CONTRARY TO the noon sun at its peak on the outside, the tavern was shrouded with shadows perfect for Aricson's purpose.

He took a swig of brewed beer and tilted his head sideways towards the entrance. Several men equipped with matte black armor that almost blended with the interior's atmosphere barged in with rambunctious laughter.

It was as Brennan said, Country knights had already been increased to be stationed in such rural towns here on the borders of the mainland.

The accidents he had reported from the previous summit had been steadily rising and there was no inclination which place would be attacked next. There were various cases ranging from arson, kidnapping, theft, and even minor crimes that no one would have believed were related if not for the fact that the towns were all near the shore.

All of those were such polished crimes that when the knights reached the place, not a single trace could be found.

The only good thing that came up with this matter was this could be indeed the work of Abyss Faction. They were the only ones who had the ability to pull off this intricate felony. It was always said that their organization could topple a continent if they wanted to and for them to be doing this meant something big was going to happen.

"How was it?" he asked Salve who was sitting beside him on the bar counter. 

Both of them were wearing cloaks while most of the visitors enjoyed the merriment of being drunk early in the afternoon.

Ghastly bony fingers handed him a piece of note. "There was an attack yesterday, sire, even the neighboring towns have been affected," Salve informed.

It was the same report from the previous emissaries he had visited this morning.

"How about on your end?" he turned to the woman who served him another drink as soon as his glass emptied.

"The Country knights and a Titled knight had also been deployed, sire," Ada replied.

She was also one of the emissaries like Salve and had been assigned to this town but the sudden information made him pause.

"Who?"

There were only a handful of Titled knights all over their continent. They belonged to the Order Knight League and had been rewarded as Paladins at least once.

"Divine Arbiter Yosiah."

"I see... It's good to have him around. As planned, I will also dispatch more Guardian knights. We just need one slip and we might find them. Continue the investigations," he said.

The two nodded and he signaled them to be dismissed. Salve quietly left as Ada attended to other customers. Aricson became lost in his own thoughts which were always filled with Elise ever since she got here.

He was the only one who knew her real identity and why she was even here. There was also a high probability that Elise might not be aware of it. His duty told him that he needed to report this to the Association but he did not want to. He never would.

Perhaps Exel was right when he was losing his reason when it came to Elise. Even when he would do everything for his siblings, he was never this lenient to them. He remembered he was not even bothered that he entered his chamber and it happened twice but no annoyance rushed to him.

'Is it the charm?' Aricson had grown an assumption about what Elise's charm might be over the days they were together. He had observed how friendlier the people were towards her during the trip.

It was the same as Exel described. The people who saw her had become enthralled and no one dared to malign her. He had been alive for so long, and he had witnessed the competitiveness of a woman's nature yet not one had shown a single trace of jealousy towards her.

There was no doubt it was an Avant charm with how large its scale was. It affected every person she met and those exempted were most likely cursed since it nullified any form of charm. With Brennan's change last night after he was healed, Aricson might be on the right track and could prove his guess correctly.

Somebody patted his back and pulled him out of his reverie. He was not even able to notice their approach due to his mind's distraction. Hazel green irises framed by visible wrinkles were staring at him with a gleam of amiability.

"Greetings, Lord Gustavious," he said upon recognizing the man.

"Greetings, sire. My carriage is waiting outside," Gustavious said.

He got up and followed him. Gustavious swiftly cast a spell as soon as they sat down. The carriage began moving before he spoke once again.

"The mole was busted but he was able to deliver the information."

Gustavious could be considered the oldest living Enchanter with only having the Emperor's Lineage. It was no surprise that he had an undercover in the Abyss Faction. When talking about connections, no one in Humana could rival him. It was the right choice to ask him for assistance.

"They performed a ritual on the seventh moon but it escaped. They had been looking for someone ever since. All they were ordered was to find a girl who is new to the place," Gustavious explained.

It was another clue proving him right that Abyss Faction was after Elise but the whole situation made him ponder. A man had once trespassed into the isle and he was clearly targeting Elise. It had been a month since then and no incident followed but the crime rate on the mainland had been fluctuating. Something was not adding up.

Gustavious further continued the information he had gathered on the past week and both of them discussed with no awareness of the hours that passed.

"Now, that's all I have. In return, tell me the truth, Rei." His stare was now laden with solemnity. "Is Elise the one they are looking for?"

Aricson froze for a second but steeled himself immediately. It was these kinds of times that he was glad he was born with a stoic face. His body had reacted unconsciously but his expression remained unchanged.

Healers undoubtedly had exceptional minds. Elise confirmed that and Gustavious was the living evidence of their glory. To come up with such a conclusion with only a few hints was beyond astounding.

Nevertheless, he vowed to keep her secret, and sensing he had no intention of talking, the old man sighed.

"As you can see, I also received that there are currently experimental rituals for humans with no elemental flow and can use magic as you mentioned. I knew something was amiss when you told me she was a human but she has prismatic hair. Is she the result of the ritual?"

Upon understanding what Gustavious implied, Aricson mentally relaxed. Good thing that Elise loved to stay indoors and she was intimate with no one besides his family. At this rate, nobody would ever have anticipated that she was the Harbinger.

"The Association must be alerted as soon as possible. Having this kind of mutation will further disrupt the power balance of this world."

"I agree. A summit must be held as soon as possible but I would like not to get Elise involved," he interrupted before he could say anything about Elise.

"I understand. That is what I want to ask to. If that's what you want, I can promise to leave Elise out of this."

"Thank you, my lord. Your information has helped a lot."

"No need for thanks. This is only a small matter compared to what I owe to your parents. Nonetheless, how will you deal with this? Your island was already attacked once and they may have a clue already. Elise will be in danger all her life as long as Abyss Faction wants her. The tragedy of your family may happen again."

At the mention of his family, his right finger fisted on the side. If not for Gustavious, he would never found out that the Abyss Faction may be the murderer of his parents and sister. If not also for him, he would have already gone into a death march.

"I know. That is why I'm treading carefully. Thank you again, Lord Gustavious. I'll go ahead."

Gustavious only smiled in response and vanquished the barrier. As soon as it was gone, an orb appeared by their side.

"The island is under attack, Rei. We need you here," Uncle Orin's distorted voice echoed at the carriage.

Just like a jinx, the thing he wanted to avoid had happened instantly. He stepped outside without a second wasted.

The sun was ready to set and they were far from the residential areas of the town. He whistled for Cress and waited for his arrival.

"I will come with you," Lord Gustavious said.

He only nodded while Gustavios ordered the coachman to release the horse.

"No need, my lord. I'll take you with me. It will take a long time if you simply use magic for your carriage."

Right after he spoke, a Vermillion landed. The two men hopped off at the bird and flew towards Ember Isle.

THE BLISTERING flames and willowing smoke veiled the lands and skies of Ember Isle. It was utter chaos even from afar.

Aricson smoothened the feathers of Cress, signing him to fly faster. His heart thundered in his chest, sweat rivulet on his face. He assessed the situation overhead and he caught Brennan amidst a fight.

He motioned Cress to descend. Its fiery tails whipped at the enemies and cleared their path. He and Gustavious immediately dropped down. Gustavious summoned his artifact while he approached Brennan.

"Took you long enough. We've sent countless orbs but we can't reach you," Brennan rebutted upon seeing him.

"Apologies, I was under a barrier. How are the casualties?"

"Ten heavily injured but no deaths yet. Most attacks are on the North. These fvckers are endless and won't disappear until the barriers are fixed," Brennan reported.

"Is Faylinn already there?"

"Yes. Erkhan also brought his unit and Uncle already summoned the Guardian knights. Dryann had already gathered the instructors from the academy and I already contacted Caian to come back so he can take over the nest."

"And the palace?"

"Dryann's stationed there. Also, this may be worse than I presume. These intruders are not ordinary. You might need to use it."

Brennan had an abundance of experience fighting at the borders. The certain composure born from the decades of understanding the art of war and the rationality to come up with a solution was something Aricson could not even compare.

"Alright. I'll go ahead."

He quickly jumped back to Cress and they headed to the Vermilion's nest.

"Divine Staff of Undying Flames." Aricson conjured the sacred artifact that only the Rei could have.

From above, he chanted a spell. It was an Integrated Cast that could only be activated using the staff. The sharp edges, curving like raging flames, glowed together with the golden sphere that intersected with the metal rod.

Incandescent lines connected one at a time, sealing the sky with numerous sanguine magic circles. He bit his thumb and let the blood flow until it dripped toward the loops of magic.

With Brennan's advice, he had to use the spell that was reserved as the last resort. Unlike a Vermilion who had an owner, they could be resurrected when they die but the Vermilions who died during the activation of this spell would die eternally.

The radiant ruby grew brighter and Vermilions who had not yet performed blood exchange rose up and another batch of spells ensued. One that told them his commands and they flew in their respective directions.

This time, orbs were created with the same message and sent to his people before finally going to Faylinn.

STANDING AT the center island was an obelisk which was the core of the barriers created by their ancestors. Aricson appeared at the scene of Faylinn surrounded by magic circles.

"Good work, Faylinn," he praised and positioned himself beside her.

There was only a strained smile on her lips before concentrating again while he called forth the spirits.

"Ferios." Mago's words left his mouth as he formed a magic circle. He directed it to the center of the crimson pillar only to realize the destruction of the barriers was greater than he surmised.

The outer barrier had been completely shattered and the inner barrier was barely keeping up. With the frequency of attacks and the scale he had seen, it may not endure longer than he expected.

Wings flapped behind them. He saw Erkhan and Hadrien from his peripheral. No words were exchanged as they drew near. The two simply began doing the spell to aid them.

The inner barrier gradually regained its strength. The rose-colored layer was visible to the naked eye when their magic was connected to the obelisk.

Minutes away from completing the inner barrier, the rest of the siblings came. Even Gavirien who should be in the South had returned. Seeing that everyone had gathered, assistance from the Association had probably arrived.

All siblings, despite the various specialties and chosen professions, were all taught barrier spells when none of them wanted to be one. As the remaining members of the clan, aside from Orin, it was their responsibility since they did not only carry the protection of their own isle but the whole of Humana.

With all of them circling the obelisk, the inner barrier had been fixed but the outer barrier would definitely take time, not only because the whole size covered the isle but it was also destroyed into smithereens.

Aricson readied himself for another influx of spirits to summon when a crimson feather imprinted on his back warmed beneath his shirt.

All his movements went rigid and realized something he should have done sooner. 

"I have to go," he mumbled inaudibly as dire ideas encroached on his mind.

He ran to Cress. His siblings were shouting behind him but the unwelcome sense of panic already enveloped his body, desperately hoping that he was not too late.