Inside the Everlasting Adventure Guild, the atmosphere shifted again.
The weight of the child's story still clung to the air, but the gears of this ancient place had already begun to turn faster.
Quest scrolls unfurled and stamped with urgency. The wall behind the counter flared with red glyphs — urgent, dangerous.
The Red Gate wasn't a joke.
Clusters of guild members murmured quietly, eyes flicking toward the glowing wall.
Behind the bar, the guild master leaned against the counter, arms crossed, face hard with thought.
"Red-class Gate," he muttered. "Haven't seen one since the Ice Wastes collapsed."
Raka, the hobgoblin bartender, shuffled over with a black leather ledger and a quill.
"Boss. What about the emperor?" he asked, looking up.
The guild master didn't glance up. "Write it down. One hundred soul coins. Under Charles Jnr."
"Got it." Raka flipped open the ledger—its cover etched with silver runes and teeth marks, a ledger of debts and promises, souls owed to the guild.
"I didn't want to push him for money," the guild master said quietly. "He volunteered. He'll pay when it's done."
"Yes, boss."
With a ding, a glowing crystal locked the debt into the system.
Raka turned the page, scribbling a new member record.
"Customer converted to member. Royal status override. Default rank C." He paused. "D for debt."
From across the room, Elizabeth III approached, her red hair glowing under drifting lantern light.
"You don't need to say anything," she said before he could speak. "I already sent word."
"To who?"
Elizabeth's eyes lifted, sharp as ever.
"The red dragons. And the black ones. They're on their way."
The guild master narrowed his eyes. "Both factions?"
"Yes." Elizabeth's smile was grim. "If a Red Gate's open, we don't gamble on half-measures."
Morlas stomped over, his gauntlets smeared with oil.
"Base ready in three days. South jungle, near the gate. Shield dome, field forge, emergency evac portal—all set."
"Good." The guild master nodded. "Make sure there's a phoenix feather ward. If containment breaks, full burn."
Morlas grinned. "Oh, we're burning. Trust me."
Rain dripped from Rafayel as he re-entered, shaking off the chill.
"Just in time," he said, a rare smile touching his lips. "Looks like subtlety's off the table."
The guild master gave a faint smile.
"Now that the emperor's an adventurer, things just got simpler."
From the shadows, Lao slid up beside the counter, voice lazy as ever.
"Master," he said, "how much are we expecting from this gate?"
"You tell me." The guild master met his gaze. "Ever seen a Red Gate?"
Lao snorted. "No. Greens and yellows, sure. Usually nets—what—ten to fifty thousand soul coins?"
Elizabeth rolled her eyes. "Amateurs."
She fixed Lao with a sharp look.
"Red Gates aren't about coin counts. They're entry points. Doorways to other worlds. Left open too long, they become channels. Unless we cull the overflow monsters, the gate stays alive—forever."
Lao's amusement faded. Concern crept in.
The guild master tapped the counter.
"This time... I'm going."
Silence fell.
Even Elizabeth tilted her head.
"You sure?"
He nodded.
"We fabricate the story. Control the panic. I go with the core team."
He looked at Lao.
"You… become the demon king again."
Lao flinched like stung.
"Ehhh!? Me again? Nooo, last time wasn't enough!? Five kingdoms still want me dead!"
"Perfect," the guild master said flatly.
"So, demon king," he said slowly, "this gig pays 1,000 soul coins. Take it or leave it."
Lao snorted, crossing his arms beneath his dark robes. "One thousand? You must be joking. Last time, I cost them ten thousand to keep me quiet."
The guild master raised an eyebrow. "I'm asking, not offering charity."
Lao smirked, stepping closer, voice low and sly. "Ten thousand, then. And I bring the full horror show. You want fear? You get fear."
"Too rich for my blood," the guild master said flatly. "I'm the customer here, not the one begging."
Lao narrowed his eyes, flicking a shadowed finger. "Five thousand? That's the bottom line."
"Four thousand," the guild master countered, voice firm.
"Five thousand. Final offer."
The guild master considered. Then nodded.
"Done. Five thousand it is."
Lao grinned, bowing with a mock flourish. "Pleasure doing business with you, boss."