The sun, which had earlier blazed fiercely, heating the earth as if it sought to burn it, now began its descent.

The twilight painted the horizon in hues that seemed like the brushstrokes of the Creator.

The sky turned a fiery red, and with it, darkness crept in, marking the end of the day.

In the city of Heles, farmers began wrapping up their work. One by one, they slung their hoes over their shoulders, walking home with heavy steps but broad smiles on their faces.

Today had been a good day.

Overcast skies during the afternoon served as a natural umbrella, shielding them from the sun’s harsh rays.

Though the clouds hung low, no rain had fallen, allowing them to labor all day without expending too much energy. After resting briefly at home with their families, some might head to the bustling taverns scattered throughout the city.

The merchants, too, had reaped the blessings of the day.

With the great war still raging, Heles—a key checkpoint before entering the Bog Forest—was always teeming with travelers.

Although the city’s strict security made it difficult for merchants to gain entry, those who succeeded were never disappointed. Profits flowed abundantly, a fitting reward for their efforts.

The pleasant weather drew residents out of their homes to enjoy the coolness of the day, and goods sold like hotcakes.

Even the city guards were content.

Though minor disturbances cropped up here and there—such as customers haggling too aggressively and enraging merchants, or small arguments escalating into disputes—nothing significant occurred.

There were no adventurers clashing with one another, no nobles creating drama out of greed.

Today, Heles felt more peaceful than usual. The guards even had time to breathe a sigh of relief.

Soon their shift would end, and perhaps some of them would also join the crowds at the taverns to savor a tranquil evening.

The nobles, however, faced a different reality.

For them, today was a busy day—busier than usual. If they were typically preoccupied with managing war logistics or indulging their personal whims, this time their reasons were far grander.

Two days ago, an official invitation had circulated among the nobility of Heles.

A grand banquet was to be held.

But this wasn’t an ordinary feast. It was an invitation from Queen Nevare—or rather, just Nevare. Since "Ne" in her name already meant "Queen," referring to her as "Queen Nevare" would be a redundant repetition—"Queen Queen Vare."

Regardless of how one chose to address her, this invitation was a momentous event that shook the noble circles of Heles to their core.

Several months had passed since Nevare arrived in the city.

She was an enigmatic figure, shrouded in mystery and difficult to approach. Few had glimpsed her, let alone spoken with her.

However, the reinstatement of Cila into the Valya family through her son, Artur, had changed everything. With this, the Morris family was officially recognized as a branch of the Valya lineage. And Nevare, whose real name was Anna Morris, was part of that family.

This revelation alone was enough to upend the lives of the lesser nobles in Heles. The Valya family was one of the Five Mana-Wielding Ruler Clans, the oldest families ever to govern the human world.

Although their influence had waned since the formation of the Human Alliance, their legacy remained unparalleled—wealth, connections, and influence so immense that it was beyond the comprehension of ordinary nobles.

For the nobles of Heles, this invitation was more than just a call to a party.

It was a gateway to golden opportunities, a means to draw closer to one of the most influential families in human history.

It was no wonder that everyone had suddenly become frantically busy, some even tearing their hair out, though their faces remained adorned with wide, eager smiles.

However, Nevare’s background didn’t end there. She was also the wife of one of the princes of the Wilwatikta Kingdom.

Do you know what the Wilwatikta Kingdom is?

This kingdom rules over the entire Arion species—the fifth Mana species discovered on the Meer Continent. Though Nevare’s husband was merely one among many princes of Wilwatikta, his status was still not to be underestimated.

Regardless of how indifferent the Arion King was toward his sons, or how rigid their culture was in only respecting strength, Prince Moku stood as the face of the entire Arion species and a symbol of the Wilwatikta Kingdom.

Thus, for the nobles of Heles City, the chance to meet his wife was an opportunity they could not afford to ignore.

Initially, Nevare’s arrival in Heles sparked various speculations among the upper ranks of the Human Alliance. They were suspicious of the motives behind her visit. Yet, they could not deny her request to return to her parents’ home.

After all, Nevare was born and raised in this city. Even so, precautions were enforced, leading many nobles to choose to keep their distance rather than attempt to establish connections with the queen.

Over the months, however, those fears proved unfounded.

Nevare’s presence in Heles did not cause any disturbances. The beautiful woman genuinely came to visit her parents and reconnect with her hometown.

She made no effort to approach anyone in the noble circles, except for those who first reached out to her. Even then, these interactions were superficial, as if she had no real interest in forging relationships.

This behavior was understandable, given Nevare’s life before being acknowledged as part of the Valya family.

Before the Morris family became a branch of the Valya dynasty, they were just an ordinary family, with the head of the household working as a city wall guard.

Naturally, Nevare’s life at that time was far removed from the world of nobility. As someone who had lived on the lower rungs of society, she might have harbored caution toward those in higher positions.

Moreover, the political culture of the Wilwatikta Kingdom, according to rumors, was blunt and straightforward.

There was no polite small talk, empty flattery, or sycophantic behavior typical of human nobility.

There, the strong ruled the weak—simple as that.

This background might have made Nevare uncomfortable mingling with human nobles.

On the other hand, the nobles of Heles City remained wary of Nevare, especially since the leaders of the Human Alliance still harbored slight suspicions about her. However, as time passed, those suspicions began to fade, leaving only the standard vigilance extended to foreign nobles like Nevare.

Currently, relations between humans and the Arion were thriving, benefiting both sides significantly.

The presence of the West Fortress, managed by the Arion, greatly assisted the Human Alliance in delivering logistical supplies to the front lines.

Additionally, rumors circulated that Prince Moku and his forces had been contracted by the Kingdom of Aquanorin as mercenaries in their war against the demons.

Although relations between humans and elves remained strained due to the deep-seated resentment stemming from the First Mana Species War, the current situation forced them to unite against a greater threat—the demon invasion of their continent.

While Prince Moku did not fight alongside human forces, his decision to combat the demons had earned him respect from many, even from those who had once doubted him.

When Nevare announced plans to celebrate her firstborn son’s birthday, the entire noble society of Heles City was thrown into a frenzy.

This was a monumental opportunity to establish connections—not only with the Valya Family but also with the enigmatic Wilwatikta Kingdom.

The silence from the Human Alliance elites, who merely observed without any protest, seemed like a green light for the nobles to compete in attending the event.

Although the invitation wasn’t specifically addressed to the nobility and was instead open to all, no commoners dared to attend.

How could they?

With their sweat-soaked, tattered clothing, they would only disgrace Heles City before the Valya Family and the Wilwatikta Kingdom. As such, the nobility implicitly perceived the invitation as meant for them.

Why hadn’t Nevare sent formal invitations in their name?

Perhaps she wished to avoid drawing too much attention from the Human Alliance leaders, or maybe she still didn’t fully grasp the customs and etiquette of human nobility.

Whatever the reason, the nobles saw it as a call to showcase their culture and splendor to the beautiful queen.

Since the invitations were distributed, the nobles had been engrossed in their preparations. Gown shops were flooded with orders. Carriage craftsmen worked tirelessly, modifying noble carriages.

Yet, two days felt far too short, leaving some noblewomen lamenting that their preparations were far from perfect.

However, the ones most consumed by the event’s preparation were neither the nobles nor the Morris Family but rather Nevare herself and the monsters loyal to her.

Nevare’s POV

News from Boku regarding Furfur’s stern warning had reached her ears.

The threat from Furfur, the volcanic demon, was all too real. If Wilwatikta failed to deliver results, Furfur wouldn’t hesitate to expose their secrets to every Mana species.

This pressure forced Nevare to hasten her plans to gain control over Heles City.

On the balcony of her chamber, Nevare stood watching the sun slowly sink below the horizon.

Her face was pale, with dark circles under her eyes.

Although a Valkyrie’s regenerative abilities made her nearly impervious to ordinary illnesses, exhaustion was inescapable.

Unlike Asura, who required no sleep, Nevare’s body still needed rest—something she had been denying herself.

Nash, her son, stood nearby, watching his mother with concern. "Mother, you should rest for a while. There are still a few hours before the event begins," he said softly.

But Nevare didn’t turn to face him. Her gaze remained fixed on the fading sun in the distance. "Is everything ready?" she asked in a cold tone.

Nash took a deep breath before replying, "Everything is ready, Mother. We won’t fail."

Suddenly, Nevare turned around, her reddened eyes radiating an intense and frightening resolve. She gripped Nash’s shoulders tightly. "Nash, we cannot fail. There is no option but success. If we fail, I, you, your father, and all our people will be annihilated. Do you understand?"

Nash met his mother’s gaze with unwavering determination. His expression grew serious as he said, "Mother, I swear, I will not fail."

Nevare nodded slowly. "Good," she said, her voice calm once more.

This was the beginning of everything. Or perhaps, the end.

And they would not fail.