The weight of Lyra's words settled upon Yrauos like a physical shroud. The Royal Palace of Mystralis. The very epicenter of power, politics, and scrutiny. Every instinct he possessed, honed by a lifetime of operating in the shadows, screamed at him to flee, to melt back into the anonymity of the deep woods. But his body, frail and hollowed out, was a prison of its own.
"Three weeks," he repeated, the reality of it finally sinking in. His voice was still a rasp. "How did you get here?"
"It was the Royal Guards you saved," Lyra explained, her hand still tightly holding his. "After you... fell, they secured the area. They found Miriel and me when we followed your trail—we felt the explosion of your energy. When they realized we were with you, they brought us all here. They said it was by the Princess's direct command."
"Princess Seraphina," Miriel chimed in, her usual hyper-energy subdued by worry. "She's the one you saved! She wouldn't leave your side for the first week! The healers said your Essence Core was completely drained, worse than just empty... it was like it was starved. They said they'd never seen anyone survive that."
Yrauos closed his eyes, internally assessing the damage. The System interface was faint, flickering, most of its functions greyed out. His Crude Core had been Refined, but now it felt brittle, a glass sphere covered in hairline fractures. The reckless use of Soulflare Burst had nearly un-made him from the inside out.
[Status: Core Fracture - Critical]
[Mana Essence: 8/350 (Regeneration Halted)]
[Prescribed Treatment: Absolute rest. High-purity Essence infusion.]
"Your things are safe," Lyra added, correctly reading the calculation in his eyes. She gestured to a heavy oak chest at the foot of the bed. "Your blade, your bone daggers, everything. They've been... respectful."
That was something, at least. The Godslayer's Edge was secure. But being in a king's palace, surrounded by unknown powers, with his strength at its lowest ebb, was a nightmare scenario.
As if on cue, the ornate door to the chamber opened silently. A tall, elegant elf woman with silver hair streaked with gold entered. She wore robes of state, and her aura, even to Yrauos's dulled senses, radiated a calm, immense power—a Crystal Core, at the very least, likely a Master.
"Ah, the young savior awakens," she said, her voice a melodic, authoritative hum. "I am Lady Valeria, Head Healer of the Mystralis court. It is a relief to see you returned to us." Her sharp, amber eyes took in Lyra and Miriel with a single, sweeping glance that was neither hostile nor entirely welcoming. "Your... companions have been most devoted."
Yrauos pushed himself up slightly, ignoring the protest in his core. "Your hospitality is noted," he said, his tone carefully neutral. "How long until I am recovered?"
Lady Valeria's lips quirked in a faint smile. "Direct. I appreciate that. The damage to your core is profound, child. It is not a matter of simple rest. Without specialized treatment, your channels may never fully heal, and your growth could be permanently stunted." She paused, letting the gravity of her words hang in the air. "Fortunately for you, the Royal Family is in your debt. King Theron and Queen Anya have ordered that no expense be spared in your recovery. You will receive the finest care in the kingdom."
It sounded like a blessing. To Yrauos, it sounded like a sentence. He was now a valuable asset to be repaired and, undoubtedly, assessed.
"Thank you," he said, the words tasting like ash.
"Princess Seraphina has asked to see you the moment you are able," Lady Valeria continued. "She is most insistent." With a final, appraising look, she turned and glided from the room, the door closing with a soft, definitive click.
The moment she was gone, the tension in the room thickened.
"They're keeping us here, Master," Miriel whispered, her voice small. "We can walk in the gardens, but the guards are always watching. It's a pretty cage."
Lyra nodded, her expression grim. "They've asked questions. About where we came from, about your abilities. We've told them nothing, just that we were refugees from the borderlands. But they're not fools, Yrauos. The power you displayed... it wasn't the power of a common refugee."
Yrauos lay back against the pillows, his mind racing despite the fog of exhaustion. He was trapped in a gilded cage, his weakness making him vulnerable. The King's gratitude was a leash. The Princess's interest was a spotlight. And his two loved ones were here with him, sharing his confinement.
He looked at Lyra, then at Miriel. Their safety was his paramount concern. To ensure that, he needed to regain his power, and fast. But to do that, he needed the very resources this palace was offering.
A new mission appeared in his mind, the text a fragile, shimmering blue, reflecting his own weakened state.
[New Mission: 'The Phoenix's Ascent']
[Objective: Heal your Core Fracture. Regain 100% of your power. Uncover the true intentions of the Mystralis Royal Family.]
[Reward: Essence Core evolves to 'Crystalized Core' (Stage 3: Expert). 5000 EP. Unlock: 'Political Acumen' Skill.]
[Failure: Permanent crippling. Indentured servitude to the Crown. Potential loss of Lyra and Miriel.]
The stakes had never been higher. The forest had been a crucible of strength. The palace would be a crucible of wit and will. He had to play the part of the grateful, recovering hero while secretly rebuilding his strength and plotting his next move.
He was a shinobi in the heart of the lion's den. And the lion was just beginning to take notice of the strange, powerful new creature that had fallen into its midst.