Part One: Lorelma
For years, the balance of power in this world remained unchanged—and it still holds to this day. The commoner remained a commoner, and although countless hidden conflicts erupted among the nobles, the noble families clung to their positions, with only rare exceptions.
But what had endured the longest, without a doubt, was the unmistakable truth: the royal family had ruled this world for an extraordinarily long time, despite the rebellions and coups that occasionally shook the realm.
Lorelma—the Village of the Golden Twilight, also known as "the City Where the Sun Never Sets." Yet perhaps its most fitting title was "The Unknown City"—a place only a handful of people had ever visited.
Even those who succeeded in entering rarely stayed for more than a few hours before leaving again, as if something unseen urged them to depart, or the village itself gently expelled them.
If one were to lift their eyes to the sky, they would notice a unique gradient of violet, pale gold, and pink—dominated by an overwhelming shade of soft pink.
Lorelma was sparsely populated despite occupying a vast area. It was nestled between three mountains and an open valley on the fourth side.
The presence of the valley, along with the village's abnormal solar conditions, triggered an evolutionary leap for all living beings inside. Plants genetically evolved to adapt to the environment, gaining unusual colors like violet, pink, red, and gold.
The villagers' bodies paled, and certain evolutionary traits appeared—most notably, pink streaks in the hair of those who had undergone genetic adaptation, and fully pink hair among those born within the village. These traits were also visible in the animal population to varying degrees.
Part Two: Aren Stellarheart
Aren Stellarheart was the first child born of the new generation in Lorelma—meaning he was the first to be naturally adapted to the anomalous conditions of this place. From the moment of his birth, the pink traits overwhelmed his physical appearance: pale features, a slender body, yet a build taut with muscle that drew attention. Standing at one meter and eighty-five centimeters, his physique exuded physical strength at a glance.
But beyond his appearance lay something deeper... an unexplainable aura of nobility, the presence of one born from an aristocratic lineage.
His gaze didn't command—but it was obeyed. As if obedience had been crafted to follow him, whether he asked for it or not.
"Young master... this servant requests permission to enter." A soft voice whispered behind the door, preceded by a gentle knock—as if the one knocking feared disturbing their master.
"...Enter."
The door creaked open slowly. A young woman entered—her delicate features, graceful steps, and poised movements made it instantly clear she was no ordinary girl. Her gray hair was streaked with pink, her sharp eyes were narrow, and her figure was alluring, with clearly defined curves. With habitual grace, she opened her hand to reveal a soft cloth and a bowl of flowers that could only be harvested in the Village of the Pink Twilight. She approached quietly, washed his limbs with the cloth, and handed him a silk robe befitting his status.
"Emilie... any news from the main household?" Aren asked mid-way through her duties, not once diverting his eyes from tracking her every movement.
Emilie nodded. "Selina has been summoned by the Valkyries. Most likely for the final preparations for the grand 400-year anniversary of the founding of House Stellarheart."
"The 400th anniversary... Seems the Patriarch intends for the heirs to compete at such a grand event," Aren muttered as he studied her. Then he continued, "Any word from our branch agents? Anything worth noting?"
Emilie paused for a moment, then replied, "The Patriarch has always emphasized that the competition for succession should not go too far, nor turn bloody. Victory, no matter how clear, does not crown a head with the heir's title. Most of the heirs have focused on training. I'm not sure if this would interest you, young master... but your older brother, Alexander Stellarheart, has secured an engagement with the daughter of a duke from another noble family."
"Another fiancée? Isn't this the fourth one? All from prestigious families... Has Alexander delved too deeply into the game of alliances? The Patriarch never believed in binding fate to alliances—he valued personal strength and dominance without mediation. Seems Alexander inherited his mother's political cunning more than his father's might-focused mindset."
Emilie nodded again, softly. "Truthfully, Alexander is more cunning than he appears... And when it comes to strength—he was chosen by the System as the new Hero. That alone speaks volumes."
"The new Hero... I'm curious, of course. What sets Alexander—or the Patriarch—apart from others? What are the criteria for being chosen as a Hero? Is it spiritual essence... or a unique body? Alexander may be hiding more than we know," Aren said, lost in thought with a faint smile.
"The spiritual essence declared by the Second Lady differed from that of the Patriarch... As for the unique body—there was no known phenomenon. In your case, the manifestation spread from here to the main family estate... It's hard to guess what's being planned behind the scenes." Concern flickered across Emilie's face.
"There's nothing to worry about. It doesn't matter who the next Patriarch is—no one can enter Lorelma unless they've bathed in the First Pink Dawn's spiritual rain upon the village's discovery, or were born here afterward with pure lineage," Aren replied calmly, without concern.
"It would be wonderful if the young master became the next Patriarch," Emilie whispered passionately under her breath.
Aren smiled. "You want me to be Patriarch... even more than I want it myself."
"Seeing the young master rise to become Patriarch is the dream and duty of every Shadow," Emilie declared, as if it were a universal truth.
Part Three: The Shadow Corps
Decades ago, strange phenomena began to emerge—anomalies that bewildered the generations of that time. One of the most significant was the appearance of miniature dimensions: small, self-contained worlds with their own rules and laws. Some had unique time flows; others bent spatial logic. Some had only one season all year. Among them was the Pink Twilight Dimension—discovered by Elizabeth Stellarheart.
Lorelma became the capital of this miniature world—a starting point Elizabeth chose to secure the dimension and enhance the political and military might of House Stellarheart. After relocating half her followers from the main estate into the dimension, life gradually flourished. The people adapted, construction expanded, and landmarks took form—until the day the Heir of the Pink Twilight, Aren Stellarheart, was born. That day marked the founding of the Heir's Guardians, known more commonly as the Shadow Corps.
At the heart of the village stood the largest cherry tree in Lorelma. Though planted at the same time as other trees, it grew at a miraculous rate—as if the land had chosen it as a beacon for spirit and energy. Its central location, grand size, and branching limbs made it the perfect site for the construction of the "Cherry Palace"—the Heir's residence and his personal sanctuary.
No stones or timber were used in its making. It was woven from the tree itself—lower branches bent into a firm living floor, while upper ones curled into columns and rooftops that swayed gently with the breeze of the Pink Twilight, as though the tree were still alive. Deep within the trunk lay the headquarters of the Shadow Corps.
Each Stellarheart heir, from the moment they open their eyes, follows a sacred tradition. First to hold them is the Patriarch. Then comes the mother. And third—the officer assigned as the Field Commander of their Shadow Corps. This tradition seals the commander's vow to protect the heir with their life—from the first cry to the last breath. To the world, they are a commander. But to the heir... they are a second parent—not by blood, but by oath and unwavering loyalty. And thus begins the training of a new generation whose only purpose is to serve and die with their heir.
Inside the giant cherry tree's trunk, the interior defied expectations. Though carved within a living being, it resembled a sacred architectural marvel, woven of life and spiritual geometry.
The walls breathed—soft pink light trailing along the wooden veins, as though the tree remembered every soul that stepped inside. The floor was solid but warm, polished with ancient runes that couldn't be read—only felt. Overhead, intertwined branches formed a high dome from which crystal-like lights hung—growing like fruit, casting a gentle, unobtrusive glow.
"The Primary Shadow, Selina Stellarheart, salutes the Commander of Shadows," Selina said, her voice as cold as ice. She did not raise her voice or lower her gaze. Her expression was still, as if she had never smiled. Yet her body told a different story entirely—gray hair tinged with pink, taut curves, an elegant figure, and footsteps as quiet and graceful as an accidental seduction. She did not try to be noticed... yet no one who passed her ever forgot her presence.
"Selina! Instructions have arrived directly from the main estate—from the Patriarch to the Heir. The 400th anniversary of House Stellarheart will be held in one month and ten days," said a sharp-featured woman, her muscles precisely defined—mesmerizing, not overwhelming. A small scar graced her brow, adding dignity without taking from her femininity. Her unwavering gaze demanded respect, not admiration. Before her sat a desk with a plaque: "Field Commander: Marissa Stellarheart."
"One month and ten days? They postponed the event?" Selina frowned. "Is this related to the System's chosen Hero?"
A short, mocking laugh escaped Marissa. "Obviously, the Second Lady and the Patriarch intend to use the heirs as a spectacle—to show the world the power of the new Hero. I wonder how our Heir will react to this news."
"Indifference," Selina replied with certainty. She had never been apart from Aren for more than two hours her entire life.
"Of course," Marissa smiled knowingly. "The journey will take days, but considering the Heir recently regained his freedom, he must be quite eager to see the outside world."
"Indeed. The Heir has arranged for himself, his personal Shadow, and me to leave Lorelma for the outer world in three days," Selina said calmly, showing no visible excitement at the prospect of seeing the world beyond for the first time.
"You mean you'll be taking detours instead of heading directly to the main estate?" Marissa's expression shifted sharply. "That's dangerous...!" She rose from her chair and approached Selina. "The outside world is nothing like this peaceful miniature dimension."
But Selina's reply surprised her. "It was never the Heir's will to be caged within this dimension. Now that he has regained his freedom... do you really think he can be stopped? No—no one should even try."
Those words allowed Marissa to regain her composure. She inhaled, then exhaled deeply. "Fair enough... fair enough."