Chapitre 36: Mass Collapse

Lumen Castle

Two hours after Princess Solana von Lumen threw the "Piercing Light" without knowing the nature of the target.

"The Patriarch has summoned you, Your Highness." After a few knocks, a woman in a maid uniform embroidered with the Hero Bloodline's crest spoke from behind the Luminous Princess' study.

"I'll be there, Runa." Solana said, her golden eyes unfocused; her mind was pondering the strange kind of Oriforce that she sensed earlier in the Eastern District.

'I've never seen anything like it.' She thought before standing up. In her casual attire; white armor and fitted rough black warrior pants, Solana eventually left her own room.

Seeing the person he swore loyalty to, Adan, who was standing by the door of Solana's study, followed from behind.

Traversing the vast hallway that speaks of royalty due to its intricate and lavish design, Princess Solana caught sight of another figure. It was her stepbrother, the current face of the Hero Bloodline who fought the Death Lord in the Central Umbrafell of the Dark Lands. Behind this man, two figures were following like tamed dogs – his butler and personal maid.

"Ah, my naughty stepsister just couldn't help herself to have fun. But with literally multiple places to go, why bother enjoying yourself in that district filled with disgusting filth of Mutants?" Kindred von Lumen scoffed, his golden eyes cold.

Hearing this, Solana smirked, their tracks stopped for a moment, "Don't stress yourself with trivial matters, my weak stepbrother."

It was a provocation; nonetheless, it was entirely true.

Even though Kindred was the face of the Hero Bloodline, it was solely because he was the son of the Patriarch's first wife while Solana was the daughter of the mere 7th wife. However, this daughter was recognized because of her immense talent and by being a direct 'blessed' of the Lumen Goddess. Hence, her title known to the public – Luminous Princess.

The will of a deity was inexplicable, and there was nothing the Patriarch could do about it.

Kindred clenched his fist, such words rang in his head.

"Ah, don't be mad. I'm just telling the truth. You know, the truth shall set you free so don't let get it in your head. Okay, my weak stepbrother?" She chuckled.

Before Kindred could utter a word, Solana walked past him and his company.

"Arrogant bitch." Kindred muttered.

Solana, even though she heard it, only smiled.

***

Study of the Patriarch

"Patriarch, the Luminous Princess is here." A holy warrior's voice echoed from behind the door.

"Let her in." In a deep, cold voice, the Patriarch said.

Creak.

Opening the door and inviting herself in, Solana stood in front of her father, who was arranging a variety of documents concerning the Holy Empire's political world.

Bowing her head, albeit slightly, Solana waited for her father's words. Clasping his hands, with his eyes of gold finally gazing at her, the Patriarch of the Hero Bloodline said, "Solana,

"What are you thinking?"

The society of the Holy Empire of Lumenasia was very sensitive about the Hero Bloodline. After all, this family that consisted of tens if not hundreds of branches had a long-standing history of being the champion chosen by the Lumen Goddess.

The First Patriarch of the Lumen Household was a participant in the ancient war against the Dark God… even before the 'Mystic Veil' was erected to separate the corrupted lands of abandonment and blood.

"I visited the eastern district with my loyal knight to sightsee, Patriarch."

"Whether you go sightseeing for your own pleasure isn't my concern! You're different than your stepsiblings, and I allowed that because of your blessing from holiness. But how dare you show yourself to the masses, especially in the territory where Mutants are allowed?!"

Suddenly, the Patriarch's shout reverberated within the room, prompting Solana to momentarily close her golden eyes and take a deep breath.

"Forget it. However, be mindful of your actions from now on. You know very well the extent of our influence and that there are those bugs who want to take any opportunity to tear us apart."

Before she could utter a word or two, the Patriarch's cold voice entered her ears. This caused her to look at him with questioning eyes. After all, even as a problem child, her father's nagging could go a long way.

It was different right now, which meant that…

'Of course, he's going to ask me to do something for him.'

It was spot on as the Patriarch, Arthur von Lumen's next words addressed a seemingly urgent issue.

"Instead, I will give you a task concerning the war around half a year ago."

Solana lowered her head. She then said,

"Yes, Patriarch."

***

"Strange cases regarding undead-type monsters?" Adan, her loyal knight, asked.

Back in her study, sitting at the delicate desk, Princess Solana nodded, "Yes, have you heard anything about it? There's a rumor spreading among the hard-working adventurers."

Standing in front of her, Adan pondered for some time. He then said, "Ah! I've heard of it, but I've ignored it since it makes no sense."

Hearing this, Solana sighed, "Hah. You know, the Patriarch just assigned me a mission to investigate it. Do you know what this means, my knight?

"It means we're going to the Dark Lands and hunt some undead!"

With a joyful expression, Solana's fist clenched in excitement.

"Hunt? Where exactly in the vast Dark Lands, Princess?"

However, Solana's next words caused her knight's expression to darken,

"Don't ask. I'll be going alone."

"Wh-what? No! T-the Patriarch will kill me!"

"Heh. Don't worry. It's the mission assigned to me specifically. The Patriarch also didn't say anything about having a company, you know what that means, right?"

The Patriarch of the Lumen Household was very careful with his words. This meant that, if an order was not specified, it was the choice of the listener to execute it. And considering Princess Solana's solitary and stubborn nature, Adan wouldn't be able to do anything aside from obeying her wishes.

"Train with the White Halo Order while I'm gone. This is an order."

Adan bowed before asking, "If I may ask, when will you depart, Princess?"

"Tonight."

***

Entertainment District, in the area where the daily and lively bazaar was transpiring.

Hundreds, if not thousands of seemingly random crowds regardless of race suddenly collapsed to the ground with excruciating pain drilling their skulls.

Screams because of unknown causes echoed throughout the plaza.

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