The situation had become more troubling than they initially thought. A thick, uneasy silence blanketed the room once more, as if even the air hesitated to move.Then Siel spoke, his voice calm but edged with concern."Is it really possible to breach the primordial barrier?"
Zin turned, uncertainty shadowing his features. "I'm not sure," he began. His tone was measured but heavy, each word deliberate."If the barrier was broken, the Tree sapling would die — but that's impossible at our level. The sapling holds the essence of life itself. Even demigods can't interfere with that. The only exception would be… if they made a tiny gap, just enough to pass through."
He paused, glancing toward the window as though expecting to see something lurking in the distance."But that would have triggered the alarm Sera set. She should have appeared by now. Since she hasn't, this could mean one thing — space manipulation."
Siel frowned. "Impossible. The barrier blocks spatial distortion."
Zin nodded slightly. "Yes. The array was built to prevent exactly that."
He spoke for a while longer, the weight of his reasoning settling over everyone like a fog. By the time he stopped, fatigue dulled his expression."The only explanation left," he said quietly, "is that the barrier was breached. That's the only way the demons could have entered the forest."
A faint tug pulled at his sleeve. Zin turned and found Zenora trembling behind him. Her face was pale; her eyes, distant. It wasn't fear of the unknown — it was recognition. The word demons had resurrected something she'd tried to bury: the memory of fire, screaming voices, and the lifeless hands of her comrades in the ruins years ago.Zin exhaled softly. It seems this meeting stirred nasty memories again.
"Then is it not best for you to leave now?" Katharine suggested gently, breaking the silence.
Zin shook his head. "It's not that simple," he said. His voice was low but steady. "I've seen at least two demon lords."
He leaned back slightly, as if bracing himself against invisible pressure. "My mana was limited, so I couldn't see much from that distance. But one of them… their mana was beyond abnormal."
He fell silent for a moment, eyes narrowing. "If they were to appear, I'd have to break my seal just to keep up."He glanced toward the window again. "And the forest is enormous. Searching it would take weeks, maybe months."
A shadow crossed his thoughts. What if it isn't the demons… but something worse?He considered the possibility of a new breed — or perhaps the nether creatures whispered about in the north.Then his thoughts drifted to the shadow clan. He had investigated them for years. Their fascination with dark mana and the Fallen Deity was no secret. They had waged wars, annihilated nations, and vanished, leaving ruins behind — though that was long ago.
He rubbed his temples. "If the shadow clan truly meddled with the Night King, then…" His voice trailed off. "He's cursed, bound to the northern mountains. Moving him is impossible."He hesitated, then muttered, "Unless they found a way to break the curse."
The thought sent a chill through him. If the nether creatures were moving, then the Night King was moving too — and where he went, destruction followed. They were his mindless flock.
The room grew quiet again, heavy with realization.
Zin's thoughts turned inward. Three demigods… no backup… He clenched his fist beneath the table. There's no one else who can stand with me.
It was a grim reality. Elador was a town of half-breeds — no military strength to rely on.Seras, though noble, served only under the elven council's orders. Her interest lay with Gilly and the Library, not with war.And if Zin lost control, if the seal broke… Elnor itself might fall.Three divine beings had been required to suppress his violent nature before. If he became unstable again, they would have no choice but to eliminate him.
For the first time, everyone saw him wear a troubled expression."Zin, why are you hesitant?" the Grandmaster asked softly. His eyes opened — faintly glowing, ancient and tired.
"Don't worry, friend," he said after a pause. "Help will come. You just have to ask."
Zin didn't answer. His mind turned to the artifact. If the demons sought it, their destination would be clear — Elnor."If they draw too much attention," he said slowly, "the Twelfth Guard might intercept them before they arrive."
He paused, then frowned. "That's why they moved at night. The Twelfth Guard is blessed by the sun — it wouldn't activate in darkness."
Realization rippled through the room."The elven court expected this," Zin added. "That's why they stationed only the Twelfth Guard in Elnor."
"I thought the guards were just displays of ancient heroes," Grandmaster said, stroking his beard thoughtfully.
Zin shook his head, offering no explanation.
They turned to Siel, who looked lost in thought.Stugvilk's eyes caught a faint shimmer — each time the Twelfth Guard was mentioned, the earrings on Gilly's ears glowed faintly, like a heartbeat of hidden power. He blinked, unsure if it was real or the remnants of the drink earlier clouding his sight.
The silence deepened again.
"This makes things a lot more complicated," Bathamuel said, breaking the tension. "Do you want me to call on Mizin?""That's too far away," Siel replied. "Even if you ran, it'd take two days."
Bathamuel grinned. "I'm kin to one of the fastest races — don't underestimate me."He stood, stretching his shoulders. "We all have a duty. Don't worry about these old bones," he said with a wide smile.
He walked toward the door, pausing only to glance back at Zin.(Don't go wild), his voice echoed telepathically.
"Can't he use a teleportation array?" Zin asked.Hilary shook her head. "The east is off-limits until this is resolved. No teleportation without approval from the capital."
"Bullshit," Katharine muttered, slamming her chair back."Let's go to the square," she said, her tone firm and sharp.
One by one, they followed her out, leaving only Stugvilk and Katharine's daughter in the room.The air felt lighter now, but the unease lingered — like a faint vibration beneath the skin.
Stugvilk's gaze drifted back to Gilly. The invisible earrings shimmered again before vanishing entirely.He frowned. I wasn't imagining it. But if no one else saw… then it must be hidden.His eyes narrowed. Could that be the artifact they're after?
"Hmm… strange things are appearing again," he muttered.
"What's wrong, old man?" Katharine's daughter asked, tilting her head."Don't worry, it'll all work out," he said, forcing a chuckle. But the laughter didn't reach his eyes.
As they passed through the bustling guild hall, conversation died in waves. Heads turned. Even the adventurers lowered their voices as if an invisible authority passed among them.The group walked in silence. The crowd parted instinctively, clearing their path.
Gilly felt their gazes — cautious, heavy — but unlike before, they no longer stung. The fear had dulled into something like respect.The air outside was crisp and cool. The castle loomed ahead, its spires piercing the morning mist.
Without a word, they continued toward it, each step echoing the quiet dread of what was to come.