A week had passed since the diplomats of the world climbed the mountain of the Arcidiacono family seeking answers about the future of magical beasts, and to the surprise of nearly everyone involved, the governments of the world had done almost nothing afterward. At first, panic had spread through political circles after Narciso Arcidiacono's warnings regarding intelligent predators and future beast tides. Emergency meetings were held day and night. Military think tanks were mobilized. Analysts buried themselves beneath mountains of reports while trying to compare reality to the countless fantasy novels humanity had consumed over the centuries. Yet after days of simulations and strategic reviews, the conclusion reached by most governments was surprisingly calm. Humanity simply did not need to panic yet. The situation was dangerous, yes, but not apocalyptic. The more the experts analyzed their position, the more they realized humanity still possessed an overwhelming advantage over the natural world.
The primary reason was painfully simple. Humanity had already conquered the planet once before mana ever appeared. Even now, despite the loss of satellites and the disruption caused by mana interference, humans still possessed cities, infrastructure, organized militaries, industry, and most importantly intelligence capable of collective planning. Animals might grow stronger, but civilization itself was humanity's greatest weapon. Some military leaders had briefly proposed genocidal campaigns to exterminate dangerous wildlife before it could evolve further, but those ideas quickly collapsed under scrutiny. Even if humanity somehow wiped out every beast on land, the oceans alone made such a strategy impossible. Worse still, destroying too much wildlife risked destabilizing Earth's newly restored mana ecosystem. Vast forests and natural zones now acted as living mana circulatory systems for the planet. Kill too many lives, and entire regions could collapse spiritually and environmentally. In the end, governments reluctantly accepted the truth. Magical beasts were not a problem to eliminate. They were simply another challenge humanity would need to adapt to while reclaiming the expanding world.
While the great nations quietly shifted their focus toward urban expansion and military preparation, life inside the Crimson Forest continued at its own pace. Deep within the recently constructed Sonneberg villa, more than one hundred seventy members of the family gathered in the massive living hall for dinner. The atmosphere was lively despite the exhaustion lingering over everyone present. Long wooden tables overflowed with roasted meats, fresh vegetables, bread, and alcohol. The simple sight of real food still felt almost miraculous after spending months surviving on military-grade nutritional bars during the Trial. Many family members had unconsciously begun overeating ever since their return to Earth, desperate to reclaim the joy of proper meals. Across the world, restaurants and food suppliers were experiencing record profits as humanity collectively rediscovered taste itself. More than one military commander had publicly declared that if the inventor of those nutritional bars was ever identified, they would personally oversee the man's execution.
At the head of the room sat Karl Sonneberg, calmly sipping from a mug of beer while listening to the reports regarding the family's recent recruitment drive. Although most people already knew the outcome, Rik still stood to formally address the room.
"The recruitment exceeded our initial estimates," Rik announced proudly. "More than one hundred thousand people attempted the trial over the course of the week."
A low murmur spread through the hall despite everyone already hearing rumors of the numbers.
"However," Rik continued with an awkward expression, "only eight thousand met the family's standards."
That immediately dampened the mood.
Several younger members exchanged disappointed looks. They had hoped to recruit at least ten thousand candidates. The number sounded cleaner, stronger, more intimidating. Eight thousand somehow felt smaller despite being absurdly impressive by any reasonable standard.
Karl merely sighed before taking another drink. "It cannot be helped," he said calmly. "Our family has spent generations selecting for talent. We naturally produce children suited for our arts. The fact that we found eight thousand acceptable candidates among ordinary civilians is already exceptional."
The room slowly nodded in agreement.
"Release the trial evaluations through the app tonight," Karl continued. "Notify those who passed to report tomorrow for orientation and contract discussions." His eyes narrowed slightly. "Then we'll see how many truly possess the will to stay."
Several elders nodded seriously. Passing the trial was only the first hurdle. Life within the Crimson Forest was not glamorous. The contracts offered power and opportunity, but they also demanded loyalty, discipline, and sacrifice. Many recruits would inevitably abandon the path once they realized the reality behind the legends.
Karl was silent for a moment before suddenly glancing toward Dennis.
"How is the girl?" he asked casually.
A faint smile appeared on Dennis' face. "She's stable now. The experts are currently overseeing her treatment." His expression became slightly amused. "Apparently several very important people wish to apologize to the boy personally."
A few older members chuckled knowingly.
Dennis himself had once studied under the Bingen family for a short period, and he understood exactly how seriously those ancient medical lineages treated ethics. If a member of their bloodline truly neglected a patient possessing such a rare constitution, then someone within the Bingen family was currently suffering a fate worse than death.
"And her condition?" Karl asked.
Dennis straightened slightly. "The diagnosis has been confirmed. It's a constitution related to extreme cold affinity. A powerful one too, otherwise the symptoms would not have manifested so early." He paused briefly before continuing. "The issue is that her body became severely malnourished over time. The constitution drained her faster than her body could sustain itself, eventually forcing her into a coma as a defensive response."
Several healers seated nearby frowned thoughtfully.
"So they can cure her?" Karl asked.
"Yes," Dennis confirmed. "But slowly. She first needs months of proper nutrition and recovery before her body can safely withstand treatment."
"Good," Karl replied immediately. "The boy may meet them tomorrow." His tone then hardened slightly. "Until then, increase security around the hospital wing. I do not want certain noble families attempting anything foolish."
Disgust immediately spread through the room.
The tension between the Sonnebergs and several aristocratic houses had existed for generations, though until recently both sides had been restrained by outside powers. Now, however, the world was changing rapidly.
"Are we certain those watchdog families didn't help the others escape?" Bennie asked darkly.
Karl shook his head. "No. Their masters abandoned them. Letting those families disappear benefits everyone involved." A cold smile appeared on his face. "Unfortunately, the rats proved smarter than expected. The moment corruption investigations began, they fled Europe entirely and vanished into the United States."
A wave of disappointment spread through the hall.
The younger generation looked frustrated, but the elders merely sighed. Everyone understood what had truly happened. For decades, those families had served as political attack dogs aimed at containing the Sonnebergs and preventing them from fully controlling the Crimson Forest. The family could have destroyed them long ago, but doing so openly would have triggered retaliation from larger powers. Entire governments once feared what the Sonnebergs could become if left unchecked.
But now?
Now those restraints were gone.
"They ran because they smelled death," Karl said calmly. "Good riddance."
Cheers immediately erupted throughout the room.
For the first time in generations, the Crimson Forest truly belonged to the Sonneberg family without interference. No spies. No political leashes. No hostile oversight.
Freedom.
Karl raised his mug high into the air.
"Enough business," he declared loudly. "Tonight, we feast properly!"
Laughter and applause instantly filled the villa as people rose from their seats to grab more food and drinks. The atmosphere rapidly transformed into celebration.