Chapter 31: The Calm Before the Storm
The imperial envoy's visit had left ripples across the Everhart estate. The palace's interest in Leonhardt Valerian Everhart was no longer a secret among the nobility. Whispers had already begun spreading—some speaking of admiration, others of fear.
But Leonhardt himself was unmoved.
His father, Grand Duke Aldric Everhart, had left him alone after the envoy's departure, offering neither guidance nor concern. Leonhardt knew why—his father trusted him to handle such matters on his own.
And that was exactly what he would do.
Morning Training: The Path to Mastery
The morning sun bathed the Everhart training grounds in golden light, casting long shadows as Leonhardt stood before his father.
Aldric's piercing gaze swept over his son, who held a training sword in hand. "Let's see how much you've improved."
Leonhardt didn't answer. He simply moved.
The clash of steel echoed as their blades met.
Despite his young age, Leonhardt's swordsmanship had reached terrifying heights. Each strike was calculated, each step measured with precision. The Grand Duke did not hold back, and neither did Leonhardt.
The onlookers—knights, instructors, and even high-ranking nobles—watched in awe as the battle unfolded. The future Grand Duke was already far beyond his peers, his movements eerily sharp and methodical.
Aldric smirked as he barely deflected a swift strike aimed at his ribs. "You've grown faster."
Leonhardt's fiery red eyes gleamed as he forced his father back, his sword dancing with lethal grace. "And you've grown slower."
A burst of laughter erupted from Aldric.
But in the next instant, his power surged.
The mere pressure of his aura sent the watching knights stumbling back. "Then try handling this."
Leonhardt's expression remained cold, but inside, he was eager.
This was what he needed.
The battle resumed, each strike heavier than the last.
Minutes turned into an eternity as the duel raged on. Leonhardt held his ground, forcing his father to exert more strength than expected.
By the time Aldric finally knocked the training sword from his son's hands, the watching nobles were left speechless.
The Grand Duke himself had needed to use his full strength.
Leonhardt exhaled slowly, his body aching but his spirit calm.
Aldric grinned, ruffling his son's hair. "Good. If you weren't my son, I'd be worried about my position."
Leonhardt merely dusted off his coat, unfazed. "You should be."
Laughter filled the air. But beneath it, an unspoken truth settled over the audience.
The future Grand Duke was already standing at the threshold of greatness.
And soon, none would stand above him.
Aetheria: The Ruler of Night
Far beyond the Everhart estate, across the divine lands untouched by mortals, the Temple of the Moon and Stars stood in silent reverence.
Inside, the air was thick with divine energy, a pressure that made even the high-ranking priests tremble as they kneeled before their ruler.
At the center of the grand hall, sitting upon a throne of celestial silver, was Aetheria Nyx Lunaris Solis.
The Queen of the Night. The Ruler of the Moon and Stars.
Her silvery-white hair shimmered in the dim light, her deep violet eyes glowing with quiet authority. She was calm, regal—a presence that commanded absolute fear and devotion.
Before her knelt a trembling priest. "Y-Your Holiness… we have discovered a heretic within our ranks."
Aetheria's gaze darkened. "Heretic?"
The priest hesitated before answering. "One of the high priests… has been misusing the name of the Sun God for his own gain. He accepts bribes, spreads false doctrines, and manipulates the faith for his own benefit."
A dangerous silence filled the hall.
Aetheria's fingers tapped lightly against the armrest of her throne.
She despised such corruption.
Standing, she stepped down from her throne, her cold presence making the surrounding priests shiver.
"Bring him to me," she ordered.
Within moments, two guards dragged in a man—once a proud high priest, now trembling before divine judgment.
His voice cracked as he pleaded. "Y-Your Holiness, I was deceived—!"
Aetheria raised a single hand.
In an instant, golden chains of light erupted from the air, binding the priest where he knelt.
He screamed, but Aetheria remained indifferent.
Her voice, smooth and cold, cut through the chamber. "You have misused the faith. Defiled the name of the Sun God. Corrupted the purity of our divine cause."
The chains tightened, burning with celestial fire.
Tears streamed down the priest's face. "M-Mercy, please—!"
Aetheria tilted her head slightly. "Did you show mercy to those you deceived?"
The priest choked. His silence was his answer.
Aetheria's violet eyes glowed ominously. "Then neither shall I."
With a flick of her wrist, the chains ignited, consuming the heretic in divine flames.
His screams faded into nothingness.
Silence followed.
Aetheria turned, her tone impassive. "Let this be a warning."
The gathered priests bowed their heads, fear and reverence interwoven in their expressions.
Aetheria returned to her throne, exhaling softly.
Her father, Ra, had always been too lenient. But she?
She would ensure that faith remained pure.
No matter the cost.
The Two Paths, The Same Goal
As the night stretched on, two figures, separated by fate yet bound by destiny, stood beneath the same moon.
One in the mortal realm, sharpening his power in secret.
The other in the divine realm, upholding her rule with absolute authority.
Neither knew when they would meet again.
But when they did…
The world would tremble.