Inside the dim-lit war chamber of the Windcrest estate, the crackling of the fireplace was the only comfort in the otherwise tense room. The grand table, adorned with a large map of neighboring regions, sat surrounded by murmuring advisors, scribes, and military personnel. Duke Windcrest stood at the head of the room, his gaze sharp as ever, yet with a flicker of concern in his eyes.
"My lord," said one of the advisors, a balding man with a nervous twitch in his voice, "as of this morning, both the Alendor and Grayfall territories have ceased all correspondence. Trade routes have been closed. No caravans. No letters. It’s... it’s as if they’re isolating us."
The Duke’s eyes narrowed. "And the patrols?"
"Only one returned. They reported seeing marching units at the southern border. Unfamiliar banners, more like a gathering of rogue forces than any organized nation."
He leaned back slowly. "An army... that grows with every step."
A silence filled the room.
Another general spoke up. "If I may, we believe this force is under the control of a woman — a strange girl bearing a glowing scale. The reports say... when the scale shines, men drop their weapons and kneel."
The Duke’s jaw clenched. "The Scale of Obedience."
One of the elder councilors flinched at the name. "A forbidden relic, lost to time. If someone has truly found it—"
"Then we are not facing a simple army. We are facing subjugation without a single blade drawn," the Duke muttered grimly. "And to make matters worse, the only person strong enough to possibly stop this—Zane—has vanished without a trace."
At this, a heavy silence pressed upon the room again. The Duke’s fingers tapped the table.
"Send word to every outpost," he said finally. "Prepare the defenses. Increase the city’s watch. And... do not tell Sera. Not yet."
Everyone nodded grimly.
In the Garden, Later That Day
Sera sat quietly under the blossom tree, knees tucked to her chest, staring at the small garden pond. Her eyes weren’t focused on the fish — or anything in particular, really. Ace, her lynx companion, lay nearby, watching her with those deep, intelligent eyes.
Then came a bouncing sound — soft footsteps, followed by an excited bark.
"Helloooo~!" Praise sang, skipping into view with Bella, her tiny white puppy trailing behind her, wagging its tail like it had just won a war.
Sera glanced up slightly. "Hey."
Praise stopped mid-spin, immediately sensing the heavy mood. "Whoa, who rained on your flower bed?" she asked, plopping down beside her in her usual pink dress. Bella snuggled up on Sera’s lap without invitation.
"I’m fine," Sera mumbled, petting Bella absentmindedly.
"Pfft. That’s what all sad people say right before they cry in the rain while dramatic music plays," Praise said with a playful nudge. "Come on. Spill. Is it about that super mysterious, brooding, shadow-wielding boy who cracked the mana orb like an egg and then just vanished?"
Sera cracked a small smile but said nothing.
"Look, I get it. You miss him. But do you really think he’d just disappear forever? He’s too extra for that. He’ll probably appear during a thunderstorm or something, saying ’I have returned...’ with lightning behind him."
Sera finally giggled. Just a little.
Praise beamed. "There she is! Operation Cheer-Up-Sera is working. Step one: puppy. Step two: chocolate. Step three: chaos."
"Chaos?" Sera raised a brow.
Praise grinned. "We’re sneaking out of the estate and buying snacks."
"...You’re unbelievable."
"And that’s why I’m your favorite."