章節 14: Chapter 14: A Shadow in the Flames
The black flame, the mere mention of it sent chills through Leonis as he returned to the palace halls. His mind raced as the pieces of this ever-shifting puzzle began falling into place. If the enemy had access to demonic magic this powerful, then Zar'Ghul's influence had already stretched much further than expected. But there was something more—something off. The novel hadn't prepared him for this, not completely.
He stormed through the corridors, his armor clinking softly with each step, until he reached his chambers. He shut the door behind him, locking out the world for a moment as he sank into a nearby chair. There was too much happening too quickly—faster than he could adjust. The enemy was adapting, evolving, and he was starting to feel as if he was playing catch-up despite knowing the general flow of events.
His thoughts were interrupted by a knock at the door. Leonis sighed, collecting himself before standing. He was just about to call the visitor in when the door creaked open slowly, revealing his mother, Empress Isolde.
"Leonis," her soft voice spoke as she stepped inside, her long silver gown trailing behind her. Her eyes, emerald like his, studied him carefully. "I've heard the news from Caelum. You're worried."
Leonis tried to hide the depth of his concern but knew that lying to his mother was futile. She could see through him in ways no one else could. "Yes, Mother. The orcs and goblins are moving far faster than anticipated, and they have… new magic."
Isolde's expression shifted, her brow furrowing with the faintest trace of worry. She moved closer, her graceful steps as soft as a whisper. "You mean demonic magic."
Leonis nodded. "A black flame. It destroyed one of our outposts. I believe Zar'Ghul is behind this."
Empress Isolde sat beside him, her delicate fingers brushing a strand of hair away from his face. "It's not unheard of, though troubling. Zar'Ghul's reach is longer than most realize. But you are strong, Leonis. Stronger than even you know."
Leonis looked into his mother's eyes, searching for some hint of reassurance. "You've sensed it too, haven't you? The prophecy... that I'm the one."
Isolde's eyes softened, but she didn't answer immediately. Instead, she reached out and clasped his hand in hers. "Prophecies are fickle things. They speak of possibilities, not certainties. But I believe in you, my son. You will make your own destiny, regardless of what was written."
Her words were meant to be comforting, but Leonis couldn't shake the weight of his foreknowledge. He had read the novel, after all, and there was no denying what had been foretold: he was the one to inherit the spirit of the Perdium progenitor, the one who would either save the empire or see it fall.
Before Leonis could respond, another knock echoed through the chamber door—this one more urgent. The door swung open, revealing Lord Alistair Perdium, his uncle and one of the few family members Leonis had always respected, even before his arrival in this world.
"Leonis," Alistair said, his voice low and tense, "we need to talk. Now."
Leonis stood, sharing a brief glance with his mother before nodding. "Of course, Uncle. What is it?"
Alistair closed the door behind him and crossed the room in swift strides. "It's about the black flame. I've just received word from our scouts in the east. There's more to this than a simple demonic spell."
Leonis frowned. "What do you mean?"
Alistair glanced at Isolde before speaking. "The outpost that was destroyed… survivors reported something far more disturbing. Among the orcs and goblins was a figure—a shadow, humanoid in shape but not entirely physical. Wherever it went, the black flame followed."
Leonis's heart skipped a beat. This wasn't in the novel either.
"A shadow?" Leonis repeated. "You mean like a demon?"
Alistair shook his head. "No. The scouts described it as… something different. Something ancient. None of our scholars can identify it, and our mages are baffled. It's as if this shadow is manipulating the very fabric of magic itself."
Leonis felt a cold dread creeping up his spine. This wasn't part of the original plot. He had no reference for this—no way to prepare for what was coming. If the shadow was something new, something beyond Zar'Ghul's control… then everything he thought he knew was useless.
"I need to see the reports," Leonis said, his voice firm. "And I need to speak with the survivors."
Alistair nodded. "I'll arrange it, but there's more. The council is convening again tonight. They want to discuss mobilizing our forces sooner than planned. Your father will be there."
Leonis's jaw tightened. The council... always quick to act but slow to understand. If they moved too soon without knowing the full threat, it could be disastrous.
"I'll attend the meeting," Leonis said, his mind already racing with strategies. "But we need more information. Whatever this shadow is, it's dangerous. And we can't afford to be caught off guard."
As Alistair left to make the preparations, Leonis sat back down, rubbing his temples in frustration. The plot was shifting, twisting into something darker, something unknown. And if the shadow wasn't part of Zar'Ghul's plan, then what was it?
Isolde watched her son in silence, her expression unreadable. "You're afraid," she said softly.
Leonis clenched his fists. "I'm not afraid of battle, Mother. I'm afraid of the unknown. Of what I can't control."
Isolde smiled faintly and stood, placing a gentle hand on his shoulder. "Then learn to control what you can, and let the rest unfold as it must. You are stronger than you think, Leonis. Don't forget that."
As she left the room, Leonis stared at the empty space where she had been. His mind was a whirlwind of thoughts—about the prophecy, about the shadow, about the empire's future.
And for the first time since arriving in this world, he felt truly uncertain. Whatever this new force was, it wasn't just a threat to the empire—it was a threat to everything he thought he knew.
But one thing was clear: the game had changed.
And Leonis would have to change with it if he hoped to survive.
The fire in the hearth crackled softly as Leonis sat in his room, his thoughts swirling like a storm. The new information about the shadow figure, something ancient and unknown, haunted his mind. Every step of the novel's plot was familiar, every betrayal and war—but this? This was new.
He stood up, pacing near the window, looking out at the Perdium Palace grounds. The sun was setting, casting an amber glow over the city below. It felt as if this sunset marked the beginning of a new era, one of uncertainty. The shadow's emergence signaled something far darker than even Zar'Ghul had planned.
Leonis gripped the hilt of his sword. He had spent the last three days training relentlessly, his new armor gleaming as he perfected the intricate swordsmanship techniques he had learned in the novel. His new weapon felt good in his hand, but even with his progress, the weight of the unknown burdened him.
He had reached the 4th mana circle of swordsmanship faster than most could dream of, but the gap between where he was and where he needed to be—especially with the looming threat of the shadow—felt like an insurmountable chasm. And yet, the prophecy still lingered in his mind, gnawing at his thoughts.
He was the heir to the progenitor's spirit. The one destined to stand against the darkness. But how could he fight an enemy that not even the novel had foreseen?
A sudden knock interrupted his thoughts. Leonis turned to see the door creak open, revealing his youngest brother, Caelum Perdium.
"Leonis, the council meeting is starting soon," Caelum said, stepping inside. His young face was full of concern, a reflection of the turmoil sweeping the empire. "Father wants you there. Everyone does."
Leonis nodded, strapping his sword to his side. "I know. I'll be there shortly."
Caelum hesitated, his eyes flickering with doubt. "Do you think we're ready for this? The orcs, the goblins, and now… whatever this new thing is."
Leonis paused, looking at his younger brother. Caelum had always been the thoughtful one, quieter, less brash than their other siblings. He saw things differently, always questioning, always analyzing. Leonis appreciated that about him, even if the rest of their family often overlooked Caelum's insights.
"No one's ever truly ready for war, Caelum," Leonis said, his voice low. "But we'll have to be. I don't think the empire has much time before we face something far worse than just orcs and goblins."
Caelum nodded, though the worry remained etched in his features. He stepped closer to his older brother, lowering his voice. "Leonis, there's something else… I overheard Father speaking with one of the council members. They mentioned the 'Eclipsed Order.'"
Leonis's eyes snapped to Caelum. The Eclipsed Order? That was a name he hadn't heard since reading the later chapters of the novel. The order was an ancient group of powerful individuals, long thought to be extinct, who specialized in controlling shadows and dark magic.
"They're supposed to be a myth," Leonis whispered, more to himself than Caelum.
"I know," Caelum said, his voice urgent. "But Father seemed certain. He believes they're involved with the shadow figure that's been seen in the east."
Leonis felt a cold realization settle over him. If the Eclipsed Order was truly involved, this was more than just an invasion by Zar'Ghul's forces. The demons and the orc armies might be pawns in a far greater game—one that even the Demon King didn't control.
He turned to Caelum, placing a hand on his brother's shoulder. "Keep this between us for now. We don't want to cause panic, not until we know more."
Caelum nodded, though his expression remained tense. "I'll be careful. But Leonis, you need to speak with Father about this. If the Eclipsed Order is real, then we're not just facing a war—we're facing something much worse."
Leonis knew Caelum was right. The Eclipsed Order was more dangerous than anything they had dealt with before. And if they had resurfaced after centuries, it meant that the balance of power was shifting in ways no one could predict.
As Caelum left, Leonis stood alone in the room, his mind racing. The Eclipsed Order, the shadow, the black flame—it was all connected somehow. And Leonis knew that if he didn't act soon, everything the Perdium Empire stood for could be lost.
Taking a deep breath, he straightened his armor and stepped out of his chambers, ready to face his father and the council. His sword felt heavier at his side, the weight of destiny pressing down on him. But he couldn't afford to falter now.
As he made his way through the palace halls, a sudden thought struck him. The Eclipsed Order—if they had truly returned, it was because they knew something. They were preparing for something far more dangerous than even Zar'Ghul's demonic legions.
And Leonis was beginning to suspect that he wasn't the only one who knew about the prophecy.
When Leonis finally arrived at the council chamber, the tension in the air was palpable. Emperor Valerian sat at the head of the table, his regal presence dominating the room. The other council members—generals, scholars, and advisors—sat in hushed conversation. His uncle, Lord Alistair, stood beside his father, his eyes focused on the maps laid out before them.
Leonis took his place at the table, his gaze meeting his father's. Valerian gave him a slight nod, acknowledging his presence.
"We have received word from our scouts," Valerian began, his deep voice resonating through the room. "The situation in the east is worse than we thought. The demonic forces are growing, and the orcs and goblins are rallying under their banner. But there's something else—something far more troubling."
The council fell silent, all eyes on the emperor.
"Reports from the battlefield indicate the presence of a shadow figure," Valerian continued, his expression grave. "Something… ancient. Our mages and scholars have been unable to identify it, but I fear we are dealing with a force beyond our understanding."
Leonis clenched his fists under the table. The Eclipsed Order. His father knew more than he was letting on.
As the council discussed strategies and preparations for the upcoming campaign, Leonis's mind was elsewhere. He needed answers—about the shadow, about the Eclipsed Order, and about how to stop the dark forces gathering at their borders.
But most of all, he needed to speak with his father privately. There were things only Valerian knew, things that might hold the key to defeating this new enemy.
The council adjourned, and as the members began to leave, Leonis approached his father. Valerian looked up, his piercing eyes studying his son.
"Leonis," the emperor said, his voice softer now that they were alone. "You have something on your mind."
Leonis hesitated for a moment before speaking. "Father, I need to know the truth. About the shadow… and about the Eclipsed Order."
Valerian's expression darkened, and for the first time, Leonis saw a flicker of fear in his father's eyes.
每周推薦票狀態
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榜單 
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