đ Cast So Far
A quick reference to major characters and factions introduced so far.
Covers Chapters 10â13
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The Protagonist
An orphaned girl from a small village, she has faced hardships since a bandit raid claimed her parents. Initially viewed as a thief by villagers, her strong sense of empathy drives her to help others, even those unkind to her.
Arden Falkner
A mysterious and stoic figure with a hidden past, Arden is a powerful mage known for defeating the previous Demon Lord. He often reflects on the heavy burden of strength and carries a calm demeanor even in dire situations.
Sora
A shy yet kind girl, Sora is often anxious but shows bravery in moments of crisis. She has unique abilities, including the power to transform her hand into a slime substance for combat. Sora's gentle nature often leads her to try to comfort others, despite her own insecurities.
Radames Antoun
The laid-back Emperor of the Dalthun Empire, Radames seeks the help of Arden and his companions to deal with emerging threats, such as rebels aiming to resurrect the Demon Lord. His easy-going demeanor contrasts with the seriousness of his responsibilities.
Lilith
A spirited and playful character, Lilith serves as a devoted companion to the protagonist and often breaks the tension with her carefree attitude. Her background is intertwined with other supernatural elements, hinting at a deeper significance within the unfolding story.
Kael
A mysterious figure marked by glowing tattoos and horns, he remains locked away with a cold, unreadable presence. His connection to Lilith adds layers of intrigue, suggesting unresolved themes of family and freedom
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Seraphina paced the opulent war room of the imperial palace, her features razor-sharp, her expression taut, lit by the flicker of magi-tech lanterns throwing shadows like knives across the walls. Today, she was not merely the Emperor's overseer; she was Radames Antoun's proxy in a mission that would test her worthânegotiating peace with the Slaechulan Kingdom, or so the world would believe.
She adjusted the collar of her new black military-style coat, trimmed in gold and lined with crimson. The structured lapels and central buckle accentuated her powerful presence, while the short skirt and thigh-high boots gave her an air of authority and style. She had always enjoyed dressing professionally, and this was no exception.
Heimer stood beside her, his sharp blue eyes scanning the room with a seriousness that suggested he was already bracing for the worst. Tall and broad-shouldered, his white-and-gold armor marked him as one of the Emperor's elite royal guards. Across his back, the holy blade Rentern rested in a sheathed claspâits subtle glow a quiet testament to its divine origin.
He rarely spoke outside of orders, but today, he felt the weight of what lay ahead.
"Are you ready for this?" Seraphina asked, narrowing her gaze on Heimer, her respect for him evident in her tone.
"Doesn't matter if we're ready," he said, voice flat. "We will head out either way."
Together, they made their way to the outside courtyard, where the carriage awaited themâa traditional but necessary choice to convey an image of vulnerability. As they entered, Heimer positioned himself at the door, surveying the terrain before them.
This mission wasn't just diplomacyâit was her trial by fire. Her chance to prove she was more than a mouthpiece for Radames. More than a tolerated anomaly. If she failed, it wouldn't just disappoint the Emperorâit would signal to the Slaechulan Kingdom that their trap had worked. That they could defy Dalthun and walk away stronger. But deeper than duty or pride was the fear she never voiced. She couldn't lose the life he had given her. The Empire was the only place that hadn't flinched at what she was. The only place that hadn't looked away.
They think they can bait us, she mused grimly, but I will show them the folly of underestimating the envoy sent by the great Emperor Radames.
Seraphina had known this wasn't a peace talk. The Slaechulan King had declared war on the Empire only days prior, then offered an olive branch laced with poison. The new king, arrogant and desperate to prove himself, believed he could lure Dalthun's best into a trapâconvinced that the promise of a cultist ally, whispered by the Herald, would tip the scales. But the Herald had only promised a "servant," never specifying who or what would arrive.
The carriage rolled smoothly through the undulating plains of the Slaechulan Kingdomârugged and wild, dotted with quaint villages that appeared more like afterthoughts than genuine settlements. Each turn of the wheels reminded her of the precarious nature of their journey.
The peace talks, while essential, were fraught with tension. If they failed, it would not only risk letting the Slaechulan Kingdom go unscathedâan outcome that would displease Radamesâbut also expose Dalthun's vulnerability. Allowing the Slaechulans to walk away unchecked could suggest to the empire and the world that they were a powerful force capable of besting Radames' top fighters.
"Keep your wits about you, Heimer," she instructed, her voice firm. "The Slaechulan have been known to twist words and knives with equal skill."
Heimer nodded, his attention unwavering. "We need to be alert. I've heard tales of their warriors; they are not to be taken lightly."
As they arrived in a modest town that appeared suspiciously quiet, Seraphina felt the tension in the air seep into her bones. The street was lined with tightly clustered wooden houses, and wary faces peeked through shuttered windows.
She stepped from the carriage with confidence, Heimer at her side, ready to command their escort of elite guards. The soldiers, dressed in polished armor, took positions around them, their magi-guns holstered but arms poised to react at a moment's notice.
It wasn't long before the Slaechulan elite revealed themselves, stepping out from the shadows in dark robes with glimmering gold linings. Among them, beastkin with furred ears and tails moved with predatory grace, draconians with scaled skin and reptilian eyes glared with cold discipline, and harpiesâhumanoids with powerful wingsâperched atop rooftops, feathers ruffling in the wind. Their wide-brimmed, pointed straw hats and fluttering ribbons only partly concealed their nonhuman features, making the Slaechulan force a striking, uncanny sight.
While outward appearances were formal, Seraphina was never one to underestimate the dangers ahead. The Slaechulan warriors lined the ridge, a silent but poised force: beastkin crouched low, draconians gripping heavy polearms, and harpies circling above, scanning the field with sharp, avian eyesâall awaiting the signal to engage.
Either way, she wouldn't retreat.
A figure strode out from among them, robes rustling against the ground like dry leaves. Tall and broad-shouldered, he wore a half-mask of lacquered red wood that covered the left side of his face, shaped like a snarling wolf. Golden tattoos glowed faintly on the exposed skin of his right armâmagical runes etched directly into flesh. His voice, when it came, was smooth and saccharine.
"Lady Seraphina of Dalthun," he said with a theatrical bow. "I am Commander Raikatsu, voice of the Slaechulan King and master of the Fang Tide Legion." His amber eyes gleamed with cunning amusement. "You honor us with your presence."
She did not return the gesture. "We come under flag of peace."
"Of course," Raikatsu said, smile growing as he stepped closer. "We would never dare tarnish such⌠delicate arrangements. Our king only seeks clarity and cooperation. An end to needless bloodshed. After all, there is no need for more broken homes and burnt cities, is there?"
She tilted her head ever so slightly. "You speak as if your kingdom did not strike first."
"Regrettable. Very regrettable. But understandable," he said, voice turning low and honeyed. "Your Emperor is known for swallowing lands the way fire swallows dry grass. We merely acted preemptively."
He took another step forward.
Heimer shifted, the sound of metal plates rasping against one another, but Seraphina lifted a finger in silent command. Raikatsu stopped two paces from her, close enough to lungeâclose enough for a fool.
"And yet you accepted a peace talk. Why?" she asked.
Raikatsu's grin widened. "To offer you a final choice. Kneel, and let us build a new order. One where your Emperor need not exist."
A pause.
Then his hand movedânot quickly, but with a practiced grace. A flick of the wrist, a hidden blade sliding from his sleeve toward her throat.
Heimer movedâsilver flashing like lightning.
Raikatsu's body was still reaching for her when his head fell from his shoulders, landing with a wet thump against the stone.
His corpse followed half a second later, knees buckling before collapsing into a twitching heap.
Blood fanned outward across the stones like a red flower in bloom.
The Slaechulan soldiers stiffenedâsome raised weapons, others took a step backâbut none dared move. Not with Heimer's sword still humming from the swing, his eyes locked on the next closest threat.
Seraphina hadn't flinched. She merely sighed and brushed a drop of blood from her cheek.
"I expected as much," she said coldly.
Heimer cleaned his blade in a practiced motion. "Wasn't going to let him finish his sentence."
"Good," she said. "I was already bored."
That was when chaos erupted.
Undercover civiliansâsome with twitching feline ears, others with scaled arms or taloned feetâemerged from the crowd, blades gleaming, eager for blood.
Seraphina's hand tightened on her magi-gun as the first clash ignited the tense silence into brutal violence.