Twilight draped Monte Castle in a veil of dark crimson, while warm, orange light shone from the windows of its towers and keep.

Murphy’s figure, like a mountain hawk melting into the night, silently scaled the steepest cliff face behind the castle, slipped through a hidden entrance, and landed in the shadows of the inner garden.

He gently set down Eleanor, who had been wrapped in his cloak, and brushed the dust from the ends of her hair.

The heavy oak doors were already open. Within the brightly lit foyer, a slender, poised figure stood waiting quietly.

It was Aurora.

She wore a simple, deep-blue velvet gown, unadorned by much jewelry. Her golden hair was loosely tied back, with a few soft strands resting on the side of her neck.

As Murphy, holding Eleanor’s small hand, stepped out of the garden’s shadows and into the light, Aurora’s gaze instantly locked onto the little girl.

Eleanor nestled nervously against her father, her eyes filled with a mixture of curiosity and timidness as she surveyed the unfamiliar castle and the beautiful, gentle lady at the entrance.

Aurora’s eyes met Murphy’s for a brief moment. He gave her a subtle, almost imperceptible nod.

Then, Aurora took a deep breath, her face blooming into an incredibly gentle smile.

She took a few steps forward but stopped a short distance away.

"Welcome home, Brother." Her voice was soft. She spoke to Murphy first, then her gentle gaze fell upon Eleanor. "And is this our Little Princess?"

Murphy looked down at Eleanor and gently patted the back of her hand. "Eleanor, this is Aurora."

He paused, then added, "Call her Mother."

Eleanor looked up, her large, clear eyes fixed on Aurora.

Though she was young, having grown up in a place like Taymer Palace, she had long understood some things, however vaguely.

She knew her own mother was the noble and beautiful Duke Temeris. And she knew that the relationship between her mother and father... was not like the King and Queen in storybooks.

It was more like the lady and the Knight from an adventure book.

But this Lady Aurora before her, she knew, was her father’s lawfully wedded wife, the rightful mistress of this castle, the one who stood side-by-side with her father to protect this place.

She pressed her little lips together, let go of her father’s hand, and took a small step forward. Like a little lady, she tried her best to perform a proper curtsy.

Then, she looked up at Aurora. Her clear, young voice was exceptionally distinct in the quiet courtyard as she did her best to enunciate as her etiquette tutor had taught her:

"Mother."

Upon hearing the word, Aurora’s eyes visibly reddened, a crystalline sheen of moisture quickly welling up. But she fought to maintain her smile, refusing to let the tears fall.

This time, she didn’t hesitate. She slowly knelt down, bringing her gaze level with Eleanor’s.

"Eleanor..." Aurora’s voice carried a faint, almost imperceptible tremble as she reached out her hand. "Hello, my Little Princess. It must have been a long journey. Welcome home. From now on, this is your home."

Her fingers gently brushed across Eleanor’s slightly cold cheek, tidying the black hair that the wind had mussed. The gesture was full of tender affection.

Eleanor didn’t flinch. She could feel the gentleness in that touch.

She blinked and suddenly said in a small voice, "On the way here, Father said you like Edelweiss Seed... The ones I brought, have they sprouted?"

Aurora was taken aback for a moment, then her smile grew even brighter. A single tear finally escaped and slid down her cheek, but she immediately raised a hand to wipe it away.

"They have, they have," she said, nodding repeatedly, her tone filled with joy. "They’re in the greenhouse. They’ve grown so strong, with lush little green leaves. They’re absolutely adorable. After you’ve rested, I’ll take you to see them tomorrow, alright?"

"Mhm!" Eleanor nodded emphatically, a relaxed smile appearing on her face as well.

Murphy stood to the side.

The night wind stirred the hem of his deep blue clothes. His face was expressionless.

He watched her take Eleanor’s hand, listened to her gentle words, and saw her naturally assume the role of "Mother."

This was what he had hoped for in bringing Eleanor back, and it was the response he knew Aurora would give.

And yet, witnessing this moment firsthand stirred an indescribable ripple in the depths of his heart.

He averted his gaze, looking into the heavy darkness of the deep courtyard. His fingers curled almost imperceptibly, then slowly relaxed.

Aurora stood up, took Eleanor’s little hand, and turned to Murphy.

Her gaze lingered on his face for a moment, as if she wanted to say something, but a thousand words were ultimately reduced to one sentence: "I’m just glad you’re back safely."

Murphy nodded slightly. "Yes."

"Everything at the castle is fine. Kaiden wore himself out with sword practice this afternoon and is already asleep," Aurora said quickly. "A room has been prepared for Eleanor, right next to the master bedroom, adjoining ours. Hot water and a simple meal are ready. Should she rest first, or..."

"Take her to her room first. Let her wash up and have a bite to eat." Murphy made the decision, his eyes falling on Eleanor’s small face, which was tired but trying to stay awake. "She’s exhausted."

"Alright," Aurora replied immediately. She bent down and said softly to Eleanor, "Come, follow Mother. We’ll go see your new room. It has a little window with a view of the garden."

Eleanor looked up at Murphy, and he nodded at her.

Only then did she start walking toward the brightly lit doorway.

...

「Late at night, in the master bedroom of Monte Castle.」

Heavy curtains blocked out the deep darkness of the night.

Inside, only a single crystal wall sconce, specially crafted by Murphy for the bedroom, remained lit. Its bright light cast a soft halo on the dark carpet and oak furniture.

Murphy was leaning against the headboard, holding a roll of documents that Aurora had already pre-screened. His calm gaze swept over the lines of text.

Aurora lay on her side next to him, dressed in a simple, moon-white nightgown, her golden hair cascading like a waterfall across the pillow.

She too was holding a clearly transcribed summary of confidential reports—the latest intelligence on the situation in the Holy City, sent by Annabelle via a special encrypted channel.

Time slowly passed.

Aurora put down the papers in her hand, breaking the silence. "Eleanor is sleeping soundly. She had a little warm milk with honey before bed and fell asleep quickly. The child is clutching the corner of her blanket, sleeping very peacefully."

"Mm," Murphy grunted, his eyes not leaving the document.

Aurora didn’t seem to mind. She continued, lowering her voice as if afraid of disturbing the sleeping child next door, "According to Annabelle’s latest news, there’s still no decisive progress in the Holy City. The Church Court’s lockdown is unusually tight."

Murphy closed the document in his hand, set it aside, and turned his head. His gaze fell on Aurora’s face, signaling for her to continue.

"First, about that Half-Plane." Aurora moved the summary closer, her fingertip tapping a few lines of text. "It doesn’t seem to be naturally formed, nor was it constructed by the Church Court later on. It’s more like an ancient spatial fragment that was connected to the Sanctuary’s spatial structure. Opening it requires extremely precise spatial coordinates and a specific key."

She looked up at Murphy.

’This confirms our earlier speculation about technology from before the Dark Ages.’

’The invaders, those Official Wizards, clearly possess some of the keys.’

Murphy spoke slowly. "They got in. Their target is something inside the Half-Plane. But the covert movements of the major Wizard Organizations haven’t subsided; in fact, there are signs of them intensifying. The Tower of Secret Silver’s stronghold in Castile has been very active, and the Eye of the Profound’s observation stations have also detected more unexplained Energy disturbances."

"In the last three days, at least four small-scale abnormal elemental tides have been recorded in the border area between the Southern and Eastern Territories. The timing vaguely corresponds with several key moments of the incident in the Holy City, and they seem to be connected to the Plane Passage. This is definitely not a mere coincidence."

"If their only goal were certain relics within the Half-Plane, it shouldn’t have triggered such a widespread and persistent undercurrent. I’m afraid their purpose is far more than just acquiring something."

Aurora nodded, the worry in her eyes deepening. "Annabelle’s analysis points to the same conclusion. She believes this invasion itself might be a signal, or worse, the trigger for a much larger plan. The item in the Half-Plane may be the key, but the Wizards’ secondary intention might be to use the chain reaction caused by this incident to reshape the balance of power."

"For instance, by tearing an unhealable wound in the Holy City, the heart of faith on the Continent, they could weaken or even subvert the Church Court’s authority, paving the way for their own large-scale return in the future."

"The Plane Passage at the Iron Ridge Mountain Range was like the curtain rising. The invasion of the Holy City is the heavy blow before the climax. And what follows may be moves we have yet to see."

"Any new developments in the Eastern Territory?" Murphy asked.

Aurora replied, "After Sir Harold returned to Blackstone Fortress, no new envoys have been sent. However, our trading posts in the Eastern Territory report that Blackstone Fortress’s recent resource mobilization, especially the frequency and quantity of high-grade metal and military supply procurements, has only increased."

"They’ve even started communicating more frequently with several foreign arms dealers. It seems the Peric Clan is stepping up war preparations, or at the very least, preparing for the worst."

"However, they haven’t given a clear response to the condition of three hundred thousand Gold Coins. It seems they’re watching and waiting, while also making their own preparations."

Murphy said flatly, "They’re watching which way the wind blows in the Holy City, waiting for the Church Court’s reaction, and observing our and the Tower of Secret Silver’s next moves. As expected of an old, established clan, they’re experts at assessing a situation. What about the Thunder Steel?"

"The second batch has already been shipped. Following the agreed-upon route and handover method, it should secretly arrive at the border warehouse within ten days." Aurora was clearly on top of this matter. "The people responsible for receiving it on that end are Old David’s men. They are completely reliable."

Murphy nodded. Thunder Steel was one of the materials he urgently needed for his plans.

He changed the subject. "What about within the Northern Territory?"

Aurora recited the details as if counting her family treasures: "Duke Douglas has once again, through Baron Ellis, expressed his desire to strengthen our ties. He also hinted that he could give us priority support with armaments and certain scarce minerals."

"The formal cooperation agreement with Count Laura’s Domain in the Southern Territory has been signed. The third batch of ore samples and detailed waterway charts have been delivered to the workshop. The old artisans’ preliminary assessment is that the quality is excellent, and the mining and transportation costs are lower than expected."

"As for the various scattered visitors and feelers, most have been sent away or we’ve left open a channel of communication. It seems the current instability is actually making some neutral powers more inclined to lean on us, seeking protection or cooperation."

Murphy replied, "The tree wishes for calm, but the wind will not subside. It’s good that they want to align with us, but we must also be wary of those who wish to fish in troubled waters, or push the Monte Territory to the front lines to bear the brunt of the disaster."

"I understand." Aurora reached out and gently covered the back of Murphy’s hand, which was resting on the blanket. "The territory’s internal defenses have been fully reinforced, and the number of guards around Kaiden has been increased. Eleanor’s room is right next door; I’ve assigned our most trustworthy maids and hidden sentries. The security level at the workshop and the reservoir has also been raised to the highest."

Feeling the coolness from the back of his hand, Murphy turned his own and clasped hers in his palm. "You’ve worked hard."

Aurora gently shook her head, a soft smile gracing her lips. "There’s no need for such words between us."

She paused, her smile fading. Her voice was as light as a sigh. "It’s just... the storm is truly coming, Brother. Perhaps sooner, and more fiercely, than we anticipated."

Murphy tightened his grip on her hand, his gaze growing sharp.

"Then let it come. The Monte Territory was established here not to be swayed by the storm. We’ll continue making the preparations that need to be made, and continue waiting for those we need to wait for. As for the storm itself..."

He didn’t finish, but Aurora saw in his eyes the same familiar will from that night fourteen years ago.

Aurora’s hand squeezed his back gently from within his palm, and her other hand came to rest on top, enveloping his hand between both of hers.

She looked at him, her azure eyes shimmering with a moist yet resolute light in the dim room. Her voice was soft but clear:

"Brother, whatever comes, we will face it together."