The soft ticking of the wall clock in Sion's chamber was the only sound that dared to break the stillness. Sion sat on the balcony railing, his arms resting on his knees, staring blankly at the moonlit sky. His mind, however, was far from calm.
Raphael's voice cut through the silence like a blade. "The Demonic Angels… they're already making their moves."
Sion didn't flinch, but his jaw tightened. "You said I had time. Years."
"I did," Raphael responded, appearing beside him with his arms folded, eyes narrowed. "But something's changed. They've accelerated their plans, which means we need to do the same."
"How long do I have?" Sion asked, his voice low and grim.
"Five to eight years, if the stars favor us," Raphael said. "And in that time, you're expected not just to prepare—but to change the very foundation of this world."
Sion exhaled sharply. "You want me to reshape kingdoms, rewrite laws, awaken power lost for centuries… in under a decade?"
"That's your mission," Raphael said plainly. "You're not just here to protect Clover Kingdom—you're here to lead a revolution. To unify this fractured continent into a single empire strong enough to survive what's coming."
Sion rose to his feet and looked down into the quiet courtyard below. "This world is drowning in mana… but they waste it. Their magical infrastructure is crude, outdated. Swordsmanship is ritualistic. Techniques are passed down like ancient relics instead of being improved. It's pathetic."
Raphael nodded. "And it starts here—in this very kingdom. Clover's own policies are poisoned with corruption. Noble families hoard power. The Knight Orders are bloated and slow. And traitors have embedded themselves like parasites."
"Who?" Sion asked, sharp and direct.
Raphael floated closer, his expression serious. "Start with the Avalon Merchant Group. Their recent alliances have been suspicious. They've been hoarding resources and manipulating trade routes behind closed doors. Then there's Count Noah of Jerria County—a noble whose loyalty is as thin as parchment. Rumors say he's in contact with the Leaf Kingdom."
Sion's eyes narrowed. "And inside our own walls?"
Raphael hesitated. "There are shadows here too. Servants, guards—even officials in the Duke's council. Your father may be powerful, but even he can't watch every corner."
Sion's fists clenched. "Good. That just means I'll start from the inside out."
"You'll need stealth. Precision," Raphael advised. "These people are cautious. They know they're being hunted."
"I've already developed advanced stealth magic," Sion replied coolly. "I can move through shadows without a trace. Starting tomorrow night, the hunt begins."
A silence hung between them. Heavy. Serious.
Then—
Raphael's tone shifted, a sly grin creeping across his face. "Of course… that's if your 'investigation' doesn't get interrupted by a certain noble lady."
Sion blinked. "What now?"
Raphael floated backward dramatically. "Your lovely, charming fiancée is coming to meet her betrothed. That's you, by the way."
Sion groaned, rubbing his forehead. "Don't remind me."
"Why not? Isn't this the reunion of a lifetime? The mysterious Duke's son, recently awakened from a coma, suddenly stronger than ever—how romantic!"
"I swear, I'll drop you in the mana pool and seal it shut."
"Temper, temper," Raphael chuckled, twirling mid-air. "She's probably been fantasizing about you all these years. Or maybe she's coming to see if you're still weak."
Sion rolled his eyes. "Great. I get to investigate treason and play doting fiancé in the same week."
"Oh come on, it'll be fun!" Raphael teased. "You'll charm her with your new strength, your glowing aura, your six-circle magical core. Maybe even show off a few sword tricks."
"Or I'll scare her off just by looking at her," Sion muttered. "Not sure if that would be a win or a loss."
"You're no fun," Raphael pouted.
"I'm trying to save the world, Raphael."
"And I'm trying to keep you from turning into a brooding statue. A little flirting won't kill you."
Sion smirked despite himself. "Flirting, huh? Is that part of the mission too?"
"Absolutely. Consider it… social diplomacy."
They both laughed for a brief moment. It was rare—relief found in a storm of chaos.
But as Sion turned back toward his bed, his eyes sharpened again. "Tomorrow night, we begin with the merchant group. Keep your eyes open."
Raphael nodded, serious once more. "Already watching."
And so, as the night deepened, plans were set in motion. The hunt for the kingdom's traitors had begun—and the first true step toward rewriting the fate of the world was only hours away.