The world outside was between night and morning. Faint light entered through the windows, enough for shapes to be visible.
Rage opened his eyes. His vision adjusted to the gray tone of the room. The bed felt tight again. He had grown used to it since Mariselle often slept beside him, but today it was tighter than usual.
He turned his head.
The queens slept sideways next to him.
Rage let out a quiet breath. "Guess my bed's warmer than theirs. Can't blame them for switching spots," he said.
He sat up in the middle of the bed. A yawn followed.
From this angle, he could see all of them. Each of them were in a nightgown, asleep without care.
"If I were a gooner, I'd have lost my head five times by now."
He looked to his right. The four bunny maids were standing there as usual. They looked the same as always, like they never slept.
He leaned forward to move toward the edge of the bed and stood up. The floor was cold.
Seloria was already there, holding his coat and loafers.
He took them, then looked back at the bed again, scratching his head.
He pulled the blanket up and covered the sleeping queens.
"I wonder how many of them are his daughters," he said quietly.
***
Rage walked through the hall. As always, Walter was standing by the entrance.
"Morning, Sebastian," Rage said as he passed.
He adjusted his coat while heading toward the armory. It was part of his routine. He never stepped outside without something that looked ready for travel or a fight.
The guards outside the armory nodded as he passed. He gave a lazy half-wave and stepped in.
A few minutes later, he pushed through the castle's main door. Morning light had begun to form.
The guards at the gate straightened and greeted him. Rage gave them a short nod before walking past.
Outside the walls, the sight was different. From where he stood, the ground sloped downward, giving him a clear view past the battlements. Rows of tents covered the plains below, banners fixed in the soil, shifting slightly in the wind.
He paused, watching the faint movements of soldiers and workers moving between the camps.
He didn't remember seeing that yesterday. Or maybe he just hadn't paid attention.
His thoughts shifted to Firekeep. The tension had been building for days. Any moment now, they'd be attacked. It could be today.
He took a slow breath and moved on.
He passed by a row of blacksmith buildings near the lower path. The sound of hammers echoed through the early air. Sparks flew from the forges. Dwarves were already at work, faces darkened with soot, arms moving without rest.
They looked like they hadn't stopped since the night before.
Rage watched for a second, then kept walking.
***
Rage reached the academy gates. The air there was colder, still holding the quiet of dawn. He entered without a word and headed straight for the lower hall.
The spiral staircase led downward into the archive.
Old scholars sat at their desks, papers stacked in uneven towers. Most looked like they hadn't slept at all. Yuri was at her usual table, reading several pages at once. She didn't look up when he passed.
Rage moved past her and opened the door to the silent chamber.
A faint glow came from the far end. One of the scholars stood there, speaking quietly to the orb.
Rage was about to greet him, but the scholar raised a hand to hush him.
After a few moments, the scholar stepped away and walked quickly toward Rage.
"I'm sorry, sir, but I'm in the middle of teaching it," the scholar said.
"How far have you recorded?" Rage asked.
"We're as far as two bookshelves now. Mostly about elements and magic."
"I can't thank you enough."
"The pleasure is ours, sir. We're glad to be part of something grand."
Another scholar appeared from behind a row of shelves, holding a stack of books, eager to step in.
"I'll wait until you're done and take my turn," Rage said.
"We can take care of this task, sir," the first scholar replied.
A third one added, "If you can make another orb, it would be better."
Rage nodded. "That's a good idea. Better yet, I have a better one."
He turned away and walked back toward Yuri's table. She was still reading.
He scratched his neck, eyes on her. "Do you have.. any more of those dead Kingdom Core fragments?"
She looked up slowly. "Follow me."
They walked together to the far side of the archive, toward the old cabinet. Yuri reached into the back.
She pulled out a smaller orb and handed it to him.
"Does this come from the same dead Kingdom Core?" Rage asked.
"Yes," Yuri said.
Rage nodded and went back to his table. He set the orb down beside a spread of old notes and began code.
"Now that we have the router," he muttered, "I'll need a device to connect to it."
He typed the codes into the orb's interface through mental input. Each command was the same way he did with the first orb. He stayed focused the entire time.
The morning blurred without noise.
Rage stayed at his table, focused on the orb. He worked through the same cycle as before. He typed one line, tested it, typed another, tested again, then debugged and repeated.
The process was faster this time. There were fewer errors. A few hours were still not enough. It would take more time before he could call the orb operational.
From time to time, Lienne came by with food. She placed the trays quietly on the corner of his desk. He gave her a short nod each time without looking up. She ran off blushing every time.
The scholars kept to their own work. Yuri had not moved from her seat. The atmosphere in the archive stayed quiet and steady, heavy with concentration.
Rage leaned back in his chair, flexed his fingers, and looked at the orb again.
The orb's code structure was still unstable.
He exhaled once and went back to work.
Afternoon came.
The scholars were still at their desks when hurried footsteps echoed down the hall.
A young scholar rushed toward Rage, out of breath.
Rage didn't look up right away. He already knew what this was about.
"Is it night already?" he asked without lifting his eyes from the orb.
"Not yet, sir," the scholar said. "But a royal guard is here looking for you."
Rage placed his quill down. "What is it this time?"
The scholar straightened, unsure whether to answer or wait.
Rage pushed his chair back and stood and brushed off the dust from his coat.
Moments later, he returned to the archive.
He walked toward Yuri's table. "I'll be gone for a while," he said.
Yuri turned a page without looking at him. "So it's today."
"It appears that way."
"Come back alive, or at least still breathing," she said, eyes still on her book.
From one of the nearby shelves, Tavin called out after overhearing. "You're heading toward Firekeep today, sir?"
"Yeah."
Lienne stepped out from behind a row of shelves, her hands clasped together. "Please take care of yourself, sir. And come back safe."
A few of the other scholars approached, voices soft, each expressing their concern in turn.
Rage shrugged. "No worries. I can respawn."
They exchanged uncertain looks. None of them understood what he meant, but the worry in their faces was heavier than their curiosity.
***
Back at the castle, the air was filled with movement. The queens stood in full gear, armor fitted and cloaks drawn. Their generals waited near the gates, already mounted.
Rage approached the courtyard, glancing around once.
Mariselle stood near the center, calm as always, her hands were rested on her staff. "If we begin our march now, we shall reach the fields of Firekeep in two days."
Her gaze drifted toward the four bunny maids standing at the side, then back to Rage. "It is not necessary to enter the castle. Everything you require has been prepared."
Rage noticed Seloria holding his three katanas. He nodded once. What he wore now would do for battle. No need to change.
"So are we going or what?"
Mariselle gave a faint smile.
A guard led a horse toward him and handed over the reins. Rage mounted without another word.
From the gathered ranks, Kazumi called out, her voice was light and teasing. "Try not to fall, King Slayer."
"Got it."
Tavin hurried toward him, chasing his breath. "Sir, please take this." He handed over a small charm covered in faint inscriptions. "It's from Lienne. For your safety and luck."
Rage looked at the charm for a moment and took it. "Tell her I said thanks."
He slipped the charm into his pocket.
"I'll tell her, sir. We'll wait for you in the archive," Tavin said, giving a short bow before leaving.
Moments later, the queens boarded their carriages and the officers mounted their horses.
Suzu, Miyu, and Reina appeared beside Kazumi.
Rage noticed them. "You're finally here."
They bowed slightly. "Oogoroshi-sama," they said together, then giggled.
"Don't call me that," Rage replied. "It's cringe."
The parade began to move.
Rage took his place behind the line of officers, his horse was steady and silent beneath him. The carriages followed close behind.
Outside the castle walls, the full army waited. Formations of footmen, samurai, knights, spearmen, and cavalry filled the open field. Officers shouted orders while adjusting ranks and banners.
Vaelith and Serida's forces were not in sight.
Rage looked toward the distant docks. The Ebonwake ships were still there, anchored.
"Maybe they'll follow after the sun is gone," he muttered.
As the front of the parade reached the assembled troops, loud cheers rose across the field. Soldiers raised their weapons, shouting the names of their queens and kingdoms. The sound spread through the ranks until it filled the entire plain.
Then the signal was given.
The march began.
The sound of boots and hooves rolled through the open plain. Banners lifted in the wind. The carriages carrying the queens moved with the formation, followed by the supply wagons. The army of the union advanced toward Firekeep.
[SYSTEM] Corruption : 53.6%