Weeks had passed, and the Golden Empire of Verticulas looked preoccupied.

Not with the emperor’s coming celebration, but with the instability of the Hēnte barrier shield.

The people were scared and worried by the strange rumble under their homes.

The rumbling sounded frustrated and vicious, as if something were trying to emerge from the underground.

The civilians had reported the strange noise to the patrol knights.

Also, Devin Gratus, the emperor's secretary, had received reports from the rural mercenaries. They had heard a sinister growl while traveling from the south.

The mages from the west had decided to spread out and investigate where the rumble was coming from.

They thought there might have been an unseen loophole within or at the edge of the barrier.

Meanwhile, Apollis needed to stay in the Golden Empire's underground maze.

It was hidden with protective spells that no one could pass through.

He had to secure the golden crystal heart of Hēnte from cracking.

To ease the people's worries, a memo was posted on each empire's news board.

It mentioned that the matter has been solved, and that there was nothing to fear.

It also stated that the emperor of each empire would safeguard his people no matter what.

Some people felt relieved.

And for some, it felt frightening not knowing what might happen tomorrow.

Time alone would tell when this unforeseen rumble would turn into a blood-curdling tremor.

***

In the regent's palace, Ella was braiding Irelina’s hair in a Celtic waterfall style.

“Lady Irelina, are you going to the library today?” Ella asked as she twisted her fingers to create a braid.

“Yes, the regent said I can use the library because the concubines don’t have class today," said Irelina. "She also ordered the servants not to go to the second floor until 3:00 in the afternoon.”

“Then I will prepare your snacks while you read, Lady Irelina," Ella smiled.

Irelina glanced at the open window as she thought about the leaves glistening in her eyes.

It would be nice to walk in the garden.

I heard that African violets—Mother’s favorite flowers—fill the regent’s garden.

Irelina's eyes were hopeful.

“Yes, please. I would love that,” she said. “Did something happen in the palace lately? I heard a lot of noise outside the other day.”

Ella put the comb on the table.

Irelina stood as they prepared to leave the room.

“Now that you mention it, I heard from the servants that mages came to investigate and check the barrier here.”

“Barrier?” Irelina glanced at Ella as they walked out of the room.

“Yes, the barrier protects the country from shadow demons and monsters," Ella continued. "I don’t know much about it, but I heard a peculiar rumble had disturbed the land, and they were trying to figure it out.”

They were walking to the second floor, heading to the library.

It was quiet, and no one was lurking around.

They continued their conversation while strolling in the hallway.

“Do you think they are the same demons who destroyed Mercius?” Irelina's tone sounded curious.

“I believe so. Would you like me to look into it?” Ella shifted her glance at Irelina.

“If you can," said Irelina. "But don't push yourself too hard to get information. This is not Mercius. So be careful when you listen to the servants' or guards' conversations in this palace.”

“Of course. You know me, Lady Irelina," Ella curved a beaming smile. "I will not make unnecessary trouble for us." Her tone was determined.

Irelina smiled and said, "Very well, I'll see you soon," as she held the handle of the library door.

"Yes, Lady Irelina," Ella added, "I'll bring your snack soon."

Irelina entered the library and Ella went to the kitchen to prepare tea and snacks.

Meanwhile, in the Emperor's Palace Council Room, the mood was anxious and intimidating.

Zeddrick frowned.

The East, West, South, and North emperors pondered the barrier shield's stability.

They furrowed their brows while thinking of a remedy. Their faces looked unsettled.

Devin Gratus stood behind where Zeddrick sat.

“Could this be a sign that the Demon Lord we know of will rise again against our defenses?" Earl asked, looking at them.

“I don’t think so," Doris said. He then added, "When the sword goddess of the protectress struck his core, his soul and power were sealed in the Black Weald of Ur." He wrinkled his brow as he continued, "which is untraceable."

"Then how do you explain our ten years of fighting shadow demons and monsters?" Castaeus intervened.

He narrowed his brow. "And the monsters are multiplying fast in the North. Every time these monsters break the Wall Barrier, they evolve. They come back stronger and more resistant to the barrier spell."

“I can’t argue with that, because we don’t know how these monsters multiply in such a short time." Doris glanced at them. He continued, "We found that they hibernate and return in a different form, just as you said. Unless you want to volunteer to check the Land of Sanatus," Doris said, taunting Castaeus. "That would at least help us solve something."

“So, you’re saying our only option is to infiltrate the Land of Satanus?” Castaeus scowled at Doris. He seethed, “Isn’t it bringing our men to mass suicide? Aren’t you insane, Doris Aechmā?”

“Watch your mouth, Castaeus—"

“Enough!” Zeddrick intervened with his cold voice. “Instead of bad-mouthing each other, we should come up with a proper short-term solution."

He then looked at Doris and said, "How is Apollis doing with the new barrier spell?”

Doris cleared his throat.

“It will take at least a month. But—”

“But what?!” Zeddrick’s tone was irate.

“Even though Apollis can strengthen the new barrier spell, it will only last three months.” Doris's tone sounded nervous. "To make the barrier dominant for three years, we need the Black Obsidian Crystal from the Empire of Horos Or, we must request the current emperor's blue blood."

The Empire of Horos in Helleus was the antipode of Hēnte, standing as one empire.

It was the second-largest prosperous country.

The emperor's blue blood soaked the Black Obsidian Crystal. It came from the heart of Helleus's underground labyrinth.

The current emperor of Helleus was Sidañian Neus Horos.

He became the new emperor by killing his half-brother, Nikolas Neus Horos, the sole heir.

Sidañian did it not out of jealousy.

He did it because his brother was mentally ill and could not stand as a powerful emperor.

His brother committed a hideous crime by killing the innocent and never used his power to slay the monsters.

Sidañian knew that he was a bastard son.

He accepted that his blood was blue. That it smelled of the corpse flower, Amorphophallus titanium.

Despite his not being the real son, the people of Helleus respected him.

They knew he was a cruel man. But they felt safer that no other kingdom dared to wage war against Helleus.

Conversely, Sidañian had intimidating tiger eyes.

He wore a black leather eyepatch on his right eye.

He captured the hearts of every woman he desired.

People knew him as a shadow reaper, who could reap fifty individuals with his mana blue blood. It disguised itself in a thin thread that struck like a flash of lightning.

Sidañian could also kill shadow demons like Zeddrick, but with limitations.

Hēnte and Helleus were not on good terms because Sidañian was an avaricious man that Zeddrick hated the most.

“Of all countries, why does it have to be Helleus?" Zeddrick furrowed his brow with fierceness in his eyes. He said, "Is there no better option than this?”

“I understand that Hēnte and Helleus are hostile to each other." Viktor Lan joined the conversation. "But we must consider the point of view of the citizens of Hēnte. We cannot take the Black Obsidian Crystal, as it is the heart of Helleus."

Viktok Lan gulped with worry on his face.

"This is a humiliating suggestion. But, our only option is to get the Emperor of Horos's blue blood," he said.

He looked at everyone's unfazed expression.

“Beware, Viktor Lan," Castaeus said. "We must remember, once we seek help from the Emperor of Horos, we must do whatever he asks to return the favor, whether we like it or not."

Everyone felt wary about what Castaeus said.

"What we need is not something easy to get,” Castaeus's tone sounded true and concerned.

At that moment, Zeddrick needed to decide.

If the Empire of Horos was the only way to make the Hēnte's barrier dominant for a couple of years, he must later return the favor.

In good faith.

“Then so be it." Zeddrick looked determined. He added, "Send an invitation to the Emperor of Horos to attend my party in the coming months. From there, I will decide whether I will seek his help or not.”

“Are you sure about this? We’re dealing with a madman who doesn’t show mercy," Castaeus spoke in a cautious tone.

“Do I have a choice?" Zeddrick said.

The rest felt guilty about their rushed suggestion.

“If I have a choice, I would never dare shake hands with that bastard," Zeddrick felt irked. He added, "But for our people, I’ll lay down my pride to protect what’s ours and best for us.”

The others’ faces expressed disappointment, but, they had to swallow their pride and acknowledge the Emperor of Horos as their finest guest.

The council meeting concluded decisively, leaving His Majesty with a doubtful expression.

Would the Emperor of Horos gladly give his blood to us without wanting something in return?

Or, is there a way to avoid such a nuisance without spilling blood in my homeland?

Despite the unknown disruption in Hēnte, the people remained calm and vigilant.

The children played hide and seek.

The elders attended to their needs.

There were loud waves of laughter from drunken men on the busy street, and wives hung their washed clothes on the clothing rack while the young ladies did the indoor chores.

The afternoon was pleasant, still.

The huge inner palace glimmered in the warm sunlight from the wide windows. Its shiny marble floors reflected the ceiling, engraved and painted with cupid angels.

Irelina, feeling serene, quietly dragged her slender right fingers along the books.