I took both letters and moved to a corner of the palace so that no one would see me. Standing there, I opened the letter from the Royal Knight Headquarters first. Today's date, 17 April, was written on it. I opened the letter and began to read.
Royal Invitation Letter: Royal Knight Regiment
Seal: Golden Sword and Shield (Royal Crest)
Sender: Royal Knight Headquarters
Respected Historia Chester,
We hope this letter finds you in good health. This letter is not written as an order, but as a special recognition and an honorable request. Your bravery and the unique skill with which you handled the circumstances on that unfortunate night at Blackwood Palace have drawn the attention of our Royal Knights.
In particular, your combat style and your precise ability to control critical situations deserve the highest praise. Having talent like yours within the Empire's security forces would be a matter of pride for us.
Therefore, the Royal Knight Headquarters formally invites you to join our prestigious 'Veerangana Vahini' Regiment.
On behalf of the Empire, you will be provided with the following benefits:
Salary: 4 Gold Coins per month for your service.
Honor: You and your family will receive Royal Protection.
We understand that you are currently in the service of the Narco Desk family, and we fully respect that bond. This offer depends entirely on your own will. We request that you consider this opportunity and provide us with your consent.
We await your step toward becoming a protector of the Empire.
With respect,
William Windsor
Chief of Staff, Royal Knight Headquarters
After reading the letter, I understood that even though Paragon powers were not mentioned explicitly, if Historia joined the Royal Knights, she would eventually be granted Paragon powers. Thinking this, I opened the second letter, which was from the Church of Void Moon.
Sacred Invitation: Church of Void Moon
Seal: Incomplete Crescent Moon (Seal of the Void)
Sender: Office of the High Priest, Moon Temple
Beloved Historia,
May the cool shadow of the Moon forever rest upon your Aurum. We know that your soul recognizes the 'Void' which ordinary humans cannot even perceive. On that night at Blackwood Palace, when everyone weakened under the Crimson Moonlight, the fact that your consciousness remained awakened proves that the Goddess of the Moon herself has chosen you.
The Church believes that a divine soul like yours should not remain in household service, but should dedicate itself to the worship of the Goddess and the protection of her secret mysteries.
If you enter the Goddess's service, the Church will offer you the following:
Monthly Allowance: 6 Gold Coins per month, so that you never have to bow before anyone again.
After reading both letters, I understood why invitations had arrived from both places. During the Blackwood Palace incident, the way Historia fought despite not being a Paragon had deeply impressed the Royal Knights present there. As for the Church of Void Moon, Narco himself must have told them about Historia, since he too is a follower of the Goddess of the Moon, and the Church respects him greatly.
But there was one more thing I realized—although neither letter mentioned Paragon powers, in reality, both were offering exactly that. Such matters were too confidential to be written directly.
As I walked through the palace corridor, I thought, This is actually a good thing. I had planned to tell Historia about Paragon powers anyway, but if she joined the Royal Knights, she could become a licensed Paragon. A faint smile appeared on my face. I decided this was the best path—it would benefit me as well.
Lost in these thoughts, I suddenly saw Historia in the same corridor, mopping the floor. The moment I saw her, my heartbeat quickened slightly. Her tied golden hair had loose strands falling onto her face, which she kept trying to push behind her ear with her wrist. Sweat from her work made her body slightly damp, and her blue eyes…
I realized that I had never felt this way about Historia before. Yesterday, when I saw Mercury, I had called her the most beautiful girl I had ever seen. But now I doubted my own words. I already had someone this beautiful by my side—someone who now seemed even more beautiful than Mercury.
Mercury had golden eyes, soft skin, silver-like hair, innocence on her face, quick to anger yet easy to please. But Historia—her diamond-like blue eyes, golden hair, graceful curves, calm nature, and mature reactions in any situation—made her beauty shine in a completely different way. Both girls were incomparable in their own ways.
While I was lost in these thoughts, Historia suddenly raised her head and her eyes met mine directly.
"Master? You're here?" she asked in mild surprise.
The fatigue on her face vanished, replaced by a deep stillness. Narrowing her blue eyes slightly, she asked, "Master, do you need something?"
I composed myself and replied calmly, "No, I just came downstairs to drink water. After that, I saw a postman at the door."
Curious, Historia asked, "So why did the postman come?"
I decided to hide the Church letter for now and told her only one truth. "The postman brought a letter from the Royal Knight Headquarters."
Historia said casually, "Oh, then I suppose it must be for Master Narco."
Looking deep into her eyes, I said, "Historia, I thought the same at first. But when I saw the name on the letter… it was yours."
She was visibly startled. The mature calm on her face wavered for a moment. "My name? Master… why would the Royal Knight Headquarters send a letter to an ordinary maid?"
She was either unaware of her true worth or unwilling to believe it. Sunlight from the corridor window fell on her face, making her blue eyes look even more transparent and beautiful.
I took out the envelope with the royal seal and handed it to her. "See for yourself. They're inviting you to join the Veerangana Vahini Regiment."
Historia opened the letter and read it calmly. A faint shine appeared in her blue eyes. She processed everything—salary, position, praise—like pure data.
After finishing, she looked at me, her voice flat and steady. "Master, this offer is logically very strong. Four gold coins per month is a large sum, and the Veerangana Vahini regiment will grant me access to Imperial databases and classified information. This could be beneficial for you."
Then she asked, "Master, do you want me to accept this offer? As an AI, my primary objective is your safety and your goals. Is going there the right decision for our future?"
She showed no hesitation—only waited for my input. She didn't care what she became, only whether it helped me.
I had already decided. "Historia, tomorrow you and I will go to the Royal Knight Headquarters. I want you to join and relay internal intelligence to me."
She nodded without question. "Understood, Master. I will follow your order."
After that, I returned to my room. I placed both letters on my study table and sat on my bed, thinking. I was a Sequence 1 Paragon, yet I couldn't properly use magic.
I focused on the study table, trying to feel static energy inside my body. I extended my hand—and suddenly, one of the letters lifted into the air and flew straight into my palm.
I was shocked and delighted. "I can finally use my thunder attribute! If I improve further, I might even generate real lightning."
As I smiled, I noticed Den had returned. Seeing him suddenly made me jump. He stared at me silently, clearly having seen the letter move.
Den smiled. "Impressive. You're starting to use your power. Keep training, and you'll do even better."
I asked, "Den, how long will it take me to fully adapt to Sequence 1?"
He replied seriously, "Adaptation time increases with each sequence. At Sequence 1, it'll take you 3 to 8 months. Sequence 2 can take 9 months to 2 years. Don't panic—you have time. And as long as I'm with you, I'll guide you."
He glanced at the letters. "Whose letter was that?"
I told him everything—both letters and my plan for Historia.
Den replied coldly, "Your idea is good, but remember this: Historia might one day become as loyal to the Royal Family as she is to you."
"I'll keep that in mind," I said, though I trusted Historia.
I asked, "Will you come to the Royal Headquarters with me?"
"No," Den refused instantly. "If a powerful Paragon senses me, it'll be trouble for you."
Then I asked, "Why didn't you give me a summoning spell like Heater's?"
Den's eyes gleamed. His voice deepened. "My summoning spell isn't like Heater's, Jona. It connects you directly to the Abyss. Still… I'll give it to you now."
He recited the spell, and I wrote it carefully:
"Scale of the Abyss, fangs of the deep,
Awaken from the shadows where the ancients sleep.
Cross the veil of silence, crawl through the dark,
Bind to my soul and leave your mark!"
As I wrote it, the candles flickered. A cold sensation tingled in my palm—as if a fragment of Den's shadow had permanently fused with me.
Now, I wouldn't need to search for Den. I could summon him from any shadow.
Den smiled. "We're connected now. But remember—just because you summon me doesn't mean I'll always come. That choice is mine."