Leaving the blood, the assassin, and the suffocating tension of the private dining room behind, Zero, Elara, and Brielle walked out into the grand entrance hall of the Valmont Estate. Gareth hurried along behind them, trying to catch up.
Waiting in the massive, high-ceilinged hall was a formidable military escort sent directly from the Oakhaven Royal Palace.
The King knew exactly who Elara Valmont was. He knew she was the untouchable Matriarch of the most powerful trade family in the Kingdom, holding a monopoly on high-grade potions and commanding immense wealth. Knowing that ordinary footmen or low-ranking guards would simply be thrown out on their heads, the King had skipped sending minor messengers entirely.
Instead, he had dispatched the crown's absolute best.
Standing in strict, rigid formations were ten Rank-C Elite Guards in polished steel armor, their hands resting firmly on the hilts of their longswords. At the front stood three Rank-A Royal Knights, elite champions of the Kingdom radiating heavy, intimidating battle aura and wearing heavy gold-trimmed plate armor.
At the very center of the group stood the captain of the escort, holding a thick, crimson scroll sealed with the royal wax seal—the King's personal decree.
The heavy footsteps of Zero and Elara echoing across the marble floor immediately drew the attention of the royal escort.
The three Rank-A Royal Knights turned their heads, their sharp eyes instantly locking onto the group. Their gazes swept over Elara's elegant posture, Brielle's stern expression, and finally rested on the towering, ominous figure in the black suit and terrifying iron mask walking right beside the Matriarch.
The captain of the Royal Knights stepped forward, his face serious and unsmiling. He unrolled the crimson scroll, his voice echoing loudly through the grand hall.
"By direct decree of His Majesty the King," the captain announced formally, holding the scroll high. "We are commanded to deliver an urgent invitation to Lord Zero. The King awaits your presence at the Royal Palace for a Grand Evening Banquet. A golden carriage is waiting outside"
The captain rolled the scroll back up and looked directly at the masked titan, his eyes narrowing slightly at the mysterious aura surrounding Zero. The King had spared no expense, sending his highest-ranking warriors to escort this unknown man straight to the throne room.
Standing in strict, rigid formations, the royal escort watched as Zero, Elara, and Brielle stepped into the grand hall. At the front stood the captain of the escort, holding a thick, crimson scroll sealed with the King's personal royal crest.
The King knew exactly who Elara Valmont was. He knew she was the untouchable Matriarch holding a monopoly on high-grade potions. Knowing that ordinary footmen would be thrown out on their heads, he had skipped sending minor messengers entirely.
Instead, he had dispatched the crown's absolute best: ten Rank-C Elite Guards in polished steel armor and three Rank-A Royal Knights radiating a heavy, intimidating combat aura.
The captain of the Royal Knights stepped forward, unrolling the scroll as his voice echoed loudly through the high-ceilinged hall.
"By direct decree of His Majesty the King," the captain announced formally, holding the scroll high. "We are commanded to deliver a formal, highest-priority invitation to Lord Zero"
The captain lowered the scroll and looked directly at the masked titan.
"As everyone knows, His Majesty suffered from a severe, long-term illness that left him bedridden for months," the captain continued, explaining the reason for the event "Miraculously, His Majesty is now completely healed and back in perfect health. To celebrate his recovery, the King is hosting a Grand Palace Banquet this coming Friday night"
The captain paused, offering a stiff, respectful bow toward the masked man.
"The King personally invites his royal savior, Lord Zero, to grace the banquet as our honored guest," the captain declared. Then, turning his gaze toward the Matriarch standing beside him, he added, "And by direct royal command, Alchemist Elara Valmont is also formally invited to attend alongside him"
The captain rolled the scroll back up, waiting for the mysterious Alchemist's response while the elite guards stood at attention, guarding the golden carriage waiting outside the estate gates.
After delivering the crimson scroll, the captain of the Royal Knights gave a stiff, formal bow. Without another word, he turned on his heel, and the escort of Rank-A Knights and Rank-C Elite Guards marched out of the grand hall in perfect
synchronization, leaving the heavy golden carriage waiting outside the estate gates.
The massive doors closed behind them, leaving only Zero, Elara, Brielle, and Gareth in the hall.
Gareth scowled, shooting one last hateful glare at Zero before quickly excusing himself, eager to report back to his own faction.
Once they were finally alone, Elara turned her full attention to the masked man standing beside her. Her sharp, intelligent eyes searched the dark slits of his iron mask.
"Lord Zero," Elara spoke softly, crossing her arms as a curious, calculating expression crossed her face. "Would you care to explain why the Royal Knights just referred to you as the King's 'savior'?"
Zero turned his head toward her. His voice echoed deep and metallic from beneath the mask.
"I provided Crown Prince Caspian with a high-grade healing serum," Zero answered flatly. "He must have used it to cure the King"
Elara's jaw slightly tightened. As the master alchemist of the Kingdom, she knew everything about high-grade potions.
"Caspian...?" she muttered thoughtfully. "So that useless Crown Prince actually managed to pull off a miracle. But wait—if he cured his father, why would he give the credit to you?"
"Because it makes his path to the throne much easier," Zero replied, his tone laced with dark amusement. "Caspian used my creation to save his father, but in doing so, he has exposed my existence to the King. Now, the King knows exactly what I am capable of"
Zero paused, looking toward the heavy doors where the royal carriage had just departed.
"The King is going to try everything in his power to pull me onto his side," Zero stated, a dangerous smirk hidden beneath his iron mask. "And Friday night's banquet will be his first move"
With the royal guards gone, Zero turned his attention away from the grand entrance and casually asked about the upcoming event.
"When does the auction begin?" Zero's metallic voice echoed through the hall.
Before Elara could answer, the pitch-black shadow pool near Zero's boots began to bubble and swirl. With a soft, fluid motion, Kaelith rose straight up out of the abyss, stepping smoothly back onto the marble floor.
Brielle turned to face the giant centaur, offering a reassuring nod before answering Zero's question.
"The grand auction is scheduled for tomorrow night, Lord Zero," Brielle explained respectfully. "Every major noble family, wealthy merchant syndicate, and elite power broker from across the region will be in attendance"
Hearing this, Kaelith's expression immediately tightened. Her hands clenched into tight fists, and a look of deep worry washed over her face. She thought about her imprisoned companion, who was still locked away and scheduled to be sold off to the highest bidder at that very auction.
Anxious, heavy-hearted, and fearful that she wouldn't be strong enough to save her friend from the corrupt slave traders.
Zero noticed the heavy tension in the centaur's posture. He turned his terrifying iron mask toward her.
"Do not worry, Kaelith," Zero spoke in a deep, calm, and reassuring tone. "We will rescue your companion. No one will take anything from us"
Her worried frown instantly vanished. Her amber eyes sparkled with immense relief, gratitude, and fierce loyalty. The heavy weight on her chest lifted completely, knowing her Lord had given his word.
Seeing the interaction, Elara gently stepped closer to Zero. Her sharp, intelligent eyes lingered on the heavy, jagged iron mask that hid his face.
"Lord Zero," Elara asked softly, her voice filled with cautious curiosity. "If you do not mind me asking... will you ever tell us what happened to your face?"
The grand hall went completely silent. Brielle and Kaelith held their breath, waiting for an answer.
Untouchable, emotionless, and radiating the cold aura of a terrifying god of war.
A dark, suffocating chill settled around him. Even behind the iron mask, his presence turned brutal and razor-sharp.
"I was simply weak," Zero stated flatly, his voice dropping to a dangerous, icy whisper.
"Everyone beat me. I belonged to a powerful, prestigious family that only valued absolute strength. They demanded a supreme heir, but I was considered the weakest failure of the household"
Zero slowly clenched his fist.
"So, they discarded me like trash. They banished me... and threw me directly into the deadliest, most unforgiving hellscape on the continent: the Abyssal Wilds. They expected the monsters to tear me apart in seconds. But instead of dying... I woke up"
Elara and Brielle listened in absolute horror. Goosebumps broke out across Brielle's arms, and a cold shiver ran down Elara's spine as she imagined the sheer brutality of surviving the Abyssal Wilds.
Their faces turned pale. They looked at the towering, masked man standing before them with a completely new level of fear and respect.
'By the gods...' Elara thought frantically to herself, her chest tightening as a heavy wave of realization hit her. 'I think those fools in his old family won't be able to survive this. They didn't just abandon a weak son—they awakened a literal monster who is now impossible to stop. But no matter what... even if I have to stand against the entire world, I will stand by Zero's side'
Brielle swallowed hard, her eyes wide with terror as she shared the exact same thought.
'They didn't just abandon a failure... they unleashed a literal demon into the world. When the day finally comes, and Zero stands face-to-face with his old family... Gods have mercy on them. Because there won't be anything left of that bloodline'