In the vast silence of the royal library, Emma examined the magic scroll and cross-referenced the lined-up books scattered across the tables. Bit by bit, she began to explain everything—how the summoning took place, the nature of the magic scroll she had received in the name of assisting the Hero Party, and, ultimately, how I had been summoned.
With the information I had summarized, the scattered pieces began to connect. The dots aligned.
"…Then the demon attacks at Sunderhold and the capital city weren't just coincidence," Ramon muttered, the weight of realization hitting him.
Emma nodded gravely. "If our interpretation is correct, then Viscount Ironhart must be involved… He had access to both locations and the knowledge necessary to manipulate the summoning."
Miss Seraphina clenched her fist. "It was far too dangerous. If Alve hadn't pushed himself to the brink… the capital and the royal palace would've been left completely vulnerable. Everyone else had been deployed outside to counter the demon assault."
"Simultaneous attacks at two key cities," King Leontius said, stepping forward. "And demons entering the palace undetected… If not for Alve, the Kingdom of Armenia would have already fallen that day."
He turned to Miss Seraphina, his tone resolute.
"Take the knights with you. Search the entire Viscount's estate. Bring the entire Ironhart family here immediately."
"Yes, Your Majesty," Seraphina replied with a swift bow, then rushed out.
The King stood in place, deep in thought. _It's already been a month... will there still be evidence left?_
While I lay in deep sleep, unaware, the palace moved into action. Seraphina and the royal knights stormed the Ironhart estate. Soon after, the entire Viscount family stood summoned before King Leontius in the grand hall, heavily guarded by the Hero Party.
There they stood—Basil Ironhart, his son Luke Ironhart, and his wife, Vera Ironhart.
Silence fell over the chamber.
Faced with questions, not one of them uttered a word. They remained still, expressionless… but their eyes flickered with awareness. They knew their estate was being thoroughly searched.
After a heavy pause, Basil broke the silence with a sigh.
"So it comes to this. I had hoped everything could've been handled smoothly… if not for that meddling outsider brat ruining everything."
"What did you just say?!" King Leontius bellowed, fury burning in his voice.
Basil chuckled darkly. "I suppose this is it for us. Our role is complete, Your Majesty. Fighting against the Demon Lord… what a waste. You really are a foolish king."
A sudden glow emerged on Basil's chest—a cursed mark, now shining bright red. The same mark illuminated on Luke and Vera. Their eyes shimmered briefly with crimson light.
"Not even your false goddess can save you now," Basil spat. "The entire world will kneel before the true ruler… the Great Demon Lord."
Then, without warning, their bodies collapsed to the floor—lifeless.
Ramon and Silver rushed forward. Kneeling beside them, they checked for signs of life.
"…They're dead?" Ramon muttered.
No sound. No wounds. No pulse.
Just gone.
Gone in the blink of an eye.