Part I: The Empire's Demand
The Imperial city rose like a golden crown above the valley, majestic and menacing.
The moment Yui and her companions entered the court, fanfares sounded—not for her, but for the throne. Nobles in crimson silks whispered as she passed. Some sneered. Some stared with awe.
And some… with fear.
At the heart of the palace, she stood before the Empress Regent, a woman whose beauty was matched only by the cruelty in her smile.
"You bear the blood of the Evernight line," the Empress said. "But more than that… you carry a system. A divine one."
Yui didn't speak.
"You will enter the Trial of Nobles in three days. You must prove your worth to the Flame Court. And if you succeed…" the Empress leaned closer, "we will have you wed the heir."
> [Quest Updated: Survive the Trial of Nobles]
Hidden Objective: The Empire Seeks to control your system.
Behind her, Elion tensed. Azazel's aura spiked with fury.
"And if I refuse?" Yui asked.
The Empress's eyes glinted like frost.
"Then we burn your contract… and rip it from your soul."
---
Part II: Assassination Attempt
That night, Yui's room was quiet.
Too quiet.
> [Alert: Assassination Event Triggered]
Hostile Intent Detected: 14 Meters
Class: Shadowblade – Tier A
Yui rolled aside just as a blade pierced her pillow.
She spun, summoning Flame Lance, but the assassin moved fast—too fast.
Then—
Steel flashed.
A second blade struck the assassin from behind. Vera.
"You were being watched the moment we arrived," Vera muttered. "Took me an hour to find his scent."
The assassin snarled, blood spilling from his mouth. "The Flame must not reach the throne…"
And then, a sigil on his tongue glowed—and he self-destructed in black fire.
> [Assassin Eliminated]
Affiliation: The Pale Order
Mission: Kill the Flamebearer before the Trial
Yui stared at the scorch mark.
"They're terrified of me," she whispered.
Vera turned toward her. "They should be."
---
Meanwhile...
In the palace crypts, the Empress spoke to a hidden figure cloaked in veils.
"She will awaken the First Flame soon. We must bind her—before he rises."
The veiled figure's eyes burned crimson.
> "Then let the trials begin."