The metallic sound of clashing swords echoed across the training field.
Dust.
Sweat.
Contained magic.
The heroes trained under the watchful eyes of knights and officers. Susan delivered precise strikes, Lili practiced energy control, and Raz… moved with that irritating blend of natural ease and efficiency that seemed to cost him no effort at all.
From the stone archway marking the entrance to the field, Ariane watched.
Her face was perfect.
Serene.
But her eyes…
Dripped with contempt.
—Look at them… —she murmured softly, almost to herself.
At that moment, Raz spun, disarming a knight with an elegant lock. Laughter followed. Polite applause.
Ariane felt pressure build in her chest.
Not admiration.
Disgust.
"They still trust him…"
She walked with steady steps toward the center of the field. The soldiers bowed. Gaius, who had been overseeing the practice, saw her approach and immediately called for a break.
—Your Highness —he said, inclining his head.
She did not look at the heroes.
Not directly.
Just a fleeting glance… cold.
Then she turned to Gaius.
—I need to speak with you.
Her tone allowed no delay.
Gaius nodded and followed her.
Private Chamber — East Wing
The door closed.
Silence.
The tension shifted.
Gaius straightened slightly once they were alone.
—Is something wrong?
Ariane did not answer immediately. She walked to the window. Her fingers lightly touched the frame.
—Eron… no longer exists.
Gaius frowned.
—What do you mean?
She turned slowly.
—The Abyss King transformed him.
A pause.
—Into a dragon.
The air seemed to grow heavier.
—A… what?
—A low-level dragon —she replied with calculated coldness—. An imperfect form. But sufficient to sow destruction.
Gaius stepped closer.
—That's impossible. Transforming a human into a dragon requires—
—A broken soul. Hatred. And a proper catalyst —she interrupted—. Eron had all of that.
Gaius clenched his jaw.
—And where is he?
—In the northern forest. Near the ancient ruins.
Silence.
Gaius paced a few steps, running a hand through his hair.
—If this becomes known, the kingdom will panic.
—That's why it won't.
She looked at him directly.
—We will send the heroes.
Gaius lifted his gaze sharply.
—All three?
—Yes.
—Ariane… —he hesitated—. Even at low level, a dragon is still a dragon. That's not a minor mission.
She walked toward him slowly.
Too close.
—Are you afraid?
—Not for myself.
—Then say it.
Gaius held her gaze.
—What if they die?
A faint smile appeared on Ariane's lips.
But it was not kind.
—They won't.
—How can you be so sure?
She tilted her head slightly.
—Because the heroines are not ready to face something like that.
Gaius frowned.
—Then it is dangerous.
—For them —she corrected softly.
Silence.
Understanding began to form on Gaius's face.
—You… —his voice lowered—. You expect him to—
Ariane held his gaze without blinking.
—If Raz is as noble as he pretends to be… he won't let them die.
The air between them tightened.
—He'll step in.
—Exactly.
Gaius swallowed.
—And if he doesn't?
Ariane's expression turned even colder.
—Then he was never the hero the kingdom believes him to be.
Gaius lowered his eyes for a second.
—This is risky.
She stepped closer still, nearly brushing against his chest.
—Do you doubt me?
—Never.
—Then trust me.
Her fingers lightly brushed the captain's metal bracer.
A minimal gesture.
But enough.
—If he dies —she continued in a low voice—, we will obtain what we need.
—The soul… —Gaius murmured.
—The perfect core.
Gaius closed his eyes briefly.
—And the dragon?
Ariane turned back toward the window.
—If they survive… it will be proof of their usefulness.
—And if Raz survives alone…
She did not turn around.
—Then we will confirm what we suspect.
A long silence.
The wind stirred the curtains slightly.
—I will prepare the mission —Gaius said at last.
Ariane nodded.
—Make it seem urgent. Make it seem inevitable.
As Gaius headed toward the door, she added without looking at him:
—And Gaius…
He stopped.
—Do not fail.
Her voice was not a threat.
It was a warning.
Gaius inclined his head and left.
Ariane remained alone.
She closed her eyes.
Visualized the scene.
Fire.
Screams.
Raz shielding Susan.
Raz shielding Lili.
Raz bleeding.
She smiled.
—Die as a hero… —she whispered—. And be reborn as my weapon.
Outside, on the training field, Raz laughed with the girls.
Unaware.
Completely unaware.
And in the northern forest…
The flames were already beginning to rise.