At Qtiryn, a territory governed by the Dark Holder. It was a place more crowded and lively than Neurn, the neighboring territory of the Tempest Holder.

  Inside a huge, beautiful manor nestled in the middle of the crowds, a young girl happily played on the corridor with her dog in the middle of the early evening. Both the maids and butlers smiled, satisfied to witness the joy of their young mistress.

  However, the tension was thick in the office where the Dark Holder resided. He sat on his chair, reading the contents of a letter.

  "Is this true, Benjamin?" the Dark Holder asked his secretary, worry and nervousness clouding his face.

  "Unfortunately, it is true, sir," Benjamin explained. "It seems like they were so scared of our advancement that they decided to wage a war against us."

  The Dark Holder sighed, harshly brushing his brown hair back out of frustration. "That coward, Crake. It's not as if we're going to overtake his Neurn Territory. They should focus on their own problems rather than childishly declaring war on us."

  "I know, right? Their economy is already terrible this year, yet they casually try to scare us off," Benjamin sighed in disappointment. "Honestly, if I were in their shoes, I would be focusing entirely on fixing my own territory."

  A gentle knock then sounded on the door. Benjamin opened it as a response.

  "Pardon me," It was the Dark Holder's wife, entered the office while carrying the serving tray full of desert and tea.

  "You didn't have to force yourself, Diana. You could have just asked the maid to send it in," the Dark Holder said, worried for his wife.

  She responded with a teasing giggle, placing the food on the table and sitting down elegantly. "It's alright, honey. It's not like my disease will interrupt my work." She offered a reassuring smile.

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  "But..."

  "No, don't be stubborn just because you worry about me, or even our daughter," Diana said, her expression hardening. "You must focus on the current matter you have right now. Can you do that, Ordeus?"

  Knowing her stubbornness surpassed his own, Ordeus snorted softly in defeat. He then looked out the window at the crowded city. "If you say so, Diana."

  In the Teratia Empire, the capital where the royal family resides and the historical frontline of the Flame Eclipse War. Karl was deep underground, scrutinizing the Grimoire as he performed an experiment based on its texts.

  "How's the progress, boss?" Dein asked, emerging from the shadows and walking toward Karl.

  "Almost done. Good thing you gave me some protection from the Dark Ender influence this thing radiates," Karl replied, not bothering to hide his disgust for the Grimoire. "It's too putrid for my taste."

  Dein listened with a smile, trying to hold back his anger.. "So, that's the artificial Flame Eclipse device you're creating? It looks too small to act as a catalyst," he said, turning to inspect the small glass tube behind him, which contained a dark, ominous red flame-like crystal.

  "That's the best I can do right now. You think this old man is creative enough to make it bigger?" Karl stated, annoyed by Dein's question. "But the content within is the most important part. This small gem has all the concentrated Dark Ender needed to turn someone into the Leviathan." He snorted confidently. "To top it off, that Leviathan kid you told me about is still alive."

  Madness flickered in Karl's eyes as he chuckled with amusement. "How lucky do you think I am, Dein? I stupidly let her go back then, thinking it was better to let her die because I couldn't catch her in that village. Yet, in the end, she come to me herself."

  "After abandoning all my family, all my career, even my title as the Gaia Holder, at least I finally fulfill my dream," Karl exclaimed. "For, I will be the first Margias ever to control the Leviathan!"

  "Congrats on your hard work, boss," Dein slowly clapped with sarcasm, his smile becoming menacing, revealing a pure, different intent. "Congrats on your hard work."

  Thus, the cold night continued, the strong wind echoing Karl's chilling voice across the underground chamber.