“Casca seeks to reform the religious institution of Luminus, Your Highness.”

  The Raven’s words echoed in Dan’s mind like the final piece of a jigsaw puzzle clicking into place. Everything Casca had ever said over the last ten years—those quiet, offhand remarks—he now realized they’d all been leading here. She had meant it. Every word.

  Thank you, Larma… for everything. But tell me—ten years have passed, and you’re still doing the same job? Not like you couldn’t have quit like I did.

  My duty is to protect Snowhaven. That’s not something I can just walk away from, sir.

  Let’s hope the Empress agrees to let us join your Shadow-hunting efforts, Larma.

  We’ll see.

  The image of the old hero, The Raven, faded into the distance as he stood waving on the platform, until Dan could no longer see him.

  He was heading back to Artheris.

  Dan sat cross-legged, eyes shut, reflecting on all that had happened. He tried to piece together where Casca might be headed next.

  Across from him, Nora Ophilis sat with a book in her hands. She looked up and asked—

  “Mr. Fury… I just don’t get it. Why would Ms.Casca be at odds with the Church? Aren’t they supposed to be on the same side?”

  If The Raven hadn’t said anything, Nora would never have known that political conflict ran this deep in Luminus.

  “Ms.Casca is the most devout person I’ve ever met.”

  “That’s exactly why she’s in conflict.”

  Dan replied.

  “She was raised in an ultra-religious family. She can recite every doctrine of the faith from memory. But that deep knowledge gave her her own vision of what the C-IS should be.”

  Throughout human history, religions had splintered into countless sects. Their doctrines varied wildly across regions—sometimes becoming so distorted that one couldn’t recognize their shared origins.

  Worse still… some were plagiarized.

  Religion was like art. Once a masterpiece was born, it inspired imitations—some blatant, some cleverly masked. The result was often a new religion that bore an eerie resemblance to its predecessors.

  This led to the eternal question of “authenticity.” Every sect claimed to hold the true teaching…

  Yet many didn’t even realize their beliefs were borrowed from someone else.

  “Mr. Fury, do you follow any religion?”

  “Diablo has no gods.”

  Dan answered flatly.

  “We don’t put our faith in things we can’t see.”

  “But maybe the unseen is watching you.”

  “You mean a stalker who doesn’t show up but spies on me from afar? Sounds like a pervert.”

  “Mr. Fury…”

  Nora shook her head slowly.

  “That unseen watcher is God.”

  “Then God’s a pervert.”

  “No, Mr. Fury, you’ve misunderstood. He watches us out of love. He wants us to do well.”

  “You sound pretty faithful, Nora.”

  “Of course I am.”

  Dan rolled his eyes and looked out the window.

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  “And who was it that secured your freedom, huh?”

  “Are you feeling unappreciated?”

  “Oh, I’m not arguing with you anymore.”

  The train rumbled on, traveling from dawn to dusk in one long trip.

  “Mr. Fury… hey, Mr. Fury.”

  Dan stirred, feeling someone shaking him.

  He opened his eyes—Nora’s face was close.

  “Whoa—!”

  “We’ve arrived.”

  He could feel the warmth in the air now that he was awake. He quickly peeled off his winter jacket.

  “Did I really sleep through the whole trip?”

  “You sure did, sleepyhead.”

  “Can you blame me? I’ve been running around nonstop helping you.”

  “What did you think of Snowhaven, Mr. Fury?”

  “I guess it was alright… Too cold to do much. People felt kind of dull. No wonder you’re the way you are.”

  “What way, Mr. Fury?”

  “I don’t know. Something for you to reflect on.”

  “…Don’t be like that, Mr. Fury.”

  When they stepped off the train, the academy’s welcoming committee was already there.

  Dan immediately noticed the heightened security around Nora. Another thing stood out—the matter of Iskaryx.

  It seemed the rumors had followed them back.

  { Princess Nora… they say she killed Iskaryx in its own lair! }

  { W-what?! Alone?! }

  { That’s what the whispers say… There’s some major investigation going on too. I’m not sure what’s true. }

  Dan just listened quietly, certain Nora had heard it too.

  Zeedee was the last to step off the train, lugging her bag with the sourest scowl imaginable.

  “All these swarming humans are driving me nuts. I want to go back to the love nest, Your Highness. Let’s leave.”

  “U-uh, sure…”

  Dan wiped a bit of nervous sweat from his brow and turned to wave at Nora.

  “Well, I’m off. See you at school tomorrow.”

  Nora didn’t have time to wave back. She gave a small nod before being swallowed by a tidal wave of reporters, drawn to her as the girl who had slain Iskaryx.

  And then she was gone, buried in the crowd.

  Crystal Palace, Snowhaven.

  In the Empress’s bedchamber—Nora’s mother.

  Click.

  “Permission to enter, Your Majesty.”

  The Empress turned toward the voice. It was The Raven.

  He entered, standing formally with his hands behind his back.

  “I’ve come as you summoned, Your Majesty. Is there something urgent?”

  The Empress was quiet for a moment.

  “I read the Iskaryx autopsy you submitted, Raven.”

  She turned to face him.

  “Its bones were shattered from the inside—dozens of fractures. Like some animal that was… beaten. How could something powerful enough that even its scales can’t be pierced… fail to protect itself?”

  “I cannot explain that, Your Majesty.”

  “Can’t you? If you can’t, who in this kingdom possibly could?”

  “I examined Princess Nora and her companions. I found no traces of forbidden magic or illegal stimulants. I believe they truly killed that beast together.”

  “…I don’t know what really happened. But I made a vow. And I intend to keep it.”

  The Empress turned fully toward him.

  “From this day forward, I’ve given orders to keep a very close watch on the boy named Dan Burn.”

  Raven glanced up sharply.

  “And why is that?”

  “That boy holds influence over Nora.”

  The Empress said calmly.

  “I don’t know how, or what their relationship is… but he has power over her. He’s not ordinary. We’ll keep a close eye on him. And if he proves himself capable, we may recruit him to work for Snowhaven.”

  “…Have you already sent someone to spy on them?”

  But the Empress gave no answer.

  Her unreadable gaze unsettled The Raven—but before he could press, she switched topics.

  “There’s something else I want you to explain. The Shadow beings that appeared alongside the rebels… You proposed contacting Diablo?”

  “Yes, Your Majesty.”

  Raven nodded.

  “With respect—these new Shadow beings, they can transform into humans. No one in the Five Kingdoms has seen this before. I propose we reach out to Diablo as a special exception… They understand the Shadows far better than we do. I’m certain they can help.”

  “Your plan would violate the peace treaty, Raven. Even if I agree with you, I can’t make such a decision unilaterally. The other four kingdoms would have to be informed—or it would be us, Snowhaven, breaking the pact.”

  She had a point.

  “And there’s no guarantee Diablo won’t demand something in return.”

  Snowhaven and Diablo were direct trade rivals when it came to mana crystals, the magical energy source of the world. Snowhaven had superior extraction technology, but far fewer crystal reserves.

  “Their diplomats will undoubtedly ask for tech exchange. And that is non-negotiable.”

  If they handed over their methods, it would be like giving a sword to a rival. An economic disaster.

  “Then what will you do? Handle it on your own? What guarantees do you have that you’ll act in time before the next Shadow strike?”

  Another valid point from The Raven.

  It was a tense and thorny dilemma.

  “I believe Diablo may be more cooperative than we think, Your Majesty.”

  “And why is that?”

  “I’ve observed signs of openness. They’re trying to connect with us. If we reach out, this might be a small first step toward uniting all six kingdoms.”

  The Empress took his words seriously. She would consult her aides. It wasn’t a simple decision—it involved many stakeholders. Especially as the one asking for help, Snowhaven had to tread carefully.

  The Raven left the Empress’s chambers, still pondering Mr. Fury.

  That side hadn’t made any drastic moves yet, but eventually, Snowhaven would have to rely on Diablo—and hope that their delegation behaved with dignity and didn’t flaunt self-righteousness.

  After all, nothing came for free. When the time came, it would depend on what Prince Dan and his party chose to ask for.

  As for the Empress…

  She looked up at the family portrait of the Ophilis line. Her late husband. Her children—Nora and her two younger siblings.

  It’s too late for me. But not for them. The way you raised us… I nearly fell into the same pattern—more than once. If it weren’t for Dan…

  Her gaze drifted to the window.

  Only snowflakes fell…

  And the Empress stood watching, silent behind the glass.