The training ground was already prepared. Wooden targets lined one side while reinforced stone pillars stood along the other, each bearing countless marks from previous training sessions.
Atheline removed his cloak before placing his bow and sword upon a nearby weapon rack. He stood quietly for several moments, breathing steadily. Feeling Aether flowing naturally throughout his body.
Ever since knowing part of the origin of the multi-elemental core, he had deliberately avoided chasing greater power. Instead, he focused on understanding the strength he already possessed.
Slowly, he extended one hand. A gentle breeze formed above his palm. Moments later, droplets of water condensed within the wind before freezing into tiny crystals of ice. He held the three elements together without forcing them.
The ice slowly dispersed before flames briefly replaced it, then lightning danced between his fingers. Finally, Aether settled once again.
He quietly nodded. His control continued improving little by little, exactly as he had hoped.
The sound of approaching footsteps echoed across the courtyard. He looked up.
Lilith had arrived, carrying only a single practice sword.
"You finished earlier than usual."
"The council meeting was short."
She glanced toward the weapon rack.
"Spar?"
He smiled.
"I was hoping you’d ask."
The two stood opposite one another. Lilith lowered her stance.
"Same rules? No lethal attacks and no shadow prisons."
She tilted her head.
"I’ve only used that once."
"Once was enough."
Without another word, she disappeared. Her shadow flickered beneath his feet. He reacted instantly, wind gathering around his legs as he leapt sideways.
A black blade emerged exactly where he had been standing. Metal rang through the courtyard. He drew his sword in one smooth motion, meeting her strike before following with a quick slash enhanced by wind.
She blocked effortlessly. Darkness wrapped around her blade before dispersing the force of the attack. Neither aimed to win quickly; instead, each tested the other’s reactions.
The fight flowed naturally.
He combined wind with lightning to accelerate his movements. She answered with flawless shadow steps.
He switched to earth to strengthen his footing before unleashing a burst of fire. She countered with precise timing rather than overwhelming strength.
The exchange continued for several minutes. Finally, both stepped backward simultaneously, neither had landed a decisive hit.
Lilith lowered her sword first.
"You’ve improved."
"So have you."
She shook her head.
"No. I’ve just increased the intensity, and you’ve countered each."
He thought about it for a moment; perhaps she was right. Ever since returning from the High Elven Kingdom, he no longer felt the need to force progress. Power would come; there was no reason to rush.
As they returned to the palace together, Zelpher approached with several documents tucked neatly beneath one arm.
"Your Majesties, I’ve received the latest intelligence reports."
Lilith accepted them.
"Anything significant?"
"I’m afraid not."
He sounded almost disappointed.
"Our investigators have reached another dead end regarding the cult responsible for the attack."
Atheline sighed quietly.
"Nothing, not even a hidden den or name?"
"Every lead ultimately traces back to individuals who are already deceased."
"The Protector?"
Zelpher slowly shook his head.
"Still nothing."
Lilith remained silent for several moments. It had become increasingly obvious that whoever led the remnants of the cult understood exactly how to erase every trail behind them.
The investigation continued, but progress had slowed to almost nothing.
Later that afternoon, they held a short meeting with the commanders responsible for defending their side of the Blood Sea.
Large maps covered the strategy table. Red markers indicated recent corrupted beast sightings. Fortunately, nothing unusual had occurred.
"The patrol rotations continue without interruption," one commander reported. "We’ve eliminated every corrupted creature approaching the coastline from land. The largest group numbered only seventeen."
Another commander added, "Fishing villages remain secure with no civilian casualties this week."
Atheline studied the map carefully.
"Keep the patrol routes unchanged. If anything begins behaving differently... I want reports immediately."
The commanders bowed.
"It will be done."
By evening, the palace had settled into its familiar rhythm once more. Servants lit the crystals throughout the corridors. Musicians quietly practiced somewhere deeper within the palace.
The sounds of ordinary life gradually replaced the tension that had lingered since their return. Atheline stepped onto the balcony outside their chambers.
The Court stretched endlessly before him. Countless lights illuminated the streets below. People laughed in distant taverns.
This was peace, at least for now.
A moment later, the balcony doors opened. Lilith joined him, carrying two cups of warm tea. She handed one to him before resting against the stone railing beside him.
For a while, neither of them spoke. They simply watched their kingdom. Finally, he broke the silence.
"...Do you think we’ll ever find them?"
She didn’t ask who since she already knew.
"The people behind everything, the Protector and the ones pulling the strings."
She looked toward the stars beginning to appear overhead.
"...Yes."
"You sound certain."
"I am."
He looked at her curiously. She smiled faintly.
"Because people make mistakes. They always do. Look at that, the councillor made one, the smugglers made one, and the fanatics made one. Eventually... the Protector will too."
He considered her words before slowly nodding.
"I suppose that’s true."
She gently bumped his shoulder with hers.
"So, what do we do until then?"
He looked over the peaceful city below, then smiled.
"We rule, train, prepare for the Demonic Continent and..."
He looked down as the fox squeezed itself between them before curling around their feet.
"...we stop letting invisible enemies control every waking thought."
She followed his gaze before gently scratching the fox beneath its chin. Just from his quiet words, the weight on her shoulders felt just a little lighter.
The investigation would continue. The mysteries surrounding the World Tree, the corruption, and the strange vision remained unanswered. But none of them could be solved in a single day.
For now, their people were safe, their kingdom stood strong and together, and they would face whatever came next, one ordinary day at a time.