After three days of grueling marching, the Imperial army reached the capital. The surviving units moved slowly, and many soldiers still bore the marks of the recent battle.
Hilda rode on horseback right behind Lord Patrick. Lyria and the other commanders rode alongside them.
Finally, the capital's massive walls came into view.
"Open the gates!" — a guard's voice rang out.
The heavy gates slowly swung open.
The army rode into the city.
The capital was still undergoing reconstruction. Residents were carrying planks, bricks, and stones, repairing the damaged buildings. The streets were filled with an atmosphere of hard work, but also of mourning.
When they reached the main square, Hilda suddenly slowed down.
There were countless flowers in front of the cathedral. The names of those who had fallen during the battle for the capital were carved into the massive wall.
Hilda stopped her horse and gazed silently at the names for a moment.
Among them were soldiers she knew personally.
Her gaze slowly shifted toward Hogworth, who was tied to a horse.
Hilda clenched her fist.
"You're too proud of your conquest."
Hogsworth looked at her and smiled broadly.
"Hahaha!"
His laughter echoed across the entire square.
"Conquest? This is just the beginning."
Hilda looked at him coldly.
"You'll pay for every man you've killed."
Hogsworth smiled.
"If you're going to kill me, Queen… go ahead and try."
Lord Patrick immediately looked at Hilda.
"Hilda. Not here."
Hilda didn't respond for a moment.
Finally, she looked away.
"There will be time for that later."
They reached the castle walls, where the king and his daughter were waiting for them.
Hilda jumped off her horse and immediately ran toward her daughter.
When she reached her, she hugged her tightly.
"Misa…" — Hilda whispered.
"Welcome home, Mom." — her daughter replied.
The king raised his hand and looked toward the guards.
"Throw him in the dungeon!" — he said loudly.
The guards immediately moved toward him.
Hilda turned around in surprise.
"Darling, wait! He killed our men… We should kill him…"
The king replied.
"There's no room for discussion here. Take him away!"
Lord Patrick untied the rope from his horse, grabbed it, and set off toward the castle along with his escort from the Black Guard.
The guards followed close behind him, keeping watch over the prisoner.
Patrick looked at him coldly.
"Keep a close eye on him. I don't want any surprises."
The members of the Black Guard nodded.
"Yes, Lord Patrick."
Hilda simply clenched her fist and walked away without a word.
Meanwhile, in Aurelios, Valdor stood with Faisa and Luna in front of a massive statue of an angel.
Kael, Noah, and Arwen stood in the back with the rest of the paladins.
In front of the statue was a magical teleportation circle, its runes glowing with a bright light.
"Are you sure they'll actually show up here…?" — Arwen asked.
"Yes." — Luna replied.
Immediately after those words, the magic circle filled with bright light.
"They're coming…" — Faisa whispered.
A moment later, Mayur appeared in the magic circle
Mayuri looked around the room, and then her gaze settled on Valdor.
"Valdor…" — she whispered.
After a moment, she rushed toward him and hugged him tightly.
"Don't ever send me anywhere again…"
Valdor put his arms around her and sighed.
"I'm sorry, Mayuri. It's my fault. I was too desperate… I just wanted to keep you safe."
Mayuri let go of Valdor and walked over to the others.
"I'm back…"
Kiyoshi smiled slightly, and Valdor walked over to him.
"This is the second time we've met, Kiyoshi."
"Yes. Forgive me for not introducing myself properly earlier. I am Kiyoshi Renkaze, Prince of Taperis, the desert continent, and captain of the Burning Sands."
Valdor raised an eyebrow.
"A prince and a captain at the same time?"
Kiyoshi laughed.
"Sounds impressive, doesn't it?"
Mayuri glanced at him from the side.
"Especially since you were trying to pretend to be just an ordinary adventurer earlier."
Kiyoshi turned toward her.
"You were supposed to keep this a secret!"
Mayuri smiled innocently.
Valdor shook his head.
"I see nothing has changed. Since you've revealed yourself, I'll tell you the truth about me, but please, don't tell anyone."
Kiyoshi looked at him with curiosity.
"I promise."
Valdor was silent for a moment, then looked him straight in the eyes.
"I am Valdor Kanami, Prince of Dragonaria."
Kiyoshi froze, and his expression immediately turned serious.
"Dragonaria…?" — he whispered.
Valdor nodded.
"Yes."
Kiyoshi took a step back.
"But... Dragonaria has fallen. Everyone knows the kingdom was defeated in the war. They said the entire royal family had perished…"
Valdor lowered his gaze.
"That's how it was supposed to be."
Kiyoshi looked at him in disbelief.
"So you… survived?"
"Yes. I was put into a deep sleep and didn't wake up until years later. This Mayuri here woke me up… I'm grateful to her."
Kiyoshi was silent for a moment.
"That means… the Prince of Dragonaria is really alive."
Valdor looked him straight in the eye.
"That's why you mustn't tell anyone about this. I want to rebuild my kingdom."
Kiyoshi nodded slowly.
"I understand. Your secret is safe with me. If you ever need help, you can always ask me."
Mayuri watched them in silence, while Kael folded his arms.
"Thank you… Kiyoshi."
"No problem." — said Kiyoshi. — "I'll be on my way now. Take care." — he added and stepped back into the magic circle.
The circle glowed with a golden light, and after a moment, Kiyoshi's figure vanished.
Valdor stared for a moment at the spot where he had been standing just a moment ago.
"He's a really interesting man…"
Mayuri looked at him.
"He has more secrets than he lets on."
Kael smiled slightly.
"It seems we're not the only ones with secrets."
Valdor turned toward the others.
"Never mind. We have our own goal."
Mayuri nodded.
"The Dragon Throne."
Valdor clenched his fist.
"Exactly, but first we have to defeat Nathan and the warriors of darkness…"
Meanwhile, in Nathan's chamber, the warriors of Darkness knelt before their ruler. A heavy silence hung over the room, and the only light came from the flames of black torches.
Elio bowed his head.
"Leo has been sealed by Valdor."
Arthur folded his arms and snorted.
"He deserves it."
Nathan slowly rose from his throne.
"He was our key warrior."
His voice grew louder.
"We must get him back."
Arthur looked at him in surprise.
"But how?"
Nathan fixed his gaze directly on him.
"You will restore him, Arthur."
Arthur furrowed his brow.
"Me?"
Nathan nodded.
"You're the only one with the power to unseal Leo."
Silence fell over the chamber.
Arthur clenched his fists.
"What if Valdor's seal proves too strong?"
Nathan smiled coldly.
"In that case, you'll have to become stronger."
Arthur lowered his head.
"I understand."
Nathan sat back down on the throne.
"Reclaim Leo. Without him, our plans will be much harder to carry out."
Elio looked at Arthur.
Arthur smiled slightly.
"All right. He'll owe me one."
"The plan is simple. Elio and Sylphia will set out for Aurelios and kidnap Valdor."
"Elio will create a distraction, and Sylphia will use her power to stop time and knock Valdor unconscious."
Elio looked at Sylphia.
"Sylphia, do you still have the portable gate I gave you earlier?"
"Yes. What about it?"
"If I cast my portable gate, yours will respond to it and open a passage. Then you'll be able to stop time."
Sylphia's eyes fluttered slightly, which Nathan noticed immediately.
"Everyone, step back and prepare the room. Sylphia, stay here a moment longer."
"Yes, sir."
The rest of the warriors began to leave the hall.
Before leaving, Arthur paused for a moment and looked at Sylphia.
After a moment, he turned and followed the others out.
When Nathan and Sylphia were alone, Nathan stood up and walked over to her.
"What's going on with you, Sylphia? I see fear in your eyes."
"I don't know myself… When someone mentioned Valdor, I felt something strange… As if something were warming me from the inside."
Nathan narrowed his eyes.
"The curse is beginning to lift…" — he thought.
"Come here, Sylphia."
Sylphia nodded and walked over to him.
Nathan placed his hand on her head, and after a moment, black energy began to penetrate her body and flow into her head.
Sylphia clenched her teeth.
After a moment, Nathan removed his hand.
Sylphia fell to her knees, clutching her head in pain.
"What do you think of Valdor?"
Sylphia slowly lowered her hands and stood up.
Her gaze became serious and cold.
"We have to kill him."
Nathan smiled slightly.
"Very well. Now go to Elio."
"Yes, sir."
Arthur stood behind the door, his eyebrows furrowed.
"I knew it…" — he whispered.
After a moment, he turned and headed toward the hall where the ritual was to take place.