Shiro and his friends looked tense, their earlier excitement replaced by nervousness. Even Rolan, usually so quick with a joke, was uncharacteristically quiet. Lucius, on the other hand, seemed composed, though Ren suspected it was more due to his noble upbringing than a lack of nerves.
“Do you think the emperor’s as intimidating as they say?” Rolan asked nervously, breaking the silence.
“Stop worrying so much, Rolan,” Lucius replied, trying to sound composed. “Just mind your manners and everything will be fine.”
Shiro and Liana exchanged anxious glances, clearly feeling the pressure of meeting the emperor for the first time. Only Celes appeared calm, though Ren noticed her eyes constantly scanning their surroundings, ever vigilant.
“Easier said than done,” Shiro muttered under his breath. “I’ve never met a royal, let alone the emperor.”
"You look very calm Celes," Liana remarked, her curiosity piqued as she noticed how unusually composed Celes seemed.
Celes caught onto Liana’s curiosity and decided to play along. "N-No, I’m just trying to stay calm, but I’m actually really nervous," she replied, putting on a slight act.
Without hesitation, Liana took Celes’ hand. "Oh, I’m sorry! Let’s walk together like this until we reach the royal chamber."
"Y-Yeah, thank you, Liana," Celes responded, her voice tinged with a hint of guilt. She hated lying to her friends, especially Liana, but revealing her secret identity wasn’t an option.
The two of them walked hand in hand, like sisters comforting one another. From behind, the moment was a touching sight.
Ren, witnessing the sweet exchange, felt overwhelmed with emotion. “Ugh, I can’t. This sweetness is too much for the morning,” he murmured, barely holding back tears of joy. "Seeing your favorite character making that face... it's just unfair."
Valis, as always, was the picture of composure. The former general of the empire had faced far worse than a royal audience, and it showed in her confident demeanor. Ren couldn’t help but feel a twinge of admiration for her. Despite the tension in the air, she radiated an aura of calm strength.
“You’ll be fine,” Valis said, her tone gentle. “Just remember what I told you—respect and speak only when spoken to.”
After what felt like an eternity, the group arrived at the massive doors of the royal chamber. The guards stopped them, instructing them on the proper etiquette when speaking before the emperor. “Bow deeply, speak clearly, and do not make direct eye contact with His Majesty unless permitted,” one of the guards said sternly.
Valis listened intently, her expression serious, while Shiro and the others tried to steady their nerves. Ren, unseen and unheard, simply observed. He felt a strange sense of satisfaction being this close to such a crucial event, knowing that no one had any idea he was there.
“If only they knew there’s an intruder this close to the most protected room in the whole castle,” Ren chuckled to himself, amused by the irony. He knew full well that any actual intruder would be eliminated in an instant.
When the guards finished their instructions, they pushed open the massive doors and announced the group’s arrival. The royal chamber was exactly as Ren had pictured it—a vast, imposing chamber that exuded power and authority. At the far end of the room, a single throne made of ebony marble and gold dominated the space, its design reminiscent of a dragon with outstretched wings.
At the throne’s steps stood three figures:
The Empress of the empire, Rias Orinos,
The First Prince, Andrin Orinos,
The First Princess, Isobel Orinos,
And finally, the figure seated at the golden throne that commanded the room, Valugius Orinos, the sixth emperor of the Orianos Empire.
Shiro and his friends felt the weight of the atmosphere, the sheer power of the empire embodied by the royal family. Ren followed them inside, feeling a mixture of awe and amusement.
"So, this is finally it... the royal family of Orianos," Ren thought as he observed them closely. "To think I’m standing right here in front of them, completely undetected. If the emperor knew about this, he'd probably have my head on a silver platter."
Valis moved first, stepping forward with a grace and confidence that only a former general could muster. She knelt before the throne, her head bowed in respect. Shiro and his friends hesitated, awkwardly glancing at one another before following her lead, kneeling with varying degrees of grace. Ren couldn’t help but chuckle quietly to himself as he watched from the sidelines, safely hidden by his Unexistence skill.
“This should be interesting,” Ren thought with a quiet chuckle, knowing full well he wasn’t kneeling.
As the royal chamber doors closed behind them with a resounding thud, signaling the start of the meeting.
The royal chamber was quiet, the weight of the atmosphere pressing down on everyone present. Shiro and his friends knelt before the emperor’s throne, following Valis’s lead. Their hearts pounded in their chests as they waited for the emperor to speak, each passing second feeling like an eternity.
Finally, the silence was broken by a firm yet commanding voice. It was Emperor Valugius Orinos himself. “Welcome to the capital,” the emperor’s voice echoed through the royal chamber. “You may stand.”
Valis immediately rose to her feet, followed by Shiro, Rolan, Liana, Lucius, and Celes. They were still nervous, but the emperor’s words had eased some of their tension.
Next to speak was the Empress, Rias Orinos. Her voice was warm and lovely, yet it carried the strength expected of an empress. “I extend my welcome as well. I trust that the service provided on your journey was to your satisfaction?”
Shiro, caught off guard by being directly addressed by the empress, stammered slightly as he responded, “Y-Yes, Your Majesty. It was… amazing. We’re very thankful.”
The first Prince, Andrin Orinos, chuckled. “Well, it should be. That level of service is usually reserved for the great houses or visiting heads of state. We spared no expense.” His tone was playful, but it was clear he was trying to lighten the mood.
Before anyone could react, the first Princess, Isobel Orinos, smacked her brother lightly on the shoulder. “Andrin, stop teasing them. You’ll just make them more nervous.”
Isobel then turned to the group with a smile. “I apologize for my brother’s humor. We’re truly glad to have you here. Welcome to the capital.”
The tension in the room eased as the group began to relax, feeling more at ease with the royal family’s warmth.
The emperor spoke again, his voice carrying both authority and kindness. “I wish to congratulate all of you for your invaluable help in defending the Orios Academy. Though it was a combined effort of students, teachers, faculty members, and soldiers, your actions were exceptional and have not gone unnoticed.”
His gaze turned to Valis. “Principal Valis, you’ve proven to be an excellent leader. The academy could not be in better hands. I trust you will continue to guide our future generations with the same dedication.”
Valis bowed her head, her voice filled with gratitude. “Thank you, Your Majesty. I will continue to do my utmost for the empire’s future.”
The emperor then shifted his attention to Shiro and his friends. Noticing their nervousness, he chuckled softly, a warm and fatherly sound. “Relax, children. You have done well, and you should be proud. You are still young, but you are the future of this empire. Your bravery brings me great pride.”
Shiro and his friends felt their spirits lift at the emperor’s words. Rolan, unable to contain his emotions, responded a bit too loudly, his voice cracking. “Th-Thank you, Your Majesty!”
Lucius, standing beside Rolan, felt a wave of embarrassment but remained composed. The empress and the prince both chuckled at Rolan’s nervous outburst, their laughter easing the tension further. Even Ren, hidden in the shadows, struggled to hold back a laugh at the sight.
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Shiro took a deep breath before speaking, his voice steady. “It was our duty to protect our home and the academy, which is the future of the empire. We are grateful for your kind words, Your Majesty.”
The emperor smiled, clearly pleased with Shiro’s response. "Well said. Your determination is admirable. Shiro Mikazuki, isn’t it? I’ve heard that your family comes from noble lineage as well."
"Yes, Your Majesty," Shiro replied honestly. "My parents belong to a minor noble house in the eastern part of the empire."
The emperor studied him from the throne. "Indeed. I’m sure your parents are proud of all you’ve accomplished. Know that your house will be rewarded for your achievements."
Shiro was stunned, so much so that he nearly forgot to mask his expression before quickly bowing his head again. "T-Thank you, Your Majesty!"
The emperor then shifted his attention. "Now, if I’m not mistaken, there is another from a noble house with which I am quite familiar." His gaze landed on Lucius.
Lucius stepped forward, his posture composed and dignified, fitting his noble upbringing. "Yes, Your Majesty. Lucius Vander, at your service."
"Ah, yes, House Vander." Prince Andrin smiled warmly. "Welcome to the palace. I trust your journey here was comfortable?"
"Of course, Your Highness. The castle's hospitality never disappoints," Lucius replied with a firm yet grateful tone.
Prince Andrin chuckled softly. "No need to be so formal, Lucius. It’s always a pleasure to have a member of House Vander in our midst."
The emperor's voice grew firm. "It’s unfortunate that your father couldn’t join us today. He was dispatched to the eastern border to address some... complications."
Lucius blinked, visibly taken aback. "I-I see. That explains why I haven’t heard from him. Thank you for the information, Your Majesty."
A gentle voice then came from the empress. "Be sure to visit your mother while you’re in the capital, Lucius. She was terribly worried when she heard about the invasion. She even tried to muster the whole forces of House Vander to come to your rescue," she added, her tone filled with concern.
Lucius was shocked once more. "O-Of course, Your Highness. I was already planning to visit her and the rest of my family as soon as I could."
He then stepped back to rejoin the group, but his expression had turned solemn after receiving two unexpected pieces of news.
Prince Andrin then spoke up. “Rebuilding the academy is now our top priority. Additional manpower has already been dispatched to assist with the efforts.”
Valis bowed again, her gratitude evident. “The support from the capital is deeply appreciated, Your Highness.”
The emperor then stood up from his throne, his presence even more imposing now that he was on his feet. “Let us continue this discussion in the meeting room. There are matters regarding the invasion that must be addressed.”
With that, the emperor and his family left the royal chamber, leading the way to the meeting room. Valis and her group followed, with Ren trailing behind.
Inside the meeting room, they found a massive round table, typically used for national or diplomatic discussions. The emperor took his seat at the table, with the royal family beside him. Valis and her group sat on the opposite side, and Ren on the sidelines.
Once everyone was seated, the emperor gave a command to the guards. “Leave us.”
The guards bowed and exited the room, closing the doors behind them. The air grew tense once more as the emperor turned his attention to the group.
“The incident meeting begins now,” the emperor declared.
----------------------------------------
The grand meeting room, though large and imposing, was filled with an air of tension and anticipation. The emperor, his family, and Valis’s group were seated around the massive round table, the weight of the upcoming discussion hanging over them like a dark cloud. Emperor Valugius leaned forward slightly, his gaze steady as he addressed the group.
"We’ve reviewed all the reports and witness statements concerning the monster invasion," the emperor began, his voice calm yet commanding. "However, we would like to hear your personal account of the events. Let’s start with the first sighting of the shadow monsters at the academy."
Valis nodded and began her report. “The first sightings were sparse, almost like fleeting shadows at the edge of perception. But as they became more frequent, I ordered the academy to prepare the surrounding town for a potential threat. We fortified defenses and kept a watchful eye. It wasn’t long after that the appearances became regular, and it was then that I knew something serious was brewing.”
“And that was when the mysterious figure first appeared?” Empress Rias inquired, her voice soft but firm.
“Yes, Your Highness,” Valis confirmed. “The figure appeared alone before me after one of the academy meetings, providing a cryptic clue about a hidden dungeon within the academy grounds. It was this information that led us to the dungeon beneath the academy’s meeting room.”
Shiro, taking a deep breath, continued from where Valis left off. “We ventured into the dungeon as a class. What we found were monsters unlike anything we’d ever seen before. It was like the academy had been hiding a grand mystery beneath its very foundation. We fought our way through, encountering everything from swarms of creatures to powerful boss enemies. It was… intense.”
Liana, her expression serious, added, “But it wasn’t just the monsters. In the last room of the dungeon, there was a voice, one that asked us a question about our belief in the goddess. We had to answer, and when we did, something strange happened.”
Princess Isobel’s eyes widened in genuine curiosity. “A voice asked you about your belief in the goddess?”
Lucius nodded, glancing at his friends before continuing. “Yes, Your Highness. We didn’t know what to make of it at the time, but after we answered, we were given a blue amulet. We weren’t sure what it was for, but it seemed significant. Then, during the last stages of the horde invasion, the amulet activated on its own.”
The emperor’s expression grew more intrigued. “And what did the amulet do?”
Rolan explained, “The amulet created a shockwave of blue aura that wrapped around everyone present. It made us feel stronger, faster, and filled with seemingly endless energy. It was like nothing we’d ever experienced before.”
The emperor nodded slowly, his gaze thoughtful. “The reports from the soldiers mentioned something similar. They described a power that surged through them, making them feel invincible.”
Valis confirmed, her tone reverent, “Your Majesty, I’ve never felt more powerful in my life. The amulet’s power was beyond anything I’ve ever encountered.”
Prince Andrin, his curiosity piqued, leaned forward. “What happened to the amulet? Does it still work?”
Valis shook her head regretfully. “Unfortunately, the amulet was broken after the battle, and it lost its power.
Prince Andrin frowned slightly, a hint of disappointment in his eyes. “So, the amulet is lost…”
Valis and Shiro shared a glance before Valis spoke again. “There’s more, Your Majesty. The horde’s behavior was… unsettling. They moved like a hivemind, showing no fear, no pain, and no hesitation. They attacked relentlessly, consuming everything in their path.”
The emperor’s expression darkened, his eyes narrowing as he asked, “And were our empire’s weapons effective against them? I’ve read the reports, but I want your professional opinion as a former general who witnessed it firsthand.”
Valis sighed heavily. “The weapons were effective, but only to a point. The horde’s lack of fear and pain made them nearly unstoppable. Traditional warfare strategies were useless. They knew no retreat and no surrender. They fought until they were destroyed.”
A heavy silence settled over the room as the emperor processed Valis’s words. Shiro could sense the emperor’s unease, a reflection of the troubling nature of the horde’s existence.
Then Prince Andrin chimed in. "We’ve tried to gather samples and information on these creatures, but every attempt has failed. Their bodies disintegrate far too quickly to be preserved for research."
Ren was intrigued. “If even SIN is struggling with this, I can’t see how the empire’s research department could get ahead of them.” He thought.
"But we’ve invited a special guest from Einon City," Prince Andrin continued with a smirk. "If anyone in the entire empire can solve this problem, it’s him."
Ren’s interest was piqued once more. “If it’s someone from Einon, then there’s only one person crazy and intelligent enough to rival the genius of Faris Salirin…”
The discussion then shifted to the horde’s transformation into the beast. Valis described the creature’s terrifying power, the way it shrugged off cannon fire and tore through the empire’s mech like it was nothing. Princess Isobel paled at the description, as if she were imagining the battle unfolding before her eyes. Prince Andrin, normally composed, appeared distraught, his pride in the empire’s technological achievements shaken.
“The mech was supposed to be our greatest weapon, capable of handling any threat,” Prince Andrin muttered, almost to himself. “And yet, it was powerless against this beast…”
Finally, the conversation shifted to the climax of the battle. Shiro recounted the intense fight against the monstrous creature, describing how they had to rely on the amulet’s power just to stand a chance. It had been a grueling struggle, where a single mistake could have meant their deaths.
As Shiro spoke, he found himself torn—unsure whether to reveal the hidden power he possessed. The weight of the secret hung heavy on him, but Valis, ever perceptive, noticed his hesitation. Sensing the danger in letting the conversation linger too long on that point, she quickly diverted the discussion, steering it away before the royal family could catch on to Shiro's internal conflict.
Empress Rias’s expression softened with motherly pride. “Your bravery in that battle is truly remarkable. You’ve made the empire proud.”
Princess Isobel echoed her mother’s sentiments. “You’ve shown incredible courage. We’re all proud of you.”
Lucius and Rolan blushed slightly, mumbling their thanks in response to the compliments. The warmth from the empress and princess was a balm to their weary souls.
Shiro then described how the amulet’s power began to fade during the battle. “We thought it was over when the amulet lost its power. We were exhausted and vulnerable. But then we heard a loud sound from the academy rooftop.”
Emperor Valugius leaned forward, his curiosity piqued. “What kind of sound?”
“It was like an engine and a storm starting up,” Shiro explained, “but much more powerful, like it was charging something. And then we saw him. The mysterious figure was standing on the rooftop.”
Prince Andrin interest intensified, his gaze sharp as he leaned in even closer.
Suddenly, Celes, who had remained silent until now, spoke up, startling everyone. “The beast reacted differently when it saw the figure. It wasn’t fear, but… it was like its instincts were telling it that the figure was dangerous. That’s why it started charging towards the academy, ignoring everything else.”
Valis and Shiro picked up from there. “Just a few seconds later,” Valis continued, “the sound stopped, and then there was a loud boom. It seems like the figure launched something at the beast at an incredible speed. Even I could only see glimpse of the attack. It was simply too fast.”
“The next thing we saw,” Shiro added, “was the beast struck in the head. It fell backward, defeated.”
The room fell into stunned silence. Even though the royal family had read the incident report, hearing the story directly from the group made it almost too unbelievable to comprehend.
In the corner of the room, hidden from sight, Ren listened to everything being said. He felt a bit embarrassed hearing people describe his actions in such a grand manner, but other than that, he was content.