General Zura, the highest-leveled [Warrior] in the city of Alyras, was dead. He had not been equivalent to an Elite Ranked adventurer. Not even close. He was level 130. A mid Diamond Ranked adventurer at best. So, perhaps the Elites gathered in Alyras didn’t treat his death like it had been a major blowback. At least, compared to losing a Level 150 adventurer.
However, Rana not only knew Zura, he was also the small city state’s— in the grand scheme of things— best general. Losing him meant a lot to Alyras as a whole.
The city was in lockdown. No one could leave the city. Entering was possible but hard. All travelers who were headed to Alyras were warned to stay as far away from the region as possible. Especially after Prime Minister Marlowe of the Sunmere Republic’s death.
It was all because of those Demons. The six Demons who each equaled an Elite in strength. They were hunting down as many important figures as they could. And they were elusive, hard to find.
Helena Warshade, the Great Tempest Archmage of Mavos Academy, and leader of the Rising Veterans Company was working together with Orgaf the Thief of the Golden Scales to hunt them down. Yet, even with their best efforts, they weren’t able to catch the Demons.
undefinedRana found it frustrating. Not only was the Conference of Alyras delayed until this was resolved, something else was delayed for her. Something on a more personal level…
“It was my birthday…”
She sighed as she lay in her bed. Hugging her pillow, she flipped over and faced her best friend. Her maid. Sevika was there, tending to the princess as per usual. Partially because of her maid duties, but also because she was her bodyguard.
“I can’t believe my birthday celebrations were postponed because of those stupid Demons.”
“Princess Rana, you are aware that there are far more pressing matters than your birthday celebration, right?”
Sevika spoke in a flat voice as per usual. Rana looked up at her maid, trying to protest.
“I understand that! But…”
She trailed off and pouted. The maid shook her head.
“This is a childish tantrum unbefitting a princess. You know that as well as I do.”
Rana could rationally tell that Sevika was right. But it was especially upsetting since this was her eighteenth birthday. It would be her coming of age party. She was officially an adult, and it was one of the most important days of her life.
Unfortunately, it was ruined because of this whole ordeal. Yes, there were far more significant events displaced because of it, but this was important to Rana on a personal level. It was entirely an irrational feeling, but she was never the bastion of rationality.
She lay there quietly as Sevika just sighed. The maid opened her mouth, about to either offer a quip or her empathy— probably the former— when there was a rapping at the door. Rana froze.
“Sevika? Are we supposed to have guests this late at night?”
“I do not believe so, princess Rana.”
The maid and bodyguard frowned. She drew a handful of needle-like daggers in between her fingers and approached the doorway. Rana held her breath, fearing the worst as the door creaked open, and—
Sevika lowered her guard. She stepped to the side, bowing her head. Rana herself blinked as an ostentatious man entered the room. He bowed at her with a flair.
“Hello, my dear Rana.”
“Peris?”
Her eyes narrowed. For a moment, she relaxed. But then her shoulders tensed. Getting off her bed, she faced him warily.
“What do you want from me?”
“Ah, but do I need to have a reason to visit my dear betrothed?”
He proffered a hand to her, and she pushed it away. Rana glared at him.
“I have nothing to say to you, you selfish bastard. I can’t believe you convinced most of the Helbir League against forming this grand coalition against the Inoria Empire.”
The Crown Prince of Dolonia paused. His gaze darkened as he whispered.
“I believe you are misrepresenting my stance, my lovely Rana.”
“I am not. You’re just a coward.”
She gritted her teeth as she spoke. But Peris didn’t reply with the same acerbic tone. Instead, he raised his head and shrugged.
“The Inoria Empire is a single nation, very much capable of being overwhelmed by the Vaun Qieur Empire and the Eastern Kingdom Alliance alone. I see no reason to involve the loss of life on our end. I am simply being rational.”
“How is that the rational move?”
Rana pointed at him accusingly.
“You are actively pushing the problem to someone else hoping they’ll deal with it. If everyone approaches this issue the same way, then no one will confront the Demon threat. We will all die.”
“Perhaps…”
Peris tapped a finger on his forearm.
“But that is not the case, is it? After all, it seems that most of the world will be siding against the Demons.”
He raised a brow at her, and she blinked.
“What?”
Shrugging, Peris Dolonia started away from the bedside.
“I have come here only to wish you my birthday wishes, my dear princess Rana. I do not wish to quarrel with you. Not tonight.”
He halted by the doorway as Sevika held it open for him. He glanced back at Rana as she stared at him in irritation. Then he smirked.
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