Part 2
King Aurelius Valdheim sat upon his throne, receiving tribute from the nobles in the Hall of the Skies.
Beside him, Queen Valeria observed with the distant calm of someone who had seen too much.
Just below them, standing a few steps lower, their eldest son—Crown Prince Adriano—led the ceremony, reading from a scroll with a steady voice.
"Let us welcome Count Francesco Deveraux…"
A dark-skinned man with elegant posture and calculating eyes entered the hall with composed steps. Behind him, an assistant in a grey suit pushed a small cart laden with gold coins.
"Long live King Aurelius and the sacred royal family," Deveraux said, bowing with rehearsed respect.
"Thank you for your contribution, Deveraux. Do you have any requests to present?" the king asked, his tone unchanged.
"Yes, my liege… There are some rebellious citizens in Valia. I would like your heroes to handle restoring order," Count Deveraux replied as a second servant entered, pushing an even fuller cart.
"Of course, my esteemed count. I'll see to it. You needn't worry."
Deveraux nodded silently and withdrew with his men, never once looking back.
"What a pain… This should be Victoria's job. Where is my sister?" Adriano complained, making no effort to hide his lack of interest.
"Your younger sister is assisting the Church," the king replied without looking at him. "As heir to the throne, this is your duty."
"Tch. Always dodging responsibility…" the prince muttered before clearing his throat and lifting the scroll once more.
"Let us welcome the Countess of Mirash… Lady Avril Lafontaine."
A young woman with pale skin, blonde hair, and an impeccable evening gown entered with controlled grace. An air of theatrical detachment surrounded her, almost ghostly. Her servant brought a cart overflowing with gold coins.
"Long live the king and the crown," she said, offering a perfectly practiced curtsy.
"Thank you for your contribution, Lady Lafontaine. Your father would be proud of the woman you've become."
She merely nodded, without lifting her gaze.
"May you rot in hell, you filthy king."
"Do you have any requests to present?" Adriano asked, his tone lined with fake politeness.
"None in particular," she replied with courtesy, "though I would appreciate it if your heroes stopped interfering with my performances. They've caused quite a stir at my theater lately…"
"Of course. I'll see what I can do," the king replied with a smile that never reached his eyes.
"Sure… Just like you 'took care' of my father…"
Queen Valeria then spoke, her voice as silky as ever.
"On another note… have you considered my son's proposal?"
"I'm sorry, Your Majesty," Avril replied with a perfect smile. "I do not have the status to be a princess. And I'm sure there are far more suitable candidates. Besides… I am already engaged."
"I would never marry someone as repulsive as your son."
"Well, time will tell. I would love to have such a beautiful woman in our family," the king added, savoring his words.
"Thank you for your kind words, my lord," Avril replied with another graceful curtsy.
She exited with elegance.
But inside, she was fed up. Fed up with the constant harassment from the royal family. The lie about her engagement was the only thing keeping her out of that palace's clutches… for now.
Without much care, Adriano resumed the list, solemnly calling out names and tribute… until he reached the final one.
"This has to be a joke," he muttered with disdain.
"Let us welcome Baronette Edgardo Bauer."
An elderly man, tall and still broad-shouldered despite his ragged appearance, crawled on his knees along the red carpet. Each step was a plea.
"My lord Valdheim… I beg for your help."
"And your tribute, Bauer?" the king replied without a flicker of emotion. "You know the rules. Ten gold coins per audience. That's the cost of being a baronette."
"I'm sorry, my king… I've lost my entire harvest. Goblins, wolves, and orcs have overrun our lands…"
"No excuses!" Queen Valeria snapped, her voice like a whip.
"Please, Your Majesty… Dulmar is devastated. I've lost most of the villagers. We are in ruins. I came to ask for mercy. Aid from the crown. We cannot hold off the invaders alone…"
"Guards!" the king commanded as he rose from the throne. Soldiers immediately surrounded the old noble.
"Baronette Edgardo Bauer… for your disrespect toward the crown, you are hereby stripped of your title. Your lands will return to royal administration, and a new lord will be appointed."
"But, my lord!" Bauer cried out, breaking.
"This happened because of your incompetence. If you can't protect your lands… you're unworthy of them. Or your title."
A pause. Cold. Absolute.
"You will be executed in the public square at dawn."
"No! Please! I've served you loyally for forty years! I beg you—exile me if you must!"
"Guards, get him out of my sight," the king ordered with disdain.
The soldiers dragged him from the hall as the old noble screamed, cursed, and begged through his tears.
"Fool…" the king spat. "Give him one last meal tonight. And may his execution serve as a warning to all nobles who forget their obligations."
He turned, adjusting his cloak with distaste.
"Leave me. I have other matters to attend to."
Everyone left the hall, and the throne remained in silence—bathed in light that no longer brought justice… only inhuman judgment.
From a side door, the High Pontiff of the Church of Yoru emerged, his usual serene expression and hands folded. Beside him walked General Balliard, supreme commander of the kingdom's forces.
"Father Giovanni," the king said, without turning. "What news do you bring?"
"King Valdheim, always an honor," the pontiff answered with a slight bow. "I've been monitoring the heroes. They perform well… although there have been reports of child disappearances and mutilations in the city of Valia. Nothing to worry about."
"Good," the king replied. "Blame it on the 'rebels'."
Giovanni nodded without emotion.
"As for Dulmar… our researchers have confirmed that the 'demonic resonator' is working. It draws monster hordes based on the amount and type of mana fed into it."
"Excellent…" the king murmured, gazing out the window. "It's unfortunate to sacrifice peasants… but it's all for the greater good."
"Balliard," he called, still not turning.
"Yes, sire!" the general replied, standing at full attention.
"How goes the training of the heroes?"
"Progressing well, my king. Most have reached A-rank, and a few have even attained SSS-rank. They are now being compared to the finest adventurers in neighboring kingdoms."
"Fantastic… soon we'll have the power we need to expand our borders."
"And none of them suspect," Giovanni added, "that the 'Hero's Mark' we branded them with upon arrival… is actually a seal of obedience. They won't be able to rebel even if they try."
The king smiled—part pride, part contempt.
Balliard resumed his report.
"Some heroes are already studying military tactics. Others are being sent into dungeons or fulfilling contracts through the adventurer's guild. The army is also benefiting by forming mixed squads with them. The synergy accelerates overall growth."
"That's perfect," said Aurelius. "An army with the power of heroes… and no free will."
There was a pause. Giovanni narrowed his eyes.
"If I may offer a suggestion…" he said, fingers interlaced. "We've detected a rise in demonic energy in the Mist Valley and in the Mirash region. I request authorization to conduct some incursions and clear up our doubts."
"You have my permission," the king replied without hesitation. "And I want the rebels in Valia dealt with. Execute them publicly if necessary. Let everyone remember what happens to those who forget their place."
"Yes, my lord…" Balliard said, bowing before turning to leave.
"One more thing, General," the king added, stopping him with a subtle gesture. "While you're visiting Mirash… I'd like you to drop by the Marina Opera House. And if something happens to catch fire… well, these things happen."
The general nodded with the coldness of someone who had carried out such orders before… and exited.
"Aren't you being a little harsh on young Lady Lafontaine?" Giovanni asked, his usual smile still intact.
"She'll bend… sooner or later," the king murmured, turning toward his goblet of wine. "A young, beautiful girl like her… should belong to me."
"I see," Giovanni said with malice in his tone. "Such a shame that Maurice Lafontaine and his wife had to 'leave' the kingdom…"
"They were a necessary cost. Though I must admit… I enjoyed the company of his wife. A true lady. A pity. Let's hope the daughter isn't just as stubborn."
The pontiff nodded slowly, as though sharing a long-guarded secret.
"Speaking of which…" Giovanni added thoughtfully, "one of the heroes, Shunta Mikado, keeps insisting on courting Princess Victoria…"
"Don't remind me," the king snapped, barely containing his disgust. "That idiot thinks he'll gain nobility through marriage."
"That's why he's under your care at the Church. Don't disappoint me, Giovanni."
"You needn't worry, Your Majesty. He's in very good hands."
"He'd better be, Giovanni… he'd better be."
The king silently walked toward the grand window of the throne hall.
He looked out over his kingdom, stretching far beyond the towers—bathed in a false light of justice. An empire of perfect appearance… held up by shadows.
Behind him, the High Pontiff exited through the same door he had entered—
like a shadow that never rests.