The Banquet of Paradise Valley

Dawn light spilled across the gates of Schwarzburg.

The party stood ready to depart.

In the midst of the gathering loomed an extraordinary vehicle—the "Black Ark," a marvel of the Otherworld Cultural Bureau's craft.

In form, it resembled a modern recreational vehicle, yet its construction was wholly fantastical. The body was forged of black steel, covered with glowing blue magical runes. Its four wheels were fashioned of pure magical crystals, hovering slightly above the ground through levitation enchantments. Atop the vehicle sat a crystalline dome housing a magical barrier generator, while its flanks bore reinforced runic arrays.

"Is everyone prepared?"

Altrelis surveyed his companions.

Luna nodded silently.

Tor bounced excitedly, tail wagging without cease.

Isana sprawled lazily across the carriage roof, looking as though she might fall asleep at any moment.

"Excellent. Let us away."

Altrelis climbed aboard the Black Ark, his hand grasping the Void Scepter.

Fido watched from the gate, his aged eyes shimmering with something unspoken.

"Be wary, young master. May fortune favor your steps."

"Fear not, Elder Fido. We shall return safely."

The magical crystals of the carriage hummed to life, and the Black Ark glided smoothly forth.

Thus began their journey to Paradise Valley.

The carriage traversed the ancient stone road, the Black Forest gradually thinning to reveal open grasslands gilded with wheat.

Within the vehicle, Altrelis studied a map of the region.

"We should arrive before sunset," Luna reported. "The border guards have been informed of our coming."

"Good."

Altrelis glanced at the white-haired maiden practicing flame conjuration at her fingertips.

"Isana, should battle arise, what is the effective range of your Inferno Eye?"

The white-haired girl raised her head, crimson eyes glinting with interest.

"With favorable winds, I can strike anything within fifteen hundred meters with precision."

"Including archers upon the walls?"

"Child's play."

A ghost of a smile touched Altrelis's lips.

With Isana's long-range fire magic, conventional fortifications would prove meaningless.

'Do not grow overconfident,'* the Wisdom cautioned. *'If your enemy anticipates her abilities, they will devise countermeasures.'

'I know. But knowing our capabilities brings comfort nonetheless.'

As the sun descended toward the horizon, the party beheld Zion City.

White limestone walls gleamed like burnished gold in the fading light. At the city's heart rose the Medean Castle, its spires piercing the heavens, banners bearing the stag crest fluttering in the evening breeze.

Beyond the walls stretched endless fields of wheat, golden as the sunset itself.

"Beautiful," Tor murmured, pressing her face to the window. "It's so different from Schwarzburg."

"Paradise Valley is the continent's breadbasket," Luna explained. "The climate is mild, the soil rich. They have never known famine."

"A land of plenty..." Altrelis gazed at the pastoral scene, a strange weight settling in his chest. "One wonders why they would seek alliance with Schwarzburg."

"Precisely the question we must answer," Luna replied. "Stay vigilant."

The Black Ark rolled through the city gates, where a welcoming party awaited.

At its head stood a middle-aged man in resplendent armor, his golden hair touched with grey at the temples. His smile was warm, his bearing gracious—yet his eyes held a calculating gleam.

This was Axel Medean, Lord of Paradise Valley.

Beside him stood a young maiden.

Golden hair fell in elegant braids, emerald eyes shimmered with gentle light. She wore a white gown trimmed with gold, a silver stag pendant at her throat.

"Welcome, welcome!"

Axel strode forward with open arms.

"The esteemed Void Demon King graces us with his presence! Paradise Valley is honored beyond measure!"

"Lord Axel." Altrelis inclined his head. "My thanks for your gracious invitation."

"And this must be Lady Elise?"

"Y-yes." The princess curtsied, her voice soft as spring rain. "It is my honor to meet you, Lord Demon King."

Altrelis noted the slight tremor in her hands, the way her smile did not quite reach her eyes.

She was nervous—but not of him.

'Interesting,'* the Wisdom observed. *'The princess seems less a willing participant than a pressed one.'

'My thoughts precisely.'

"Please, come!" Axel gestured grandly. "The banquet awaits!"

The great hall of Medean Castle blazed with light from a thousand candles.

Long tables groaned beneath platters of roast meats, fresh fruits, and delicacies from across the continent. Nobles in their finest attire mingled and laughed, goblets of wine in hand.

All appeared festive.

Yet Altrelis's keen eyes caught what others might miss.

The "servants" standing too rigidly at the exits.

The slight bulges beneath certain guests' clothing.

The archers' silhouettes beyond the windows.

'They have prepared an ambush,'* the Wisdom confirmed. *'The wine they served you earlier—did you drink it?'

'I brought it to my lips but did not swallow. Tor switched it with a purified flask.'

'Good. That wine contained a slow-acting poison. They planned to weaken you before striking.'

Altrelis's expression remained serene even as cold fury kindled within.

"Lord Demon King!"

Axel approached with a fresh goblet.

"You've barely touched your wine! Come, let us toast to friendship between our peoples!"

"My apologies, Lord Axel." Altrelis smiled politely. "Long travel has left me somewhat unwell. Perhaps later."

"Oh? Then at least allow me to—"

"I insist."

The edge in Altrelis's voice made Axel's smile falter.

At that moment, Princess Elise appeared at her father's side.

"Father, perhaps we should begin the ceremony?" Her voice held a strange urgency. "The young lord has traveled far; we should not keep him waiting."

"Elise, mind your place." Axel's tone turned sharp. "The ceremony proceeds when I say it proceeds."

Elise flinched as though struck.

Altrelis watched this exchange with growing certainty.

The princess was not party to her father's schemes—she was merely another piece on his board.

"Lord Axel."

He spoke suddenly.

"Before the ceremony, I would ask you something."

"Please, speak freely."

"This alliance you propose..." Altrelis met his gaze directly. "What do you truly seek?"

The hall fell silent.

Axel's smile remained fixed, but something shifted behind his eyes.

"Why, peace between our peoples, of course! What else could—"

"Then why did you poison my wine?"

The words fell like stones into still water.

"I—I know not what you mean—"

"And why have you stationed soldiers throughout the hall?"

Axel's face began to pale.

"And why—" Altrelis's voice dropped to ice, "—does your daughter look as though she attends her own execution?"

For a long moment, no one moved.

Then Axel laughed—a high, strained sound.

"You are quite perceptive, Demon King." His mask crumbled away, revealing cold hatred beneath. "Too perceptive, perhaps."

He snapped his fingers.

The "servants" drew hidden blades. The "guests" revealed themselves as soldiers. Archers appeared at every window.

"Did you truly think I would ally with beast-folk filth?" Axel spat. "You monsters murdered my grandfather! This is not alliance—this is revenge!"

"Father, please—!" Elise stepped forward. "You promised there would be no bloodshed—!"

"Silence!" Axel backhanded her across the face. "You serve your purpose. Nothing more."

Elise crumpled to the floor, hand pressed to her reddening cheek.

Something snapped within Altrelis.

"ENOUGH!"

A thunderous crack split the air.

Axel's wine goblet exploded, splattering him with crimson liquid.

At the window, Isana stood with flames dancing between her fingers, her crimson eyes cold as death itself.

"The next one," she said softly, "goes through your skull."

Axel fell backward, eyes wide with terror.

"Now then." Altrelis's voice was calm, but his eyes burned with purple fire. "We are leaving. Anyone who attempts to stop us will share Lord Axel's fate."

He extended his hand to the fallen princess.

"Lady Elise. You need not remain here."

Elise stared at the offered hand, tears streaming down her face.

"Come with us," Altrelis continued gently. "You were a victim here, not a conspirator. In Schwarzburg, you will be free."

Her hand trembled as she reached out—

And grasped his.

The escape was fierce but brief.

With Isana's fire magic raining devastation from above and Luna's blades carving a path through the guards, the party fought their way to the Black Ark.

"Go! GO!" Altrelis urged, dragging Elise into the carriage.

Behind them, the city descended into chaos.

"After them!" Axel's voice shrieked. "Don't let them escape!"

Cavalry burst from the gates in pursuit.

But Isana was ready.

"Inferno Eye."

Three riders fell in flames before they could close half the distance.

The pursuit faltered—no one wished to be next.

"We're clear!" Tor reported, tears of relief streaming down her face.

The Black Ark thundered into the night, carrying its passengers toward safety.

Within the carriage, Elise sat curled in the corner, shaking like a leaf in a storm.

"I'm sorry..." she whispered. "I'm so sorry... I knew what my father planned, but I couldn't... I didn't..."

"You warned us," Altrelis said gently. "When you urged your father to begin the ceremony early—you were trying to prevent bloodshed."

Elise looked up, startled.

"You noticed?"

"I notice more than people think." He smiled. "You are not your father, Lady Elise. His sins are not yours to bear."

Fresh tears spilled from her eyes.

"Why..." she choked. "Why are you being kind to me? After what my family tried to do..."

"Because I choose to judge people by their own actions, not their bloodline." Altrelis extended his hand once more. "So I ask you properly this time—will you come with us? Not as a hostage or a prisoner, but as a guest?"

Elise gazed at his outstretched hand.

At this young man who had every right to hate her, yet offered kindness instead.

Slowly, trembling, she placed her hand in his.

"Yes," she whispered. "I... I would like that."

Back in Paradise Valley, Axel sat amidst the ruins of his scheme.

"That Void Demon King..." he muttered. "That Fire Witch... that Dark Elf..."

His hands shook with impotent rage.

"Why... why are they so powerful...?"

A servant approached nervously.

"My lord... what shall we do?"

Axel's expression twisted into something ugly.

"Send word to the other houses," he snarled. "Tell them the beast-folk have kidnapped my daughter. Tell them we have been insulted beyond measure."

"But my lord—"

"Do it!" Axel slammed his fist against the table. "If I cannot have my revenge alone, I shall have it with an army at my back!"

The servant fled to obey.

And in the darkness, wheels began to turn.

Wheels that would lead to war.

End of Chapter Two

—Next Chapter: Poison and Betrayal