Aurelius snapped the crimson seal and unfolded the sheet. Aurelius, deliver the Ritual Manual to Soulless Valley within three days. Delay us, or set a trap, and you can expect to collect your daughter’s corpse!
From Malevolent Path Hall. Each stroke was ragged, arrogant, and despotic, as though the writer had carved threat itself into the paper.
Thunder darkened Aurelius’ face. “Malevolent Path Hall… The audacity of that den of vermin!”
Ieuan stepped closer, his voice a velvet whisper. “King Aurelius, we cannot waste another heartbeat. Let’s agree to their terms for now. Within three days, we’ll deploy troops in secret, spring the trap at Soulless Valley, save Princess Lorraine, and seize the Ritual Manual back.”
Aurelius exhaled, slow and heavy. “I will think on it. Tend to your wounds first.”
Ieuan read the doubt still clouding the throne. He bowed, said nothing more, and slipped from Harmony Hall. Moonlight caught his smirk as crossed the palace steps.
Hold out as long as you like, Aurelius. The moment your patience snaps, the Ritual Manual will fall into my hands…
***
Back at the Prime Minister’s Office, Ieuan wasted no time. Torches flared, and his most trusted subordinates gathered at a nod.
One wiry strategist ventured, “Sir, what is our next move?”
Ieuan raised a palm for patience. “Hold your horses. Aurelius is stubborn, but his love for the princess is deeper than stone. As long as we continue to stoke the fire, will eventually bend. For now, I want you to send men to Soulless Valley and make it appear as if it’s Malevolent Path Hall’s stronghold. Keep an eye on the palace at the same time. The instant Aurelius decides to trade the Ritual Manual, I want to know.”
The strategist bowed deeply. “Yes, sir!”
Alone again, Ieuan sat in his study, lifted a cup of wine, and let its cool fragrance coil across his tongue.
He could already taste the future, Ritual Manual in hand, breaking the demonic soul seal, and all of level six kneeling beneath his command.
***
Elsewhere, Jared and Yuliana raced toward Celestia City, cloaking their auras so completely that even beasts missed their passage.
Barely a day after departing, they glimpsed the northern gate rising from the horizon like a bronze wall. Suddenly, the earth trembled under a chorus of hooves.
Thousands of Imperial Guards surged outward, silver spears glinting, banners snapping in the wind, and at their head rode King Aurelius himself, armor blazing, eyes set on war.
Yuliana’s eyes flew wide. The silk of cloak snapped in the wind as clutched Jared’s sleeve, breath catching in chest. “It’s King Aurelius!”
Hope flared through Jared like a struck match. Guiding Yuliana forward, lifted his voice above the drum of hooves. “King Aurelius!”
Aurelius had been bent over a travel-stained map, hunting for a way to free his daughter. The shout snapped his head up, and relief flooded the weary lines of his face.
“Mr. Chance! Yuliana! How in heaven’s name have you returned? Where have you guys been all this time?”
Yuliana dipped a swift curtsy, tension still coiled in spine. “It’s a long story, King Aurelius…”
Jared stepped beside her, eyes skimming the corridor for lurking ears. “Let’s find somewhere private before we say anything more.”
Aurelius nodded once and led them to a nearby waystation. Royal banners snapped above the courtyard while travelers bowed low as the king swept Into a secluded guest chamber.
The door had barely closed before Aurelius’ patience fractured. “You may speak freely now, Mr. Chance. What on earth happened to you guys, and why did you suddenly disappear?”
Jared drew a steadying breath and began.
He spoke of Ieuan’s trap inside the Prime Minister’s Office, the attempt to seize the Dragonslayer Sword and the Golden Dragon bloodline, and the desperate charge that carried and Yuliana through walls of steel and flame.
He told of their flight into the Pentacarna Tower, of wounds healed beneath ancient sigils, and of emerging stronger than they had been before.
Aurelius turned red with rage. “What? The audacity of Ieuan! I always thought only had an appetite for power. I can’t believe man harbors such vicious ambitions!”
“King Aurelius,” Jared said softly, “His ambition runs even deeper than that.”
Yuliana leaned forward, voice barely above a whisper. “We overheard his confidants, and from what we’ve learned, covets the Ritual Manual, plans to join the Malevolent Path Hall, shatter the demonic soul seal, and seize all of level six!”
Hearing this, Aurelius blanched.
“The Ritual Manual? The demonic soul seal?” said, ice edging his tone. “No wonder urged me to trade the manual for my daughter. This has been his plan the entire time! The kidnapping, every step, was his design!”
“Your insight is keen, King Aurelius,” Jared replied. “By abducting the princess, hopes to force your hand. Once gets his hands on the Ritual Manual, the consequences will be dire…”
