Arrival of the Creditor

Royal Clan Territory – Inside the Palace

Within the solemn halls of the palace, Helbram stood before the seated Crown Prince. A faint smile lingered on the Crown Prince's lips, in stark contrast to the grave expression carved into Helbram's face. Their gazes locked—unyielding, as though neither wished to speak first.

After a long, heavy silence, the Crown Prince finally exhaled a soft sigh and asked in a measured voice,

"Lord Uncle Helbram, you have returned. I must say, it surprises me you did not come accompanied by Association Master Morris."

Helbram met his stare with steady eyes and spoke solemnly,

"Association Master Morris was ambushed on his way here. Though his wounds are not fatal like those that claimed the King's vitality, they cannot be taken lightly. I escorted him back to the Alchemist Association to receive treatment."

A deep furrow appeared on the Crown Prince's brow. He narrowed his gaze, perplexed.

"Ambushed? Who would dare attack an Alchemy Master, and a 3rd Level Sky Rank at that?"

Helbram drew a long breath, a subtle undercurrent of suppressed fury in his voice.

"It was the leader of the Alchemy God Sect—Morgan—and the spy they planted among us: Brien Latter."

Shock flickered briefly in the Crown Prince's eyes before he masked it with composed curiosity.

"Brien Latter? The sole Alchemist in our kingdom who possesses the blue alchemy flame? So he was a spy for the Crimson Blood Kingdom all along."

He fell silent for a heartbeat, then lifted his gaze back to Helbram and spoke coldly,

"Lord Uncle Helbram, if our kingdom's only Alchemy Master has been so gravely wounded, who will treat my father? His affliction grows worse by the day—and with each passing moment, his life edges closer to the brink."

Though his words were laced with apparent grief, inwardly the Crown Prince could hardly restrain the thrill coiling in his heart. He could almost taste the moment the throne and crown would at last be surrendered into his hands.

It was true—he still valued his father, in a way. But with the King's decline accelerating, soon the kingdom would require a regent to rule in his place.

After a pensive pause, Helbram slowly shook his head.

"Even if Association Master Morris were in perfect health, there is no certainty he could heal the King. In the end, he is merely an Alchemy Master—not a Grandmaster. The only way to guarantee His Majesty's recovery is if an Alchemy Grandmaster personally examines and treats him. But as you know… we have none. If all other options fail, we will be forced to turn to the Adventurers' Guild."

At those words, the Crown Prince's smile soured, hidden behind an impassive mask.

His tone was soft but edged with scorn.

"But… Lord Uncle Helbram. You know as well as I do that such a thing is impossible. The Adventurers' Guild is greedy beyond measure. The price they would demand is something our kingdom can never afford."

Helbram sighed again, calm but resolute.

"If we offer our sole Low-tier Epic Armament as payment, there is a chance they will agree to assist us. That armament is the only bargaining chip we have left. There is no other way. For now, I must speak with His Majesty about this."

Indeed, a Low-tier Epic Armament was an unimaginable treasure to any kingdom. Their rarity across the Ancestral Continent meant even first-rate kingdoms struggled to own more than one. Such weapons were priceless, and wars had erupted over them more than once.

If they surrendered that relic in exchange for aid from the Adventurers' Guild, they might yet secure an Alchemy Grandmaster. And the guild's influence stretched across every corner of the continent—far enough that even the Crimson Blood Kingdom would never discover they had sought outside help.

The Crown Prince's face paled. He lurched to his feet, voice shaking.

"But that single Low-tier Epic Armament is all we have left to defend ourselves from the Crimson Blood Kingdom! If we let it slip through our fingers, conquering us will be all too easy!"

Fear churned in his gut—the fear of losing the greatest inheritance he would receive when he claimed the throne. Without the Epic Armament, their power would wane further. The kingdom would be weaker still.

"We have no other choice, Crown Prince," Helbram replied evenly. He held the younger man's gaze with quiet steel.

"Right now, we need the King to lead us. His strength alone—an expert of 5th Level Sky Rank—makes him the only one able to wield that Epic Armament. If he falls, no one else can claim it."

Only the reigning monarch could command the Low-tier Epic Armament of the Sacred Dragon Kingdom. Not even Helbram—though he was the King's own brother and second in power—had the right to wield it.

The Crown Prince swallowed and sank back onto his seat, stricken.

Helbram let out a slow breath, then continued.

"There is one more reason I came here. I heard from the Alchemist Association that Finn Doria is alive. Crown Prince—you must be aware you were partly responsible for the war that almost destroyed his clan. He is the most gifted Adventurer and Alchemist our kingdom has ever seen. We must protect him… and we must ask his forgiveness."

Rage erupted across the Crown Prince's face. His expression turned as cold as a killing frost.

"Hmph! Beg forgiveness from him? Lord Uncle Helbram, we rule this land. It would be a humiliation for the Royal Clan to kneel to one of our subjects! And besides… I am the Crown Prince. If I command him to obey, then he will obey—whether he likes it or not."

As he finished, the anger slowly drained from his face, replaced by a sly smile. His gaze locked onto Helbram's, sharp as a blade.

"From your words, Lord Uncle Helbram, it seems you are still unaware of the Low-tier Epic Armament now held by the Azure Wood Family."

Helbram began to reply—but the Crown Prince's next sentence struck him silent. His eyes widened in shock.

"The Low-tier Epic Armament… in the Azure Wood Family?! How could this have happened?!"

Helbram gaped at him, thunderstruck. When he learned Finn was alive, he had rushed here without pause—he had not heard this revelation until this moment.

A year ago, the Azure Wood Family was little more than an Ordinary Clan. No one had thought them worth the slightest attention. But now… everything had changed.

A Profound Rank youth. A sudden rise to noble status. A trove of Excellent Armaments. And above all—a Low-tier Epic Armament.

The Crown Prince's smile stretched wider.

"No one knows how an Ordinary Clan came to possess it. But in due time, we will uncover everything—especially once Finn Doria assaults the Nine Ice Family. According to the Adventurers' Guild, he has sworn to make them pay. He will surely strike within days. I have already dispatched the Finance Minister to wait for him there and demand explanations. Once that is done, we will claim the Azure Wood Family's Epic Armament—and finally have a chance to defend this kingdom against the Crimson Blood Kingdom. They can do nothing to stop it. We are the Royal Clan. All must obey."

As the Crown Prince spoke, Helbram felt a chill crawl down his spine. He had come to quell the unrest and prepare for the looming threat of conquest—but everything he had heard only revealed how much more twisted and dangerous the situation had become.

"Crown Prince! This is a grave mistake. You are pitting two Noble Clans against each other for your own ambitions. We already stand on the brink of war with the Crimson Blood Kingdom. With this decision, you will only weaken our forces further!" Helbram said firmly.

If before he had been forced to stand aside, now he knew he could no longer remain silent. He had to act—to do what he believed was right.

The Crown Prince only smiled and shook his head.

"Lord Uncle Helbram, it is too late. All has already been set in motion. You must understand—even if Finn Doria is talented, he is still just a child. When the Crimson Blood Kingdom attacks, he will be powerless. Right now, what matters is that their clan surrenders its treasures. Only we can save them."

Helbram clenched his jaw, his eyes narrowing.

"You may say whatever you wish. But I will do my duty—and I will end this foolishness."

With that, he turned sharply on his heel and left the chamber. The Crown Prince made no move to stop him. Instead, a thin smile curved his lips.

"Sir Chain… I need you to delay Lord Uncle Helbram before he reaches the Nine Ice Family."

A figure clad in a black cloak and wide hood materialized in the corner, six spectral chains swaying behind him like serpents.

"Just remember our bargain… and the price you promised us, Crown Prince," rasped the man's hollow voice.

The Crown Prince nodded in reply. At once, the figure dissolved into the shadows—leaving not a single trace behind.

--

Nine Ice Family Territory

Inside the grand council chamber of the Nine Ice Family's estate, a heavy pall of dread hung over the ten elders seated around the long table. Every face was drawn tight with fear and uncertainty.

"Family Head… First Elder Gastavo is gone," an elderly man stammered, sweat dripping from his pale brow. "How are we supposed to resist the Azure Wood Family now? We've already lost so many, and Finn Doria… he's a 9th Level Profound Rank!"

BANG!

A thunderous crack split the air as Artos brought his fist down on the massive table. Wood splintered and flew in all directions, fragments clattering to the floor.

The sheer force of his aura pressed the others into their seats, leaving them gasping for breath. Fury blazed across Artos's features—yet beneath it, a flicker of unease glimmered in his eyes.

"Hmph!" he spat. "Even if he's the same rank as I am, he's still just a boy with little true experience! Yes—he killed Elder Gastavo. But do not forget he was already wounded by Creed Doria wielding their Low-tier Epic Armament during their battle!"

Though he raged, a cold knot of apprehension coiled in his chest. He feared Finn's talent. Feared the danger the boy posed—both now, and in the years to come.

If Finn were allowed to live, if he were given time to grow, he would certainly ascend to Sky Rank. When that day came, not a soul among them could hope to stop him.

"Still… Family Head…" ventured a frail old woman, her voice trembling. "They don't have only the Low-tier Epic Armament. Even their supply of Excellent Armaments outstrips ours. How can we ever hope to fight back against them?"

Artos fell silent, brooding.

She was right—utterly right. The Azure Wood Family now possessed wealth and power beyond anything they could have imagined.

Yet even so, he had no intention of surrendering. Slowly, he swept his gaze over each elder, voice ringing with harsh resolve.

"Are you all so terrified of what was once one of the weakest clan in this kingdom?! If you are—then say it now! Because the Nine Ice Family has no place for cowards!"

He leaned forward, his presence crackling like a storm.

"Have you forgotten? The Ice Feather Sect stands behind us! Sect Mistress Sheeha herself supports our cause. No matter how many Excellent Armaments Finn Doria wields, no matter that he's a 9th Level Profound Rank—he is still only Profound Rank. And Sect Mistress Sheeha is a Sky Rank. One of the strongest in the entire Sacred Dragon Kingdom!"

His shout echoed through the chamber, and as it faded, the Elders' expressions slowly shifted—flickers of hope stirring in their tired eyes.

He was right. Sheeha would never allow a mere Profound Rank youth to bring ruin to the Nine Ice Family, not when she had pledged her protection. It would be an embarrassment if she could not even keep an adventurer in check.

"And there is still the Crown Prince," Artos continued, voice lowering to an eager growl. "I have no doubt he will make his move soon to seize the Azure Wood Family's Epic Armament. A treasure like that—he won't be able to resist it. Once that happens, we will no longer have any reason to fear."

One by one, the Elders nodded in wary agreement. As veterans of a great noble house, they all understood the weight of an Epic Armament. Wars had been waged over lesser prizes.

"For now," Artos declared, "we will wait and watch. Finn Doria slaughtered hundreds of our clan's warriors. We will not rest until—"

BOOM!

A deafening explosion shattered his words. The walls shook violently as if the heavens themselves had struck the estate.

At once, all ten elders leapt to their feet and rushed out of the chamber. But the sight that awaited them outside left their hearts clutched in horror.

Overhead, a dense black cloud had gathered across the sky, writhing and seething like a living thing. A foul rain began to fall—thick, dark drops pattering onto the earth.

But when they looked closer, their eyes widened in unspeakable terror.

It was not rain. It was blood.

And tumbling through that black haze—

—were severed heads.

BOOM!

Another explosion ripped the air apart. Then, in the middle of the courtyard, a single voice thundered loud enough to shake their bones.

"Artos Frois—and every wretched dog of the Nine Ice Family—!"

The words rang with a wrath so profound it seemed to crack the sky itself.

"I have come to make you pay for your sins!"