"This weapon was unearthed in the ruins of a forgotten kingdom," the King said, his tone heavy with unease. "However, when it was discovered, it was still incomplete."
More concerning was the fact that its blueprints had been deliberately buried deep within the ruins, as if its creators had never intended for it to be found.
The Dwarf King leaned forward, intrigued. "What do you mean by 'incomplete'?"
The King sighed, almost as if he had expected the question. "I wouldn't have included it in our strategy if it were still unfinished," he said sharply. "Our scientists have been working to restore and improve it."
His gaze darkened. "But the real problem is why it was buried in the first place."
He paused before delivering the chilling truth.
"This weapon has the power to annihilate anything it strikes."
A servant abruptly interrupted. "Then… does that mean it can stop the Star Eater?"
The King hesitated for a moment before giving a slight nod.
Silence hung in the air for just a heartbeat.
Then, the entire room erupted with exhilaration.
"If we can restore and enhance it, this might be our chance to win!"
"At last, we can show that monster our strength!"
"It's a good thing I decided to stay and fight to the end."
"It seems the gods haven't abandoned us after all."
Hope filled the chamber, the suffocating weight of despair momentarily lifted. For the first time, survival felt possible.
But amid the cheers, the King remained silent.
He did not share their relief.
His expression was clouded with worry—an unfamiliar sight for those who had always known him as the unshakable pillar of Utopia. To his people and the other leaders, he had been a symbol of steadfast resolve.
But now, he looked no different from a father preparing to send his child to war.
The room slowly quieted as the leaders noticed his expression.
The Mermaid Queen studied him carefully before speaking. "You look unwell. Perhaps you've been working yourself to exhaustion, researching the Star Eater. You should take some time for yourself."
She smiled at the others. "Even they are trying to celebrate the small victories they can, knowing what awaits us."
At her words, the joyous murmurs faded, and the leaders turned away, suddenly subdued.
The Mermaid Queen's smile didn't waver. "Why don't you visit me after this meeting? My people can use their song to ease your burdens. You can even bring your family—no need to be shy."
The King chuckled softly. "Thank you for your kindness. And I apologize for making you all worry."
For a brief moment, warmth returned to the room.
But then—
His smile faded.
A cold weight settled over the chamber as he spoke again.
"But I need everyone to prepare themselves. What I am about to say next concerns the very existence of our kingdom."
The air turned heavy.
What could be more threatening than the Star Eater itself?
The King closed his eyes for a moment before continuing.
"The more powerful a weapon is, the greater the price it demands. The Abyssal Breaker is no exception."
Tension filled the room. Only now did they recall his last words before being interrupted.
The King hesitated before revealing the final, dreadful truth.
"To fire a single shot, the Abyssal Breaker requires a special type of ammunition—a bullet called Anti-Life."
"Anti-Life…?" someone murmured.
The King's voice grew colder.
"It is an ancient magic that once destroyed an entire kingdom, wiping it from existence. That is why the weapon was buried within the ruins. Even in its incomplete state, it was too dangerous to use."
A ripple of shock spread through the room.
"How could a mere bullet destroy an entire kingdom?" The Dwarf King's voice wavered between excitement and fear.
The King's response was blunt.
"It erased all life within its blast radius. Instantly."
A suffocating silence fell over the council.
"Did such a weapon truly exist in Utopia?"
"Who created it?"
"Could history have been erased?"
"If it had been perfected back then, what would the world look like now?"
Fear gnawed at their thoughts, yet, for a fleeting moment, they felt relief that the weapon had never been completed.
But now, it was being resurrected as their last hope.
And the King was not finished.
"I know some of you may feel reassured, but let me make this clear," he said grimly. "Anti-Life is not fueled by ordinary magic—it demands life itself. To fire a single shot, the energy required is equivalent to an entire kingdom."
Gasps filled the air.
This was no mere cost.
This was a sacrifice.
The King turned toward the Spirit Queen, making her tense.
"The cannon will require a massive magic core. Your kingdom is the most suitable for this."
Despite the flicker of fear in her eyes, she nodded.
The King sighed heavily. "I know this is terrifying. But we have no time to search for another way."
The Dwarf King suddenly stood. "Then why don't we use their cores?" he suggested. "They hold immense magic power. They are practically living energy sources."
The King shook his head. "What about their stability? Their compatibility? Have you considered what would happen if they became unstable? We would lose our weapon before the battle even began."
Silence. The Dwarf King knew he was right.
Then—the King delivered one last, chilling statement.
"Besides… I intend to keep them for the worst-case scenario."
A new horror crept into their minds.
Had they truly seen the worst yet?
Dread consumed the room.
And then—
A voice rang out, shattering the tension.
"If that's the case, then let me and my kingdom bear this burden."
The hall froze.
All eyes turned toward the speaker.
To their shock, it was the Spirit Queen.
She stood with unwavering determination, her expression resolute.
Even the King looked stunned. She was the last person anyone had expected to make such an offer.
Her people—the Spirits—had always valued life above all else. They had never participated in wars, even when oppressed. They had been the first to seek peace, their influence instrumental in Utopia's unity.
And yet, she was offering her own people as a sacrifice.
Before anyone could process the weight of her words, she continued.
"Our bodies are living vessels of mana, born from the magical currents that flow through the world. It is only natural that we become the source of energy. It feels as if fate itself has designed us for this purpose."
A murmur of protest rose.
"But possessing powerful magic and sacrificing an entire race are two entirely different things!" someone cried. "Didn't you hear what His Majesty said? Supporting the Abyssal Breaker is a death sentence! Please… reconsider!"
The Spirit Queen turned to the speaker with a soft, almost sorrowful smile.
"I understand."
She inhaled deeply, then spoke with unwavering resolve.
"But my decision will not change."
The hall fell silent.
Everyone could see it—her decision would not change.
The King closed his eyes for a brief moment, steadying himself before delivering his final judgment.
"Alright. If there are no further objections, I declare—"
A mocking laugh cut through the room, as if it had been waiting for this exact moment.
"How noble. How glorious. Just as I would expect from my greatest opponent."
Every head turned toward the voice.
The Phantom King.
He was the Spirit Queen sworn enemy, a ruler who would stop at nothing to bring her down.
The Spirit Queen expression hardened. "What are you trying to say?"
The Phantom King stood, a smug smile tugging at his lips. "Oh, forgive me. Perhaps I wasn't clear. I was merely wondering… Is this truly your will? Or just a performance to make yourself look righteous in front of everyone?"
Her eyes narrowed. "What nonsense are you spouting?"
"Oh, come now," he scoffed. "Tell us—are you really doing this out of duty? Or are you just playing the saint?"
"You should watch your words," she growled.
"Then answer me," he sneered. "Is this truly your choice, my noble queen?"
The chamber fell into a tense silence.
This wasn't the first time the council had witnessed their clashes.
Before the Spirit Queen could respond, the Phatom King turned his attention to the King.
"How about this—why don't I and my people power the Abyssal Breaker alongside her?"
"What?!"
Gasps echoed throughout the room. The Spirit Queen's eyes widened in shock.
The Phantom King continued, his voice laced with pride. "After all, I was born from the magical forces of the world—not from nature, but from will. That alone makes me stronger than her, doesn't it?"
He smirked. "Besides, didn't His Majesty say the Abyssal Breaker requires the power of an entire kingdom? Imagine if it fails at the most crucial moment—all because someone ran out of mana due to sheer stubbornness." He cast a mocking glance at Queen Spirit.
"You arrogant fool!" she snapped. "Being born from will doesn't make you superior!"
Their argument escalated instantly, voices rising with each exchange.
Sensing the tension spiraling out of control, the Mermaid Queen hesitantly stepped forward.
"Please… both of you, calm down. This is not the time for—"
But it was already too late.
"Silence! Do not interrupt!"
Both rulers shouted in unison.
The Mermaid Queen flinched, her hands trembling as tears welled in her eyes. She sank to her knees, sobbing.
A few council members rushed to her side, helping her back to her seat. Others sighed in disappointment, offering quiet words of comfort.
The King watched the scene unfold with tired eyes.
"So this is how it is..." he murmured. "Even now, when the end is upon us, you two remain unchanged."
The council members shook their heads.
It was always the same.
The Spirit Queen and the Phantom King—one believing in love and compassion, the other in power and domination. Their rivalry had endured for centuries, and now, even at the brink of annihilation, it threatened to destroy their last hope.
Eventually, the other leaders moved to separate them. But even as they were pulled apart, their curses and accusations continued to fly.
The King, weary of the ceaseless conflict, finally made his decision.
"Very well." His voice carried through the chamber, silencing all debate.
"I order both of you to undertake this task. Whoever endures the longest will be deemed the victor…" He paused. "And I will honor the victor before everyone."
The room was stunned.
"But, Your Majesty…!" A council member hesitated. "Even if one of them wins, neither will survive to receive that honor!"
The King solemnly nodded.
"Perhaps. But for these two… that recognition is worth more than life itself."
He turned to the Spirit Queen and the Phantom King.
"Is that not true?"
For the first time, they did not argue.
A faint smile crossed their lips.
They nodded.
The King closed his eyes for a moment. "Then let this debate end here. We will now proceed with the meeting."
Although many were reluctant, they had no choice but to accept his ruling.
The rest of the meeting continued, with the King assigning final duties and ensuring every preparation was in place.
And at last, when all was settled, he rose from his throne.
His voice was firm. Unshaken.
"From this moment forward, we begin our project" His eyes burned with determination. "Let that creature witness the full power of our world!"
A resounding battle cry filled the hall, voices united in purpose.
Yet, as the leaders stepped forward, their hearts were weighed down with unease.
This was it. Their final battle.
There was no turning back.
When the room finally emptied, the King remained seated upon his throne, alone.
Silence filled the vast chamber.
He let out a slow, heavy sigh. The weight of fate pressed down on his shoulders.
In a voice barely above a whisper, he murmured:
"May the gods bless us all."
Then, with deliberate steps, he rose and left the room. The great doors slowly closed behind him.
From the darkness behind the throne, a shadow moved.
A figure stepped forward—unseen.
"So… it begins."
A quiet chuckle echoed in the empty hall.
"I wonder if you will truly meet my expectations."
The figure's lips curled into a knowing smile.
"Good luck, chosen one."
And then—
They vanished into the darkness.
A cold silence remained.
And the future—once so bright—now hung in uncertainty.