The footsteps echoed along the dim, stone corridor—quick, hurried, almost desperate.
A lone guard, drenched in sweat and nerves, moved briskly through the towering halls of the Holy Empire of Luminael's inner sanctum. The deeper he walked, the darker the passage became. The gentle gold of torchlight faded behind him, swallowed by cold stone and silence.
Eventually, he arrived at a massive gate—obsidian black with silver engravings of divine symbols and winged figures. Two silent sentinels stood beside it, their armor polished but eyes hollow.
He halted before them and bowed low.
The guards said nothing, but after a brief pause, they stepped aside. The gate groaned open.
Inside, the air felt heavier.
The room beyond was cavernous and solemn, lit only by a few flickering lanterns. Velvet-black drapes covered the tall windows, muting any trace of moonlight. At the far end stood a man with his back turned, tall and composed, his posture straight as stone.
He was gazing silently at a large painting mounted on the wall.
A woman.
She had soft golden hair that flowed like silken threads, and gentle brown eyes that glowed with kindness. The painting radiated warmth that did not belong in this grim place.
The guard gulped and stepped forward, voice trembling.
"M-My lord…"
No response.
He lowered his head further. "The mission to retrieve the newly discovered Orb of Energy—the one outside our borders… it has failed."
A tense silence.
The guard dared a glance up. "According to reports… a man appeared. He called himself Leo. He defeated our A-rank knight and adventurer team in an instant."
Still, the man said nothing.
Then, at last… his voice broke the silence—smooth, yet chilling.
"…Leo."
The man's tone was low, but something about it made the hairs on the guard's neck rise.
"Did I not warn you?" he continued, still facing the painting. "Did I not say… there is a man who recently defeated a hero?"
He finally turned.
The guard froze.
The man's face came into view—young, perhaps in his thirties, but shadowed with a depth that defied age. His black hair was unkempt, falling in jagged strands around his piercing brown eyes. There was no warmth in them, only judgment.
"Tell me," he said softly, "did you forget my warning?"
"N-No, my lord! W-We did not expect him to appear like that! We—"
"So you're saying it was my mistake?" His smile was calm, but twisted.
The guard's knees nearly gave way. "No! Absolutely not! It was our fault. My fault! We underestimated the enemy… I beg your forgiveness—in the name of the goddess Luminael."
For a moment, the room went still.
Then the man exhaled. "Tch. Fine. Get up."
The guard blinked, surprised.
"But," the man added, eyes narrowing, "you'll make it right."
He stepped forward.
"Go find them."
"…F-Find who, my lord?"
"The assassins," he said flatly. "You know the ones I mean."
The guard went pale. "B-But my lord, they're dangerous. They work for no crown. They have no faith, no code—"
"Silence." The man's voice cut sharper than a blade. His eyes glowed faintly—no longer just brown, but rimmed with crimson threads of something unnatural. "Do what I said… or I'll kill you myself."
The guard swallowed a scream and bowed so low his forehead nearly touched the floor. "Y-Yes, my lord. As you wish. Pardon my hesitation!"
Without waiting for another word, he turned and fled, stumbling out of the chamber.
Behind him, the man turned again to the painting.
"…I did right, didn't I?" he murmured, voice almost gentle now. "My little sister…"
He gazed into her painted eyes, the only kindness left in the room.
Outside…
Rain battered against the stained glass windows. Thunder rumbled across the heavens. The city below lay quiet under the storm, its rooftops steep and pointed like ancient fangs. The homes were tall and narrow, with spires and chimneys twisting into the sky—buildings built not for comfort, but for control.
The guard, still breathless, paused by a window as lightning cracked through the gloom.
He whispered to himself, voice barely audible through the echoing halls.
"…What is happening to this empire…?"
He stared into the rain.
"Is this truly a holy empire anymore?"
Soft rays of morning sunlight filtered through the narrow wooden window, casting a golden hue across the room. Dew clung to leaves just beyond the sill, glistening quietly in the light.
Inside, Leo lay sound asleep, his breathing steady. Beside him, his little sister Lia stirred as a sudden knock knock echoed gently from the door.
"W-Who is it…?" Lia asked sleepily, rubbing her eyes.
The door creaked open, and a cheerful voice answered, "It's me~"
Lili stepped in with a bright smile, holding a small tray of food.
Lia smiled, instantly more awake. "Thanks, Big Sister Lili."
Lili grinned and shook her head. "No need to thank me. It's what a pretty genius witch does best—helping sleepy heroes."
Right behind her, Lyra entered carrying a wooden tray with two cups of water. She knelt down beside Lili, setting everything down neatly on the floor.
"Come sit, Lia," Lyra said gently. "We'll wait until he wakes up."
As Lia walked toward them, a low groan came from the bed.
Leo's hand twitched.
His eyes blinked open slowly.
The moment he moved, all three girls rushed over, eyes wide.
"Leo!"
"You're awake!"
"Are you alright?"
Leo sat up, still scratching the back of his head, disoriented. "Ugh… wait… what happened? I remember falling… and then—"
Lili quickly placed a finger on his lips. "Shhh. Everything's fine now. You fainted, that's all. You just needed rest."
Leo blinked. "Rest…?"
Then he noticed something strange—Lia's eyes were shimmering with tears.
"I'm sorry, Big Brother!" Lia cried, hugging him tightly. "I should've helped you! I didn't do anything, I just stood there…"
Leo gently placed a hand on her head, confused but calm.
Lyra knelt beside the bed and lowered her gaze. "I'm sorry too. I knew you were overworking, but I… I became selfish. I just let you carry everything alone…"
Lili sighed dramatically and threw up her hands. "Well, since everyone's saying sorry, I guess I should too. Though to be clear—it wasn't my fault," she added with a wink.
Leo gave a soft, tired laugh. He looked at the three of them—his sister, his best friend, and the odd but ever-reliable witch—and felt a familiar warmth in his chest.
"Thank you," he whispered. He patted Lia's head gently. "It's okay, Lia. I'm just happy you were here with me. And both of you… thanks for taking care of us."
Just as he was speaking, his eyes suddenly widened.
"…Wait. What the—?"
He grabbed a strand of his hair and held it out in front of him.
His expression turned from sleepy to stunned.
"My hair… why is it longer?! And… what's with this color?!"
Lili chuckled, clearly enjoying his reaction. "Oh, right. That."
Leo turned toward her in disbelief.
Lili sipped her water and added with a smile, "It's a long story. I'll explain it later. But it's not just your hair. Look in the mirror."
Leo hesitated, then leaned over the side to catch his reflection in a small piece of polished metal near the wall.
"…My eyes are gold?!"
"Yep!" Lili chirped. "Congratulations. You're glowing now."