Summer 2093, after the Demon lord's death. Arthemor province, capital of the Veserix empire. In a great castle called Arbiter Castle.

A man in his 40s, dressed in a majestic black and golden robe. Hair like the purest silver. Eyes like the most beautiful sapphire. If one saw him, one would think they are gazing on an emperor itself.

This man was Marquess Arthemor Dragoon the XIII. Current lord of Arthemor Province and descendent of the hero Arthemor the Great who slew the demon king.

He was hurriedly walking towards a tower.

He came to a stop before a giant wooden door.

*Sniff sniff*

"uuhh!!! what is this ghastly smell?"

He flung the door open and saw strange looking equipment's and items. Strange liquids in transparent glasses being heated. Shelves with jars labelled with names he has never heard of.

Even stranger was the person who used this room to perform what he loved to call 'experiments'.

As Arthemor made this way around the strange devices and items. He came across a boy dress in all white robes with black glasses and a strange looking mask around his mouth and nose.

"Dominic! Oh for the love of gods. Cease your experiments, we are running late."

Dominic, a boy of 16 years of age was visibly annoyed, he marked and closed his book and said to his father as he was clearing his laboratory "father, must I really come with you? I mean all those jealous nobles are not worth our time. why must we give them reason to insult us" said Dominic as he took off his robe and black goggles, revealing his scarlet eyes and silver hair.

Lord Arthemor who was visibly annoyed as well said "It is exactly because I don't want to give them a reason why I'm going. honestly, so smart and yet at times so dim witted."

Dominic jumped back on this comment took a pause and said "Not in the least. you just took another approach to this matter that's all"

Lord Arthemor who had enough of this banter dashed forward and picked Dominic up from the ground and carried him on his shoulder "when you are the head of the family, you can deal with them your way, right now it's my way or the highway"

As the father and son duo made their way to the luxurious carriage, visibly marked with the family crest, Uroboros.

Lady Hilda, Dominic's mother was dressed in an elegant light blue dress. Her scarlet eyes putting the most precious rubies to shame, a beauty that even the queens or princesses could not match was patiently waiting for her husband and son.

As soon as she saw Dominic being carried on the shoulder of Arthemor, she scolded her husband "Arthemor! I can't believe I'm telling this to you instead of Dominic but that is not how the lord of Uroboros is supposed to behave. put him down"

Arthemor who was confused why he is being scolded, looked at Dominic and saw him making an evil and satisfactory smile as if a devil was looking at him, Arthemor then realised and asked "this was your plan wasn't it?"

Dominic whispered and said "whatever do you mean father? are you suggesting that I could not go against you directly because you called me dim witted so I had to use mother dearest to get you for me instead? oh no father you give me too much credit. I just pointed and it's you who went down the road" ahahahahahah

Arthemor who was by now used to his sons' schemes got angry and hit Dominic in the buttock with a riding stick and kept him down.

"Ouch!" cried out Dominic.

lady Hilda was used to this father and son at each other throat all the time.

*sigh* "come along, we must be on our way"

All three gave instructions to the head butler Ivar, a competent butler and a fierce warrior in his own right. the three went in the carriage escorted by the 20 silver knights of their clan.

"Father, how long does it take to reach the capital?"

"It takes about 3 days. first, we go to Arthemor city then to Liontari forest and finally to Elsintar city"

"3 days. it's a good thing I prepared a chest filled with books to keep me entertained"

"Dominic, are you sure you don't want to practice your sword skills like me? relying only on magic is.... limiting"

"Father, I am a man who choses mind over muscle. while I do agree martial arts is important. I personally don't fancy it. plus, who said I know to cast simple magic spells? I also know alchemy, ruin magic, and most importantly, science which people mistaken for magic"

Dominic was quite proud of himself and said "At this point, if I claim to be the second smartest person in the world, judging by my achievements, non-dare to claim to be first"

"Fine fine, do as you will. I trust you. you are much smarter and clever than any boy your age I have seen"

Arthemor looked out the window and said "Your experiments have been.... Quite beneficial for our domain. Especially of medicine and potions are famous all over Semele. From agriculture to medicine, from city design to construction and strange mixtures."

"But with all these achievements, we have made a lot of enemies. Our domain is the most advanced in the whole Veserix empire. I believe even the emperor fears and covets our land."

"Is that why you are going to his birthday celebration? To show your loyalty?" said lady Hilda."

Before Arthemor could speak, Dominic interrupted him and said "that's just 1 reason. It's also to see if we still have friends in the court and if the emperor will let our house be or he invited us for his birthday to cause trouble for us. Basically, to test the waters"

Nodded Arthemor. "Indeed. We have not reach and yet I have a foreboding feeling about this"

And so, the convoy went on its journey.

unbeknownst to them, they were riding to their demise.