Ever since Lilith had joined them, she and Draig had developed a bond that seemed almost unbreakable. Their days were spent together in a whirlwind of activities—studying ancient texts, playing spirited games, sparring in mock battles, and engaging in rigorous training sessions. Their laughter and occasional squabbles echoed through the halls of the palace, their presence a constant, lively force.

  Zain, on the other hand, preferred solitude for his training. He often sought out quiet, secluded spots within the vast palace grounds, hoping for a moment of peace away from the relentless energy of his friends. Yet, no matter how well he hid, Draig and Lilith always managed to track him down, their playful antics never far behind. Despite this, Zain had recently made a significant breakthrough in his training, reaching a milestone that allowed him to engage with their spirited behavior without too much frustration.

  One sunny afternoon, Zain was practicing his meditation in a secluded garden corner, the serene sound of rustling leaves providing a soothing backdrop. Suddenly, Draig came barreling towards him, skidding to a halt and hiding behind him.

  "Zain! Save me!" Draig’s voice was a mix of urgency and desperation.

  "What happened?" Zain asked, bewildered by Draig's sudden appearance.

  Before Draig could respond, Lilith stormed into the garden, her face flushed with anger.

  "Zain, don't you protect him. He burned my bed!" she exclaimed, her voice trembling with rage.

  Zain turned to Draig with a stern expression, his eyes narrowing.

  "Why did you do that, Draig?" he demanded, his tone a mixture of disbelief and reprimand.

  "I was just practicing a new spell, 'fireball.' I got excited and accidentally destroyed Lilith's bed. I'm sorry, Lilith." Draig said, his voice filled with genuine remorse as he looked down at the ground, unable to meet her furious gaze.

  Lilith’s anger seemed to wane slightly at Draig's heartfelt apology, though her frustration was still evident.

  "Sigh... Fine, but if this happens again, I won't let you off so easily." she warned, her tone softening but still firm.

  Seeing the tension ease, Zain felt a wave of relief wash over him. He reminded Draig to practice his spells in open spaces, far from their living quarters. During this exchange, Zain noticed that Draig had achieved a significant milestone, breaking through to Grade 5. This advancement allowed Draig to cast lower-tier spells and begin learning combat techniques that harnessed inner force—a major achievement for him.

  "I need to take a bath and rest. Tomorrow, our guests will start arriving." Zain said, hoping to retreat to some quiet after the day's commotion.

  Draig and Lilith's faces lit up with excitement at the mention of the arriving guests. For them, like Zain, this would be the first major event of such scale they would attend. Zain, however, was not particularly thrilled. The thought of being the center of attention during his coming-of-age ceremony made him extremely nervous.

  The trio headed back to their quarters, the anticipation of the following day hanging in the air. Guests from all corners of the Empire would soon descend upon the palace, and the day after would mark Zain's coming-of-age ceremony. Following the ceremony, the Empire meeting, convened by the Emperor himself, would take place.

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  The entire Gremory Dukedom was buzzing with activity, resembling the fervor of a grand festival. In Vermilion City, citizens were busy decorating their homes with vibrant banners, cooking an array of delicacies, and setting up market stalls. Duke Izark had even distributed money from the treasury to the citizens, making this celebration an unprecedented event in his rule.

  ---

  In a dimly lit, opulent chamber adorned with tapestries and flickering torches, the Emperor of the Zinovia Empire, Henry Siva Arona Bloodlock, sat upon his majestic throne. The throne room, vast and echoing, exuded an aura of power and authority. Before him, a shimmering hologram of a woman in a blue gown materialized. Her black hair cascaded over her shoulders, and her face was shrouded in mystery.

  "You sent your daughter to act when I clearly stated I would handle it. I need an explanation." Emperor Henry said sternly, his voice resonating through the chamber.

  "Well, I don't need to explain myself to anyone, especially you, when the incident didn't even happen in your territory. So, relax." the woman responded coolly, her tone edged with defiance.

  "You're saying a Demon King's presence was in our plane, and you didn't care enough to go yourself or even wait for me to act? I could've had an amazing bout with him. Instead, you sent your daughter to be beaten." the Emperor retorted, frustration evident in his voice.

  "Yes, I ruined your fun, didn't I? For your information, it was just one of his avatars. You going there wouldn't have achieved anything. He would have either fled or self-destructed his avatar upon sensing our aura. He's Azazel, one of the most notorious Demon Kings. I sent my daughter so we could at least get a chance to contact him."

  "So, what did your daughter achieve?" the Emperor inquired, his curiosity piqued despite his irritation.

  "She was lucky to escape unscathed. Azazel isn’t easy to deal with..." the woman began, detailing the encounter. Azazel had already set up a grand teleportation array and a self-destruction array within the space pocket. Her daughter had given Azazel enough time to activate these mechanisms but managed to escape before the destruction occurred. However, she couldn’t determine his purpose or intentions.

  "That's why I say fight first and leave the questions for later." Emperor Henry said with a smirk, his eyes gleaming with a warrior’s spirit.

  Seeing the Emperor’s aloof expression, the woman sighed, a mix of exasperation and resignation.

  "I think he arrived here through a spatial storm that passed by our plane a few months ago. Otherwise, we would have sensed his presence if he had used another means. Most likely, it was an accident on his part. What do the others say about it?" she asked.

  "Currently, I am the only Nova present on this plane from the Zinovia Empire. You and your daughter are from the Dranes Empire, and that old man Julius is from the Holy Moon Alliance. All others are busy preparing for the upcoming war." the Emperor explained, his tone becoming more contemplative.

  "I think we are fine. Just be more vigilant from now on. Major changes will be happening in our plane in the next few years. I am holding an Empire meeting in a few weeks, and the entire Empire will begin preparations." the Emperor said, his gaze drifting upwards to the dark ceiling, as if seeking answers in the shadows.

  "We are also preparing. I will personally examine the site of the incident. But I don't think we need to worry about it. If Azazel, a Demon King, really wanted to move against us, he wouldn't be this sheepish. Goodbye." the woman concluded, her holographic image fading into the ether. The Emperor was left alone in the chamber, the oppressive silence amplifying the weight of his thoughts.

  Soon, a phantom appeared, a swirling mass of dark energy that seemed to drain the warmth from the room. The temperature plummeted, and a hoarse voice emanated from the formless apparition.

  "Master, how may I serve?" it intoned. This phantom was one of the Emperor’s personal aides, a creature bound to the Abyss plane but able to manifest through an ancient artifact.

  "Do you have any news on the Abyss?" the Emperor asked, his voice cutting through the chill.

  "What does the master wish to know?" the phantom responded, its tone devoid of emotion.

  "About Demon King Azazel." the Emperor inquired, knowing this was his most reliable source of information regarding the Abyss.

  "Master, Azazel fought and killed another Demon King a few years ago. It is rumored that he was gravely injured and went into seclusion to recover. It is not an easy feat to kill a Demon King, even for Azazel. A price had to be paid. He may need hundreds of years to fully recover." the phantom reported, its voice a haunting whisper.

  'It seems there is no immediate need for concern.' the Emperor thought, feeling a measure of relief.

  "Fine, you may leave." he commanded, his tone dismissive.

  "Yes, master." the phantom replied before dissipating, leaving the Emperor in solitude once more.

  ---

  As dawn broke, Zain, Draig, and Lilith awoke early, their hearts racing with anticipation. The palace was abuzz with activity, servants darting about with purpose, ensuring that every detail was perfect for the imminent arrival of the guests. The trio dressed in their finest attire, their excitement barely contained.

  Zain, Draig, and Lilith watched from a distance, their eyes wide with wonder. The palace grounds were transformed, filled with an array of noble families, formidable mercenaries, esteemed guild experts, and lone warriors. The newly constructed Colosseum, an architectural marvel, loomed in the background, ready to host the feats of strength and skill that would soon unfold.