[Along the street of Estel]

[Ray point of view]

Through experimentation with various people, I can summarize few things regarding this silver barrier

1. It's a barrier that's almost on par with the one appearing during the incidence at the New Headquarters. Almost on par since it lack the same defensive capability as the one appearing back then

2. It can produce fake doppelganger of those touching it with the intention of harming it. While some regular citizens do touches it, they done it so more out of curiosity, and as such, nothing happens to them, nor does the barrier summons forth their fake doppelgangers counterparts. Whereas, us adventures and knights that were trying hard to destroy it were greeted with surprise. I myself had fought a magician version of myself, and thank goodness I prevailed.

3. Almost nothing can enter nor leave the barrier, making Estel basically one large prison. A very very large prison. I can't communicate with mom and dad who are just outside the Rock and Sea dungeon, and neither them can do the same.

(Almost nothing since...) [Ray]

Liyana with her quick thinking manage to summon a low level slime golem to communicate with them outside. The process is a bit complicated, but it get the job done. Basically

She summon forth a slimy slime golem through Serpie to the nearest communication stones --> The slime in response to her mana and instructions rearrange themselves forming a word --> The adventures outside in response did the same --> The results were interpreted by Serpie

So far, that's the only way we can communicate with them, and for now, that's good enough

(This also mean one thing) [Ray]

That there are other ways, a blind spot that we can use to our advantage. This barrier isn't a perfect one. You can tell that the plan to erect this barrier has been made for quite some time, but at the same time, my instinct tell me that the silver barrier was erected prematurely. As such, I believe we can find a way to overcome it

"Ray, anything new?" [Mile]

My little sister, Mile who is part of the Valkyrie spotted me walking across the street

"No. I try searching for portal stone or something similar to it, but none. How about you?" [Ray]

"Same here. The Trainee Valkyrie and I tried to search for any anomalies, but we found nothing so far" [Mile]

"I see. How about the situation in the castle? Any changes?" [Ray]

"Unfortunately no... I'm worried for King Estel, Fourth Queen and Zaidi safety" [Mile]

While the hidden vampires guard of Princess Diana try to approach the castle, they were in for a surprise, as the castle is surrounded by a stronger silver barrier on it peripherals. Just like the barrier that surrounds the country, nothing goes in or out of it, and that includes communication in and out.

"And the vampires guard try every secret routes possible, but they couldn't even find a way to infiltrate it" [Mile]

"That's to be expected... From what happen, we all can tell that the source of the barrier is in fact, hiding inside the castle itself" [Ray]

That much is obvious for us, who have been with Princess Diana for the past years. In fact, it's logical that the first prince of Estel will do whatever he plan now itself

With The ten heroes not inside Estel, bringing together with them the biggest threat to his political career, now is the best time for him to seize the throne for himself.

(Plus, without Princess Diana and Mr Ash, and the death of Sir Ceanu Reaves, us who supported Princess Diana are left in a shambles...) [Ray]

Truly, this is without a doubt, the perfect opportunity for the first prince. Plus, we aren't sure what his next objective are. For all we know, we are running out of time. Every second we are left in the dark, the prince will proceed to tick his list of thing to do, and with every list done, the situation will surely turn into a catastrophic one. I'm sure, knowing the first prince, he will make us all summit to him by force

(It isn't a bad choice, considering we can just play along and wait for Princess Diana to come back, but...) [Ray]

If that's all, it isn't logical. Food from dungeon getting cut out due to the barrier, and the insecurities felt by the citizen who are trap inside, as well as the economic halt brought upon this barrier, it brings nothing but losses for the country. Surely, the throne isn't the only thing that the prince have in his mind, which brings the question, what's the final goal he sought to achieve while erecting the barrier? An army of fake doppelgangers on his disposal? Possible. As a test run to protect Estel once the fallen god fully recovered? Also a possibility...

"Ray... What should we do?" [Mile]

"For now, we need a trustworthy leader to unite us all" [Ray]

And there is only one person that comes to my mind.

"Mile, can you bring me to the adventure guild?" [Ray]

"Right" [Mile]

With her Pegasus, we soar through the sky and in no time we arrive at the guild, with the adventures panicking on what they should do, and as expected

"Guild master, what should we do?"

"Our food is running low"

"If this keep up, there's no way we can survive"

"Calm down, all of you" [Ram]

"That's right, panicking won't achieve us much" [Gizzere]

The ex adventure guild master, Ram, also a former fallen Marquis will be the best choice, and alongside him, is his wife who is also the former guild master of the merchant guild

"Marquis Ram, I would like to have a word with you" [Ray]

"Marquis huh, I have long been stripped off from that titles" [Ram]

It's true, plus, he isn't even the guild master anymore, enjoying his retirement while leaving everything behind for the former Paladin of the demon kingdom, but now of all time, is the time that I believe, he can prevail