The Next Day — Early Morning
Kingdom of Britain — Camelot
Dawn settled over the fortress like a golden mantle that barely brushed the castle's towers.
The air smelled of polished steel and incense.
The Kingdom's banners fluttered solemnly, reflecting off the gleaming armor of the guards.
Inside the Royal Palace,
an unusual visit was taking place.
The procession of the «Order of Light» advanced in flawless formation, led by Cardinal Damian Velpo, followed by two Inquisitors and an entire battalion of knights clad in full plate armor.
Their footsteps echoed in perfect unison, keeping rhythm like the beat of a war drum.
Steel boots struck the stone floor with relentless cadence.
The royal guards standing watch at the castle entrance immediately tensed.
Hands slid toward sword hilts with the dry scrape of steel leaving its scabbard.
Eyes met—
suspicion and vigilance—
until one of the guards raised his voice, demanding an explanation.
However, that confidence shattered only seconds later.
An invisible pressure filled the air as the Inquisitors took a single step forward.
Their gazes were like blades, and the sacred energy radiating from them made them appear like towering giants wrapped in a golden-white aura.
The royal guards felt the pulse of that power course through their bodies, forcing them back before they even realized it.
The reputation of those men was no exaggeration.
They were the Order's special force, feared even among their own ranks.
Sensing the tension,
the Cardinal raised one hand.
His tone was deep,
yet courteous.
Cardinal Velpo: —"Forgive the hostility, but I request an audience with His Majesty."
One of the guards, a young man with a strained expression, swallowed hard before answering.
Ed: —"Sir, we'll inform His Majesty immediately, but we respectfully ask Your Eminence to wait for the moment."
The Cardinal slightly turned his head.
His eyes softened as he noticed, standing among the knights' formation, a young apprentice with a rigid, nervous posture beside two mysterious girls concealed beneath dark veils.
Only their eyes could be seen—
green and translucent like jade—
watching everything with unsettling calm.
The Cardinal inclined his head toward them respectfully.
Cardinal Velpo: —"Ladies Solviers, I ask for your patience."
Julia gracefully lifted her gaze, her voice calm yet resolute.
Julia: —"Naturally, we shall wait."
Beside her, Julie clicked her tongue and folded her arms beneath her veil.
Julie: —"What are you saying, Sister? No. They shouldn't be treated so leniently. They need to understand how urgent this matter is."
The Cardinal suppressed a look of discomfort.
His jaw tightened for a moment before Julia discreetly stepped closer to her sister and whispered into her ear with a smile that never reached her eyes.
Julia: —"Remember what Mother told us. While in the Human Kingdom, you must abide by human etiquette."
Julie frowned,
looking away toward the closed gates.
Julie: —"But you know I hate waiting."
Julia: —"Conduct yourself as what you are—the worthy successor of Freya's Temple, Second Crown Princess of Alfheim. Do not disgrace your identity."
Julie sighed in defeat,
lowering her head for only a brief moment.
Julie: —"Very well, Big Sister. But stop lecturing me already."
Silence settled over them once more.
The Cardinal rotated the golden ring on his finger with restrained impatience.
The minutes dragged on.
The faint clinking of armor was the only sound disturbing the cold morning air.
Thirty minutes later,
the captain of the Royal Guard emerged from inside the castle,
his cloak billowing behind him.
Tristan: —"My apologies, Cardinal, but only essential personnel may see His Majesty. Your knights will remain here."
Cardinal Velpo nodded slowly,
adjusting his robe.
Cardinal Velpo: —"I understand. Only the young ladies, the Inquisitors, and the Order's apprentice will accompany me."
Tristan: —"Very well. Please follow me to the Throne Hall."
The group set off.
They crossed the outer gardens,
where roses and lilies grew in perfect rows.
The fountains produced a gentle murmur that contrasted with the metallic scrape of armor.
Julie watched flower petals drift through the air, distracted,
while Julia walked with the composure of a divine ambassador.
As they passed through the castle's massive gates,
a solemn silence enveloped them.
The air inside the palace carried a different weight—
the scent of melted wax and damp stone—
as they made their way through the corridors toward the Throne Hall.
There,
King Arthur Pendragon awaited them.
Seated upon his magnificent throne,
the King of Britain commanded authority without uttering a single word.
A man nearing sixty-six years of age,
yet still possessing the vigor of his youth.
Dark hair.
A neatly trimmed beard.
Eyes as blue as deep sapphires.
His posture remained perfectly straight,
his back unwavering,
his breathing calm and measured.
In his right hand rested Excalibur,
the legendary sword whose rune-engraved blade shimmered beneath the stained-glass light.
Beside him,
Queen Guinevere watched in silence.
Her posture remained elegant and composed,
though her fingers discreetly intertwined upon her lap,
tense.
The Cardinal bowed deeply before speaking.
Cardinal Velpo: —"Greetings to the great King of Britain and Queen Guinevere."
The King regarded him without blinking.
Arthur: —"Cardinal, you still haven't explained why you requested Count Ducking's presence."
The Cardinal stepped forward,
his voice measured,
his hands folded before his chest.
Cardinal Velpo: —"I apologize for withholding the details during our brief discussion earlier. You see... I have extremely important guests sent by the goddess Freya herself. They have requested permission to investigate a certain location within your kingdom."
The King narrowed his eyes.
Arthur: —"My apologies, Cardinal, but the Count is currently occupied with a matter concerning my Royal Advisor. His daughter, however, is here, and she is an exceptionally skilled fire mage, just like her father."
Cardinal Velpo: —"I understand. In that case, I shall consult the Magic Tower."
The King's tone hardened.
His fingers tapped lightly against the throne's armrest.
Arthur: —"You are within my kingdom, Cardinal. You will state the exact purpose of your visit."
Silence tightened like a drawn bowstring.
Then,
one of the two girls stepped forward.
Her clear, unwavering voice shattered protocol like a bolt of lightning.
Julie: —"Your Majesty, my sister and I have been sent to investigate a matter of the utmost importance concerning humanity. I respectfully request that the fire mage accompany us."
The Cardinal quickly raised a hand.
Cardinal Velpo: —"Lady Solviers, I told you I would handle the explanation."
Julie inclined her head slightly,
but her gaze never wavered.
Julie: —"My apologies, Cardinal. But this matter is urgent and cannot be delayed."
Julia clenched her fist,
stepped forward,
and gently grabbed her sister's arm, whispering through gritted teeth while maintaining a rigid smile.
Julia: —"Sister... what in the world are you doing?"
Julie: —"Being proactive, Big Sister."
The King watched the exchange calmly,
slowly resting his chin upon one hand.
Several seconds stretched by.
Finally, he spoke.
Arthur: —"If that's the case, then one of you will remain behind and explain the entire situation to me in detail."
The two sisters exchanged silent glances.
Then they leaned closer,
quietly discussing the matter between themselves.
Julia: —"See what you've done? We were supposed to go together."
Julie: —"Then I'll stay."
Julia: —"Are you an idiot? How will the dark energy be detected without you?"
Julie: —"Then..."
Julia sighed,
cutting her off.
Julia: —"I'll stay and do my best to explain everything to these humans. You know we need their cooperation."
Julie gave a small nod.
Julie: —"Very well, Big Sister."
Julia straightened her neck,
her confident footsteps echoing through the chamber as she approached the throne.
Julia: —"I'll remain."
The King nodded in approval,
his voice once again echoing throughout the hall.
Arthur: —"Very well... Cardinal, my daughter is with Lady Ducking. You may send someone to fetch them. They are currently in the eastern garden."
Cardinal Velpo: —"Understood, Your Majesty."
The Cardinal turned toward his apprentice,
a young man with an almost childlike face and anxious eyes.
Cardinal Velpo: —"Crosgrove, go now. Inform the Princess and Lady Ducking that the King requests their presence."
Crosgrove swallowed nervously and nodded.
—"Y-Yes, Cardinal..."
He nearly ran out of the throne room.
The echo of his footsteps gradually disappeared into the corridors.
As he hurried through the hallways bathed in the light of dawn,
the young apprentice glanced sideways at the statues of ancient kings and legendary knights.
The air smelled of stone,
freshly cut flowers,
and history itself.
When he finally reached the eastern garden,
he paused for a moment,
taken aback by its beauty.
Crystal-clear fountains.
Cherry blossom trees.
Paths paved with white marble.
Amid the foliage,
he spotted two young women walking side by side—
the Princess,
and Count Ducking's daughter—
chatting beneath the morning sun,
still completely unaware of what was about to unfold.