Two Days Later — Aschenfall Fortress
Kaito was in his office, reviewing reports.
The elimination of the Shadow Guild had sent shockwaves throughout the region.
Some kingdoms were impressed.
Others… concerned.
A knock at the door.
"Come in."
Gorman entered, his expression serious.
"Commander. There is… a visitor."
Kaito looked up.
"Who?"
Gorman hesitated.
"A hero from Avernor. She arrived alone. Unarmed."
Kaito tensed.
"Name?"
"Aria. She says she knows you."
Kaito felt something tighten in his chest.
Aria.
He stood immediately.
"Where is she?"
"In the reception hall. The three… ladies… are with her."
Kaito cursed internally.
"I'm going."
---
Reception Hall
Aria was seated in a chair.
Surrounded.
Adelheid stood at her right, hand resting on her sword.
Lilith at her left, smiling coldly.
Naporia in front of her, studying her like a hawk.
Aria appeared calm.
But Kaito could see the tension in her shoulders.
"Aria," Kaito said as he entered.
She stood at once.
"Kaito."
Their eyes met.
There was something in hers.
Guilt. Relief. Fear.
Kaito approached.
"Leave us alone."
The three queens looked at him.
"Commander…" Adelheid began.
"That's an order."
Adelheid clenched her teeth but nodded.
The three of them left.
But Kaito knew they were listening from outside.
Once they were gone, Aria exhaled.
"Thank you."
Kaito sat across from her.
"Why are you here, Aria?"
She sat as well.
"Because I need to talk to you. About Eldric. About Avernor."
She paused.
"About what they're planning to do to you."
Kaito leaned back.
"I'm listening."
---
Brief Flashback
Three months ago.
The summoning hall in Avernor.
Blinding light. Magic circles.
Ten young people appearing out of nowhere.
Kaito stumbling, confused.
The other heroes rising confidently.
And among them…
A girl with brown hair tied in a high ponytail.
A bow strapped to her back.
Aria.
She was one of the first to approach Kaito.
"Are you okay?"
Kaito nodded, still in shock.
"I… yeah. Just… what's happening?"
Aria gave a faint smile.
"I think we've just been summoned to another world."
Kaito looked at her.
And for a moment… he didn't feel so alone.
During the first weeks, Aria was kind to him.
They talked. Trained together.
She didn't treat him like a failure.
But when the nobles declared Kaito useless…
When they exiled him…
Aria said nothing.
She didn't defend him.
She simply lowered her gaze.
And let them take him away.
---
Back to the Present
Aria spoke in a low voice.
"I know I didn't defend you. When they cast you out."
She lowered her gaze.
"And I'm sorry. I was a coward."
Kaito didn't respond immediately.
"Why didn't you?"
Aria closed her eyes.
"Because I was afraid. Afraid that if I spoke up… they would discard me too."
She opened her eyes again.
"But since then… I've seen what Avernor really is."
Her voice hardened.
"And I realized the kingdom we defend… doesn't deserve to be defended."
Kaito leaned forward.
"What happened?"
Aria took a deep breath.
"Two weeks ago. A family in a border village."
She paused.
"They were accused of sympathizing with rebels. No evidence. No trial."
Her hands trembled.
"They executed them. Parents. Children. All of them."
She looked at Kaito.
"And Eldric was there. He saw it. And did nothing."
Something cold settled in Kaito's stomach.
"Eldric?"
Aria nodded.
"He's changed. He's… obsessed with you."
She stood and walked toward the window.
"He leads a squad now. Four heroes. Two hundred elite soldiers."
She turned back to him.
"Training specifically to destroy Neudämmerung."
Kaito stood as well.
"When will they attack?"
Aria hesitated.
"Originally… in two months."
She paused.
"But after you eliminated the Shadow Guild…"
Her eyes sharpened.
"They moved it up. One week."
Kaito felt as if he had been struck.
"One week?"
Aria nodded.
"That's why I came. To warn you."
Kaito walked to the table, bracing himself against it.
One week.
That's not enough time.
Aria stepped closer.
"There's something else."
Kaito looked at her.
"What?"
"Avernor is developing… counter-summonings."
Kaito frowned.
"What does that mean?"
Aria explained.
"They're trying to summon 'divine heroes.' Specifically designed to counter your… villains."
She paused.
"They've failed three times. The summoned either died or went insane."
A chill ran down Kaito's spine.
"But they keep trying," Aria continued.
"They're desperate. Because they know that without something to counter your queens…"
She glanced toward the door, where she knew the three were waiting.
"They don't stand a chance."
Kaito processed the information.
Then he looked at Aria directly.
"Why are you telling me this? Why betray Avernor?"
Aria held his gaze.
"Because I realized something."
She paused.
"The real monsters aren't the villainesses you summoned."
Her eyes shone with conviction.
"They're the kings who pretend to be just while massacring innocents."
Kaito nodded slowly.
"And what do you want in return?"
Aria lowered her gaze.
"Asylum. Protection."
She looked up again.
"And… a chance to redeem myself."
Kaito studied her.
Can I trust her?
As if reading his thoughts, Aria added:
"I know you don't trust me. And I don't blame you."
She reached into her pocket.
A map.
"But this should help."
She spread it across the table.
Kaito examined it.
It was detailed.
A layout.
Of Eldric's training base.
Locations. Routes. Weak points.
"This is…"
"Classified information," Aria finished. "Stolen directly from Eldric's archives."
She looked at him steadily.
"If this doesn't prove my loyalty… I don't know what will."
Kaito studied the map.
Then Aria.
Finally, he nodded.
"I accept. But under conditions."
Aria waited.
"You will live in Neudämmerung. But under supervision."
He paused.
"And you will help us defend against Eldric's attack."
Aria nodded without hesitation.
"I accept."
Kaito extended his hand.
Aria shook it.
"Welcome to Neudämmerung, Aria."
---
The three queens were waiting.
Adelheid with a stern expression.
Lilith with a calculating smile.
Naporia leaning against the wall, bored.
When Kaito stepped out with Aria, they all tensed.
"She's staying," Kaito announced. "As a refugee."
Adelheid stepped forward.
"Commander, she's a hero of Avernor. We can't—"
"It's decided," Kaito interrupted firmly.
He looked at all three.
"And you will treat her with respect."
Naporia shrugged.
"I don't care as long as she doesn't get in the way."
Lilith smiled.
"What a… interesting addition."
Adelheid clenched her fists.
"As you command, Commander."
Kaito turned to Aria.
"Gorman will assign you quarters. Rest. We'll speak more tomorrow."
Aria nodded.
"Thank you, Kaito."
When she left, escorted by guards, Kaito turned to his queens.
"War room. Now."