The atmosphere inside the hall remained heavy, filled with tension that had yet to fade since the revelation of the attack on Willowess Academy. The air felt suffocating, while the dim light from the crystal chandeliers reflected dully across the long table that split the room in two.
Prince Feryan Neltan stood calmly at the head of the table, his posture firm yet his expression unreadable. His gaze swept across each of the Strongest Warriors seated around it—every one of them radiating an overwhelming aura of power.
"I met her once… about four years ago," he said quietly, his voice calm yet laced with memory.
"A sweet child…"
He fell silent for a moment, as if that memory still lingered vividly in his mind. Then, his expression shifted—more serious, more focused.
"And now… that child has awakened the Full Angel Sigil."
Feryan took a slow breath before continuing,
"In essence… she didn't just awaken the sigil—she completely healed every victim involved."
Those words tightened the tension even further.
Subtle reactions spread across the hall—furrowed brows, sharpened gazes, and a few exchanged looks as they tried to process the unbelievable information.
Feryan then picked up a document from the table, the faint sound of paper breaking the silence.
"Damnern Solv has submitted an official request," he said as he opened it.
"He is asking for one of the Strongest Warriors to become the personal guard of his daughter."
His eyes shifted directly toward Rayyan Bartos—sharp and unwavering.
"So… I am assigning you, Rayyan Bartos, as her personal guard," Feryan declared firmly.
"After all… you've already met her before."
Rayyan returned the gaze without hesitation. He gave a single nod—simple, yet filled with certainty.
"Understood."
Silence once again filled the hall before it was broken by Varn Karver.
"How did the attacker from Willowess Academy manage to escape?" he asked, dissatisfaction clear in his tone.
"Wasn't Damnern there?"
Feryan leaned slightly back in his chair, his fingers loosely interlocked, though his eyes remained sharp.
"That attacker… for now, we refer to him as the Iron Hand," he replied.
He continued while scanning the report in his hand.
"According to a witness—teacher Jack Fien—a portal was opened outside the academy."
"…A portal?"
Several of the Strongest Warriors immediately reacted. Some leaned forward slightly, others frowned more deeply—clearly surprised by the implication.
"Yes," Feryan answered briefly.
"And the question now…"
He paused.
This silence felt heavier than before, as if the entire hall was holding its breath.
"…is whether there has been a betrayal from the Terro family."
No one spoke. Just the mention of that name was enough to chill the room.
Feryan then turned his attention toward Bradley Conal.
"What about your mission, Bradley? Did you find anything?"
Bradley leaned back casually in his chair, one hand supporting his chin. A faint smirk rested on his lips, as if the matter did not burden him much.
"I captured a group of thieves attempting to steal food supplies in the Crouth region," he said lightly.
"They were… too weak."
"Weak?" Feryan raised an eyebrow.
"What about the death of a level six warrior?"
Bradley let out a small chuckle, as though the question hardly mattered.
"There were quite a lot of them—around twenty-three. If I had to estimate, most were level four," he explained.
"They're known as the Vartos Gang… but…"
He paused briefly. His smirk faded, replaced by a more serious expression.
"Their leader is still a mystery. And based on what I gathered… they're operating under an organization called Noxes."
Feryan fell silent for a moment.
"Noxes…" he repeated slowly, as if trying to recall something buried in his memory.
"I feel like I've heard that name before… but where…"
Bradley simply shrugged.
"They say the members of Noxes are very strong," he added.
"But I wouldn't get my hopes up."
"Are they really that strong?" asked Cedric Earl. His previously sleepy eyes were now wide open, filled with interest.
"We cannot afford to underestimate them," Warmey Warran said suddenly. He placed his hand on the table, his fingers tapping lightly. His face was serious, his voice low but firm.
Feryan took a deep breath.
"If we connect all the unresolved cases with no traces…" he said, tapping the table lightly—each tap emphasizing his words,
"…I conclude that they are all the work of the Noxes organization."
"So they've finally started attacking openly?" Oscar Wade said, leaning slightly forward.
"This can only mean one thing—they're challenging us to war, aren't they?" he added with a cynical tone.
Prince Feryan simply nodded.
"What is their goal?" Matthias Crae asked, his voice heavy with pressure.
"Unclear," Feryan replied.
"But their targets are evident—the economy and the military strength of Neltan."
He lifted his gaze, his eyes sharp.
"Most likely… they intend to destroy the Kingdom of Neltan."
"How bold…" Oscar Wade said with a faint smirk.
"As long as I am alive…" Matthias spoke quietly, yet the pressure in his voice filled the entire hall,
"The Kingdom of Neltan will not fall. Because I… am the strongest."
Feryan gave no response. Instead, he opened another old document, the soft rustling sound echoing faintly.
"That's not all," he said.
"The Kingdom of Norten is also showing signs of betraying the peace treaty."
Several expressions immediately turned tense.
"If that is true…" he continued,
"…we may return to the era from eighty years ago."
The atmosphere grew even heavier—almost suffocating.
"The era where the Sandeast region constantly became a battlefield to repel their attacks."
"I have already sent Noah Holt to Sandeast to investigate this matter," Feryan added.
"Noah Holt, age 41, retired last year, but is still accepting missions."
Then his tone shifted—firmer, more authoritative.
"Since we are entering a new era… I will be reassigning your duties."
All the Strongest Warriors focused intently.
"Valcreat will remain under Matthias Crae."
"Willowess—Rayyan Bartos."
"Valdwess—Oscar Wade."
"Willoreach—Bradley Conal."
"Crownoth—Galdric Erout."
"Crouth—Jai Gendro."
He paused briefly before continuing:
"And Sandeast will be guarded by Cedric Earl and Warmey Warran… to prepare for a possible invasion from the Kingdom of Norten."
Finally, Feryan stepped back.
"If there is nothing further…" he said calmly,
"this meeting is adjourned."
Outside the hall, Quares Terro—who appeared slightly exhausted—raised his hand. Around him, forty warrior-type mages stood in formation, channeling Fue Energy that pulsed softly like breathing light.
Moments later—
Portals of light began to open one by one, casting rippling glows across the space.
The Strongest Warriors rose and stepped into the portals, leaving the hall behind—each carrying heavy thoughts and unanswered questions.
And amidst all of it—
One name lingered in their minds.
Noxes.
End of Chapter 18