The Dreamer's POV

[01 Months: 29 Days: 15 Hours]

"<Demonification>" I whispered, my gaze fixated on the smoldering embers of the Dark Spawn.

[Skill Error]

<The Authority Over The Dark Spawn Exceeds The User's Current Level>

'Well, I guess that settles it.' I smiled, remaining calm despite the disappointment and multiple questions that now coursed through me.

'There's someone behind this thing. Someone more powerful than me too.'

It was a bit underwhelming how my <Demonification> Skill and appraisal Skill kept failing in certain instances, even though they were meant to be two of my most special Skills.

'In any case, it can't be helped. This is bad, though…' If someone stronger than me was the one observing this place, and I just killed their spy, then that would further pique their attention towards this place.

Or more dangerously… towards me.

'Who could this guy be, though? Using something like the Dark Spawn to infiltrate the Estate…'

The way I saw this, it wouldn't be surprising if the malefactor had more Dark Spawns at their disposal, considering how disposable this one seemed.

It made me even more wary.

'The barriers around the Estate and Capital seemed fine, yet I found something like this inside. It's very worrying.'

I didn't know how long the Dark Spawn had been around, but if the malefactor really wanted to, I was sure he could have at least killed a bunch of people and caused some destruction in my absence.

But they didn't.

So, if that wasn't what they were after, what could it be?

'Ah… this is quite a bother.' It would have been easier if the Dark Spawn had given me more information, but even that ended up being a bust.'

Eveerything was just so complicated despite me just returning from the First Floor. How was that even fair?

'I should return now…'

~WHUUUSSSHH!~

Using my <Grand Teleportation>, I was back in the Lyma Estate within the blink of an eye. The familiar environment greeted my senses, and I felt a wave of ease spread all over me as I once again saw that everything was intact.

As I floated in the air, gaining a much wider perspective of the whole landscape, my smile remained intact.

'I can also sense that everyone is safe. That's a relief.'

Both Drius and Theo were still in the fortified bunker I had prepared for them in cases where I wouldn't be around, and it didn't seem to be invaded yet.

'The city is also fine. Nothing out of the ordinary…'

I could see a slight difference compared to when I left, showing that the workers had been constructing in my absence.

'In a few more months, we should be mostly done.'

Now that I could summon more minions—ones who would neither tire nor fail—I could make the process faster.

The changes to come were something to look forward to.

'But, I guess this isn't the time to get optimistic. Not with so many unknowns now rearing their heads in this place.'

There was a chance that they would throw a wrench into my plans.

'That can't happen.' I closed my eyes for a moment, organizing my thoughts in an instant.

Once I was done, I began to descend to the ground, my eyes still closed.

"Haa…"

The first thing I needed to do was to present myself to Drius and Theo and check on their wellbeing.

My eyes popped wide open and I began to make my way to their bunker, using my Concealment Cloak to completely hide myself from the senses of any who could be watching me from afar.
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I also used <Camouflage> for good measure.

As I proceeded to their bunker, the next thing I had to do kept manifesting in my mind, and I accepted the thoughts instantly.

This wasn't the time to get sloppy.

"... Back to the drawing board, it is."

******

[MEANWHILE…]

The darkness of the obsidian palace was as palpable as ever, with shadows clinging onto every surface—both outside the massive castle and its environs, as well as the interiror.

The throneroom was no exception.

"Hmm…" A deep exhalation echoed within the vast expanse, with none other than the monarch of darkness seated on his throne.

As always, he donned a serious demeanor, and his purple eyes seemed to glow with some form of inexplicable emotion.

It was difficult to decipher what he was thinking.

"One of my Dark Spawns was noticed and defeated. How…?" He muttered to himself.

Dark Spawns were entities made using his Magic. Sure, they weren't particularly strong, but they were still formidable forces that would pose challenges to the strongest natives of this world.

Well, maybe not all of them, but Kollungr was certain he didn't send any Dark Spawn in the direction of any possibly powerful individual.

'It seems the investigation has revealed yet another card I was yet to know about." His whispers felt like they could induce tremors.

It was impossible to tell if his statement contained words of excitement or repulsion.

"This is curious. All these incidents occuring, and the energy I sensed through the Dark Spawns when those gateways opened…"

This made Kollungr more certain that there was an otherworldy force at play. He just wasn't certain what it was yet.

'Could it be? No… that can't be. It can't be him.'

Kollungr sighed to himself, wondering if perhaps he was going senile thanks to being in solitude for so long.

No… that would prove Iysa right if it were to be the case.

How could he give her that satisfaction?

"Speaking of Iysa, I wonder what she thinks about this. Perhaps… I should reach out to her for further discussion."

Kollungr couldn't believe he would be the one to seek out such an annoying person like Iysa, but the current situation was a bit worrying.

'I may have to come out of seclusion, or… no, let's not ger ahead of myself. I could always leave it to the others.'

This hesitation within Kollungr ate at him as he considered the implications of what was happening, and how it could affect the intricate balance of the world he swore he would protect.

… Even from his comrades.

'I wonder what the other Kings are doing about this situation.' Kollungr thought to himself silently, and then closed his eyes slowly.

'I might have to find out soon.'

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[A/N]

[End Of Arc 3: The First Trial Arc]

<New Arc In Progress...>

{Arc 4: The Noble Conspiracy Arc will resume shortly.}

~Thanks for reading this far. There's a lot to unpack, so I hope you will all stick around to see even more!~

I appreciate the support you all give.

Cheers!