The council chambers of the Velmor Empire were never silent…
…but today, the silence felt alive, like it was listening.
" Sorry for my sudden departure.. I had a matter to take care of . Anyways let's continue it ." Jasper walked in with his usual calm dignity, yet every minister present noticed something different—his steps were slightly uneven, the faint shadow under his eyes was deeper. Only the Emperor caught the truth.
"You didn't sleep my son..," Empress whispered as Jasper took his seat beside her.
Jasper didn't deny it. "We have more pressing concerns than my rest, Mom."
The ministers exchanged uneasy glances. When Jasper sounded like this—cold, focused—something dangerous was approaching.
Prime Minister Aldren continued the meeting again.
"Your Highness, regarding the hunters… as we were discussing, their movements have completely ceased for nearly a week and half . No attacks, no sightings, no mana fluctuations. It's unnatural."
A map floated mid-air. Red marks—once spreading like disease along borders—had all vanished.
Jasper narrowed his eyes. "They're not gone. They're preparing. Hunters never pause without a reason. Father , I hope you remember the last sudden attack in the orphanage of Duke Devon's estate."
"Your Highness," another minister hesitated, "could they have… disbanded?"
"Hunters?" Jasper let out a dark, humorless laugh. "They live for killing. If they're silent, it means they're planning something bigger."
A heavy tension settled.
Jasper flicked his wrist; another projection opened—this time showing the southern mountains. " Count Miller, I assume that you remember the important task I gave you. "
" Yes , your highness.. I'm still trying to track the real reason behind the arrival of hunters after almost 3 centuries. I will send you the progress details soon."
"Good . Now regarding the mining guild," he continued. "Two nights ago, an underground tremor was detected below the Crystalline Caverns. The guild claims it's routine excavation…" His jaw tightened. "…but the magical readings say otherwise."
A purple line glowed on the floating map—unstable, chaotic, corrupt.
"That's forbidden magic," the Emperor muttered, expression tightening.
"Yes," Jasper said. "Something is being dug up—or awakened—and whoever is doing it has erased all traces. It doesn't match any legal guild activity."
"Do you believe hunters are involved?" Aldren asked.
"Possibly. Or worse—someone supplying them."
Every minister stiffened.
Jasper continued, voice low, authoritative.
"For now, we enforce strict eastern patrols. Increase inspections at borders. Seal the Crystalline Caverns until I verify the source personally."
" Your highness... I would like to remind.."
" I know that we have a treaty with Torf kingdom . So , Father I would like you to give me permission to discuss this matter further with the king of Torf . "
"But Your Highness—alone?" a general protested.
Jasper's gaze sharpened.
"I am the Crown Prince. If a threat is rising in my empire, I won't sit behind walls waiting for it to strike."
The Emperor sighed heavily. Jasper had grown… fiercer, ever since she entered his life. More alive. More reckless. More determined.
"And lastly," Jasper added, leaning back slightly, "I want constant surveillance on the border areas... And also include the academy. Also inform the second captain Hun to create a small unit of trained knights to guard the captial area and secular market places.Their silence is the biggest noise."
The ministers nodded.
The meeting continued—but Jasper's mind drifted for a moment.
…to a girl walking toward an academy gate
…with a backpack
…with a smile that hid sadness
…with sanitary pads he bought at midnight because she might feel uncomfortable.
"Tessa…" he thought.
He refocused immediately.
He had no time to be weak.
Not when danger was crawling beneath his empire.
...
Deep under the rotten floorboards of an abandoned hut in the forbidden Darkwood Forest, the hunters' council gathered in their dim, underground base.
Damp walls. Faint lantern light. The smell of iron and soil.
Xar paced excitedly in front of his hunter team , grinning like a madman.
"We finally have it! Oes, tell them—tell everyone! Where is the book!?"
Oes, however, was not smiling. His cold eyes were fixed on a stack of worn manuscripts spread across the table.
"It is not confirmed yet."
"Oh come on!" Xar slammed his palm down. "You said you located the place!"
"I located a possibility," Oes corrected sharply. "The riddle is vague. The tome of forbidden sorcery is not a treasure someone leaves in an obvious graveyard."
He exhaled deeply, rubbing his temples.
"The line—
Beneath the rose that never dies,
Lies she who taught the dead to cry."
"I checked every memorial, every noble crypt, every magical garden."
"And?" Xar leaned in.
"It matches none of them."
He pulled out a torn parchment and laid it flat.
"But there is one place in the ancient records—an old shrine hidden under the Moonshade Cliffs. A shrine dedicated to the first necromancer… the woman who could make the dead weep."
Xar's grin widened.
"So the book IS there."
Oes glared. "I said maybe. I will go and confirm it myself. The place is cursed, unstable, and protected by ancient magic. If you go charging in like a fool, you'll end up dead."
Xar clicked his tongue. "Fine, fine. Go verify it. But you better return with good news."
Oes stared at him with hollow eyes.
"I am doing this because you promised me—you will arrange a memorial for my brother."
Xar softened, but only for a moment.
"I will. I swear it on my blood. Once I take Kael's seat, the first thing I'll do is honour him."
Oes's jaw tightened. "You better keep your word."
"Oh, I will," Xar smirked. "Especially because once I become the leader… everything will change."
Oes rolled up the parchment.
"I leave by dawn. Until I return, do nothing reckless."
"Me?" Xar placed a hand over his heart dramatically. "I am the definition of responsibility."
Oes gave him a blank stare.
"…That is exactly why I said it."
He stepped out, cloak swaying behind him as he walked into the night.
Xar watched him leave, grin slowly twisting into something far more sinister.
"If that book really exists…" he whispered, "…Jasper Blackthorn, your empire will finally crumble down in front of my foot."