The sun barely illuminated the imperial capital when the temple gates opened.
The Heralds waited in silence in the Grand Courtyard. No servant spoke. Even the soldiers avoided raising their gaze too high.
The four heroes advanced without announcing themselves.
Deidara led the way, covered in black armor where the light seemed to fade. She did not look at anyone as she walked. She did not need to. Her mere presence was enough to force others to step aside.
Eidran followed her with light steps, wrapped in an invisible current that slowly stirred his cloak. He smiled faintly, though his eyes remained empty.
Valkaria advanced like a war machine. The metallic spear in her hands twisted slowly, like a creature obeying silent commands.
Lethos closed the formation.
He carried no weapons.
That was even more unsettling.
His eyes swept across the courtyard only once.
The Heralds stepped forward and led the heroes before Empress Naira. The introductions followed imperial protocol: a formality designed to make the hierarchy unmistakably clear.
The initial reports focused on the isolated region. The routes had finally been opened, but the Frostblight had left devastation that surpassed cities and walls.
While the conversation continued in the temple's upper chamber, the echo of the audience had not yet fully faded from the outer Grand Courtyard.
It was in that same space that the side doors opened once again.
Princess Elizabeth advanced first, escorted by her retinue. At her side was Lusian.
Her arrival was not announced with words.
But the atmosphere changed the moment they crossed the threshold of the courtyard.
There was no immediate reaction. Only a brief pause, almost imperceptible, as if the space itself had recognized an anomaly without knowing how to express it. Some soldiers stopped moving for a moment too long. Others continued, but with a different rigidity.
Eidran was the first to perceive it clearly.
His light expression broke without transition. The smile vanished from his face as if it had never been there. A thin layer of cold sweat ran down his neck. It was not direct magical pressure, nor obvious hostility… it was something worse. Instinctive recognition. That man did not fit into any normal threat category.
He was not measurable strength.
He was a variable outside the system.
Deidara observed him in silence.
There was no surprise in her gaze. Only comparison.
Her hand tightened slightly, almost unconsciously.
I was chosen by a god, passed through her mind with strange calm. He was not.
And yet… the feeling was not superiority.
It was doubt.
The conversation in the chamber continued in parallel, as if two worlds coexisted without fully touching.
—The monsters have not diminished —reported Aster, the High Herald—. In fact, their numbers have increased. The villages remain in danger, and the imperial legions could intervene, but... —he hesitated briefly as he looked toward the Empress— we understand the situation is delicate.
Naira held the Heralds' gaze with absolute calm. There was no fear in her eyes, only calculation. She knew every hidden intention behind their words, every doubt disguised as advice.
—An immediate deployment of all legions —she said in a soft, yet firm voice— could contain the problem for a time. But it would also expose our forces to unstable territory saturated with mana. The casualties would be devastating, and the conflict would only worsen far beyond what you imagine.
The Heralds exchanged glances.
No one had expected the Empress to respond with such caution. She had not challenged their instructions, yet she had not surrendered control either.
—However —Naira continued, inclining her head slightly toward Elizabeth— there is another possibility. Princess, the troops of Carpathia could reinforce the most critical routes under direct coordination with the Heralds and the imperial heroes. That would allow us to contain the situation without compromising the bulk of our forces.
Elizabeth held her gaze for a few seconds before answering. Her posture remained flawless, as firm as Carpathia's diplomatic discipline.
—Understood —she said calmly—. My soldiers will cooperate wherever necessary, but I will not expose Carpathia's forces needlessly.
The silence that followed was uncomfortable.
The icy wind swept through the Grand Courtyard while the Heralds remained silent, unable to object without appearing desperate.
Naira had steered the conversation exactly where she wanted it.
The imperial legions remained protected.
The responsibility now rested on Elizabeth.
And the Heralds could not reject the proposal without revealing too much.
The meeting ended shortly afterward.
The nobles began dispersing through the Grand Courtyard while soldiers and servants returned to their positions. The Heralds left the temple without drawing attention, closely followed by the four heroes.
Only when the stone doors closed behind them did Aster speak.
—The Empress will complicate matters.
No one answered.
The group moved through a narrow corridor, illuminated only by blue torches. The sound of their footsteps was the only thing breaking the silence.
—The cult has already received its instructions —the High Herald continued—. The kidnapping will occur during the transfer toward the northern routes.
Eidran smiled faintly.
—And the princess?
—She must remain alive.
The answer came without emotion.
Aster finally stopped in front of a narrow window. From there, the snow-covered imperial walls could be seen.
—Just make sure that duke does not interfere. The cult will handle the rest.
Valkaria slowly rested her spear against the ground.
—Should we eliminate him if he becomes a problem?
The Herald remained silent for a few seconds.
—Be prudent. Do not allow anyone to suspect you. The Empire's heroes must not be linked to something so… vulgar.
Lethos watched the storm beyond the window.
—The duke will become suspicious.
—Then make sure he doubts himself before he doubts us.
None of them questioned the orders.
To them, the will of the gods stood above any kingdom, any law, and any life.