THE GENERAL'S DISGRACED HEIR

The morning sun bathed the De Gor estate in a soft, golden light, casting long shadows across the grounds. Normally, the estate hummed with quiet efficiency—soldiers calmly exchanging posts and maids tending to their morning routines. But today, the tranquillity had been shattered. Chaos gripped the estate as designated mages of the 2nd and 3rd circles rushed frantically to the garden section, where soldiers lay wounded from the violent shockwaves unleashed by a fearsome intruder.

"Get a mage here, now!" a commander bellowed, his voice edged with urgency. Several mages hurried toward a soldier sprawled on the ground, his head bloodied from being flung across the estate by a devastating mana explosion. The scene was a battlefield, though not a single sword had been drawn in combat.

The De Gor army, a sprawling force known across Aethelwain and Solaria, was not unfamiliar with conflict. But the soldiers stationed at the estate were merely the reserve—the smallest contingent, tasked with routine patrols and the occasional skirmish. They were used to the politics of the land, not full-blown warfare. No one had anticipated an intruder of this magnitude, one whose power far exceeded the rank of even a King-ranked swordsman.

As the mages worked tirelessly, healing magic crackled through the air, mingling with the scent of scorched earth. The soldiers, many groaning in pain, were utterly outmatched, and the De Gor estate had been brought to its knees by a foe beyond comprehension. The air was thick with tension, as even the commanders exchanged uneasy glances, realizing the true scope of the disaster they faced.

This was no ordinary enemy.

"Are you okay, old man?" the Earl asked, his tone laced with concern as he eyed his longtime friend.

"Don't call me old man!" Mage Marvel grumbled, wincing slightly as he adjusted his robes. "The bastard took us by surprise." He had expended a vast amount of mana tonight—two high-tier spells in rapid succession had left him drained. Normally, mages like him excelled in long-range combat or support roles, able to manipulate the battlefield from a distance. But Mage Marvel, a seasoned veteran and peak Sage Mage, was formidable even in the thick of a skirmish. He had mastered the art of conserving mana, using just enough to split the enemy's ranks before delivering a devastating final blow with high-level spells. However, this intruder had forced him to act differently—dispelling any means of teleportation and summoning, using far more energy than planned.

"Yeah, yeah, you've lost your touch," the Earl teased, a small grin tugging at his lips. Despite his words, he knew Marvel was a force to be reckoned with. But even the mage couldn't deny that he had underestimated their enemy this time.

"Forgive me for my oversight." David, standing beside them, bowed deeply. Technically, as the leader of the operation, any failure fell on his shoulders, and he bore the weight of it now.

Mage Marvel shook his head, a tired smile on his lips. "Don't bother yourself, kid. You did great. You survived... whatever

that was

." His voice softened, laced with approval.

The Earl's gaze lingered on his son, his expression unreadable. Yes, David had contributed significantly, saving countless men by recognizing the mana explosion before it struck, as Mage Marvel had told him. But there was something gnawing at him, a question that refused to fade: how had David known?

David, seeing the question in his father's eyes, opened his mouth to speak, but the Earl placed a firm hand on his shoulder, silencing him. "As he said, you did well." His voice was steady, reassuring. "Whatever you want to tell me, save it. I believe the Elders' Conclave will summon you soon enough after I report what happened here."

David exhaled, relief flooding his body. He appreciated his father's understanding, even in the midst of such chaos.

"As you wish, my Lord," David replied, bowing once more.

"You're dismissed," the Earl said, his voice softening. "Your witch friend has been waiting for you for several minutes now. Go and rest."

David nodded, bowing to both Mage Marvel and his father before excusing himself. As he turned to leave, the weight of the night's events still clung to his thoughts. The battle had been unlike anything he had ever faced, and the questions left in its wake were unsettling. But for now, he would take his father's advice and rest, knowing the storm was far from over.

Left alone, Mage Marvel turned to his friend, watching David in the distance as he entered the castle alongside Seraphina and Draven. The trio moved swiftly, their presence commanding attention. "I wonder where he found such warriors," Mage Marvel mused, his eyes narrowing. "The boy grows more enigmatic with every passing day."

The Earl sighed, his gaze fixed on David's retreating form. "Indeed," he admitted, "he's becoming more of a mystery. I understand working with a paladin, but a witch? It's a curious mix for someone like him."

Mage Marvel nodded in agreement. "An unusual party, to say the least. But that's not what concerns me most. Something darker is at play, and it's creeping into the De Gor family... maybe even beyond it." His voice was cautious, probing for confirmation. He knew the Earl would have insights, whispers from the De Gor le Rosa branch that handled matters in the shadows.

The Earl's brow furrowed, his eyes filled with unspoken worries. "I know nothing concrete, but I feel it too. Something sinister is brewing, not just here, but in places we haven't yet seen," he confessed. His voice was steady, but the coldness in his gaze betrayed the depth of his concern.

"David knows more than he's letting on," Mage Marvel added, his tone sharpening. "Or perhaps he's already entangled in it. Whatever it is, I fear this might be worse than the Crimson Moon War." The weight of his words hung heavy between them.

The Earl's eyes hardened, reflecting a deep, brewing storm. "It's possible. The boy is tied to something, something dangerous. And if that's the case, we're facing a threat far greater than we're prepared for."

Mage Marvel nodded gravely. "I think it's best if I head to the Tower and inform the council. If today's events are just the beginning, we need to be ready before this escalates further."

"That would be wise," the Earl agreed. "I'll also send word to the Holy Nation. That mana felt wrong—dark, contaminated. It wasn't just power; it was corruption."

Mage Marvel shivered slightly at the thought, his old instincts stirring. "Let's hope we aren't too late."

The Earl stood silent for a moment, his thoughts racing. This darkness, whatever it was, had already reached into their world, and if they didn't act swiftly, it would consume everything.

Meanwhile, David walked toward his chamber, his pace steady and measured, with Seraphina and Draven trailing close behind. The tension between them was palpable, the weight of recent events pressing down like a dark cloud.

"My Lord," Seraphina called out softly, her voice laced with urgency. "We need to talk. If what I suspect is true, it could spell disaster—not just for your family, but for the entire empire."

David kept walking, his expression unreadable. "Is something wrong?" he asked, though his tone suggested he already knew what she was about to say.

Seraphina hesitated for a moment before speaking. "That thing... the one that took possession of that man—it may not be of this world. I believe it's an entity far beyond what we've encountered before."

David stopped abruptly, turning to face her, his gaze calm, almost too calm. "A demon," he stated, as if the knowledge was nothing new to him. "Yes, I know."

Seraphina's eyes widened in shock. In the coven's sacred libraries, only witches had access to such forbidden knowledge—texts that detailed dark arts and entities from realms beyond Ternion. For David to know of demons was impossible, or so she thought. How could he possibly know?

David, sensing her confusion, smiled faintly. "Don't look so surprised," he said, his voice soothing yet enigmatic. "Remember, I'm someone akin to a seer."

But Seraphina wasn't convinced. There was something deeper at play here, something David wasn't fully revealing. He knew far too much for someone of his standing, and it unnerved her.

As if reading her thoughts, David gently took her hands in his, guiding her toward his chamber. "Let's continue this conversation in my room, shall we?" he suggested, his tone leaving no room for refusal. "It's time we start trusting each other, don't you think?"

Seraphina hesitated but nodded, following him into the dimly lit hall.

Inside David's chamber, the air felt thick with unspoken truths. Shadows from sipping morning light filtered by the heavy curtains danced across the stone walls, adding a sense of foreboding to their secret conversation.

Seraphina glanced around nervously, feeling the weight of David's presence as he closed the door behind them. Draven stood silently, a sentinel in the corner, eyes ever watchful.

David moved with quiet purpose, offering Seraphina a seat. "Now," he said, his voice low, "tell me what do you really fear?"

****

index...

Mage Tower also known as: Aragorn Spire (I will update the auxiliary )

Demons do not exist in Ternion I will update the auxiliary, also witches too and many more species I haven't mentioned.