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“…I’m back. It’s a completely different atmosphere from when I last visited.”

“The north is where once we start preparing for war, we’re more prepared than anywhere else in the Kingdom. Not just Evernode, but the frozen lands of the north move as one to destroy the enemy.”

Outside the castle, a network of contacts and supplies was being established with the neighboring northern towns. Material came and went, and the young men passing through Evernode’s gates with determined faces looked more like recruits than refugees. They had a destination in mind. A volunteer enlistment center tucked away in the center of downtown Evernode.

“Looks like you’re having no trouble recruiting soldiers.”

A long line of young and old people were waiting to sign up. Soldiers weeded out those too young to enlist and sent them home or referred them to other support jobs.

“It’s not about numbers; it’s about how much we can train them before the actual battle comes because the Citadel of Evernode is here to protect them, not the other way around.

Luke’s expression was proud as he spoke, though he didn’t sound pleased. The heat was strange. The sun was harsh, but people loved it, and it seemed to carry on the wind and into Pablo’s heart like a winter wildfire. He remembered the cold air he’d breathed, the stench of burnt monsters rising to his nostrils.

“Last time, the battle with the Giant was a great achievement for Evernode but also a humiliation. It was a wake-up call to our arrogance, and the North will no longer let its guard down.”

Pride and regret. Pablo remembered that during the last battle, Luke had taken on the role of leading the refugees, and this time, he was determined not to back down from the fight.

“Victory to Evernode!”

The soldiers saluted Luke, who returned to work. Luke acknowledged their salute with a nod, then strode toward the command center, where Archduke Quenor awaited. In his hand was a supply list of the monsters they had defeated in the last battle.

“You may look forward to it, for we are stronger than ever.”

The door to the command center swung open before Luke could knock. Pablo shivered as it opened, feeling a massive chill wash over him. Stronger. The man in the room was much stronger than when he’d first seen him. It was the blade forged by winter.

“Report. We defeated a medium-sized group of monsters, but none were intelligent.”

“Good work. Give the party some supplies to keep morale high.”

“As you wish.”

Then the man turned to Pablo.

“We have an honored guest from afar.”

The voice was genuinely pleased. For the first time, Pablo realized that he could feel awe and longing at the same time. The Archduke of the North, Quenor Stroff, strode up to face him, a fierce smile on his face. His stride carried the momentum of a giant, and his voice had a majesty that could still the northern winds.

“I told you that you were welcome to come to the North anytime, but it’s been over a year since you’ve shown your face.”

“I apologize. We’ve done so little, we can’t act comfortably.”

“No one thinks so. It’s fine to come and visit.”

He sounded disappointed, but his voice was anything but. Pablo grinned in return and took Quenor’s outstretched hand in both of his own. He felt like those hands could tear apart a mountain.

“Well, how have you been?”

“I was hoping for a little peace, but it seems the world won’t let me rest.”

The two men exchanged pleasantries. But for a moment, Pablo stiffened, remembering the matters he needed to discuss with the Archduke. Quenor, on the other hand, didn’t wipe the smile off his face but pointed to a chair and invited Pablo to sit down. He didn’t have to ask where that relaxed demeanor came from. Strength. The Archduke was visibly stronger, as even Pablo, a mere layman, could tell.

“Why don’t you sit down? Let’s hear what you have to say.”

Pablo nodded and opened the bibliography in his arms. It detailed the state of the Kingdom and the royal family, preparations for war, the movements of monsters, and news on the Hero’s Party. As Pablo explained, Archduke Quenor’s eyebrows slowly lowered and found their shape as he read the bibliography.

“…I see. This must be a difficult situation for Her Majesty, for there has never been anything like this in the history of the Kingdom, not even in the time of the Good King.”

Archduke Quenor shook his head and handed the paper back to Pablo. He took a fresh parchment and pen and began to draft his report.

“How is the North faring?”

“As you see it. We are preparing for the coming war with all our might. We are much more than we were against the Giant. We’ve also gained the support of the surrounding territories.”

“You don’t sound like you’re preparing for a war in Evernode.”

Evernode’s power did not circle the citadel but spread and grew. Quenor didn’t deny it.

“If we keep fighting here, nothing will be gained. The monsters will win if we fight with them until the Disaster’s arrival.”

They knew what they had to do.

“So, we will hunt them. Even if I have to face the Giant again.”

Quenor’s words carried filled the room. Pablo opened his mouth to retort.

“But without the Hero….”

The determination in Quenor’s eyes proved he wasn’t bluffing. Pablo saw a great sea of energy in the Archduke’s blue eyes. His mana was like a tidal wave in the ocean, ready to swallow anything.

“…How strong have you become?”

“Not much more than before, but thanks to Elroy, I have a clue that will lead me to new heights. I’m just a laggard, following the trail he’s carved.”

He said with a wry smile. He recalled facing the Disaster and the sword he had seen then. The memories melted away and became his strength. It condensed into a white frost that formed on Quenor’s fist. He quickly shook off the leaking mana and clasped his hands together.

“…So, how is Elroy faring?”

Pablo nodded with difficulty.

“All I can tell you is that he’s preparing something, but all information is under restricted access, so few people know that the Hero is not dead.”

“Preparing something, huh….”

Quenor shook his head, deep in thought. He stared at his desk silently for a long time, then looked up. His blue eyes seemed to glaze over.

“I see. The important thing is not what he is preparing but that he needs time. We must keep the world from being swallowed by the monster waves before he wakes up.”

Then the smile returned to Quenor’s face.

“Nothing to worry about; I’ll have it all done before Elroy wakes up.”

The declaration was tinged with a mixture of confidence and duty.

“He protected us last time.”

Loyalty flared. Pablo met the Archduke’s eyes and involuntarily straightened his back.

“Now it’s Evernode’s turn to protect him.”

***

My father is coming.

Raising ‘Its’ head, it breathed in the night dew and air. It took on the appearance of a great lion. Its mane shook from side to side, and smoke escaped its mouth. The night could not hide the lion’s appearance, but its demeanor was not that of a wild animal. Without sound or movement, the lion broke into a run.

It would descend to open a path.

The lion’s mouth made a grunting sound as it ran. The grass bowed under its galloping paws. Tendons and veins sprouted on the lion’s neck and chest. The clouds were thick, and the moon had not risen. It was a night when wolves were silent, and bears cowered. The lion ran across the endless southern plains. The lion’s untrammeled and untroubled mane was blackened at the tips.

The time had come, the time had come, the time…

Its blood was whispering. The blood rushed into its heart, ebbing and flowing like the sea’s tides. With every pulse, it seemed to shoot and burst its body. The roar had long since left the realm of reason and instinct. The sound echoed through the lion’s body, shuddering like a storm through a narrow cave.

Awaken, awaken, awaken…

In the center of the field, the lion let out a long, deep roar to the universe, a sound that shook the earth. With the Giant dead, the lion’s call is absolute. The monsters stirred and began to move. The lion raised its head. The night slowly disappeared into a fog.

Gather, gather, gather…

The lion’s golden eyes reflected the night sky. Its gaze looked beyond the atmosphere, watching the Meteor slowly making its presence known and the aftermath it would bring.

We will welcome it with open arms and let no one stand in its way.

The lion looked back. The monsters of the South were gathering in the open, their years of life before insignificant in front of it. The beasts looked at the lion who had called them together. It stood still and watched them gather.

The one at the head of the line was the strongest. It bowed its head, and the others behind it followed. The lion gave them a glance, then looked at the sky again. Among the stars, the long-awaited apocalypse was coming.

***

Fourteen days until impact with the Meteor. While the world was quiet before the storm.

The largest monster migration in history was detected.