"Princess Chyntia, please hold your breath. This claw wound needs to be cleansed with rose essence before the poison infection spreads."The senior maid's voice broke the silence inside the magnificent bathing chamber, built in the style of ancient Elven architecture.The gentle trickling of warm rose water being poured into the marble bath did little to erase the image of the Obsidian Stalker's claws from Chyntia's mind. Three palace maids busied themselves washing away the remnants of battle dust and applying healing ointment to the claw wound on the princess's arm.As the golden silk dress reserved for high-ranking nobility was fitted onto her body, Chyntia stared at her reflection in the crystal mirror. Her eyes now carried a maturity forged by the sight of her fallen guards' blood and the suffocating presence of death in the Ashen Frontier."Princess Chyntia, you look so different after returning," the senior maid whispered as she carefully arranged each strand of her long silver

"This trial is not a show of honor. It is a death sentence wrapped in tradition!"Chyntia's voice cut through the tension in the council chamber as the First Elder read out the conditions proposed by the conservative faction. The elders demanded that Nox enter the Guardian Valley, a forbidden region along the southern border of the Kingdom of Allenia, where uncontrollable territorial monster activity had been threatening the border for months."Calm yourself, Princess Chyntia," the First Elder replied with a sinister smile hidden beneath his white beard. "If this human truly has no malicious intentions and possesses the strength he so proudly displays, clearing the threat in Guardian Valley is the best way to prove his worth before this sacred land."Chyntia clenched her fists tightly. She knew exactly what foul intentions lay behind the proposal. The valley was no ordinary hunting ground. Even high-ranking hunters rarely returned from there alive. The elders were deliberately corneri

"The Light of Life of Allenia has lost its radiance! All because of that evil human!"The First Elder's shriek thundered through Allenia's palace altar hall. Above the pillar, the golden crown Chyntia had retrieved had dimmed, emitting increasingly dark energy cracks. The conservative elders pointed at it furiously."He was the last person near this artifact before entering the Treasure Chamber!" the Second Elder shouted. "That foreign human must have drained its sacred essence!""You've gone too far!" Chyntia screamed furiously, stepping forward and blocking the elders with her trembling magical bow. "Nox risked his life to retrieve this artifact! Don't blame him for the evil of your faction!"Chyntia turned toward her father. However, King Elrond remained motionless, his expression unusually grave."Father?" Chyntia said in panic."Enough, Chyntia!" King Elrond cut her off coldly. His wise eyes were now clouded with uncertainty. "I cannot ignore the fact that this artifact has lost

"This investigation cannot be conducted by anyone who may potentially be involved," Nox said firmly, staring straight at King Elrond in the middle of the palace hall. "Allow me to follow the path of the magical flow."King Elrond narrowed his eyes."You're an outsider, Nox. The elders will only grow more suspicious of the neutrality of this investigation.""But he is the only one with Observer Eye capable of tracking the remnants of that dark mana, Father!" Chyntia quickly interjected. "Without his ability, the palace guards will only waste time searching in the wrong places!"King Elrond remained silent for a moment before slowly nodding."Very well. I will allow you to lead the investigation, but with limited access. You are only permitted to move through the underground area, and Chyntia must accompany you.""That is more than enough, Your Majesty," Nox replied flatly.The investigation began that very afternoon.The stone corridors beneath the palace were extremely cold and dark.

"The purification magic wasn't reflected. It simply evaporated the moment it touched the iron surface."Chyntia's voice broke the silence of the upper-floor corridor as they made their way back from their failed attempt in the underground passage. The evening twilight swept across the marble courtyard of the Kingdom of Allenia, casting a soothing orange glow over the palace. On the main balcony overlooking the city, King Elrond stood waiting with his back to them, gazing toward the horizon."You will never be able to open it with ordinary magic," King Elrond said softly without turning around. The ruler gestured for Nox and Chyntia to approach."Father, what do you mean?" Chyntia asked in confusion as she stepped toward the balcony railing. "Do you know something about the existence of that massive door below?"King Elrond let out a long sigh. He turned around and looked at Nox and Chyntia with an unusually grave expression."That dungeon existed long before the foundations of the Kin