The world had been at peace for a long time,
but this peace had only been born through the sacrifices of the planets, generation after generation.
"The planets have begun to appear,"
announced Duke Bristan with solemn seriousness.
A few moments of silence passed before the Emperor closed his eyes calmly, smiling faintly:
"The time has indeed come."
Then he turned his gaze into the void and spoke in a calm, firm voice:
"I have lived long enough and done all I could to preserve this empire... it is time for me to rest as well."
The Duke spoke with a scrutinizing tone:
"You still have time, only one of them has appeared so far."
The Emperor contemplated for a moment before responding cautiously:
"Who is this planet then?"
The Duke answered confidently:
"It is Lucia Bristan, my only daughter."
The Emperor remained silent for a moment, then a fleeting smile appeared on his face:
"That girl... I knew her skills were excellent, no wonder she is the first chosen."
The Duke added with measured seriousness:
"But my coming here is not just for that reason... at my daughter Lucia's request, I will support the First Prince Adrian, even if he is not the heir, I will make him the one in charge."
Curiosity showed on the Emperor's face:
"There was no chance for Lucia to meet Adrian, when did they get acquainted?"
The Duke replied calmly and firmly:
"They were together over the past few days, and she has just returned."
The Emperor paused for a moment before speaking in a sharp, cold tone:
"Everyone wants Adrian... I can understand the nobles' insistence, they cling to baseless rumors, like fools."
He stared at the Duke with a deep, scrutinizing gaze:
"But I do not expect you to believe something unproven. And moreover, you want to support him only because your daughter requested it? Do you trust her that much, or have you lost your discernment?"
A cold smile appeared on the Duke's face:
"Perhaps... but time will prove that the First Prince is not someone to be underestimated."
He bowed lightly and added in a calm, formal tone:
"So, allow me to take my leave now, with my wishes for your continued health... until the end."
The Duke turned and left the office, leaving the Emperor alone to swallow his anger in silence.
The Emperor whispered to himself, his features hardened:
"Since the first planet has appeared… that means I don't have much time left."
The Emperor knew the truth, bitter as it was.
Planets are born with abilities that set them apart from ordinary humans and are granted lifespans exceeding a hundred years, their youthful features untouched by time.
But everything has an end.
Every hundred years, five new planets emerge. With their appearance, the roles of the old planets come to an end; their powers gradually fade, and their traits betray them one by one, until a deadly illness rips through their bodies, extinguishing their souls.
The Emperor was the only planet who had survived for a hundred years.
The other four planets… had fallen during the war between humans and demons.
---
In the Count's palace.
Night had fallen, and stars adorned the dark sky. The atmosphere was calm, and a gentle cold breeze brushed Adrian's face with a harsh softness.
Adrian stood in the garden, staring at the sky quietly,
as if the stars alone were narrating tales of the past.
He whispered with a slight sadness:
"Diana…
I hate myself for still being able to live without you.
I hate that I'm no longer angry for your sake.
Maybe what Lucia said is true… maybe I'm emotionless.
Lucia told me when I was reading the books in the old woman's house that Leo ate the poisoned food.
Isn't that foolish? He killed himself for Lili and Bill.
Is this what family is supposed to be?
I envy them.
I wish I could kill myself, but I still want to live.
So forgive me… I will continue my revenge for you."
Minutes of silence passed before he heard approaching footsteps.
Adrian immediately recognized the owner of the steps; such hesitant steps could belong to no one else.
Adrian spoke in a steady tone without turning:
"What do you want?"
Freddy trembled in fear.
"I… I…"
He could not complete his sentence. Adrian took a step forward as if he were about to leave.
Freddy shouted quickly:
"Wait, please!"
He bent down hurriedly, his voice shaking:
"I apologize! I deserve to die, Your Highness… I was wrong. I thought the prince was nothing but a demon, as everyone says, and I feel ashamed that I believed those rumors."
Adrian stared at him silently, noticing the bandages and bruises covering Freddy's body. He immediately understood that Albert had not let the matter pass easily.
Adrian spoke in a tone devoid of concern:
"Go back inside… you'll get sick."
Then he continued walking without looking back, leaving Freddy standing frozen in place.
---
The place had been noisy since early morning.
Lucia seemed unusually tense and rushed, hurrying to get ready to leave.
She shouted excitedly:
"I'm ready! I'm leaving now!!"
The Duke Bristan stopped her, staring in astonishment:
"What in the name of creation is that outfit?!"
Lucia was wearing a lightly decorated white shirt, black pants, and a black jacket adorned with gold on the edges and shoulders.
Her appearance resembled that of a young nobleman and didn't suit a girl.
She laughed confidently:
"What do you think? Isn't it beautiful?"
The Duke frowned in irritation:
"This is inappropriate. Change it immediately."
Lucia gasped in disappointment:
"Why?! It's beautiful!!"
The Duke repeated angrily:
"Change it!"
Lucia scowled, lowered her head, then turned and entered her room, closing the door.
But she soon smiled mischievously, opened the window, and jumped out laughing.
She boarded the carriage and ordered the driver to depart, while the Duke noticed what she had done and shouted her name in anger and madness, but couldn't catch up.
Lucia was overjoyed; she was finally going to see Adrian.
She talked to herself happily:
"He allowed me to call him 'Ray,' so I should be happy… but I won't!"
"I'll call him Adrian, just like Albert does!"
She placed a hand on her heart, running the other through her hair with an affected expression:
"That's why I got ready properly this time. He definitely won't refuse, since I'm just a young noble who became his close friend."
Three hours later…
"Haaa?!!! Are you saying he's gone?!"
Lucia screamed in shock and disappointment.
Albert answered:
"That's right. He left this morning."
Lucia asked quickly:
"Where did he go? He must have told you! I'll just follow him, tell me where he's headed!"
Albert put his hand on his chin:
"He didn't tell me. He only said he was going to take care of something, and he didn't allow me to accompany him either."
Lucia collapsed with sadness:
"Impossible… after all that preparation! Why did he leave?!"
Albert whispered with a knowing smile:
"I was about to ask why you were wearing that outfit… but now I understand the reason."
---
Where no birdsong could be heard, and no sign of life could be felt, Adrian emerged from the depths of the forest and stood before the barrier.
He glanced around; the traces of his blood were still smeared on the ground.
He whispered to himself:
"It was real… but it felt like a dream."
He looked back at the barrier and reached out to touch it.
"I didn't intend to return here, but I need to know the truth.
Even if it's just a fleeting feeling, my heart raced strangely when I heard the name 'Naraka.'
And the words of the Sorcerer… I can't ignore them."
The words echoed in his mind like a distant sound:
"You resemble Naraka greatly."
"It's not about your appearance…"
"What is a demon doing in the human world?"
"Naraka no longer exists… he disappeared a long time ago."
Adrian's eyes shone with unwavering determination.
He gathered his thoughts, then lifted his foot and stepped to the other side of the barrier.
"The answer I seek… will surely be here,
in the realm of demons."