"In the end, what in the hell was with all that?" Adrian muttered to himself, his thoughts swirling in confusion.


    The duke''s sudden decision to emunicate him from the family left Adrian reeling.


    As he stared at the ring the duke had given him, he couldn''t help but notice the lingering mana signatures—a tangible reminder of the ties that bound him to the Tellus family.


    But what did it all mean? Adrian pondered, his brow furrowing with uncertainty.


    He couldn''tprehend the exact effects of the binding, nor could he fathom why such a mechanism was necessary.


    The ring was supposedly a memento from Siena, but why would she possess something that bound him to the family? And why had she allowed him to leave in the first ce?


    The duke''s abrupt departure only added to Adrian''s confusion, leaving him with more questions than answers.


    "Adrian?" Aria''s voice broke through his reverie, her concern evident in her tone. "Are you okay?" she asked, her eyes searching his face for any sign of distress.


    Adrian forced a reassuring smile, though inwardly he was anything but fine. "I''m fine," he replied, his voicecking conviction.


    Aria''s skepticism was palpable as she continued to study him, her concern deepening. "Are you sure?" she pressed, unwilling to ept his dismissive answer.


    "Yeah," Adrian replied, though the uncertainty gnawed at him from within. For now, he needed to focus on unraveling the mysteries of his past and the implications of the duke''s actions.


    She seemed like she wanted to ask him more, her lips parting as if to speak, but upon seeing the troubled expression etched across his face, she hesitated, eventually opting for silence.


    Adrian appreciated her restraint, knowing that delving into the depths of his turmoil might only exacerbate the weight pressing down on him.


    Physically and mentally drained, Adrian could feel the exhaustion seeping into his bones.


    After a rigorous training session followed by a tense meeting with the duke, he was beyond tired. Each step felt like a monumental effort, his body protesting with every movement.


    For the first time in his life, the burden of existence felt unbearably heavy.


    The flood of information that had bombarded him earlier—memories, emotional upheavals, and the duke''s enigmatic words—had left him feeling overwhelmed and utterly spent.


    All he wanted was to copse into bed and surrender to the embrace of sleep.


    Suddenly, Aria''s voice broke through his weariness, drawing him back to the present. She moved closer, gently taking his hands in hers.


    Their eyes met, and she offered him a reassuring smile—a small beacon offort in the midst of his turmoil.


    It warmed Adrian''s heart to see her trying to cheer him up in her own awkward, endearing way.


    Even in moments of uncertainty, her presence was a source of sce, a reminder that he wasn''t alone in navigating theplexities of life and love.


    ''She''s still a bit awkward when ites toforting someone, but that what makes her cute though''


    As he returned her smile, a flicker of gratitude washed over him, grateful for her unwavering support and unwavering presence by his side.


    ''In the end was their anything resolved?''


    Adrian could only sigh once more in annoyance...


    ….


    The next day, Adrian awoke to a more daunting piece of news than he had anticipated. With an immediate summons to a private meeting room reserved for the upper echelons of the holy kingdom, he couldn''t help but feel a sense of foreboding.


    Upon entering the room, Adrian found himself surrounded by a gathering of high-ranking officials from the holy see. The pope upied the forefront, nked by cardinals on each side. Elena, too, was present, her expression etched with dread as she pored over the reports spread across the table.


    Even the duke, a stalwart figure in his own right, seemed taken aback as he absorbed the gravity of the situation before him.


    "The northern countries have fallen?" one of the cardinals eximed, his voice echoing with disbelief. A momentarypse inposure caused him to recoil, hastily covering his mouth as he sank back into his seat.


    Adrian understood the cardinal''s astonishment all too well. The reportsid out before them painted a grim picture of the unfolding events in the northern reaches of the continent.


    ''Demons''


    The word hung heavy in the air, casting a pall over the room. It was a stark reminder of the ever-present threat that loomed beyond the borders of their kingdom—an enemy that knew no mercy and respected no boundaries.


    "Calm down, Cardinal Linen. We don''t know the full extent of the situation yet. These are merely initial reports," another cardinal interjected, attempting to inject a semnce of reassurance into the somber atmosphere. However, despite his efforts, optimism remained elusive.


    The fall of two kingdoms in the north was a grave blow, shaking the very foundation of stability in the region.


    The northern territories, though not organized in the traditional sense of nations, boasted formidable power and influence.


    The sheer scale of the two fallen kingdoms, once bastions of strength, was staggering.


    Even the renowned Frost King had met his demise at the hands of the demonic invaders.


    "How is it that we hadn''t heard of this sooner?" the pope''s voice cut through the tension, his tone weighted with concern.


    A cardinal seated nearby promptly responded, "It appears the attack urred justst night. Amidst the ongoing conflicts between the four neighboring countries, the demonic forces seized the opportunity tounch their invasion."


    "If demons suddenly invaded, there should''ve been signs of it! Isn''t the Apostle of War assigned there? What happened to him?" another cardinal demanded, his tone edged with urgency.


    The Apostle of War, a pdin directly blessed by the God of War, was not just renowned for his physical prowess but also for his spiritual insight.


    With his formidable divine energy, he should have been able to detect any breaches between realms, leaving many perplexed by his silence in the face of such a dire threat.


    "There has been no contact with him since the fall of the two kingdoms. We can only hope for the best," the cardinal nearest to the pope responded solemnly, his words hanging heavily in the air.


    The room fell silent once more, the weight of the news sinking in. The gravity of the situation was undeniable, and a sense of unease settled over the assembled officials. Everyone understood the severity of the crisis at hand, and the urgent need for swift action.


    Even without words spoken aloud, Adrian and Elena could feel the weight of expectant gazes shifting toward them.


    As the hero and the saintess, it was inevitable that the responsibility for resolving this crisis would fall upon their shoulders.


    However, there were numerous factors to consider before hastily deploying them into the fray.


    Losing either the hero or the saintess at this critical juncture could have disastrous consequences, and the risks had to be carefully weighed against the potential benefits.


    "ording to some surviving vigers," one cardinal began solemnly, his voice carrying the weight of their harrowing tale, "there were ominous ck spots, like sinister portals, that materialized suddenly all around their tranquil vige. From these dark apertures emerged creatures of nightmares—monsters and demons, unleashed upon the unsuspecting popce."


    A heavy silence settled over the gathering, broken only by the measured words of Bishop Austin.


    "So, it''s Estelle Academy all over again, huh?" His tone bore a mixture of sorrow and grim recognition. The mention of Estelle Academy brought forth memories of a tragedy so profound it had be etched into the annals of his mind—a cmity that imed the lives of hundreds of thousands, obliterating an entire city-wide academy from the map.


    Heads nodded in somber agreement. The catastrophe at Estelle Academy was not one easily forgotten; it served as a haunting reminder of the horrors that could be unleashed by such malevolent forces.


    It was only through the heroic efforts of Adrian and the saintess Elena that the demonic invasion had been halted, averting untold chaos and devastation.


    "We can confirm one thing now," the duke interjected, his voice low and resolute.


    "The demons possess not only the ability to evade our detection but also wield an unconventional form of magic, one that eludes our understanding."


    "It would be safe to assume, that no country remains immune to this threat. Even if we were to erect barriers, fortify kingdoms, and muster our defenses, it appears futile if these malevolent entities can bypass our safeguards without detection." the pope''s voice carried a weight of concern as he addressed the assembly.


    He paused, his fingers tracing the contours of his chin in contemtion. "Our only recourse," he continued, his tone grave, "is to prepare ourselves for the inevitable onught."


    Turning his gaze to one figure among the assembly, he called out, "Isabe."


    She straightened, meeting his gaze slightly surprised as her name was called out. "Supreme Pontiff?"


    "Have there been anymunications with Queen Mavis?" he inquired, his voice tinged with urgency.


    "As of this moment, Your Holiness," Isabe responded, her tone measured, "there have been no furthermunications with Her Majesty. Thest correspondence we received was around the time of yesterday''s invasion."


    The pope nodded solemnly, his expression betraying a mixture of apprehension and resolve. In the room filled with those affiliated with the Holy Kingdom, the significance of


    Queen Mavis was universally understood—a figure revered as both the queen of the frost elves of the northern continent and thest known living high fairy in the world.


    Queen Mavis, revered not only for her diplomatic prowess but also for her strategic acumen and unwavering loyalty to the Holy Kingdom, held a position of unparalleled importance in the annals of their shared history.


    Her alliance with the Holy Kingdom extended far beyond mere economic ties; she was their staunchest military ally, furnishing them with the invaluable resource of frost steel that fortified their armies and ensured their dominance on the battlefield.


    Without her steadfast support, the military might of the Holy Kingdom would have been greatly diminished, and their victories hard-won.


    For the Pope, who shared a deep bond forged in childhood with Queen Mavis, her absence felt akin to a personal tragedy, akin to losing a beloved family member.


    Their friendship transcended the realm of politics, grounded in mutual respect and shared experiences.


    Thus, the news of her kingdom''s fall struck him to the core, casting a pall of sorrow over the hearts of all who held her dear.


    Although the fate of Queen Mavis remained uncertain, the mere fact that the White Pce, her bastion of power, had fallen sent ominous ripples of apprehension through the hearts of those who knew her best.


    The absence of anymunication from her only added to the growing sense of unease, fueling concerns for her well-being and the precariousness of her situation.


    ….


    Meanwhile, deep beneath the icy, foreboding walls of a dungeon shrouded in darkness and veiled in crimson mist, Queen Mavis found herself imprisoned, her once regal bearing now diminished as she limped forward under the watchful gaze of her demonic captors.


    The heavy footsteps of her captors reverberated through the oppressive silence, mingling with the eerie nks of metal, as they dragged her along the cold, stone floor.


    With a brutal shove, the demon flung open the cell door, sending Queen Mavis sprawling onto the unforgiving ground.


    As the demon departed, leaving her alone in the suffocating darkness, Queen Mavis, though battered and weary, refused to surrender to despair.


    With a flicker of defiance in her eyes, she resolved to cling to the flickering ember of hope that still burned within her, determined to defy the odds and reim her freedom.