After returning from Igdur, Lucian immediately reported everything he had discovered.
The truth was far more dangerous than they had imagined.
The Group of the Dark had not simply infiltrated a merchant organization.
They had planted themselves inside one of the kingdom's pillars.
The Third Merchant Association had existed for centuries. Its influence extended beyond simple trade. It controlled transportation routes, resource distribution, contracts, warehouses, and even information networks.
Destroying it was impossible.
Even with undeniable proof, removing the association overnight would create chaos throughout the kingdom.
The Dark had chosen their target carefully.
They had not chosen a weapon.
They had chosen a foundation.
Lucian stood before the royal council, explaining everything he had seen.
That evening, Lucian went to his mother.
For the first time in years, he stood before her not as a soldier, but as a son asking for permission.
"I want to go to the Border."
His mother looked at him quietly.
She knew this day would come.
"You have already decided, haven't you?"
Lucian remained silent.
She sighed.
"Very well."
His eyes widened slightly.
"You accept?"
"I do."
Then her expression changed.
"But there is one condition."
Lucian immediately became cautious.
"What is it?"
"You will escort Clara Sven."
Lucian blinked.
"Only escort?"
His mother smiled faintly.
"She is also one of your marriage candidates."
The room became silent.
Lucian looked at her in disbelief.
"Mother..."
"You are old enough to understand your responsibilities."
Lucian looked away.
The Demons.
The Border.
Those were the only things in his mind.
Marriage was not something he wanted to think about.
Yet for some reason, the name Clara Sven remained in his thoughts.
The next day, Lucian arrived at the Sven residence.
The moment Clara stepped outside, he understood why she was considered unusual.
She was not loud like many nobles.
She did not try to display her status.
She simply walked forward.
Calm.
Elegant.
A strange light seemed to surround her.
Not magical.
Something else.
A presence.
For a moment, Lucian forgot what he was about to say.
Clara noticed.
"Sir Lucian?"
He quickly returned to reality.
"Forgive me. We should leave."
A faint smile appeared on her face.
Their journey began.
The road toward the Border was considered the safest and fastest route.
Because of that, they did not require a large escort.
Instead, they traveled through the kingdom's railway system.
The train moved smoothly across the landscape.
Throughout the journey, Lucian occasionally looked toward Clara.
She sat quietly beside the window.
Watching the passing scenery.
She barely spoke.
Strangely, that silence made Lucian more nervous.
He had faced monsters.
Armies.
Death itself.
Yet sitting beside a quiet noble woman somehow troubled him more.
Eventually, they arrived near the Sven estate.
A carriage was waiting.
As Clara entered, she turned toward him.
"I hope we meet again, Sir Lucian."
Lucian nodded.
"Take care."
The carriage disappeared into the distance.
Only then did he realize he had been watching until it vanished.
Before departing for the Border, Lucian wrote a letter.
It was addressed to his mother.
The contents were short.
He accepted Clara Sven as his future partner.
But he requested time.
His first goal remained unchanged.
The Demons.
When Lucian finally arrived at the Border Wall, he was greeted by a familiar face.
"Lucian!"
Commander Max approached with a wide smile.
"My nephew finally decided to visit."
Lucian smiled.
"It took long enough."
Max looked at him carefully.
"You've changed."
"So have you."
Max laughed.
"Then let's see how much."
The two entered the training grounds.
A spar began.
Lucian entered confidently.
Too confidently.
He had fought powerful enemies recently.
He had defeated Dark followers.
He had survived deadly missions.
But Max was different.
He was a veteran who had protected the Border for years.
The moment their blades clashed, Lucian understood.
This was not an opponent he could underestimate.
Max's strength pushed him backward.
Again.
And again.
"You rely too much on your power," Max said.
Lucian gritted his teeth.
The lesson was painful.
But he adapted.
He adjusted his movements.
Controlled his strength.
Finally, after a long battle, Lucian managed to defeat him.
Max lowered his weapon and smiled.
"Good."
Lucian looked surprised.
"You let me win?"
"No."
Max laughed.
"You earned it."
After the spar, Max brought Lucian to the top of the Wall.
The moment Lucian looked beyond it, his expression changed.
The world outside was dead.
The land had been corrupted by Demonic energy.
The soil was black.
Trees stood lifeless.
Ruins of forgotten villages remained scattered across the wasteland.
Nothing lived there.
Nothing natural.
Only monsters.
"The Demons changed everything beyond this wall," Max said.
Lucian remained silent.
Everywhere he looked, he saw the aftermath of their existence.
"The beasts attack often," Max continued.
"And the Demons?"
Max's expression became serious.
"They watch."
Lucian frowned.
"They don't attack?"
"No."
Max looked into the darkness.
"They stand at a distance. They observe the Wall."
"Why?"
Max shook his head.
"That is the question we still cannot answer."
Later that night, Lucian joined the soldiers for dinner.
There was no luxury.
Only simple army provisions.
But the atmosphere was different.
These soldiers knew tomorrow might be their last day.
Yet they laughed.
They ate.
They lived.
Lucian understood why the Border was different.
Then—
A bell rang.
Once.
Twice.
Three times.
Every soldier immediately stood.
The alarm.
"Demonic beasts!"
The entire camp moved instantly.
Weapons were prepared.
The Wall came alive.
Beyond the darkness, countless creatures emerged.
The attack began.
The battle was brutal.
The beasts climbed the Wall.
Soldiers fought desperately.
Some fell.
Others replaced them.
The preparation was perfect.
But the enemy was relentless.
Hours passed.
Finally, the last beast reached the top of the Wall.
A massive creature covered in black scales.
Before the soldiers could react—
Lucian moved.
His sword flashed.
The final beast fell.
Silence returned.
The first battle of Lucian at the Border was over.
The next morning, Max summoned him.
"I have a mission."
Lucian looked at him.
"The Demon-resistant seeds."
Max nodded.
Outside the Wall, there were areas where these special plants could grow.
They weakened Demonic energy.
But planting them required leaving the safety of the Wall.
"I want you to join the expedition."
Lucian understood.
This was not a normal mission.
Outside the Wall, there was no protection.
No reinforcements.
Only darkness.
"You trust me with this?"
Max smiled.
"I wouldn't suggest it if I didn't."
Lucian looked beyond the Wall.
The corrupted land waited.
For years he had wanted to come here.
Now he finally stood at the edge of the true battlefield.
The war against the Demons had begun.