"No, Your Majesty," she replied instantly. "The reason for the summon, as far as we’ve confirmed, was that the Emperor of Peanu was seen flying back to his palace covered in blood, without his armor.
Soon after, the urgent call went out. But the strangest thing, multiple Grandmasters across Peanu have stopped responding. Missing, or completely gone. So far, we’ve tracked at least five unaccounted for."
The Emperor went silent for a few breaths before he asked, "And why do you believe Billion is involved?"
The woman coughed, hesitating.
"Because... the latest reports say a massive beast is circling above the capital palace. Two Grandmasters went to face it. Both were killed. And the beast matches exactly the description of the flying creature Commander Billion commands."
My mouth fell open before I forced it shut again. His summons could kill Grandmasters now?
Arkas leaned forward, his tone calm but carrying excitement. "His name is Silver."
The man beside him finally lifted his head and adjusted his glasses.
"Our theory is that the strange state of the Emperor of Peanu is because of his fight with Commander Billion. But we don’t have proof. When he came to request our help, he looked completely fine. Later, when we sent men to check the Lamp Zone, we found the zone still there, but the Lamp Fort was destroyed. No survivors."
The emperor narrowed his eyes. "What about the ten grandmasters who went with Saturn?"
"They weren’t seen in the capital when the emperor reappeared," the woman answered.
"Anything else?"
"That’s all we have, Your Majesty." Both of them bowed.
The emperor nodded, then turned toward the rest of us.
"General Cassian, what do you think? Strange, isn’t it, that he called all the grandmasters back basically leaving Peanu wide open to abominations and phantoms?"
Cassian stepped forward, voice steady.
"Your Majesty, I believe Guardian Billion is behind this. Their emperor must feel it’s his last stand. That beast circling the capital isn’t random, it’s to block or watch Saturn. Otherwise Silver would already be attacking."
Dante spoke up next.
"I agree. I suggest we head to the capital right away. I’ll scout ahead, check how many grandmasters are inside. Silver might be there, but Saturn always has ways to escape."
The emperor nodded slowly.
"I understand, Dante. But remember, we’re talking about Saturn. He doesn’t follow rules. He doesn’t care about Peanu or his people. All he wants is power. Honestly, I’m surprised he returned to the capital if Billion defeated him."
Hazel crossed her arms.
"You’re suggesting it’s a trap?"
The emperor turned to her and nodded once.
"Yes."
She scoffed.
"And so what? Did you not hear the report? At least seventeen, maybe twenty grandmasters are dead or missing. This might be the best chance we’ll ever get."
I kept my face straight. Hazel was speaking to the emperor like he was her brother, not her ruler.
"I understand, Hazel," the emperor said. "But the plan was never to attack the capital. The reason was simple, to avoid traps. And believe me, there will be traps. I know Saturn. He’s a vile creature."
Hazel drew in a deep breath.
"Then what is your decision, Your Majesty?"
The place went quiet. Everyone leaned in, listening.
That was when Edgar, silent until now, finally spoke.
"Your Majesty, I suggest we move near the capital. Then, instead of charging straight in, why not ask Silver what’s happening? I believe the youngsters we brought, Steve or North, can help us communicate. Silver must know they’re Billion’s friends."
I glanced at the sly old man. Clever. Very clever.
The emperor’s lips curved into a smile.
"Excellent. I like that, Edgar. No more delays then. Dante, how should we travel?"
Dante rubbed his chin, eyes flicking to the man and woman who had given their report earlier.
"What about the grandmasters stationed nearby?"
The man shook his head.
"It was a husband-and-wife pair. Both are missing."
Dante let out a short laugh.
"Then let’s make use of their teleporters. They’ll take us close to the capital."
We wasted no time. Dante stepped forward, and space itself rippled around us like a pond disturbed by a stone.
The next moment, the ground beneath my feet shifted, the air changed. We were already moving fast through the skies toward wherever, carried by Dante’s strange power.
Wind howled past us, but the world outside blurred into nothing. His spatial ripples wrapped around us like a cloak, folding sound and light so no one would see.
To anyone below, we were just a distortion in the air, a passing shadow. I kept my eyes forward, heart steady, the pressure of the journey reminding me how strong Dante truly was.
Suddenly, we slowed and a city appeared ahead, a city built around a massive palace of white stone and green banners. Dante guided us straight into the palace grounds, slipping us past guards and wards as if they weren’t even there.
One moment we were above the rooftops, the next we were inside the teleportation chamber, the glowing runes humming beneath our feet.
"Hold on," Dante muttered.
The runes flared. The world broke apart and reformed in an instant. When my vision cleared, we were standing in the capital.
The air was heavy, tense. I could feel it the moment we arrived. Whispers of Essence hung thick around the streets, and even from inside Dante’s cover I sensed the fear pressing on the city.
"Move," Dante ordered. His spatial ripples bent again, wrapping tighter. We darted out of the palace before the guards or arrays noticed anything. No one saw us, just a ripple of air brushing past.
We flew across the city and out beyond the walls. The capital shrank behind us as Dante pulled us all to a hill not far away. From there, the city looked like a nest of buzzing ants, the palace looming at its heart.
The emperor finally spoke, his voice calm but edged with command.
"Dante. Take Steve to the beast. Try to speak with it. Get some good answers."
I tensed, my hand tightening on the hilt of my sword. Dante glanced at me and gave a small nod.
"Let’s go, boy."
The world rippled again, space folding around us. My stomach dropped, and in the blink of an eye, everything changed.
I froze.
Two massive, burning red eyes were staring straight at me.
Silver.
His enormous wings stretched wide, the tips vanishing into the mist that rolled crimson around his body. The sheer weight of his presence pressed down on me, so heavy it made my knees want to buckle. My throat went dry, and I swallowed hard. This wasn’t the same Silver I remembered. He had grown terrifyingly strong, just like Billion.
"Steve."
I nearly jumped. My name echoed in a deep, resonant voice, one that shouldn’t have belonged to a beast. But it did.
Silver had spoken.
My mind blanked for a second. It was too strange, too unreal.
Then he repeated himself, sharper this time.
"What are you doing here?"