What Exactly Happened, Millie?!
"I... I don't know, my lady," Millie stammered, her voice trembling. "I was only bringing some refreshments for Lady Adrienne, but when I entered the room... I found her lying on the floor. Her skin... it was blackened, and there was a terrible smell. I thought she was—"
SLAP!
A sharp sound echoed through the chamber.
"How dare a mere servant even suggest that my daughter is dead?!" Veronica Hall's voice was like a whip. "Perhaps I should teach you another lesson before I throw you out!"
Millie, Adrienne's personal maid, collapsed onto the floor, tears streaming down her face. Fear gripped her heart—what if they accused her of something she hadn't done? Lady Veronica's fury was suffocating, her words sharp as daggers. At that moment, Millie felt as if she would die at her mistress's hands.
"Enough, my dear," a deep, composed voice interrupted, laced with warmth and authority.
It was Grimault Hall, Adrienne's father.
He turned his gaze toward Millie and spoke gently, "She has done nothing wrong. Adrienne has always spoken highly of her—she even considers her a dear friend. Accusing her without reason serves no purpose. The doctor is examining Adrienne as we speak. Instead of letting your anger cloud your judgment, perhaps you should pray to the Divine Sky for our daughter's recovery."
A long silence filled the room. Then, after a deep breath, Lady Veronica averted her gaze. "Forgive me, my love. I lost control of myself. I shall leave things in the doctor's hands and pray in the chapel."
With graceful yet determined steps, she left Adrienne's chamber.
The room itself was a vast reception hall, complete with an adjoining bath and bedroom. The doctor was inside, tending to Adrienne, while Millie, Grimault, and the remaining servants waited in the hall, anxiously anticipating the physician's verdict.
Then, at last, the bedroom door creaked open.
Dr. Shindor stepped forward, his expression unreadable. "Sir," he began, his voice calm yet uncertain, "I have completed my examination of Lady Adrienne."
Grimault rushed forward, gripping the doctor's hands tightly. "She's fine, isn't she, Dr. Shindor?" His voice was edged with desperation.
"In truth... her body shows no external injuries. Her pulse is steady, and her organs are functioning normally. However..." The doctor hesitated, his brows furrowing. "There is a strange black substance covering her skin."
Grimault's eyes darkened. "A black substance? Is it a disease? A poison?!"
"I... I cannot say," Shindor admitted, lowering his voice. "She exhibits no symptoms of illness, no signs of an infection, nor any evidence of an attack. Yet I cannot explain the nature of this black material. I... I apologize, sir."
Even Dr. Shindor—renowned as the second-best physician in Oxenheim—was at a loss.
Grimault clenched his fists. Should I seek the royal family's physician? Would they know more?
He turned to Millie. "Stay by Adrienne's side. If anything changes—anything—you will inform me at once. Do you understand?"
"Y-yes, my lord." Millie bowed low before hurrying back into Adrienne's room.
Elsewhere...
Beyond the confines of reality, within an enormous hall untouched by mortal hands, Julius sat upon his towering throne.
His thoughts were a whirlwind. He awaited Estrella's report, his gaze fixed on a pulsating blue star—a representation of the devoted believers who prayed to him.
Yes... prayed to Julius, the so-called "Forgotten God," whose existence had vanished a thousand years ago. Or so the fallen kings of old had decreed.
The celestial hall's power was immense, anchored by the Forbidden Throne and the monumental stone figures of the Five Kings standing in solemn vigil behind it.
"If I were to anger a true god... would I simply disappear from existence?" Julius murmured, half in jest, half in fear.
His concerns weren't unfounded. He had always believed in the divine, but circumstances had forced him into playing the role of one. And now, to maintain his hold on the Forbidden Throne and manipulate reality itself, he needed followers.
Without believers, he was nothing.
Without power, he would die once more—slain at the hands of that damned King of Darkness.
Julius exhaled. "Enough. Let's see what Estrella has uncovered."
Rather than summoning her to the celestial hall, he chose a more subtle approach—manifesting as a spectral presence before her.
Lowerus Street, Oxenheim.
A lone figure stood in the shadows, clad in a dark cloak. Estrella.
Then, without warning, Julius's voice echoed in her mind.
"What have you found, Estrella?"
She remained composed. "Lord Zarthos, over the past two days, I have been investigating the movements of the Dark Faction. Through my search, I've uncovered something—an organization that may be linked to them."
Julius's ethereal form smirked. "Oh? You've already found a lead? Impressive. I have been their prey for far too long... but now, it seems the roles are reversing."
"Where are they?"
Estrella hesitated for only a moment before answering, "There is an establishment known as the Moonlight Tavern. On the surface, it serves as an ordinary drinking house, but in truth, it is a hub for intelligence trade. If my suspicions are correct, they may not be directly affiliated with the Dark Faction, but they possess valuable information that we could exploit."
Julius's tone sharpened. "Then why haven't you approached them?"
"It is difficult, my lord. I am merely at the Sixth Circle..."
Julius frowned. "And that means?"
Estrella sighed. "Organizations like these are cautious. They do not meet with just anyone—especially those of influence. To even speak with their inner members requires immense credibility. I could force my way in, but such groups do not fear death; their only priority is information."
Her words made sense. Information was what Julius needed. Answers.
But was it safe to approach them?
Of course not. Nothing ever was.
"Well done, Estrella. This is valuable information. I'll handle the rest myself."
"I am honored to be of use, my lord."
Julius's consciousness returned to the celestial hall.
Now, he traced his fingers over the glowing map of the world, seeking out the Moonlight Tavern among the stars. It took only moments to locate it.
With a flicker of will, he attempted to project his spectral form into the tavern.
But the moment he tried to pass through its walls—
BAM!
A force repelled him violently. He was thrown back into the celestial hall, pain searing through his form.
"Ahhh... I feel like I just slammed into a steel wall..." Julius groaned, rubbing his temples.
It was the first time he had ever failed to phase into a location since obtaining the power of the Forbidden Throne.
"Tch. What the hell is that place?"
No answers would come unless he investigated it in person.
But returning to the physical world came with risks. Using the throne's power drained him severely. If he were to materialize now, his body would be left in a weakened state.
Unless...
"A potion that fully restores stamina and heals all injuries."
At his command, a violet elixir materialized in his hands, its mysterious glow resembling that of an exotic fruit.
"Perfect," Julius smirked.
Then, reconsidering, he summoned another vial.
For extra caution, he drew his dagger, channeling the Power of the Shadow God into its blade. The metal darkened, becoming eerily sharp.
"Good. I'm ready for whatever awaits me inside that tavern. And if things go south... I'll activate the seal and retreat to the celestial hall."
His strategy was set.
It was time to move.