Cassandra took her umpteenth deep breath as she paced in her room. She rubbed her sweaty palms on her clothes, trying to hide the traces of her nervousness. Over one and a half years. It had been over one and a half years since she had last seen him. They were finally going to meet and spend some time together, but she couldn’t bring herself to rejoice. It was because she was aware of the dangerous mission he would be assigned right after his arrival.

Restraining her urge to curse, knowing that she wouldn’t stop once she started, Cassandra walked to the balcony while continuing to breathe deeply. The great city of Inrillon stretched below, futuristic buildings seemingly attempting to reach the heavens themselves, though none of them were taller than the imperial palace. Countless Drakkhan walked on the ground or boarded flying vehicles, looking like ants as the young woman observed them from above. The futuristic architecture merged seamlessly with the ancient atmosphere of the city, the different districts being distinct from one another even from this far away. The noble houses were imposing and awe-inspiring, occupying vast stretches of land, and the working district, while much more modest, could not be considered to be bad at all.

It was the perfect image of a city that Kallipolis, back in the Tutorial, couldn’t hold a candle to. Cassandra did not consider it a utopia, as the Drakkhan commonly did, due to the still existent difference in social classes and the system as a whole, but was forced to admit that the city was very easy on the eyes.

Today, however, the sight didn’t take her breath away or even calm her down at all. It only made her more anxious as she looked at the sky as if she were waiting for something to emerge.

“Wait, no!”

No airships were allowed in the city of Inrillon’s airspace. It was a rule that her nervousness had made her forget until now. If Liam arrived, she wouldn’t be able to tell. Thinking of this, Cassandra pulled out her Communicator from a pocket in her traditional noble Drakkhan clothing and called the only royal she had direct access to. The princess soon picked up. Cassandra spoke with an incredibly respectful voice.

“Your Highness, my apologies for calling you like this. I’d like to know if it would be possible, as long as you allow it, for me to be notified once the leader of humanity arrives?”

The Communicator remained silent. Cassandra felt as if her heart was about to leap out of her chest. It was only after ten seconds that the princess replied.

“…You sound awfully anxious.”

Cassandra closed her eyes and took a deep breath, choosing her words carefully.

“…He’s someone very important to me. I need to know if he’s arrived safe and sound. Please, Your Highness.”

The door to her room burst open, making Cassandra jump in place and almost drop the Communicator in her hands. The figure of the princess walked inside as she stored her own Communicator. With a grin, the royal spoke.

“I understand. Let’s go, then. I’ve been sent by my father to fetch you. Your human has already arrived and is coming to the imperial palace as we speak.”

Cassandra felt a great sense of relief flood her heart, being almost unable to stop the tears that pooled in her eyes from falling. She let out a breath that she just realized she had been holding all this time, walking to the princess’ side with hurried steps. The royal did not hide the amusement in her eyes.

“I guess he really is important to you. Come.”

The two of them walked towards the throne room as myriad thoughts jumped in Cassandra’s mind. It had been so long! Would they still be able to talk like before? No, more importantly, was he alright? Had the burden of killing in the name of the Empire been too heavy for him to bear alone? Had he changed somehow? Did he… Did he still love her?

Cassandra almost didn’t notice as she entered the throne room and took her place beside the King. Nargan’s gaze dug into her, but she paid it no heed. The generals inside the room shifted uncomfortably but said nothing. In the corner of her eye, Cassandra noticed a figure she had never seen before. She looked at the male Drakkhan, who was covered in black scales and whose eyes burned with a bright gold that reminded her of the King. His tall stature made him all the more imposing, the formal clothing doing nothing to hide the steeled and powerful body underneath. He was a royal that she did not recognize. The princess who Cassandra was used to stood next to him, slight distaste clear in her expression.

Most of Cassandra’s attention was nevertheless turned to her own thoughts. This changed when a shining Communicator appeared in the unknown prince’s hand. His deep voice echoed in the hall.

“They’ve arrived in the palace, Your Majesty. It won’t be long before they reach us.”

Nargan nodded.

“Yes. Good job, my son. Now, tell me….”

The King leaned in the prince’s direction.

“How powerful should he be at this point in time?”

The prince’s expression hardened.

“Arimiar’s last report stated that Liam Allister was powerful enough to influence the course of the battle between him and Cinzolia Fortress’ commander. Right afterwards, his power seemingly multiplied out of nowhere. According to his latest estimations and predictions, it wouldn’t be far-fetched for the human to be deep into Commander-class.”

“…Oh? He went from an ordinary foot soldier to Commander-class in less than two years?”

“Yes, Your Majesty. It is not an exaggeration nor a mistake in the assessment of his might. In fact, I suspect that he might still be hiding part of his power. It would be safer for us to consider him even stronger than the report indicates.”

The room was dead silent. Cassandra couldn’t hide the shock within her. Commander-class! It was a realm so far away that she couldn’t even gauge it. All she knew was that Commanders were considered extinction-level powerhouses that could wipe out all life on a small to medium-sized planet. Liam had reached that level of power? He might even have surpassed it? It was almost unbelievable, but it filled her with pride and hope. The sole being capable of changing fate had grown stronger beyond all of her expectations. Why shouldn’t she rejoice?

Nargan’s voice resounded, drawing Cassandra out of her stupor.

“Varlian. I trust your judgement.”

She noticed that the King stared straight at the prince she now knew was Varlian, the one who had made the deal with Liam.

“Should I kill him now?”

The atmosphere in the hall got heavier. Dread filled Cassandra’s heart. What? What was going on?

“Yes.”

The prince’s response was firm and immediate. Liam’s fate was then sealed. Cassandra felt her legs start to give in as they trembled.

“Why?”

“Because I don’t know how long it will take for him to surpass you, Your Majesty. And it won’t take long. But…”

Nargan’s eyes narrowed.

“But?”

“I no longer know if you’re capable of killing him.”

Several world-shaking Auras burst within the hall as the yells of the generals could be heard.

“Impudent!”

“Preposterous!”

“How dare you belittle His Majesty!”

In spite of the storm of Aura pressing down on him and the King’s gaze, Varlian remained calm and expressionless. In an instant, a golden Aura dominated the space within the room. It was the same Aura that covered the entire planet of Inrillon, the Empire’s crown jewel. The Auras of the generals froze before they were forcefully pushed back into their bodies. The King’s voice revealed none of his emotions.

“What makes you say that?”

“He’s referred to as The Immortal by the troops. The reason is that he can regenerate his body from nothingness, seemingly without limit. Unless you can destroy his soul in nothing but a moment, he won’t die. He was capable of withstanding a soul attack by Cinzolia’s commander with ease. I cannot gauge how powerful or resistant his soul is, so I don’t know if you can kill him. I’m sorry, Your Majesty, but I must be honest.”

“Ah, yes. I’ve heard of it. Liam Allister, The Immortal.”

Nargan leaned back on his throne. Cassandra watched all of this unfold with a wildly galloping heart. Was it true? Had Liam truly become that powerful? Or were the two of them colluding against her, trying to get her hopes up so that she would make a mistake? No, that shouldn’t be the case. All the royals were powerful enough not to need to resort to schemes. The King was on another level altogether. There was no need for them to hide their intentions. Then, it was really true. The King’s voice echoed.

“I understand. Then, I shall see for myself what little monster we’ve summoned.”

At that moment, the doors to the hall opened.