There was no trouble at the border security, thanks to the permit Kaelith had given them.

As they passed through the border gates, Luna couldn't help but ask, "We could've taken the route through the elven territory, right?"

The elven kingdom bordered their path. If they had chosen that route, Peri could've stopped by to see her family.

However, Hades explained, "That route would've taken an extra day. Since it's important for us to arrive quickly—but not to depart—we'll visit Beatrice on our way back."

They had recently gone through intense training and several changes in their bodies, so a short break wouldn't hurt.

Still, Hades worried a bit about Averis, thinking she might grow restless.

'Hopefully, she finds something interesting there,' he thought. He didn't know much about the girl, other than her love for exploration.

Before arriving at the castle, she had been traveling across the continent, searching for any trace of Zerathos. Maybe this journey wouldn't be too dull for her after all.

As they crossed the border, a woman in a dark gray robe was already waiting for them.

"Didn't expect you to return so soon," the Sage said, her brows furrowing slightly.

It wasn't displeasure that showed on her face, but surprise—something about him felt different.

'It's only been a few weeks since he left… yet his entire aura has changed.'

The last time she saw him, Hades had been a determined young man—brave, but still finding his footing.

Now, he carried himself with the calm authority of someone who had truly awakened. Confidence cloaked him like a cape, and even at a glance, one could sense the power of a dragon within him.

Hades smiled softly and said, "Some urgent matters came up… but what about you? Did you come to welcome us?"

The Sage let out a weary groan. "You do realize that without me, you wouldn't even be allowed to pass through the human doors, right? It takes a toll on me, so don't make a habit of it."

Quintessa bowed her head quickly. "Please don't scold him, Great Sage. It was my decision to bring him here."

The older woman shot Quintessa a glance before sighing. "Very well. Just don't forget our agreement, Hades. If you fulfill that, I'll overlook this little incident."

With that, she tapped her staff against the ground, and her form dissolved into smoke.

A sharp crack echoed through the air, startling Quintessa.

Hades exhaled quietly. 'I couldn't sense her at all…'

Ever since his core awakened and he gained Peri's heightened senses, Hades had believed no one could escape his perception. But beings like her reminded him—there were still powers far beyond his reach.

"Shall we continue?" Hades asked, turning back to the others with a faint smile.

…

"Ah!"

Far away from the group that had just entered the human lands, a certain blonde woman jolted awake from her sleep.

Beatrice sat up sharply, her breaths ragged and uneven. Her face was pale, drenched in sweat that trickled down her temples. For a few seconds, she just stared blankly at the wall—her body frozen, her mind reeling with dread.

Then, throwing off the bedsheet, she stood and stormed out of the room barefoot, not sparing a moment to compose herself.

The maids in the corridor froze at the sight of their queen rushing past, her hair in disarray, her nightgown clinging to her from sweat.

"Y-Your Majesty?" one of them called out in alarm.

But Beatrice didn't stop. She didn't even seem to hear them. Her pace quickened as she descended the stairs, her heartbeat thundering in her ears.

By the time she reached the grand doors, two guards standing there straightened abruptly, startled by her sudden appearance.

"Y-Your Majesty?! Did something happe—"

"Blow the Drill Horn!" Beatrice barked, her voice trembling with urgency. "Call every council member—now!"

The soldier's hand shook as he fumbled to unclip the horn from his belt. Without a word, he pressed it to his lips and blew.

*BWOOOOOOOM!*

The deep, ancient sound tore through the air, shaking every corner of the palace.

A moment later, the entire city erupted into chaos.

People froze mid-step. The marketplace fell into stunned silence. Then panic began to spread like wildfire.

Parents grabbed their children and bolted indoors. Doors slammed shut. Windows were barred. Merchants dropped what they were holding and yanked down their shutters, closing the market entirely.

Guards sprinted down the streets, shouting orders to clear the area. Horses neighed, frightened by the sudden clamor.

Within minutes, the once-lively streets were barren—eerily silent except for the sound of hurried footsteps echoing toward the royal castle.

Six figures arrived soon after, all dressed in formal coats, their expressions tight with unease.

"Your Majesty!" one of them called as they jumped to stand before the palace door.

Beatrice stood at the entrance, her chest heaving, her expression filled with a fear that none of them had ever seen before.

Her brother and most trusted minister, Ralph, stepped forward, his voice shaking slightly. "Sister… what happened?"

The horn still echoed faintly in the distance—its haunting note lingering over a kingdom suddenly gripped by terror.

Beatrice gestured for them to come inside.

The six council members exchanged uneasy glances but obeyed without a word, their footsteps echoing in the dim hallway as they followed her into the conference chamber.

It was rare—almost unheard of—for the Queen to summon them in such a manner. The last time the Drill Horn had been sounded was during the tragedy at the Samaran Temple, when the young princess was taken by a deity.

But this time, there were no tears on Beatrice's face—only pure, unshakable terror.

The heavy doors closed behind them with a thud. The air inside felt thick, tense, almost suffocating.

Beatrice didn't sit. She stood at the head of the long table, her trembling hands pressed against its surface as she tried to steady herself.

Taking a deep breath, she finally spoke. "I… had a vision. Something the Mother Tree showed me."

Her words froze everyone in place.

The eldest of the six, his face lined with age and wisdom, leaned forward. "What was it about? Another disaster?"

Whispers rippled through the others. The last time the Mother Tree had shown a vision, it had forewarned the calamity in Samaran—the cursed town where an entire district had fallen under divine wrath. People had fled, trade had died, and even now, that place remained cloaked in mourning.

No one wanted to believe it was happening again.

Beatrice's voice trembled as she answered, "This time… it's something worse."

The chamber fell into complete silence. The crackling fire in the corner sounded deafening in the stillness.

"I saw our towns burning," she whispered. "People screaming… being slaughtered in the streets. Children—" Her voice broke, tears pooling in her eyes. "Children being eaten."

A few council members gasped. The only woman other than Beatrice covered her mouth, face pale as chalk.

Beatrice clenched her fists, her knuckles white. "The flames… the blood… it felt real. Too real. The Mother Tree showed me death spreading across our lands like a plague."

Her tears finally fell, but she wiped them away harshly, forcing her trembling voice to hold steady. "Something is coming. And it's far beyond what we've ever faced before."

….

The group had taken a large carriage spacious enough to fit them all comfortably—well, almost.

Averis and Hades, being the two larger individuals, took up quite a bit of space. Luna, Peri, Ava and Quintessa easily settled together on one side, while Averis sat beside Hades, trying her best to remain composed.

At first, Averis had suggested following them in her dragon form, but Hades had reasoned otherwise. "The carriage won't move fast enough for you to keep pace, and flying slowly would just tire you out," he had said.

She had agreed at the time. But now, sitting this close to her Lord, she realized flying would've been far easier than enduring this.

Her heart raced wildly. Her skin burned, and the air around her seemed too thin to breathe.

Every time the carriage hit a bump, their shoulders brushed, sending a jolt through her body. Each accidental touch made her heart feel as though it would explode.

Meanwhile, as oblivious as ever, Hades remained entirely unaware of the flustered dragoness beside him—or of the subtle irritation on his wives' faces watching her reaction.

Unbothered, he turned to his mother and asked casually, "How is Gabriella?"

The lady smiled gently. "She's doing well. Just recently started at the academy."

Hades nodded thoughtfully. "Time really flies… she's already old enough to attend, huh?"

Quintessa chuckled softly. "And she's doing quite well, actually. She's already been placed in the Delta team."

That caught Hades' attention. He leaned forward, clearly impressed.

Among the two siblings, Gabriella had always been the more skilled fighter—and the more level-headed one.

Devon, on the other hand, was all bluster and bravado, always trying to look tougher than he really was.

So it didn't surprise Hades in the slightest that Devon had gotten himself tangled in trouble yet again.

'Well, I hope you remain alive when we get there.'

°°°°°°°°°

A/N:- Thanks for reading.

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