"Yes! The first hour of The Six Hours of God is about to expire. It was quite intense, wouldn't you say?"

  "Indeed... A total of nineteen players were eliminated in just the first hour. Of course, this is to be expected for Phase 1. Also, we must highlight that while only an hour has passed here, approximately two weeks have passed within the game world."

  "Ah, speaking of nineteen; it was nearly twenty!"

  "We have witnessed that NPCs can offer salvation just as easily as they can lead to death. And the clash between Number 1 and Number 99... It seems this duo will be the main topic of conversation."

  "I must emphasize that this is merely the beginning; five hours remain, and eighty players are still on the field. As the clock ticks down, potential stars will begin to distinguish themselves one by one."

  "Time will tell. But we must issue a small reminder to our audience: To proceed to Phase 2, the number of players must be reduced to forty-five. Or, who knows? Perhaps a 'Secret Boss' will appear... And in the scenario where the players defeat it, all survivors will qualify for Phase 2."

  "Ah! Now that is a spine-chilling scenario!"

  While these ornate words drifted softly into the ears of the audience, not a whisper managed to seep through the soundproof doors of the control room.

  "Ah, one hour and nineteen players... Nearly twenty, is that it? The horrific sight those players saw at the very end... To simulate death."

  The Doctor, turning the events over in her mind with mumbled words, was dragged back to reality by the sound of her assistant speaking.

  "Ma'am, the relationship between the two princesses was strained, wasn't it?"

  "Ah, yes, right... It was. They despise one another."

  Swallowing hard at the response, the assistant took courage from his superior’s engagement and pressed on.

  "Ma'am, then isn't it quite peculiar that Number 25, despite being part of Flora's team, was rescued by Fidelis, who is in service to Luna?"

  The Doctor offered no immediate reply to the assistant's query. She slowly reached up, untangling her glasses from the strands of hair framing her face, and deliberately placed them on the table. After rubbing her eyes for a moment with her fingers, she fixed her narrowed gaze upon her assistant.

  "Believe me, speaking on the matter of Number 25 is difficult."

  Reaching for her glass, the Doctor took a few sips before continuing.

  "The betrayal by Flora of Tapiola, followed by the salvation offered by Luna of Vallis Heims... Ah, and as for Number 99, I need not even speak of him."

  Following the Doctor's words, the pair fell silent, staring into the distance for a moment under the sterile glare of the white LEDs. Though the assistant did not voice the questions in his mind, his thoughts were written clearly across his face.

  Noticing this, the Doctor picked her glasses up from the table and began to speak as she slid them back on.

  "Number 25's uncertain fate hangs upon 99's mercy and Luna's sword-sharp intellect. Furthermore, do not forget: even Flora cannot compete with Luna when it comes to pure intellect."

  ***

  As the biting winds of Vallis Heims besieged the palace, one of the guards silently slipped into the royal kitchens and sidled up to a maid he knew.

  "There is news from Fidelis," he whispered. Casting a slow, wary glance around the room, he handed her the small, sealed scroll he had been concealing.

  Once the maid had silently taken the scroll and tucked it away inside her bodice, the guard continued. "Also, regarding Flora and her team..."

  Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

  He was about to continue when a sudden clamor from the hallway made him freeze. Gripping the maid's arm, he pulled her close and silently poured the rest of his words directly into her ear.

  As the guard finished his silent words, he slipped out of the kitchen and vanished from sight. Lost in thought for a moment amidst the mouth-watering aromas filling the room, the maid lightly slapped her cheeks to regain her composure. Then, picking up the silver tray prepared with food, she made her way with silent steps toward the Princess's chambers.

  The encroaching cold had washed away the makeup of the ostentatious corridors; the returning gloom rendered the place akin to an expensive dungeon, lined with paintings that sent shivers down one's spine. At the end of the corridor lined with endless paintings stood a colossal, ornate door. Coming to a halt before the two sentries guarding it, the maid offered a salute, her expression bearing the chill of the outside world.

  "What do you want?"

  Staring down the guard, who bore the harsh disposition of his homeland, the maid thrust the tray she held with both hands right into his line of sight.

  "It is Her Highness's mealtime. Are you blind?"

  "Ah, fine, you may pass," said the second guard.

  The maid began to move forward with small steps, but was forced to halt once more as the arrogant guard opened his mouth.

  "Wait. I need to inspect what you've brought. Lift the lids."

  "Ah, honestly!"

  "All right, that isn't necess—"

  The arrogant guard cut off the second sentry sharply. "You, mind your business! I have direct orders from the King!"

  The second guard, wishing to avoid further conflict, retreated into a grumbling silence. The arrogant sentry stepped closer to the maid. Gripping his spear tightly in his left hand, he reached out with his right and lifted the lids one by one.

  "See?" the maid snapped. "Some soup, vegetables, pork, and a few slices of bread."

  Disappointed, the guard began to close the lids, but his eyes snagged on the slight bulge beneath the maid's bodice. As he squinted, trying to discern what it was, he felt a piercing gaze upon him and snapped his head up to meet the maid’s eyes.

  "Ah! So you are not only arrogant, but a pervert as well! Honestly, the mere presence of wretched excuses like you in our glorious kingdom defiles my soul!"

  With his face burning with the heat of shame caused by the maid's shrill outcry, the guard was forced to retreat. The maid slipped inside as the second guard opened the door with undisguised relish. The moment the heavy door clicked shut behind her, she let out a deep, trembling breath.

  While the vast chamber initially deceived the eye with its ostentatious furniture and intricately patterned walls, a closer look revealed a suffocating intensity. It took almost no effort to sense the silent screams of rebellion trapped between those ornate designs.

  At the far end of the room, seated in an armchair before the fireplace, Luna’s loose light-brown hair cascaded down her shoulders. The maid approached with compassionate steps, drawing near the Princess, who was lost in the sight of the hearth.

  Luna, the crimson glow of the flames dancing upon her pale skin, watched the fire in silence for a moment longer before turning her eyes, reminiscent of deep blue seas, toward her maid.

  "Your Highness, I have brought your meal."

  Placing the tray upon the carved wooden table—which bore motifs reminiscent of winter—sitting before the silent Luna, the maid began to lift the lids with movements as light as a feather.

  Princess Luna broke her silence with a voice reminiscent of a winter garden. "Ah, is there no dessert?"

  "Of course there is, Your Majesty."

  Slowly withdrawing the scroll from her bodice, the maid surrendered it into the Princess's elegant hands. After breaking the seal and reading the contents, the Princess maintained her silence for a time. Then, dipping the silver spoon before her into the soup with her right hand, she blew a gentle breeze from lips that resembled spun sugar, and took a taste.

  "Mm... Exquisite, as always. Please convey my thanks to the kitchen staff."

  "As you command, Your Majesty."

  After taking a few more sips, the Princess snapped the fingers of her left hand. The maid immediately moved to the wine bottle standing to the side, uncorked it, and poured the crimson liquid into the silver goblet.

  Wrapping her long, slender fingers around the silver goblet, Luna raised it to her face, inhaled the aromatic scent of the wine, and began to take small sips.

  "Also, there is one more matter, Your Majesty."

  "Number 25?" asked Luna as she set the goblet back down.

  "Yes, Your Majesty. Fidelis..."

  "I respect the decision Fidelis and our friend 99 will make. Besides, the report clearly states that he stood up to that woman, Flora."

  "Yes, my lady."

  Tearing off a piece of bread, Luna turned to her maid and continued, her voice darkening. "The Tear of the Sun Goddess... And the fact that my dear father, King Ferox, is involved in this affair..."

  As she clenched her fist in sudden fury, the piece of bread crumbled to dust in her palm. The maid immediately leaned in, cleaning the Princess's hand with the cloth from the tray.

  "Let us see how much longer this game will go on, father..."

  Muttering to herself as she struggled to maintain her composure, Luna waited for the maid to finish cleaning her hand, then spoke again.

  "Ensure I am informed the moment Fidelis and 99 reach the campsite."

  "As you command, Your Majesty."

  With that instruction, the maid left the room as she had entered. Left alone before the fireplace, Luna continued her meal, never once tearing her gaze away from the dance of the flames.