After General Tokisaki Uzen entered the palace gates, the imperial city roared once again. Citizens whispered in alleys and markets, talking about his arrival. Adventurers gathered at street corners, exchanging stories and praising that legendary figure.
> "That's Tokisaki Uzen… they say he could bring down a kingdom alone…"
"Did he fall from the sky or what?! Damn, that aura just now... I couldn't breathe…"
And behind the palace walls, tension slowly crept in.
---
Inside the palace's main hall, Emperor Elden Noxs paced restlessly. His breath was heavy, his fists clenched. The cheers outside made him pause for a moment.
> "Have they... returned?" he muttered, staring at the far window.
Prime Minister Hiden stood at his right side, answering calmly.
> "Yes, Your Majesty. Generals Bienka, Eiluka Tando, and... Tokisaki Uzen have returned."
The Emperor nodded, then rushed to the eastern corridor—toward Empress Almariya's private chamber. His steps grew faster as news of the childbirth spread, but the royal midwife had yet to arrive.
Upon reaching the door, he opened it slowly. The creak of wood cut through the silence. Inside, Almariya lay pale-faced, clutching her stomach.
> "Mariya! Are you alright?" Elden cried, hurrying to her side.
> "I... I can hold on... But the pain... is unbearable," Almariya gasped, sweat streaming down her temples.
The Emperor turned and shouted outside.
> "Guards! Quickly summon the royal midwife—NOW!"
---
Moments later, an elderly woman in an orange-and-white robe entered the room. She was Marwa, the empire's legendary midwife, who had helped noble births since Elden's father's time.
> "Your Majesty, please leave. This is no place for an Emperor," she said firmly.
With a heavy heart, Elden stepped back. He stood before the door, his chest rising and falling with anxious breath. Time slowed.
Silence.
Then... the cry of a baby broke through the door.
The Emperor flung the door open in a panic.
> "Is the child… a boy?!"
Marwa turned with a slight smile.
> "A daughter, Your Majesty. A very healthy baby girl."
The Emperor was silent. For a moment, his face stiffened... then softened. A smile bloomed as he saw the child, his eyes misted. He reached to touch the baby, but—
> "Hands off!" barked Marwa, slapping his hand. "She must be bathed first! Don't bring imperial germs to this sacred body!"
Elden chuckled softly and stepped back. He looked at Almariya, who smiled peacefully in bed.
> "You're incredible, Mariya... You've brought a future heir to us."
He walked closer to Almariya's bed and gently kissed her cheek.
---
After being bathed, the baby was wrapped in a white-golden silk cloth. Marwa handed her to the Emperor.
> "She will be a great leader of the future and shall become the heir to the Bizantium throne," Elden whispered. "Her name... shall be Vera Noxs."
And as that name was spoken, thunder roared across the sky. No rain fell.
Then... silence. As if the heavens gave their blessing.
Elden laid little Vera beside Almariya. He gazed at the two of them with shining eyes.
> The heir had been born. And the world... began to move.
---
The sky above Bizantium began to darken. Black clouds hung heavy, reluctant to drift. At the top of the watchtower, a woman stood in silence.
Tokisaki Uzen stared at the horizon. Her red eyes glowed faintly. The wind blew her black cloak, the feathers on her shoulders dancing along.
> "A pure-blooded descendant of Helda Noxs has been born... Will she be like her ancestors? Hmph... who knows."
Her words were calm, yet laced with ominous foresight.
Soft footsteps approached from behind. General Eiluka Tando appeared at her side.
> "Your opinion makes sense... but not entirely, Lady Tokisaki."
Tokisaki glanced sharply.
> "The other generals haven't returned yet?"
Eiluka nodded.
> "Not yet. Maybe tomorrow or the next day. But for now... everything seems safe."
But Uzen narrowed her eyes.
> "Don't be so confident and call peace 'safe'... unless you can see the future."
That sentence hung like a shadow. Eiluka stiffened, then turned and walked away wordlessly.
---
Meanwhile, in the palace throne room, the atmosphere turned warm. Emperor Elden sat surrounded by ministers. He looked tired, but radiant with joy.
A discussion ensued.
> "Your Majesty," said Hiden, "hold a banquet inside the palace. Welcome with the warmth of the royal family."
> "However," interrupted Garhan Almas, "the nobles demand grandeur. We can hold it in the main courtyard. Symbolic and majestic."
The Emperor pondered for a moment, then nodded.
> "We'll do both. The main courtyard for grandeur. The palace for warmth. The city must shine. The empire must rise."
He called a guard.
> "Inform the entire city: prepare a feast. The grand banquet to welcome Vera Noxs... has begun."
The guard bowed.
> "Orders received, Your Majesty."
Then ran off, carrying a message that would shake the entire realm.
---
Yet behind the laughter and cheers...
A shadow is stirring. A secret is awakening. And the world... has yet to know what is coming.