The morning began peacefully, just like the previous ones. The routine had already settled during this period of calm. No urgency, no alarms, no rush. Even so, there was a constant feeling that it would not last forever.
I was in the mansion's garden, sitting on a stone bench, watching the gentle movement of leaves being carried by the wind. The sunlight filtered softly through the trees, creating irregular shadows across the ground. It was a simple scene, but different from everything I had experienced until recently.
Scarlett was nearby, training with firm movements, though without excessive intensity. Elara watched in silence, leaning against a tree, analyzing every detail as she always did. Liriel was lying on the grass, staring at the sky, clearly uninterested in any kind of effort at that moment. Rai'kanna walked through the garden, calmly appreciating the surroundings. Vespera sat near the veranda, reading something quietly. Lyannis, as usual, was organizing documents even outdoors.
"This is way too calm," Liriel commented without taking her eyes off the sky.
"You complain when things are difficult and complain when they're easy," Scarlett replied.
"I complain when things are boring," Liriel shot back.
"Then enjoy it while you can," Rai'kanna said. "Moments like this aren't common."
I remained silent for a few seconds.
"She's right," I said. "This won't last."
Lyannis looked up from her papers.
"You're already expecting trouble again," she said.
"Not expecting it," I replied. "Just... prepared."
Elara stepped away from the tree and approached a few paces.
"If something comes, we'll deal with it," she said simply.
Before the conversation could continue, I heard footsteps coming from the mansion's main entrance. They weren't the ordinary footsteps of servants. They were firm and direct.
I looked up.
One of the estate guards appeared first, followed by a man dressed in formal attire, the royal seal clearly visible on his chest. His posture was rigid, and his eyes carried controlled urgency.
"Royal messenger," Lyannis said, identifying him before he even spoke.
The man stopped a few meters away and gave a respectful bow.
"Hero Takumi," he said. "I bring a direct message from His Majesty."
The atmosphere changed instantly. The lighthearted mood disappeared, replaced by immediate attention.
"You may speak," I replied, standing up.
"The king requests your presence at the castle urgently."
Scarlett crossed her arms.
"Urgently?" she repeated.
"Yes," the messenger replied. "The order is clear. Your presence is required as soon as possible."
Liriel stood up from the grass, now completely attentive.
"So the calm period is over," she murmured.
Rai'kanna looked at me.
"You're going, aren't you?"
"Of course," I replied.
Lyannis was already organizing the papers quickly.
"I'll prepare what's needed for the trip," she said.
"We don't need much," I replied. "We'll leave quickly."
Elara adjusted the sword at her waist.
"Then we're all going."
"Yes," I confirmed.
Vespera closed the book she had been reading and stood up silently.
"It was expected," she said quietly.
The messenger remained standing, waiting.
"Did you come directly from the castle?" I asked.
"Yes," he replied. "Without any stops."
I nodded.
"Then we'll leave immediately."
The preparations began quickly. Servants were called, the carriage was prepared, and basic supplies were organized. There was no time for hesitation.
As I walked toward the mansion's entrance, I stopped for a moment and looked back. The garden, which moments ago had seemed like nothing more than a peaceful place, now carried a different feeling.
As if that period had come to an end.
"You're thinking about it again," Scarlett commented as she approached.
"Yes," I replied. "But this time it's different."
"Why?" she asked.
"Because now it's not just intuition," I said. "Something has actually changed."
She remained silent for a moment, then nodded.
We entered the carriage. The messenger rode ahead, guiding the way. As soon as we departed, the sound of the wheels rolling across the ground marked the beginning of something new.
The road to the castle wasn't long, but the atmosphere inside the carriage felt different from usual.
"Any idea what it could be?" Liriel asked.
"If it were something simple, there wouldn't be urgency," Lyannis replied.
"Then it's something big," Rai'kanna concluded.
"Probably," I said.
Elara kept her gaze fixed forward.
"If they called for you, it's not something small."
Vespera remained silent, but her expression showed that she was analyzing the situation as well.
Scarlett broke the silence after a few minutes.
"Whatever it is, we'll handle it."
I looked at her.
"Yes," I replied.
The carriage moved forward, leaving the mansion behind. The scenery around us gradually changed as we approached the busier areas near the castle.
The sky remained clear, but the feeling was no longer the same.
The calm had ended.
And as we approached the castle, a single certainty settled firmly in my mind.
The next move... had already begun.