Three days after the Bloodline Blessing…
Frostwind Capital looked peaceful.
But Arin knew better.
Peace before war was always the loudest silence.
Royal Study Hall — Midnight
Candles flickered.
Maps floated in the air.
Red markers blinked.
Mira stood beside Arin, eyes focused.
"Eclipse Order has activated three Saint-level operatives."
"Movement detected near Blackstone Mountains."
Seren crossed her arms.
"Saints, huh…"
"Finally worthy enemies."
Elara, sitting nearby, frowned.
"Can't we… avoid fighting for now?"
Arin looked at her.
Knelt.
Held her hand.
"If I don't fight…"
"They'll come for you."
"And our child."
Her eyes softened.
"…Then come back alive."
He smiled.
"Always."
[SYSTEM PROMPT]
Family Bond Strengthened
Combat Efficiency +15%
Training Grounds — Dawn
Boom!
Boom!
Explosions echoed.
Arin stood alone.
Facing ten elite captains.
All at once.
"Begin," he said calmly.
They attacked.
Swords.
Spells.
Formations.
Everything.
But—
He vanished.
Appeared behind them.
One strike.
Ten bodies fell.
Silence.
[SYSTEM ALERT]
Combat Mastery Increased
Skill: Royal Dragon Fist → Level 6
General Kael swallowed.
"…Monstrous."
Inner Palace — Morning
Elara walked slowly.
Seren followed.
Overprotective.
"Careful."
"Step."
"Watch that stone."
Elara laughed.
"You're acting like my second mother."
Seren blushed.
"Tch. Shut up."
Mira joined.
Holding medical scrolls.
"Nutrition schedule."
"Mana stability chart."
"Rest protocol."
Elara stared.
"…Am I a project?"
"Yes," both replied.
Arin watched from afar.
Heart warm.
This…
Was home.
Secret Council Chamber
Only top leaders allowed.
Arin sat at the head.
Generals.
Archmages.
Spies.
All present.
"Eclipse Order has declared war," Arin said.
"Not openly."
"But in shadows."
He raised his hand.
Map changed.
A massive fortress appeared.
"Blackstone Citadel."
"Their main hub."
Silence.
Then—
General Kael spoke.
"That place…"
"Is guarded by Saints."
"Hundreds of elites."
"Ancient arrays."
"Even empires failed to take it."
Arin's eyes shone.
"Then we'll be first."
[SYSTEM PROMPT]
Main Quest Update
Target: Blackstone Citadel
Difficulty: Extreme
Reward: Dynasty Supreme Package
Accepted.
Night — Royal Chamber
Rain fell.
Arin prepared his armor.
Elara stood behind him.
She hugged him.
Tightly.
"Come back…"
"For us."
He turned.
Touched her forehead.
"I will."
Seren leaned on the door.
"Don't die."
Mira added.
"Statistically… you won't."
He laughed.
"Thanks."
Far Away — Blackstone Citadel
Dark towers pierced the sky.
Saint-level warriors gathered.
The leader stood atop.
"He's coming."
"Good."
"Let him witness despair."
Wind howled.
War approached.