The room fell silent.
Neither Duke Jacob nor Selena spoke for several moments after hearing Roman's decision.
Even Pope Lucius remained quiet.
Jacob was the first to break the silence.
His brows furrowed deeply as he looked directly into Roman's eyes.
"Roman... do you truly intend to go to the eastern territories?"
His voice carried both concern and disbelief.
"Those people haven't allowed outsiders to enter their lands for centuries."
"And yet you're saying you'll travel there as the envoy of both the Holy Empire and the Clover Kingdom."
Jacob shook his head.
"They've killed countless envoys sent by kingdoms and empires before us."
"They never returned the bodies."
"We know almost nothing about them."
"Their customs..."
"Their culture..."
"Their language..."
"Even their military strength remains a mystery."
He paused before continuing.
"There are even rumors brought back by the few survivors who managed to escape."
"They claim the people of the eastern territories do not use magic."
"They fight using an entirely different power."
"A completely different style."
"They're unlike anything we've ever encountered."
Jacob's expression grew heavier.
"And now you're asking His Holiness to send the Holy Empire's strongest Holy Paladin, Captain Gabriel Velk, to protect them."
"I don't think that's a wise decision."
"They may attack him as well."
"If that happens, he'll be forced to fight both the monsters... and the people he's trying to save."
The room became quiet.
Roman listened without interrupting.
After Jacob finished speaking, Roman calmly replied,
"That isn't the problem, Father."
His voice remained steady.
"Captain Gabriel is strong enough to handle such a situation."
"Our objective isn't to protect only our kingdom."
"It's to save lives."
"Whether those lives belong to the Clover Kingdom..."
"...the Holy Empire..."
"...or the eastern territories."
Roman slowly looked toward the Pope through the communication orb.
"I'll travel there after the Second Dungeon Breakout."
"As the Warherald."
"I'll make them understand that humanity cannot remain divided."
"If we continue standing against one another..."
"...we'll all perish together."
His golden eyes became resolute.
"I'll first try to convince them through discussion."
"Through diplomacy."
He paused.
"But..."
"If words fail..."
"I'll use strength."
Silence.
Jacob stared at his son.
The determination in Roman's eyes never wavered.
Even Pope Lucius remained speechless for a brief moment.
Finally, the Pope gently cleared his throat.
"Roman is correct, Duke Jacob."
His calm voice echoed throughout the office.
"The time has come for the world to stand together."
"Whether unity is achieved through diplomacy..."
"...or through strength..."
"It no longer matters."
"What matters now..."
"...is our survival."
Jacob slowly lowered his head.
"I understand, Your Holiness."
The Pope offered everyone a gentle smile.
"May Goddess Aria watch over all of you."
After exchanging their farewells, the communication orb gradually dimmed.
The room returned to silence.
Selena leaned against the table before speaking.
"I've also heard stories about the eastern territories."
Roman looked toward her.
"A close friend's father was once sent there as part of an official delegation."
Her expression darkened.
"He never returned."
"The only thing that came back..."
"...was his head."
"It was found months later..."
"...floating along the Solara River."
The room grew heavy.
"No one knows what truly happened."
"No one understands those people."
"So..."
Selena looked directly at Roman.
"If you ever go there..."
"Be careful."
"We know absolutely nothing about them."
Roman gave a small nod.
"I will."
With that, he quietly left the office.
The corridors of the estate were unusually calm.
Roman slowly walked toward the main gates.
His destination was the Magic Tower.
He wanted to personally inspect the progress of the teleportation project.
The research had only just begun.
Every hour mattered.
Every experiment brought them one step closer to saving thousands of lives.
As Roman stepped outside
He suddenly stopped.
Something felt wrong.
The wind had disappeared.
The birds had gone silent.
The air itself had become unnaturally heavy.
Roman slowly raised his head.
The clear morning sky...
Was changing.
The brilliant blue faded away.
Dark crimson clouds rapidly spread across the heavens.
Within moments
The entire sky had turned blood-red.
It looked as though countless rivers of blood had been poured across the world itself.
Then
BOOM!
A deafening bolt of crimson lightning split the heavens.
Another followed.
Then another.
Thunder roared continuously, shaking the earth beneath everyone's feet.
Panic erupted throughout Presia.
Citizens screamed.
Children cried.
People immediately abandoned everything and ran toward the emergency bunkers.
The knights reacted without hesitation.
"Everyone remain calm!"
"This way!"
"Move toward the shelters!"
"Protect the elderly and children first!"
The streets instantly became filled with chaos.
Roman remained standing.
His eyes never left the crimson sky.
Then
A familiar mechanical sound echoed inside his mind.
Ding!
The Shadow System activated.
Dark letters appeared before Roman's eyes.
[The Second Dungeon Breakout has begun.]
A second notification immediately followed.
[Warherald Roman... prepare yourself.]
Roman narrowed his eyes.
Then the final message appeared.
Its words caused even him to tense.
[The One is coming.]
Roman's gaze remained fixed upon the blood-red heavens.
For the first time since his reincarnation...
Even he felt an indescribable sense of danger.
The true nightmare...
Had finally begun.