A quiet chill swept through the corridors of the Clover Royal Palace as dawn crept over the capital. Sion stood with Raphael beside a crystal orb in the surveillance chamber, watching drone footage flicker in sequence.
The images returned from the southern region were chilling: villages emptied with no signs of combat, ritualistic sigils scorched into wood and stone, and an unmistakable residue of mass teleportation magic. One feed froze abruptly — a robed figure had looked directly at the drone, eyes glowing faintly — and the signal cut to static.
"He saw it," Sion muttered.
Raphael's voice echoed beside him, low and uneasy. "They know we're watching."
---
At the same time, Rebecca burst into the war council room with a sealed scroll.
"This just arrived from Sidom," she said, handing it to Lucien. "Two noble houses near our southern border have fallen to cult infiltration. Their family crests were found at a ritual site."
Lucien clenched his fist. "We need to act. A joint operation. Clover and Sidom."
Katherine nodded. "Sion will supervise, but from the capital. His injuries may look healed, but his energy is still recovering."
Sion didn't argue. He simply replied, "Send our best."
---
Elsewhere, Sara worked tirelessly among the wounded in the eastern district. Her healing magic flowed like warm light through her palms, but today she noticed something strange. A boy's wounds, though healed externally, kept reopening — until she sensed it.
A dark spark of demonic magic pulsed beneath his skin.
She gasped, stepping back. The boy was unconscious, but others nearby showed similar signs. Whispering a divine chant, she stabilized them and rushed to inform Katherine and Sion.
"They've planted seeds," Raphael concluded. "These are vessels — latent anchors for future ritual possession."
---
Later that day, John Ragnar arrived at the capital with Janet and several guards. He looked weary but determined. Sion greeted him with a firm nod.
"Any news from the estate?" Sion asked.
"House Bellmark, near our borders, is acting suspiciously. But nothing concrete. I'll begin inquiries quietly," John said.
Sion turned to Jerin, the new head butler. "Begin surveillance. Discreet. No mistakes."
---
Meanwhile, in a quiet palace chamber, Janet sat with Sara, her small hands wrapped around a warm mug.
"Will Big Brother be okay?" she asked, eyes wide.
Sara smiled gently. "He's stronger than anyone I've ever met. But even strong people need someone beside them. That's why I'm here. If he ever falters, I'll bring him back — no matter how dark the path."
Janet nodded, comforted.
---
That night, guards intercepted a cloaked noble trying to sneak into the Royal Magic Library. When questioned, he claimed ignorance. But Raphael, watching invisibly beside Sion, whispered: "His mind has been sealed. He doesn't even know he was sent."
The cult was after something... ancient.
---
Later, in the privacy of his chamber, Sion unwrapped the strange stone recovered from Hallow Vale. Using an angelic chant taught by Raphael, he slowly deciphered its carvings.
A phrase emerged, glowing faintly with divine and demonic resonance:
"To awaken the gate of the end, the First Born must fall under shadow, not death."
Sion's brows furrowed. "Shadow? Not death? Possession? Corruption? What do they want?"
Raphael was silent.
The stars above Clover glowed faintly, and though the capital slept, beneath its peace stirred a storm yet to break.