The silence, at first peaceful, grew heavier the moment Valemir took his seat.
King Elyndar set down his glass and slowly clasped his hands before him.
"We have much to address tonight. And little reason to smile."
A murmur of agreement ran around the table. The tone was set.
Velina was the first to speak, her voice still as gentle as ever, like silk behind a veil.
"The Heart of Aethril has been stolen. Not moved, not sealed. Stolen. The vessel is empty. The chamber was intact, none of the seals were broken… except the one that responds only to divine energy. This isn't the work of a mortal."
"It's not theft", whispered Riyo. "It's a declaration of war."
"A Calamity", Zerak clarified, his fingers nervously tapping his glass. "The yellow one. Confirmed by the cathedral priests. They sensed its presence… too late."
"What would a Calamity want with a reality artifact ? "growled Riyo, arms crossed behind her head. "That thing is meant to protect our world, not arm it."
"Precisely", replied Zerak. "If she controls it, she can reverse it. Use it to twist the laws themselves."
"Which brings us to the second matter", the king continued." A new black Calamity has already appeared."
Zerak crossed his arms, his expression grim.
"Four months. Not even. Four damn months. We kill one, and another crawls out of the void. It's an infestation."
"It's balance", said Velina calmly. "A death brings a birth. One Calamity replaced—that's natural… but not this fast."
Riyo slammed her fist on the table.
"And my master ? Are we going to talk about that ? Taren Solkar ! The former Fundament of Attack ! He died on Judgement Day, in the shadows, like a dog. Do you know what that means ?!"
Zerak growled.
"That his opponent had to be at least level 80…"
"Or worse !" she snapped, "My master was a demon on the battlefield. He trained me. He made me. And I can't even avenge him, because we don't know who killed him !"
Velina clasped her hands in prayer.
"May his soul rest in peace."
But Riyo ignored her. She was on a roll.
"And while we're on the subject of losses, let's talk about our seconds. We lost ALL of them. Baldrek Grimhorn, my second. Dead. A brute, but loyal. Now I have to train a new second. And an heir to my title."
She spat on the ground, unceremoniously.
"Another arrogant brat I'll have to teach how to survive more than a month."
"Seyra Vanyrel as well", added Zerak "My second. She was kind, sometimes unpredictable, sometimes insolent. But brilliant."
He looked away, visibly exhausted.
Velina placed her hands on the table, fingers interlaced.
"Mine too… Vaekas Drelnor. He prayed every morning. He believed in peace after death. I hope wherever he is now, he's at peace."
"Three Fundament. Three seconds executed" Riyo recited "By a single group."
"By this Samuel And his team" sayed Velina, emotionless.
"And Relia ?!" shouted Riyo, raising her voice.
All eyes turned to Valemir. He slowly lifted his head.
"She's alive."
"And on the wrong side" Zerak added, sipping his wine. "Your daughter left with the black Calamity."
"Nothing's confirmed", Velina cut in." She fought loyally for years. There's no proof of her betrayal."
"She would never have left without a reason", said Valemir in a calm voice.
"If she did… then she was surely manipulated" , the king said softly. "A Calamity's corruption can seep in without anyone noticing."
"That's not what worries me most", Zerak continued. "I was there when they escaped. I felt a distortion. Not standard teleportation. Deeper… sharper."
He paused.
"I think they used an Exile Cube."
Riyo raised an eyebrow.
"Isn't that supposed to be a myth ?"
"Not according to the archives of the ancient peoples of Siremon. It's a very rare artifact."
Velina pursed her lips.
"That kind of relics isn't just lying around."
"Speaking of Siremon" Riyo said, "what will the other human nations, Siremon and Orvalis, think of us after we let a Calamity escape us ?"
Zerak slowly nodded.
"We look weak."
The king stood.
"Then we have one thing left to do. Restore order. Choose new seconds. Hunt down this black Calamity. Also tell the guards to issue wanted posters for him and his team—bounty hunters will be glad to help us. And pray that the Heavens do not turn their eyes away from us."
The meeting came to an end.
Chairs were pushed back, footsteps echoed on the marble floor. No further words were spoken. Everyone returned to their duties.
Valemir had barely raised his eyes during the whole discussion. But when Zerak, the last to cross the doorway, turned his head toward him, he simply said:
"I'll stay. A moment."
Zerak didn't answer. He nodded slowly and closed the doors behind him.
Silence fell completely.
Valemir waited a few seconds. Then he slowly walked to the tall window. He unlocked the shutters and opened them with a calm gesture. Cool night air rushed in. He breathed deeply.
The moon bathed the capital in its pale glow. The wind was light.
He rested his elbows against the stone railing, clasped his hands.
And he stayed there.
A long time.
He didn't cry. He didn't speak. He didn't complain.
He thought.
Of her.
Of Relia.
Of that child he had raised. Loved. Guided.
And now… vanished. At the side of the black Calamity.
He closed his eyes for a moment.
What could have gone through her mind?
Why had she done this?
Had she discovered the truth about herself?
A barely audible whisper escaped his lips.
"Relia..."
The moon gave no answer.