Royal Capital · Flame Heart Palace
The sky suddenly dimmed, as if the moon had been devoured by something.
A silver cloak dragged across the ground. Murka, Apostle of the Cracked Moon, walked unhurriedly, followed by six black-robed Enforcers. His face was covered by a silver metal mask, revealing only a pair of gray-blue eyes—cold as midwinter itself.
He offered no announcement, no diplomatic courtesy, striding directly into the sacred domain of royal power.
Yet miraculously, no one ed him.
All flames beneath the Flame Tower extinguished silently as he passed.Clash in the Flame HallIn the main hall of the Flame Palace, Lucian had just finished issuing imperial orders. Anger still lingered in his gaze.
Ilea stood at his left, armor still on, her aura sharp as a blade.
The moment Murka stepped inside, the temperature in the hall plummeted. Maids and attendants knelt in fear. Only Ilea stepped forward, drawing her sword—thunder crackling in her palm.
"Trespassing on royal territory is punishable by death."
Murka did not reply. He slowly removed his mask.
Beneath it was a bloodless face, pale as snow, with thin, cold lips. His eyes fixed on Lucian, as if appraising a caged beast.
"I come with a covenant and a warning, not a challenge."
He pulled a scroll of ice-veined parchment from his robes. The seal of the Cracked Moon King glowed upon it, still damp with fresh soul blood.
Lucian's brow lifted slightly: "You bring soul blood into my Flame Palace? Do you wish to incinerate yourself?"
Murka smiled: "If you truly burned me, it would only prove you've lost your composure."
His gaze shifted to the side chamber: "Evelyn still lives... You truly can't bear to let her go."
That sentence ignited Lucian's last nerve.
Flames erupted from his palms, curling around his robes. His blood-red pupils blazed.
But before he could strike, Ilea stepped forward, her thunder sword pointing directly at Murka's brow.
In the next second—
Thunder and fire collided.
The entire main hall of the Flame Palace shook violently.
Murka was thrown back three steps, his silver hair,blood trickling from his.
He looked up, finally studying Ilea seriously: "You are not his subordinate."
Ilea ,pressing closer to his heart: "But I am his blade."
Lightning gathered in her hand again, but Murka raised his hand to signal a truce. He slowly pulled out another scroll—a covenant written in the format of "soul flame exchange."
"I come not only with a warning, but a deal."
"Concerning that fetus—Knox."The Ice-Veined CovenantLucian forcibly suppressed his rage.
He stepped down from the high throne, approaching Murka: "You know his soul essence?"
Murka nodded: "I do. He is not only your son—he could also be... the future heir of the Cracked Moon King."
Gasps echoed through the hall.
Ilea's killing intent surged, her sword nearly piercing Murka's throat.
"Blasphemy earns you a slit throat and torn soul."
Murka paid her no mind: "Beyond your Flame Palace walls, have you truly understood his bloodline? Evelyn is no mortal... Her soul is the Fire of the Broken Realm, an echo of the 'Ancient Calamity Soul.'"
"And the Calamity Soul... once resonated with the Cracked Moon."
Lucian's face turned icy. At last, he understood why he'd initially failed to sense the child's flame soul.
Murka spoke softly: "I come not to provoke, but to offer you a choice."
He unfurled the final page of the covenant, which read:
"Send the Flame Child 'Knox' to the of the Cracked Moon for three years. In return, we will cease pursuit of Ilea's past crimes and refrain from interfering in your southern border campaigns."
Lucian stared at the words, his expression unreadable.Flame Veil · Night of Illusory Union (Interlude)That night, Lucian returned alone to the Flame Chamber.
Evelyn was awake, lying on her side on the flame-woven couch. Her abdomen was slightly rounded, silver hair spreading like water over the cushions.
She did not ask about the envoy. Instead, she extended a finger, gently hooking his collar.
"You're back."
Lucian bent to kiss her, offering no explanation.
They rolled together, skin intertwining as flames automatically receded. His thrusts were no longer violent, but deep—tinged with fear and vow. Evelyn closed her eyes, letting him seek that unknown response within her.
As Lucian drove deeper again and again, Evelyn's gasps finally turned to a hoarse murmur:
"Are you afraid he isn't your son... or afraid you can't give him your soul flame?"
Lucian thrust hard, drawing a cry from her: "He is my son."
"I will give him the entire Flame Realm."Epilogue · Eve of DecisionIlea stood at the peak of the Flame Tower, moonlight spilling over her silver armor.
She gazed toward the eastern border. Beside her was a newly awakened soul shadow—Xuan Yan·Tal, Third Blade of the Flame Soul Riders.
"If Lucian sends Knox away... I'll guard the Cracked Moon Gate in his stead."
She issued a low command:
"Prepare the Cracked Moon campaign maps. We'll bury our 'future enemies' in their cradles."
Deep within the Flame Heart Palace, Knox's soul flame flickered again.
Someone was watching his unborn fate.