HIM TO THE EYES OF OTHERS

Grimcloud Forest was a vast coniferous zone that spread in the northern region of the Terraluna Empire. Located right at the central part of the north, Grimcloud served as the hub that connected the towns and villages in the north as well as the north with the rest of the Empire.

Two weeks earlier, a mysterious white fog suddenly engulfed the entirety of Grimcloud Forest. Around the same time, invisible monsters appeared in Grimcloud and began attacking travelers that passed through.

The whole phenomenon caused Grimcloud inaccessible which proved worrisome for the state of the Empire considering Grimcloud's role as a hub.

Not to mention, it was said that the fog had spread beyond the forest and began to reach some villages which lied at the outskirts of Grimcloud. Causing the villages to be attacked by the invisible monsters and forced the people to abandon their homes and flee elsewhere.

As the situation had gone dire, the Emperor of Terraluna, Arturos Doulosaima ordered the subjugation of the invisible monsters in Grimcloud as well as eradicating the fog which covered the whole forest and its surroundings.

And the ones to carry the order were none other than the seven Little Suns of the Empire.

At the moment, the Emperor's children were gathering at the Dracon Fort. An Imperial Army military installation which was situated southwest of Grimcloud and northeast of Shepherdsground, which itself was located at the western region of the Empire.

The young royalties were gathering at the fort in order to be briefed about their mission in Grimcloud. Aristo and his guardian, Lance, were the first of the Little Suns to arrive at the meeting hall's door.

As the prince was about to enter, a knight guarding the entrance made an announcement to the hall of his arrival.

"Presenting His Highness the Second Prince, Aristo Rosan Doulosaima!"

The Doomed Prince then made his way into the hall where a number of the Imperial Army generals and officers were already present. They all gave Aristo distasteful look as he walked by. Whispering ill things which were not appropriate to be said to anyone, let alone a royalty.

"The powerless prince. Why does he bother to show up?"

"He doesn't have a mage with him? He only brought that former 7th Division soldier?"

"He's doomed. There's no way he'll make it back alive this time."

"He should've never held on for this long. He should've just accepted his fate and died during one of the occasions when the Empress threw him to the battlefields when he was just but a kid."

"Now that he has grown this much, he'll now die in the hands of his powerful siblings. If the monsters in Grimcloud didn't claim him first, that is."

Ignoring their ill whispers, Aristo walked to one of the seven seats placed around a big round table at the center of the hall, on which was laid a large map of Grimcloud Forest. He took a seat on one of the chairs while Lance remained standing beside him.

An elderly woman wearing a heavy armor walked up to the table and greeted Aristo.

"Pleasure to see you again, Your Highness."

"The pleasure is all mine, General Vargas." replied Aristo back.

"I see you don't have a mage with you," said the elderly woman eyeing the prince's companion. "unless that Sir Wright of yours have taken up an interest in magic."

"No, Lance hasn't taken up magic." said Aristo with a soft chuckle. "And yes. I don't have a mage with me. But I still have Lance and the 7th Division to watch my back."

General Vargas sighed at the prince's words. She had a genuine worry in her face.

"You know they won't be enough, Your Highness. Especially since the Empire doesn't transfer mage criminals to the 7th Division. Only street thugs and lowlifes." said the old woman with a concerned tone. "You can't defeat the monsters in Grimcloud with their strength alone."

Aristo smiled at the general's kind gesture.

"Thank you for worrying me, general. But I'm sure I can make do with what I have. Just like I always did in the past."

"Frankly, Your Highness," continued the old woman. "even if you survive Grimcloud, if you don't' get yourself a more reliable supporter, I don't think you'll be able to handle the future battles that will come after this quest."

" 'future battles'? " repeated Aristo with a frown.

It was then that the guard at the entrance made another announcement.

"Presenting Her Highness the Third Princess, Jasmine Surgha Doulosaima, and His Highness the First Prince, Cedric Plana Doulosaima!"

Entered the hall were two people. A woman and a man.

The woman had a shade of skin darker than anyone else in the room. She had a flowing chestnut-brown hair and striking purple eyes. A pitch-black dress adorned with white gems that made it look like a recreation of the evening sky was worn on the woman's body. Her face was fair and always had this bright and confident look on it.

She was, indeed, Her Highness the Third Princess, Jasmine Doulosaima.

As for the man, he had a skin as pale as snow and hair that of platinum-blonde. He had the same purple eyes as the woman and the face of a charming handsome man. If there was one face that was fitting to be painted by the greatest painter in the world, it would be this man's visage. He had an elegant air surrounding him and his expression remained composed and dignified.

The identity of this man was, indeed, His Highness the First Prince, Cedric Doulosaima.

Jasmine and Cedric each had unique traits that distinguished themselves. But, if there was one aspect that the two shared, it would be this great intimidating aura that they emitted. They gave off this sense of superiority which nobody could deny. A prove of their hallowed lineage.

Unlike Aristo, the Third Princess and the First Prince were each accompanied by two people: One guardian knight and one mage.

The guardian knight accompanying Jasmine and Cedric looked similar, but the mages were different.

The one by Jasmine's side was a man who shared the same shade of skin as her. He was wearing a plain white robe which was a common attire to mages. But his white turban and the red diamond mark on his forehead made him looked more special. Considering those features identical to those who hailed from the southeast region of the continent, beyond the Empire.

As for the mage accompanying Cedric was a dark-haired woman who was cladded in this huge crimson robe called hakama. A wear unique to the proud people at the eastern side of the continent.

Just like the mages accompanying Aristo's other siblings he met at the Crimson Castle, the people by Jasmine and Cedric's side were emanating with intense mana. Signifying their overwhelming strength.

Seeing these formidable figures' arrival, General Vargas leaned in to Aristo and whispered to him.

"Even if you managed to return from Grimcloud, you won't be able to survive the wrath of your siblings in the heat of the throne war. Not with the feeble power you have as of now, Your Highness."