Draven watched the elder disappear into the darkness.
His expression remained unchanged.
Then—
he began walking.
His footsteps echoed softly through the ancient passage.
"...An Abyssal Core."
His calm voice broke the silence.
It wasn't a question.
It was a statement.
Pythia immediately followed a step behind.
She inclined her head.
"...That is correct, My Lord."
The surrounding cultists glanced toward her.
She continued without hesitation.
"...It is the core..."
"...of a second Named Entity of the Abyss."
Silence followed.
Even Kaelira's grin faded slightly.
"...Another one?"
Pythia nodded.
"...Yes."
She looked ahead toward the elder.
"...The cult preserved it."
"...It has remained sealed beneath these ruins for generations."
Kaelira blinked.
"...Wait."
"...You people have been keeping something like that..."
"...beneath the city?"
Pythia answered calmly.
"...Yes."
"...No one below the rank of Elder is permitted to approach it."
"...Even I..."
"...have never seen it personally."
Ryke swallowed.
"...You've got to be kidding..."
He glanced uneasily at the walls surrounding them.
"...There's really something like that..."
"...beneath Dresvalle?"
Pythia nodded once.
"...The seal has never been broken."
"...It is constantly reinforced."
"...Not because the core is alive..."
She paused.
"...But because..."
"...its corruption has never faded."
A brief silence settled over the passage.
"...Even after centuries..."
"...the mana it releases remains capable of corrupting anyone who approaches without sufficient preparation."
Aldric let out a low whistle.
"...Damn."
"...You rats really do collect dangerous junk."
Pythia ignored the remark.
"...The core serves another purpose."
"...It is the anchor."
"...The foundation upon which our largest Abyssal Breach rituals are performed."
She looked toward Draven.
"...Without it..."
"...opening a stable breach becomes vastly more difficult."
"...It is the cult's greatest treasure."
The cultists behind them unconsciously straightened.
Several looked toward Draven with unconcealed suspicion.
One muttered quietly,
"...If he truly intends to absorb it..."
"...he'll die."
Another nodded.
"...No living being can withstand an Abyssal Core."
"...Not even an Elder would dare approach it."
"...Much less absorb it."
Ahead—
the masked elder continued walking without slowing.
His aged voice echoed through the corridor.
"...You will soon discover..."
He addressed Pythia without turning around.
"...whether your faith..."
"...was misplaced."
Pythia smiled faintly.
"...No."
Her answer was immediate.
"...You will."
Silence settled over the passage once more.
Draven never spoke again.
His crimson eyes remained fixed upon the darkness ahead.
Not with caution.
Not with anticipation.
Only quiet certainty.
An Abyssal Core.
Another Named Entity.
Exactly what he had been searching for.
---
Far above Dresvalle—
the Sky Port bustled with life.
Massive airships hovered above the enchanted docks.
Some slowly descended through layers of cloud.
Others rose into the sky—
their mana engines humming as they departed for distant kingdoms.
Countless travelers moved across the broad platforms.
Merchants shouted.
Porters hurried between towering stacks of cargo.
Families reunited after long journeys.
The entire harbor overflowed with activity.
Amid the endless crowd—
two cloaked figures quietly walked down one of the broad stone ramps leading toward the city.
Both wore dark greenish-brown cloaks.
Their hoods concealed their faces.
One was noticeably taller—
their posture straight and composed.
The other was much smaller.
Their height resembled that of a young child.
The taller figure looked toward the sprawling city below.
Then spoke softly.
"...We're here, Princess."
The smaller figure remained silent.
Only a faint nod came from beneath the hood.
The taller figure continued.
"...We'll finish our business here in Dresvalle."
A brief pause.
"...Then, as promised..."
"...we'll return to the Kingdom."
The smaller figure nodded once again.
A gentle voice finally emerged from beneath the hood.
"...Mm."
Nothing more.
The taller figure smiled faintly beneath the cloak.
"...Good."
"...Her Majesty has been worried."
"...I'm sure she'll be relieved once we return safely."
The little figure lowered her head slightly.
Neither of them spoke again.
Her fingers tightened ever so slightly around the edge of her cloak.
Beneath the hood—
her breathing remained quiet.
Too quiet.
The taller figure glanced at her.
"...Princess?"
A small nod.
"...Mm."
The taller figure smiled gently.
"...Then let's go."
Together—
they stepped into the bustling crowd.
Within moments—
they disappeared among the countless travelers of Dresvalle.
---
**Several Weeks Earlier...**
**The Continent of Verdantia.**
**The Elven Kingdom of Sylvaris.**
Deep within the endless forests—
where the colossal World Tree stretched toward the heavens—
stood the royal palace.
Ancient white stone intertwined seamlessly with living wood.
Its countless branches spread across the kingdom like a protective canopy.
Their leaves shimmered a healthy emerald green beneath the morning sun.
Mana drifted gently through the air.
Peaceful.
Serene.
Inside one of the palace's reception halls—
Princess **Olivia Syltheris** quietly watched a large **Thaumavision Veil**.
The magical projection displayed scenes from across the world.
The announcer's voice echoed through the hall.
"...The Holy Empire has officially announced the successful extermination of the Demon King..."
"...According to the Empire's statement..."
"...the Vampire King and his wife, the Dark Elf, have both been slain."
Olivia froze.
"...Elliana..."
Her emerald eyes widened.
For several long moments—
she simply stared at the projection.
"...No..."
A quiet whisper escaped her lips.
"...It can't be..."
Her fingers slowly tightened.
A servant standing nearby lowered his head.
"...Your Majesty?"
Olivia remained silent.
Images from years long past surfaced within her mind.
Laughter.
Afternoons spent together.
Conversations that lasted until sunset.
Elliana.
Her closest friend.
Her dearest confidante.
They had once promised—
that when the time came—
their children would unite their families.
A faint smile filled with nostalgia appeared upon Olivia's face.
Only to disappear almost immediately.
"...She was pregnant..."
Olivia murmured softly.
"...The last time we spoke..."
Her expression grew increasingly sorrowful.
"...Did she..."
She swallowed.
"...Did she manage to give birth?"
No one answered.
The broadcast continued.
"...Following the fall of the Demon King..."
"...Holy Empire forces have recovered additional information regarding the surviving member of his bloodline."
The projection flickered.
A portrait slowly appeared.
White hair.
Crimson eyes.
A calm young face.
Olivia's breathing caught.
"...Draven..."
The announcer continued.
"...This individual has been identified as the Demon King's son."
Beneath the portrait—
large crimson letters appeared.
**WORLDWIDE WANTED**
**THE DEMON KING'S SON**
Below them—
an enormous bounty.
**100,000 GOLD COINS**
Even Olivia found herself momentarily speechless.
"...So..."
"...It's true..."
"...Draven survived..."
Relief briefly flickered across her face.
Only to be replaced by worry.
"...He's alone now..."
"...And the entire world is hunting him..."
Silence lingered throughout the hall.
Finally—
Olivia turned toward one of the nearby servants.
"...Bring Princess Hannah."
"...Immediately."
The servant bowed.
"...At once, Your Majesty."
---
A short while later—
soft footsteps echoed through the corridor.
Princess **Hannah Syltheris** entered the reception hall.
Her long golden hair flowed neatly behind her shoulders.
Clear blue eyes turned toward her mother.
"...Mother?"
Olivia offered her a gentle smile.
"...Come here."
Hannah quietly walked over.
"...What is it?"
Olivia gestured toward the floating Thaumavision Veil.
"...Look."
Hannah's gaze shifted toward the projection.
She froze.
White hair.
Crimson eyes.
The face she had never forgotten.
"..."
Her fingers unconsciously tightened.
"...Draven..."
Olivia quietly observed her daughter.
"...You recognized him immediately."
Hannah gave a small nod.
"...Yes."
Silence lingered between them.
Neither of them looked away from the projection.
The announcer continued listing rewards.
Crimes.
Warnings.
Neither mother nor daughter paid any attention.
Olivia's gaze gradually lowered.
"...Elliana..."
Her voice softened.
"...She's gone."
A sorrowful smile appeared upon her face.
"...I still remember how excited she was."
"...She could hardly stop talking about her child."
"...About how, one day..."
"...our families would truly become one."
Her eyes grew slightly moist.
"...I remember when she joked that if she had a son..."
"...and I had a daughter..."
"...she would steal you away."
A quiet chuckle escaped her lips.
"...It seems..."
"...she got her wish."
Hannah lowered her gaze.
A faint smile appeared despite herself.
"...Aunt Elliana always loved teasing me..."
Olivia laughed softly.
"...She did."
"...She absolutely adored embarrassing you."
Silence returned.
Olivia looked back toward Draven's image.
"...We planned to visit them before long..."
She slowly shook her head.
"...I never imagined..."
"...this would happen first."
For several long moments—
neither mother nor daughter spoke.
Only the announcer's voice continued echoing throughout the hall.
Eventually—
Olivia broke the silence.
"...You still remember him, don't you?"
Hannah nodded gently.
"...Yes."
"...I remember."
Another pause.
Olivia looked toward her daughter.
"...He has lost everything."
"...His parents..."
"...His home..."
She sighed quietly.
"...And now..."
"...the entire world is hunting him."
Hannah remained silent.
Her blue eyes never left Draven's face.
Olivia reached out.
Gently placing a hand upon Hannah's shoulder.
"...I can't begin to imagine how much pain he must be carrying."
"...Why don't you return to your room and get some rest?"
"...We can talk again later."
Hannah slowly nodded.
"...Alright..."
She gave the projection one last look.
Then bowed politely.
"...I'll take my leave."
Olivia smiled gently.
"...Go."
Hannah quietly left the reception hall.
The great doors slowly closed behind her.
Olivia remained standing before the Thaumavision Veil.
Her eyes lingered upon Draven's image.
"...Elliana..."
She whispered sadly.
"...I'm sorry..."
---
Several hours passed.
The palace remained peaceful.
As evening gradually approached—
Olivia suddenly looked toward the doorway.
"...Has Hannah eaten yet?"
A nearby maid blinked.
"...I don't believe so, Your Majesty."
Olivia frowned slightly.
"...Go and bring her."
"...I'd like to speak with her."
The maid bowed.
"...At once, Your Majesty."
She quietly departed.
Several minutes later—
she returned.
This time—
her expression had completely changed.
"...Your Majesty..."
"...The Princess isn't in her room."
Olivia looked up.
"...She isn't?"
The maid lowered her head.
"...No."
"...We initially believed she had gone for a walk through the gardens..."
"...but no one has seen her."
Olivia's expression gradually turned serious.
"...Search the palace."
"...Immediately."
Servants scattered throughout the royal palace.
The gardens.
The libraries.
The training grounds.
The balconies.
Every corridor.
Every courtyard.
Every place Princess Hannah might have gone.
Time slowly passed.
Then—
hurried footsteps echoed through the reception hall.
A royal knight rushed inside before dropping to one knee.
"...Your Majesty!"
Olivia immediately turned.
"...Report."
The knight lowered his head.
"...Princess Hannah..."
"...was seen leaving through the eastern gate several hours ago."
Silence.
Olivia's heart skipped a beat.
"...What?"
The knight continued.
"...She was dressed in a traveler's cloak."
"...She was not alone."
"...Lady Illyria..."
"...her personal royal guard..."
"...departed alongside her."
Olivia's face slowly lost all color.
"...Hannah..."
For several long moments—
she simply stood there.
Motionless.
Then—
a quiet whisper escaped her lips.
"...You foolish child..."
She slowly closed her eyes.
A thousand thoughts raced through her mind.
The sudden broadcast.
Draven's face.
The look in Hannah's eyes.
Everything connected.
Her voice was barely audible.
"...Did you leave..."
"...to find him?"