When the last of the monstrous sea serpents fell, their grotesque bodies crashing into the water with a resounding splash, Aeliana leaned against the railing, her eyes scanning the battlefield. The platforms, once teeming with adventurers and mercenaries, shimmered faintly before retracting back into the water under the mages’ control. The battle was over—for now.
The ships bobbed gently on the waves, the crews and fighters catching their breath after the chaos. Some slumped against the railings, their weapons still in hand, while others attended to the wounded or regrouped in hushed conversations.
Aeliana’s gaze lingered on the ship nearest to the Fourth Station. Her thoughts, however, were fixed on two individuals. The blonde mage whose frost magic had bound one of the sea serpents with uncanny precision, and the swordsman whose blade danced through the fray with that peculiar, mesmerizing light.
‘That binding magic,’ she mused, her fingers lightly tapping against the wooden railing. ‘Followed by that swordplay… it was almost like watching a perfectly choreographed performance.’
For someone like Aeliana, whose life had been constrained to observation for so long, the battle had been a spectacle far beyond her expectations. She had watched knights train, seen soldiers fight, but this—this was something else entirely. It was raw, captivating, and undeniably impressive.
“Madeleina,” she called softly, breaking her attendant’s quiet vigil.
“Yes, my lady?” Madeleina stepped closer, her hands folded neatly as she awaited Aeliana’s words.
“That young swordsman,” Aeliana began, her voice calm but carrying a note of curiosity. “The one from the Fourth Station. And the frost mage as well. Can I have a talk with them?”
Madeleina’s brow furrowed slightly at Aeliana’s request, the soft hum of the waves underscoring the silence between them. She hesitated, clasping her hands tightly in front of her.
“My lady,” she began cautiously, her tone tinged with regret, “I’m afraid that’s not possible. The Duke allowed you to come here under strict orders to ensure your safety. Leaving the ship or interacting directly with the adventurers would go against his express instructions.”
Aeliana’s fingers drummed against the wooden railing, her gaze sharpening. “Madeleina, I understand my father’s concerns, but this is important to me. I want to see them up close—to speak with them. Surely that isn’t too much to ask?”
“My lady,” Madeleina said, her voice growing firmer but still gentle, “you know I cannot defy the Duke’s orders. Your safety is my highest priority. I cannot permit you to leave this ship.”
Aeliana’s posture stiffened, her hands clenching into fists. “Madeleina,” she said softly, a faint tremor in her voice, “you know as well as I do that this—this moment—is likely the last time I’ll have a chance to be outside like this. I’ve accepted that my life will return to confinement, that I’ll be locked away again. Please, let me have this one request.”
The plea hung in the air, and for a moment, Madeleina faltered. Her lips pressed into a thin line, her loyalty to the Duke warring with her sympathy for Aeliana. She sighed softly, lowering her head.
“My lady,” she said finally, “I cannot grant this request. You know why.” She raised her gaze to meet Aeliana’s, her eyes steady and resolute. “But… there is another way.”
Aeliana’s brows furrowed, curiosity flickering behind her veil. “Another way?”
Madeleina nodded. “We can send an attendant to speak with the swordsman and the mage on your behalf. If it is their identity or presence you wish to observe, we can attach a viewpoint spell to the attendant. It will allow you to see and hear everything they do, as if you were there yourself.”
Aeliana’s eyes widened slightly, her fingers relaxing against the railing. “This can be done?”
Madeleina offered a small nod, her expression softening slightly. “Indeed, my lady. It’s a newly advanced magical item developed by the Central Magic Tower. We brought several with us for this expedition to test their performance in real-world conditions. Since this expedition requires careful surveillance of the adventurers and the battles, it has proven invaluable to the knights.”
Aeliana’s eyes narrowed behind her veil, her fingers tightening slightly against the railing. “I see…” she murmured, her voice trailing off.
The thought twisted inside her, a bitter ache rising in her chest. Why had this device not been invented sooner? If she’d had access to such a thing in the past, she could have glimpsed the world beyond her suffocating walls. She could have seen beauty, danger, and life itself without being trapped in her room. Perhaps she wouldn’t have felt so isolated, so forgotten.
But Aeliana shook the thought away, unwilling to let herself spiral into despair. There was no point in dwelling on what could have been. This was her chance to seize what little freedom she could, and she wasn’t going to waste it.
“Then let us use it,” she said firmly, her tone leaving no room for argument. “Send someone immediately. I want to know who they are.”
Madeleina inclined her head in acknowledgment. “As you wish, my lady. I will arrange it at once.”
She turned to one of the attendants standing nearby, a young woman with steady hands and a calm demeanor. The attendant stepped forward, bowing deeply before awaiting her instructions.
“You are to approach the Fourth Station,” Madeleina instructed. “Identify the swordsman and the mage of interest and engage them briefly if possible. You will wear the viewing device during this task.” She handed the attendant a small, circular artifact glowing faintly with magical energy. “This will allow Lady Aeliana to observe your perspective.”
The attendant nodded solemnly, securing the artifact against her chest with practiced ease. “Understood, Mistress Madeleina.”
Madeleina turned back to Aeliana, her gaze steady. “It will take some time for her to reach the Fourth Station and complete her task. You will be able to observe everything she sees through the device.”
Aeliana inclined her head, her heart beating faster with a mix of anticipation and curiosity. “Thank you, Madeleina. Make sure she moves quickly—I don’t want to miss anything.”
The attendant bowed once more and departed, her steps quick and purposeful as she made her way toward the smaller vessel that would carry her to the Fourth Station. As she disappeared from sight, Aeliana turned her gaze back to the horizon, her thoughts swirling with a strange mix of excitement and unease.
*****
Cedric drew his blade with a sharp, metallic hiss, the sound resonating in the charged silence. The weight of the sword in his hand was a familiar comfort—a testament to years of rigorous training and discipline. Across from him, Luca stood with that same infuriating smirk, his hands casually at his sides, no weapon in sight.
‘He doesn’t even bother to arm himself. Does he think so little of me?’ Cedric’s eyes narrowed as he assessed his opponent. ‘Fine. He’ll regret underestimating me.’
The two stood before each other, the air thick with tension. Cedric couldn’t help but recall his lineage and training. As a former knight candidate of the prestigious Valoria Dukedom—the strongest house in the Loria Empire—he had honed his skills to perfection. His father, one of the most esteemed knights, had personally overseen his training.
‘I’ve been forged by the best. My swordsmanship is second to none among my peers. This upstart won’t stand a chance.’
Cedric shifted into a ready stance, his feet planted firmly, sword poised to strike. “Draw your weapon,” he commanded, his voice cold and authoritative.
Luca shook his head.
Then his hand casually moved to the long estoc hanging at his waist, his movements unhurried, almost lackadaisical. Cedric’s eyes followed the motion, his grip tightening on his own blade.
“Be careful,” Luca said, his voice light, almost teasing.
The moment the estoc left its scabbard, the air around Luca shifted. The easygoing smirk faded, replaced by a glint in his eyes—a sharp, predatory focus that sent a chill down Cedric’s spine.
‘What…? What is this?’
Cedric felt it immediately: an invisible weight pressing down on him, as though the very air had grown heavy with Luca’s presence. It wasn’t mana—it wasn’t anything Cedric could identify. Yet it coiled around him, insidious and unrelenting.
Luca took a single step forward, his movements slow and deliberate. “Has it started? The trembling?”
Cedric’s heart jolted as he glanced down at his hand. His knuckles, so firmly gripped around the hilt of his sword moments ago, were now shaking uncontrollably.
‘What is this? What’s happening to me?’
The realization hit him like a blow. A knight, a warrior forged in the fires of discipline and resolve, had no room for fear. Yet his body betrayed him. The tremor in his hand spread, his entire frame now trembling under the unseen weight of Luca’s presence.
“Unacceptable,” Cedric growled under his breath, forcing himself to stand taller. This was a disgrace—a knight of the Valoria Dukedom did not falter before an opponent, especially not one as insolent as this.
With a deep breath, Cedric summoned his mana, channeling it through his body. The familiar warmth of power coursed through his veins, settling his nerves and steadying his movements.
‘Knight’s Heart.’
It was a foundational technique, taught to knights at a young age to steel their minds and fortify their bodies against external forces. As the mana surged, Cedric felt his strength returning, his control reasserting itself.
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‘This insolent fool… He must have used some underhanded trick. That’s the only explanation.’
Cedric’s eyes snapped to Luca, who stood calmly, his estoc held lightly in one hand. The faintest smirk began to reappear on Luca’s lips, as though he were silently mocking Cedric’s recovery.
Rage flared within Cedric. He would not allow himself to be toyed with.
“Enough games!” Cedric bellowed, mana flaring around him as he launched forward, his blade drawn in a powerful arc. The ground beneath his feet cracked slightly as he surged ahead, his years of training in perfect harmony with his mana-fueled speed.
‘I will end this with one strike.’
[Blade of Eastern Guardian. Shattering End.]