Investigation II

As my consciousness split into streams, the artifact's power thrummed within me, sharpening my focus and guiding my thoughts. The true strength of the Mind's Aegis wasn't in battle—it was here, in the quiet moments, when every angle had to be considered, every piece of the puzzle examined.

What could the vampires possibly covet from this palace, something so vital that they couldn't simply take it by force?

I turned the question over and over in my mind. The vampires' priority had always been clear: the recovery of their Vampire Monarch. Injured nearly beyond saving by Liam Kagu, the Monarch had barely escaped with his life, staging his death to ensure survival. Even now, the vampires and the Red Chalice Cult, despite their considerable strength, remained curiously passive, biding their time. 

In the novel, the Vampire Monarch's return had marked the beginning of a bloody campaign. Recovered and vengeful, he had led his kin out of their underground refuge, laying waste to the Moyong family and Starcrest Academy as the Eastern continent was plunged into war. 

But the reality of my world was diverging from the novel in unsettling ways. The demons had revealed themselves far earlier than they ever had in the story, and subtle shifts in power dynamics hinted at more differences yet to come. I couldn't afford to be naive. The safety of presumption was a luxury I no longer had.

I needed to think. Strategize. Piece together what was happening here.

The Southern Sea Sun Palace wasn't just a minor power. Its significance lay in its greatest treasure, the one thing that set it apart.

My gaze lifted, drawn to the brilliant orb that hung above the palace, bathing everything in its crimson light.

The Red Sun.

It had to be the Legendary-grade artifact. What else could justify such a partnership?

But then, why hadn't the vampires simply stolen it? They could've wiped the Palace out in a single night. Then it clicked—the Red Sun wasn't just an artifact; it was bonded to the bloodline of the Palace Lords. Taking it by force wasn't an option. Not unless they wanted to render it useless.

So what if they had made a mana contract instead? What if the vampires were borrowing its power rather than stealing it outright?

But for what purpose?

I considered everything I knew about the Red Sun, which, admittedly, wasn't much. In the novel, its abilities were shrouded in mystery. The only power described was its ability to conjure red divine flames, a force on par with the draconic flames of the Viserion family. It was a weapon of terrifying potential—enough to make the Southern Sea Sun Palace a true threat.

And yet, there were limitations. The red flames could only be wielded by the Lord of the Palace, whereas the Viserion family's draconic magic could be used by multiple members, granting them far more flexibility. This limitation had kept the Palace from expanding its influence into the Southern continent, despite its strength.

Still, the Red Sun's potential was undeniable. If the vampires or the Cult had found a way to harness even a fraction of its power through a contract, it could shift the balance of power. The question was how—and to what end. 

The thought gnawed at me as I stared up at the artifact. The answers were here, somewhere, hidden beneath layers of secrecy and deceit. And if I didn't uncover them soon, we would all pay the price.

I needed information.

The question loomed large in my mind: how could I learn more about the Red Sun, the artifact that was the literal heart of the Southern Sea Sun Palace? The answer, when it came, was simple and obvious.

Deia Solaryn.

As the princess of the Palace and the heir to its legacy, she would be the future inheritor of the Red Sun. If anyone had insight into its true nature and abilities, it had to be her.

Satisfied with my conclusion, I deactivated the Mind's Aegis. A wave of fatigue hit me as my fragmented consciousness reassembled, the strain of maintaining the artifact's power leaving a dull ache in my head.

'How will you go about this?' Luna's voice chimed in to my mind, soft but inquisitive.

'Not now,' I replied. 'I'll wait until after Valentine's Day.'

Today was the thirteenth, and in a few hours, the investigation would officially wrap up with little to show for it.

True to expectation, we found nothing. The east wing, like every other area we explored, yielded no evidence of wrongdoing, no hidden secrets. It was as though the Southern Sea Sun Palace had prepared for this day for centuries.

Daedric greeted us at the end of the investigation, his polished demeanor unchanged. His lips curled into a triumphant smile, subtle but persistent, as though he couldn't quite contain his satisfaction. The man radiated smugness, a silent proclamation that we had found exactly what he wanted us to find: nothing.

I had theories swirling in my mind, the beginnings of understanding, but without concrete evidence, they were just that—hypotheses. If I wanted answers, real answers, I needed to speak with Deia and confirm what I suspected about the Red Sun.

Later that evening, after spending time with the three girls and ensuring they felt appreciated, I finally returned to my room. The day's events weighed heavily on me, and I collapsed onto the bed, letting out a long sigh as exhaustion settled in.

Luna materialized beside me in her chibi form, her tiny figure hovering just above the ground, her galaxy-filled eyes twinkling with curiosity, poking me in the side with her tiny hand. "So," she said in her high-pitched voice, "what's your big plan for tomorrow?"

I scratched my cheek, a faint smile tugging at my lips despite my weariness. "Well, I have to do something special, don't I?" I said. "It's Valentine's Day, after all."

Luna gave me a look that was both amused and exasperated, her doll-like face betraying a hint of mockery. "Special, huh? Let's hope your 'special' doesn't involve anything that gets you killed."

"Not planning on it," I muttered, closing my eyes. But even as sleep began to pull me under, a part of me couldn't stop thinking about the Red Sun—and the role it played in this tangled web we were caught in. Tomorrow would bring its own set of challenges, but tonight, I allowed myself a brief moment of peace.

Or so I thought.

A sharp knock at the door dragged me from the brink of sleep. I groaned, pushing myself upright, the weight of the day still heavy on my shoulders. Before I even reached the door, I felt them—the familiar mana signatures I'd come to know all too well. 

I opened the door, and there they stood. Rachel, Seraphina, and Cecilia. Each dressed in flowing nightgowns, their hair slightly tousled as though they'd just slipped out of bed. The faint glow of the hallway cast an almost ethereal light around them, but all I could think was: 'How the hell did they sneak all the way here?'

Rachel smirked, catching the confusion in my expression. "It's midnight," she said, her tone as matter-of-fact as ever.

"It's Valentine's Day," Seraphina added softly, her voice carrying the faintest hint of warmth beneath her usual cool demeanor.

"So," Cecilia concluded with a triumphant glint in her crimson eyes, "we're here to spend it with you."

I blinked at them, the last vestiges of sleep rapidly fleeing as their words sank in. 'This is going to be a long night,' I thought, stepping aside to let them in.

"You do realize this is still a school trip, right?" I said, folding my arms and raising an eyebrow at the three of them.

Cecilia shrugged, a smirk playing on her lips. "So what? Who's going to reprimand three princesses? Other than our parents, of course."

I sighed, knowing she wasn't wrong. Technically, the professors could scold them, but the reality was far more complicated. When princesses of this caliber wanted something, they tended to get their way. It was a perk of being at the pinnacle of status and power.

The three girls standing in front of me weren't just students; they were the heirs of empires, the daughters of three of the seven superpowers that ruled this world. In sheer political clout, they were untouchable.

And it wasn't just their titles. Each of them was a Radiant-rank talent, their potential so vast that they were practically walking legends in the making. No one with even a shred of common sense would dare cross them.

I ran a hand through my hair, glancing between their expectant expressions. "Fine," I muttered. "But if we get caught, I'm blaming all of you."

Rachel grinned. "As you should. After all, it's your job to keep up with us, not the other way around."

Seraphina gave a slight nod, her cool gaze softening just a fraction. "Besides, it's Valentine's Day. We're allowed to break a few rules."

Cecilia leaned in closer, her smirk widening. "And who's going to stop us, Arthur? Certainly not you."

She wasn't wrong.

After all, this wasn't a situation I disliked one bit.