?In the original Rounds, Naomi was nothing more than a foolish puppet ruler. She was too naive and easily swayed by her advisors’ words. It made raising the necessary capital and resources to fight against the Kobar Empire painstakingly difficult. It was but one of many hurdles that made Adovoria’s Fall downright impossible to win.

  ?The cheers below erupted once more, as the carriage with the newly married couple began its slow procession down the main street. Evelyn’s veil caught the sunlight, scattering gold across the crowd. The phoenix-eye jewels at her ears and neck glimmered brilliantly. Beside her, Micah sat in a suit of crisp white and gold, his blonde hair bright and glowing under the afternoon sun’s rays. The couple smiled and waved, picture-perfect icons of prosperity and peace.

  ?Grandov’s lips curved.

  ?It wasn’t merely Evelyn’s public support. In the shadows, Micah’s hand was evident. Laws were passed, funding was diverted and secured, and promises made that would not have been possible without… delicate persuasion techniques.

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  ?BlueLizard was aware of the turbulent past between Grandov and Micah and had some insight into just how dangerous and vicious Luca’s older brother really was.

  ?But he’s on my side now. And thank god for that.

  ?BA-BOOM! BOOM!

  ?Grandov flinched instinctively. Color burst overhead in plumes of peach, gold, and crimson, breaking up the otherwise perfect blue of the clear sky. The unmistakable scent of peonies filled the air.

  ?I can never get used to those.

  ?He knew that the fireworks of Luca Frey’s younger sister were not the catastrophic forces that he was familiar with—at least not the ones utilized during this happy occasion. Still, the reminder of her abilities was enough to make the hair on his arms stand.

  ?She’s no less terrifying than her eldest brother.

  ?His attention shifted to a pair of personnel of The Order weaving through the crowd below. They moved with calm vigilance, tasked with ensuring the event remained a celebratory occasion by snuffing out drunken brawls or pickpockets before chaos took hold. Hanging off their waists were their usual swords, but also small handheld mana guns, sleek and silver, devised by Elda Frey and Leo Jarvis.

  ?Voices erupted below with renewed vigor as the wedding procession advanced. It was an endless chain of carriages carrying Adovoria’s nobility and foreign dignitaries toward the palace, where the private banquet and diplomatic rites would take place.

  ?“Look—it’s the new Daylan Queen, Deanna!” someone in the crowd shouted.

  ?“And beside her—His Holiness, Chase Daylan!”

  ?“Praise the Golden Saint!”

  ?A chill crept down Grandov’s spine. The siblings waved gracefully from their carriage at the excited crowds, radiating serenity and devotion.

  ?Prince Chase Daylan.

  ?Even Luca treated that man with measured caution. And rightly so. Chase had orchestrated the quiet extermination of nearly all his siblings, save for Deanna and her twin. And apart from the ease with which he removed his enemies, his golden tongue persuaded and swayed the public, somehow turning the slaughter into a tale of divine providence. His cult’s followers regarded him with fervent devotion, worshipping him as both a prophet and a savior, growing in number with every waking hour.

  ?Grandov’s gaze swept the crowd. At least one in ten wore the cult’s golden-yellow attire.

  ?And it’s only been half a year… That’s all it took.

  ?Grandov shook his head in resignation.

  ?Thank god all these terrifying people are on my side.

  ?Then his eyes caught a flash of black hair among the carriages, among the red and blonde of the Frey family’s.

  ?He couldn’t help but smile faintly.

  ?No. It’s him I should be thankful for.

  ?Because for all their terrifying power—the syndicate leader, the inventors, the shadow king, the two queens, the cult leader, and more—it was Luca Frey who had somehow managed to bind and unite them together. He ensured their survival in this loop and turned what ought to have been a minefield of egos into an alliance.

  ?With him, it really is possible to win this impossible Game.

  ?More than the distant promise of the Game’s end, Grandov felt something simpler: an indescribable warmth swelling in his chest. Pride.

  ?Luca has come so far.

  ?Having lived as long as BlueLizard had and having met countless people across many realms, Luca Frey should have been just another passerby in that endless cycle. Yet somehow, impossibly, a friendship had taken root between them that transcended the loops, the resets, even the Game itself.

  ?Perhaps it’s not so bad that Adovoria’s Fall will take a while to beat.

  ?Grandov smiled faintly.

  ?Because once it’s over…

  ?“Boss! Come have a drink with us—the procession’s over!” one of The Order’s soldiers called, slapping him on the back.

  ?“Here, here! We ought to be merry, as is our duty!” another added, thrusting a frothing mug into Grandov’s hand.

  ?Grandov chuckled and lifted the beer toward the cheering crowd. “Very well then! To our Queen and King!”

  A roar of agreement followed. Wooden mugs clinked. Liquor spilled, making the floor sticky. The scent of roasted chicken and bread filled the air as music from every street corner blended into one grand, drunken symphony. Genise was alive tonight; its people would not sleep before sunrise.

  ?Though The Order’s soldiers were on alert, Grandov’s position was less about vigilance and more about presence. He was a pillar and a symbol. A leader in times of need and in times of celebration. And thus, for once, he allowed himself to simply exist among his people, to laugh and drink.

  ?The city was as secure as it could ever be. Patrols covered every district. And nobles and foreign royals had brought their own guards, even the newly crowned Queen Deanna Daylan’s crimson-clad army, adding to the mix. For tonight, Adovoria was a fortress of joy that not even the Kobar Empire could penetrate.

  ?Grandov took a long sip, letting the warmth of the liquor spread through him.

  ?BlueLizard had loosened the Poison Prevention setting just for the occasion. As the prior setting was, alcohol was only as pleasant as its taste, without any of the mind-altering effects. With the dialled back sensitivity against poison, which alcohol was ultimately categorized as, BlueLizard was feeling the buzzed joy of the liquor.

  ?He—no, she—laughed as the world swayed. Arms thrown wide, she danced to the music, clumsy and unrestrained. Drunkenness was the only time BlueLizard ever allowed herself to drop the act in any realm. No one questioned odd behavior from a drunk; no one cared, especially when everyone else was equally inebriated.

  ?“Hey! I’d like to give another toast!” she bellowed, half-swaying, half-standing on the table. “To my best friend!”

  ?The soldiers erupted with laughter.

  ?“Another one? You’ll kill us, Boss! Who’s this best friend, huh?”

  ?“Someone great!” she shouted, voice cracking with emotion. “Someone I’ll make sure finds the happiness he deserves!”

  ?That earned another cheer.

  ?“Alright…. alright—you heard the boss! Let’s drink up!”

  ?“Hazzah!”

  ?The soldiers roared at the excuse to drink, though they were all already in the depths of drunkenness.

  ?She took a gulp—and froze.

  ?Hmm?

  ?A flicker of blue light appeared before her eyes. A notification window.

  ?She lowered her mug and blinked. But the text didn’t change.

  ?Ah. No, that can’t be right. I must have drunk too much.

  ?She moved Grandov’s hands clumsily over his pockets, producing the emergency detox potion to rid oneself of any drunkenness, and downed the bitter thing in one gulp. It was faster and simpler than adjusting the backend settings.

  ?“Boss? You good?” a soldier asked, half-concerned, half-amused.

  ?However, Grandov didn’t answer. His gaze stayed locked on the glowing blue text hovering before him.

  ?The room around him blurred into noise and muted color.

  ?A low buzz of alarm rang through his head.

  ?Only one line mattered.

  ?[ Attention: Active Players: 0.6 ]

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