-- Leon… Wake up… --

I slowly opened my eyes and saw Stella standing in my room.

-- Your father and the others are leaving for Hanisha. You should say goodbye before he goes. -- Stella said gently.

I glanced out the window and saw a crowd of people gathering outside. Without hesitation, I got up and walked out of my room to see Gustav. Stella followed behind me.

On the way, I noticed Ishla slumped over a table, looking frail and aged.

What happened to her!? - I asked, startled.

-- It's normal. She used long-distance teleportation twice, back and forth. That kind of magic drains life force, but don't worry, she'll recover soon. -- Stella reassured me calmly.

Anyway, what about Lili? What happened to her? - I asked again.

-- She's still recovering. The High Priest is taking care of her now, but she was stable when we left. -- Stella replied.

Suddenly, Gustav's voice broke through as he opened the door.

-- Leon… -- he said, his tone firm. -- Remember our promise.

Yes, Father. - I replied.

I followed him outside, watching as Gustav, Lian, and other guild members began their journey to Hanisha. Stella stood beside me, saying her goodbyes to Gustav before kissing him on the cheek.

-- Good luck on your journey. Do you think I should go with you? -- Stella asked, her voice carrying a mix of concern and resolve.

-- No, just stay here and take care of the kids. -- Gustav replied with a soft smile, placing a hand gently on her belly.

As the caravan prepared to move, I heard a rustling noise in the bushes nearby.

Curious, I approached and was surprised to see Sting lying on the ground, watching the group depart. His expression was a mix of frustration and sadness.

Hey Sting, what are you doing here? - I asked.

-- They didn't let me join the caravan… -- he muttered.

Why not? - I asked, puzzled.

-- Well, they evaluated everyone. Only those who passed the tests were included in the first batch heading to war. The rest of us have to attend mandatory training.

-- The tests were all about strength and mental capability, and, well… that's not exactly my forte. I'm weak and, let's face it, not the smartest. Sario and I survive by using tricks to outsmart enemies, but I guess that's not what they're looking for. -- Sting explained, a faint bitterness in his tone.

What about Lian? Why is she going? Didn't she fail the test too? She's underage! - I asked, confused.

-- Lian's a healer. All healers are automatically included. They'll stay behind the battlefield to treat the wounded. -- he answered.

At that moment, Stella approached us.

-- So, Sting didn't pass the evaluation? Come inside, I've prepared breakfast. -- Stella said, motioning for us to follow her.

Sting sighed and stood up. We walked back to the house together and sat at the dining table.

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I glanced at Ishla, who still looked pale and lifeless. Curious, I poked her arm lightly.

Are you okay? - I asked.

-- Shut up, kiddo. Do I look okay to you? -- she snapped, her voice weak but full of irritation.

Stella placed plates of eggs and sausages on the table and sat down with us.

Ishla, can you teach me teleportation? - I asked eagerly.

-- Forget it, kid. Humans can't handle teleportation. You'd die instantly. -- Ishla replied bluntly.

-- Leon, just focus on elemental magic for now. I know Lili has taught you well, and I've seen your power firsthand. -- Stella said, her voice softening. -- You've come a long way, but remember, control is just as important as strength. After all, you nearly lost yourself when you attacked Lili. Luckily, your father acted swiftly to stop your rampage.

I felt a pang of guilt as she brought up that incident. I was still haunted by it.

-- Anyway, what was that about, Leon? Were you even aware of what you were doing? -- Sting asked curiously.

Before I could respond, Ishla chuckled dryly.

-- If you'd seen how Stella and Gustav rampaged during the demon expedition, you'd understand. They're a pair of crazy, mindless maniacs. No surprise their kid turned out the same. -- Ishla said with a sly grin.

-- That's enough, Ishla. -- Stella interjected, her voice firm but calm. -- I spoke with the High Priest about what happened to Leon. They think it's an emotional response. He's carrying a lot of burden—seeing Sario die, and then realizing Lili was leaving. It was too much for him to process. He's just a kid, after all.

I clenched my fists under the table, trying to keep my emotions in check.

The room fell silent for a moment before Stella sighed and placed a hand on my shoulder.

-- We're not blaming you, Leon. You've been through a lot, and we're proud of how strong you've been. But strength isn't just about power. It's also about knowing when to stop. Remember that. --

I nodded slowly, feeling a mix of frustration and understanding.

Suddenly, a loud knock echoed through the house, startling everyone at the table.

Stella stood up and walked to the door, her expression calm but wary. As she opened it, a man clad in gleaming, expensive armor stood before her. His polished chest plate reflected the morning sun, and the crest of the royal family was etched prominently on his shoulder.

-- Good morning, Great Magus Stella. My name is Lloyd, a Kingdom Knight. I come bearing a direct order from His Majesty, the King. -- The knight spoke with a firm but respectful tone, bowing slightly. -- You and your husband, Sir Gustav, are hereby summoned to the capital. By royal decree, both of you shall serve as heads of the Imperial Army. As the greatest warriors of our nation, we require your leadership to guide our forces and secure victory against the demon assault. --

Stella's gaze hardened as she crossed her arms.

-- What do you mean? My husband already received orders from both the council and Baron Josee to participate in the war. He's left this morning to carry out those orders. -- Stella responded, her voice steady but sharp.

The knight sighed, his expression grim.

-- I see… The King believes that following the council's orders will only lead to further destruction of humanity. That's why His Majesty has decided to sever ties with the council—and even with other kingdoms. Instead, we plan to transform this kingdom into an impenetrable fortress. But to achieve this, we need your help. --

Without warning, Lloyd dropped to one knee, bowing deeply before Stella.

-- Please, Great Magus Stella. The King himself has placed his trust in you and Sir Gustav. We cannot succeed without your cooperation. --

Stella's jaw tightened, her eyes narrowing as she processed his words. After a brief silence, she spoke with unwavering resolve.

-- I don't believe that's a wise decision. As a former member of the Hero's Party, I know better than most that isolation will only lead to ruin. I strongly disagree with the King's plan. Return to him with this message: I will not participate in this madness. -- Stella response.

Her tone was firm, leaving no room for negotiation.

Lloyd stood, his face a mixture of disappointment and determination.

-- I understand your position, Great Magus Stella. -- He turned to a soldier who had been waiting behind him. -- Sir Julius! -- Lloyd barked.

A man clad in lighter armor stepped forward, saluting.

-- Send a message to the King immediately: Baron Josee is a traitor. He has been secretly communicating with the council, committing an act of treason against the crown. We will proceed to his manor and seize him at once. --

Sir Julius nodded sharply and mounted his horse, galloping off without hesitation.

Stella stood silently at the door, her expression unreadable. As Lloyd prepared to leave, he turned back to her one last time.

-- The King values your wisdom and power, Magus Stella. If you change your mind, the gates of the capital will remain open to you and your family. Until then, may fortune favor your house. --

With that, Lloyd bowed again before retreating to his troops. The sound of horses and armor faded as the knights departed, leaving Stella standing alone in the doorway, her mind heavy with the weight of their words.

She closed the door with a deep sigh and returned to the table, her expression clouded with unease.

-- What the hell is happening? The entire human continent is in turmoil! -- Sting exclaimed, slamming his fist on the table.

His frustration filled the room, but before anyone could respond, a familiar voice echoed in my head.

*/System: New Main Quest: Kill the Knight Lloyd [3 Days Remaining]*

*/System: New Side Quest: Annihilate Lloyd's Platoon [3 Days Remaining]*

I froze. The words burned in my mind. *Kill the knight... I've never killed a human before. But if I don't follow this quest... I might lose control again. What if I rampage and hurt Stella while gustav is away? My hands trembled as the weight of the system's demand settled on my chest. What should I do?

Stella's voice pulled me back to reality.

-- What was the King thinking? This is madness! Even though I don't always agree with how the council or the holy church operates, isolating this kingdom is suicide. The entire continent is struggling against the demons, and they still have the upper hand. What can a single kingdom hope to achieve against the demon army? -- Stella said, her tone sharp and frustrated.

Ishla, who had been sitting quietly, suddenly chuckled dryly.

-- And yet... four children once accompanied the Hero on a quest to kill the Demon Lord, and they almost succeeded. Let's not forget, the Hero himself was underage at the time. So tell me, Stella, five kids can attempt to take down the Demon Lord, but you're saying a nation of millions can't stand against a demon attack? -- Ishla said with a smirk, leaning back in her chair.

Stella sighed deeply, her gaze distant as if reliving old memories.

-- You know it wasn't that simple, Ishla. Back then, we were reckless, thinking only of the thrill of adventure. We were young and naive. And don't forget, we didn't face the demon army head-on. We used strategy—clever infiltration—to navigate the demon continent. If we had confronted the Demon Lord's army directly, we wouldn't have lasted a day. --

Her voice softened as she finished, the weight of those memories etched into her expression. The room fell silent for a moment, everyone lost in their own thoughts.

For me, however, the silence was deafening. The system's message repeated in my mind like a haunting melody. Kill Lloyd. Annihilate his platoon. Three days…