5 heir of shadows

---

The Kingdom of Mephas is an enormous territory, encompassing half of the Demon Forest within its borders. The kingdom boasts eleven large cities and seventeen smaller towns. While its number of cities isn't exceptionally high compared to other kingdoms, Mephas dwarfs them in sheer size.

At the heart of the capital stands the Royal Palace, where the King of Mephas rules from his throne. The palace is situated precisely in the center of the capital, surrounded by a half-kilometer restricted zone. A massive barrier encircles the entire palace, shielding it from any potential attacks.

In one of the palace chambers, an elderly man lies on a grand bed—King Charles the Ninth. With age, his body has begun failing him. No medicine or healer has been able to cure him, not even the kingdom's finest.

Beside him sits his youngest daughter, Princess Enri, just thirteen years old. The king has three children: two princes and one princess.

**"Then… the first and second princes are about to declare war on each other,"** the king muttered, gripping Enri's hand tightly. Tears welled up in her eyes as he continued:

**"Enri, my time is short. I know I cannot trust my two sons to rule after me. So, it falls upon you to take the throne when I am gone."**

The princess wept harder. The healers had predicted the king had two or three years left, but his condition had deteriorated rapidly over the past two days. Now, he was giving his final counsel.

**"The Royal Knights will follow the First Prince's command, and the military will fall under the Second Prince's control. But my personal guards will obey you alone. Once I die, you must leave the palace immediately. I have spoken with Duke Wexkul—you will go to his estate, and he will guide you further."**

Enri said nothing, only crying silently. Before her lay an immense duty—to end a devastating war. She couldn't understand why her brothers were so consumed by conflict while their father lay dying. The fact that neither had even visited him wounded her deeply.

Meanwhile, Elmond guided their carriage toward a towering structure—the Healer's Tower. To Alex, it resembled a hospital from his old world. Elmond and Maria had brought him here to heal his legs. Thanks to Maria's acquaintance, they bypassed the usual queues. A guard escorted them inside, where Maria reunited with her old friend, Chesli, a renowned healer.

After exchanging pleasantries, Chesli examined Alex's legs, channeling Pran energy into them. Her expression turned grave.

**"There's a fracture in his ankle,"** she said.

Maria frowned. **"But my spells should have healed that."**

**"His legs are afflicted by a fusion of poison and demonic energy. It's created a corrosive chemical that nullifies healing magic."**

Maria paled. **"Then what can we do? He can barely walk, let alone run!"**

Chesli hesitated. **"There's more… I sense a magical item's energy within him."**

Maria stiffened. **"That's impossible. He's never entered a Tower."**

**"Whether you believe in the Towers or not, they've advanced our society. But let's focus on Alex. Give me a week—I'll find a cure."**

Though Maria declined Chesli's offer to stay with her, she accepted help in securing lodgings—a modest two-story house with a garden, far better than their old wooden hut.

Elsewhere, Duke Avest Wexkul hosted the Second Prince in his mansion. The prince had come, as usual, to secure the duke's allegiance—preferably through marriage to his daughter.

**"Uncle Wexkul, given your close ties with my father, I formally propose marriage to your daughter once more."**

The duke smiled diplomatically. **"Your Highness honors us, but my daughter is still young. I won't force her."**

The prince left in frustration. His elder brother had already married Duke Mandelar's daughter, securing his claim to the throne. But the Second Prince wasn't defeated yet—he still held a final card to play.

### **Alex's Perspective**

I woke up in a new bed, in a house Chesli had arranged. It wasn't luxurious, but after years in a forest hut, it felt like paradise—a two-story home with a pond and a small garden.

As dusk fell, I stood on the balcony, watching the sunset. Then, a familiar voice echoed from my ring. My heart raced—I had so many questions for it.