"To think there’s a Kaoslith like that..." Mirinda’s eyes narrowed, her focus sharpening.
She silently processed the report from her right-hand man, Beltimore.
A Kaoslith with the ability to cancel magic, the presence of a secret organization, and an unknown power that could transform humans into monsters.
It was too much. And with the Carnival just around the corner, the timing couldn’t be worse.
"I’ll inform Prince Reid immediately," Mirinda said firmly. "This is a grave matter. Perhaps he can persuade the King to delay or even cancel the Carnival. Too many lives are at risk."
Everyone in the room nodded in solemn agreement.
Mirinda then watched Beltimore’s face. His expression looked troubled.
"Are you alright, Beltimore? Or is there anything else you still want to tell me?"
Beltimore adjusted his glasses. "That’s everything we wanted to report," he replied calmly.
There was no way he’d mention the masked man. He had already seen how much his guildmaster and close friend had suffered.
Alice stood and casually dusted off her coat. "If there’s nothing else, I’m heading out."
"You’re going back to the border already?" Ida asked, a bit surprised.
"Yeah, probably at dawn tomorrow. Can’t be away too long. Don’t expect those knuckleheads at the front lines to survive a week without me," she smirked. "Besides, I want to study the Kaoslith sample I brought back."
Just as she turned to leave...
Mirinda’s voice stopped her in her tracks.
"When are you going to take your S-rank trial?" Mirinda asked, leaning forward slightly. "You’ve been eligible for over ten years. Why are you still clinging to A-rank?"
Everyone in the room glanced toward Alice.
They all knew the truth. Alice’s spiritual-type class wasn’t just powerful, it was legendary. She had been the one to stop the catastrophe ten years ago, saving the entire city from destruction. Even among the few top S-ranks in the kingdom, Alice would sit comfortably at the top.
Alice smiled softly. "I don’t plan to take it," she replied. "Even if I did, I’d pass without breaking a sweat. But I’m happy with the freedom I have now. If I become S-rank, all that disappears. You know the Holy Empire loves snatching up high-rank spiritual classes for their little pilgrimages and holy nonsense. I hate that kind of thing."
Mirinda let out a long sigh. "If that’s your decision, I respect it. Just... be safe out there."
"Thanks, Min-Min. Bye-bye, Bel-Bel. See ya, Da-Da," Alice winked and strolled out the door.
"...We sound like her pets," Beltimore muttered with a deadpan look.
"She does that on purpose," Ida said with a half-laugh, half-sigh.
A moment of shared laughter followed.
They all smiled, quietly reminded of the strange but comforting presence of the strongest member of their guild.
"Cough! Cough! Cough!"
King Radcliff was coughing paroxysmally on his bed in the royal chamber. He sat upright, leaning forward as each cough wracked his body. The queen gently patted his back while holding a handkerchief to his mouth. When she looked at the cloth, a blotch of dark blood was visible. Her expression darkened with worry.
"Is His Majesty’s condition deteriorating? The cough worsens every night lately..." the queen said, turning her head toward the figure standing near the window.
That figure was Sir Kelar. He stood stirring a concoction carefully. In addition to serving as the High Chancellor, Kelar also held the title of Crown Healer who personally responsible for the king’s health.
"Do not worry, my Queen. I have recently procured a new medicine, imported from another nation that is renowned for treating hemorrhagic coughs," he said, offering a calm smile.
He then brought out a small vial filled with black liquid. With precision, he dropped a single bead of the liquid into a cup of clear water. Instantly, the water turned into a dark, eerie black.
Kelar stirred the contents gently. As the liquid swirled, it gradually returned to a clear state, as if the blackness had never existed at all.
He then placed the cup on a golden tray and walked it to the queen. She accepted it and brought it carefully to her husband’s lips.
"Please, my King... drink it slowly," she said softly.
King Radcliff took the cup. After a few slow gulps, he finished the drink.
He let out a long breath, then leaned back gently into the bed, aided by the queen’s arms.
"Please take a rest, Your Highness. The medication should take effect within an hour," Kelar said as he stood beside the bed, next to the seated queen.
"Cough... Thank you, Kelar. You’ve been loyal to me for the past ten years. You’re the only one I can truly place my trust in," King Radcliff said, his voice weak.
"It is my duty, Your Highness. I do not deserve such praise," Kelar replied, bowing his head respectfully.
He then turned and walked back toward the table.
"I... I apologize for what happened to your hometown. If I could reverse time, I would undo all the damage I caused. I’m truly, deeply sorry," King Radcliff said, tears starting to well in his eyes.
"My King, don’t cry. It’s already in the past. Sir Kelar has said it many times, he’s forgiven your mistake," the queen said softly, trying to comfort him.
Kelar now stood silently in front of the table, his back to the royal couple. His hand gripped the edge of a cup so tightly it cracked and shattering under the pressure. Blood trickled from his palm.
He stared at the flowing red with hollow eyes. In the dim light of the flickering flame near the window, his expression was blank... but his eyes gleamed with something darker and wicked.
The warm blood on his fingers seemed almost... satisfying.
Calmly, he wrapped a cloth around his bleeding hand and wiped it clean.
Then, with a soft smile, he turned back toward the couple.
"Yes, Your Majesty. Everyone makes mistakes," Kelar said smoothly, his voice even and gentle. "They say time heals all wounds. And in my case, perhaps that’s true. So please... don’t dwell on it. It may only slow your recovery."
He bowed slightly again, his expression serene, his eyes utterly unreadable.
Suddenly, the door creaked open and a guard clad in white armor stepped inside. He bowed deeply before speaking.
"Your Majesty, Sir Edward is requesting your audience."
Cough, cough... "Why does he seek me at this late hour? Very well bring him in."
The guard bowed once more, then exited the room.
Moments later, Sir Edward entered, respectfully bowing to the King. His eyes briefly flicked toward Kelar with a trace of caution.
"I apologize for disturbing your rest, Your Majesty, but I bring urgent news that must be delivered without delay."
Kelar took a step back and offered a slight bow.
"If there is nothing more I can assist with tonight, Your Majesty, I humbly request permission to excuse myself."
King Radcliff gave him a small nod.
Kelar turned to the Queen, bowed again, and then gave one final glance toward Edward before quietly making his way out of the chamber.