PROLOGUE (PART 2)

The Sun Palace is now filled with extravagant decorations matching the colors of the Regulus family that was crimson and gold.

The imperial family's colors is like that because their ancestor, the first emperor was blessed by the Crimson Lion King that were a star beast that reigned upon the inner ring of the Desolate Zone for hundreds and thousands of years.

The legend said that the Crimson Lion King found the first emperor to be eligible to take his blood essence and inherit the Crimson Lion beast soul so, he blessed him and his bloodline to always have a Lion beast soul.

Some say that was a curse and not a blessing but, the ones who said that were either stripped off of their titles or were executed by the imperial family.

Due to the news that a prince was born from the imperial family, gossips from the maids and the guards are going around the palace.

"Hey, do you know that when the prince was born, the sky lit up and a mark appeared in the sky with the a lion's head shape?"

"Wow, that's amazing! Isn't the Regulus Empire's seal a lion leaping from the clouds? It must be fate!"

"One of the maids in the kitchen said that she heard from the guards that the prince is a handsome boy. She said that he closely resembles the looks of his mother and he got the imperial families" sharp looking eyes."

"Ah! What exactly would he look like when he grows up and become more handsome?!"

The two maids were having a conversation close to the door of the room where Luce is resting.

He was now used to ignore them as they were always noisy whenever they come to wake him up.

He got up on his bed and opened the windows, looking at the sky if it really had something like the Regulus Empire's seal but he nothing.

He shrugged his shoulders and took a deep breath.

"It took us a week to decorate and organize this banquet, I must be ready for what's going to happen next."

As he is about get up and open the door, someone barged in his room without even knocking.

" Why are you still on the bed, brother Luce? You're already late for our morning sparring! I waited for you in the training yard while beating up Andres' lackeys and you still didn't came, you know!", said by the man who is wearing training clothes and has a magnificent looking bracer in both of his arms.

Luce was irritated by the sudden noisy intruder. He still needs to rest! Give him some space!

" That's not how a dignified man should behave. Barging in without even knocking and shouting at the person who's peace was interrupted by you. You still have so much to learn, Mu.", Luce reminded Mu that was now sitting at his table, eating his breakfast.

" Haha, sorry about that brother Luce, I was just excited about what you said the other day. You said we will all gather for a meeting, right? That means the others are coming here, hmm, this chicken leg is delicious! I should request for this too.", Mu said happily while munching Luce's breakfast.

" Stop eating my meal, damn it!", Luce exclaimed but, Mu licked the plate clean where the chicken legs had been, only the sauce remains.

Luce just sighed by the scene. He gave consideration to the mean person who barged in his room and ate his breakfast. Maybe that's his way to get even with Luce for making him wait a long time in the training yard.

Mu is the youngest in the Zodiacs and it's not been easy for him to adapt in this world. He is the only hero who was summoned directly to here.

His whole body and soul was dragged here not like the others that was fused with a body that was originally here. Mu's memories was not sealed and he suffered from discrimination from the nobles in his first year in this world.

"So, how's the etiquette lessons working with you?", Luce asked Mu.

"Well, not very easy, to be honest I am still adapting to this world not like the others who was fused with the body of the children of the nobles.

" The old frogs said that I lack manners and my logic is the same as the commoners. Ha! Like I care about that! My drinking buddies are all commoners just like Andres. I don't understand why they have such harsh stereotype in the commoners and slaves.

"And for me, my friends are better people than them. They work their ass off everyday just to get food on their table and what about those noisy frogs?! The best they can do is discriminate and croak at the emperor all day!"

Luce can feel Mu's anger at those words. He knows that Mu is an eyesore from the nobles, his behavior and courtesy were irritating to withstand when you're at the court.

' If only he was summoned by the Demon Army.', Luce thought.

"Anyway, Mu, you should get going. Andres will make arrangements on the Imperial guards for the patrol for tomorrow's banquet. You should go see him, he will need you there. We will meet up when all of you 12 are here, go.", Luce commanded Mu.

Mu bowed and cupped his right hand, showing courtesy. "I shall be going then. Thank you for your time/meal, Prime Minister, I hope you have a good day.", Mu winked at him playfully before leaving the room.

Luce shook his head happily, asking for another meal from the maids he heard gossiping earlier.

Luce managed the lists of the guests for the big day that will happen the next day. And he seems satisfied with the arrangements he did himself.

He continued working until afternoon with the butlers and head maids. It was an enjoyable feeling, commanding people and getting along with them.

It was as if he also did it in his past life. Him full of pride and power but, it's not completely the same as the position he is in now.

There's still couple of people that can order him or ask something from him. Though, it's quite comforting for him because Luce thinks that the requests has a certain trust with it.

The Zodiacs are close with Luce since he is the one who taught them the way to be great and powerful. Ever since his wife, Lilith gave birth to their child, Luce joined them on their journey.

Though it's not exciting for him at the start because he is far too strong for the star beasts at the outer zone, he eventually met hardships on the way.

And now that the Demon King is defeated, he will once again see the people he raised to the pinnacle of the humankind. But it's not for the purpose of meeting up again so happily, it's for their safety and their families they left at home.

Luce is now standing in front of a wooden door of a commoner's house in the outskirts of the city. It is not small but not big either. The roof is made of wood just like the door and a chimney is added on it.

Luce opened it and saw the people inside. There's 11 of them and they give off an aura that made Luce smile. ' They got strong again ', Luce thought.

"Well, well, if it isn't our Prime Minister. Why are you so late? I just got my second bottle of wine empty.", a familiar voice rang through Luce's ears.

It sounds like a thug is talking to you while drank.

"There's so many work that I have to do, you know. And I'm not really late, we're just behind schedule.", Luce found his sit while talking to Dastan.

"Don't you find it boring, brother Luce? All you do is listen to Leo's command and babysit him all day. He is the emperor and a father now, don't you miss your family as well? ", the woman with ornate patterned dress, sitting beside Dastan winked at him.

"Let's just say that I still have business here, and please don't use your charm skill on me Cleo.", Luce smiled wryly on her.

"Worth a shot. I never hypnotized you before, too.", Cleo shrugged her shoulders. She then took her glass of wine and sipped at it.

"So, what is all this about? I even left my tower for this agenda.", Michel said, still reading a book on his one hand and a glass of wine at the other.

Luce took a deep breath like his burdens are finally seem off of him.

" I never mentioned this to you all but, you 11 here and Joanne at the palace are summoned here for one purpose. I can feel it too because I was also a summoned one. Or rather, something or someone inside me was summoned here for that reason.", Luce said with a serious face.

The people inside was now confused. How can Luce be a summoned one if all of them except Mu was summoned here at the bodies of the chosen children to defeat the Demon King.

But is it really to defeat the devil? Maybe there's another reason but they of it.

That's what Luce saw on their faces. He can tell that they are confused.

" But, how can you be a summoned one if all of us here were there at the day of the summoning?!", confused, Michel asked loudly to know what Luce is hiding. He is supposed to be the first one to know of this information, or he will be ashamed of not knowing it despite him locking himself up in his tower.

"I suppose I can answer that for you, Lord Michel.", a voice came from the door that was now open. It was a voice a middle aged man that they saw standing in the door and then suddenly appeared in Luce's back.

They all raised their awareness, the gracia in the air vibrates because of their aura. But, Luce is not surprised and raised his hands to calm the people down.

"Calm down, guys. He is an acquaintance of mine and you might also know him by his name. He is the Grand Duke of Leviathan territory, and the only who has the most knowledge regarding this matter, Grand Duke Levinous Regulus de Leviathan.", Luce introduced the Grand Duke to everyone in the room.

"Hey,hey, isn't that the name of the Emperor's uncle. The twin brother of the last emperor that holds the biggest naval army?", said by the man holding his mirror that started to duplicate itself in the air.

"They say that the Grand Duke was cursed because his Star soul is a dragon and not the lion beast soul of the imperial family. He is revered as the "White Dragon" and continuously defended the empire from enemy attacks that came from the ocean.", a beautiful woman with dark skin said while putting down her bow without an arrow as she uses her gracia for it to fire.

"He is unbeatable in water and a wise man just like Michel. Then I should put my weapon down too, as I see him as harmless as the old goat over there.", putting his big scythe back on his storage ring while being shouted by Michel saying, "I'm not an old goat you brainless crab!".

"I wouldn't be too sure about the 'unbeatable in water' info but, since I can't see his level, I will deem him as strong.", the woman who is wearing a pirate hat and a sleeveless shirt, showing the crimson colored fish tattoo that covered her left arm said drinking a glass of wine already. Her weapon was absorbed by the tattoo.

And beside the tattooed woman, a hand was raised agreeing to what she said.

" I agree with Yelena, she and I are the strongest on water and I'm proud to say that. But I believe we can't beat the old dragon sleeping on top of his treasures and take some."

That made everyone in the room chuckle, lighting the mood.

" Yes, I disagree with that rumors too, Lady Yelena and Lady Beatrice. The people are just saying that because they saw me in action many times before you were all summoned. And I am relieved that there are people who can ease my duties guarding the sea and they're both beautiful ladies. "

Duke Levi eased the two ladies who were now sipping their glass of wine. They don't seemed flattered about the complement as both of them are used to that.

" Thanks for the complement you gave my wife, Grand Duke. Although, Beatrice is beautiful as she is wild. I suffered a lot taming her.", Andres spoke and laughter began to start again.

The dinner proceeded and Luce now find the timing continue the meeting.

" Now then, Grand Duke Levi here is going to tell some knowledge about ancient summoning and what actually happened the day you were all summoned. "

Everybody fell silent, focused of what the Grand Duke has to say. Grand Duke Levi gave a cough to clear his throat and started.

" As you all here and the everyone else knows, you were all summoned here to defeat the Demon King and bring peace right? Yes, that is one reason of the summoning of you 12 but, the real purpose of it was to break the seal of the world, to ascend to the heavens! "

Andres frowned, " Well, that was a revelation."

They were all going to laugh about the comment but, Grand Duke Levi cutted in.

" I'm not fooling around! If all of you here were to be captured, they will break the seal using you all and the emperor already has the thing that can start the ritual! "

" Calm down, old man. They will understand it. I promise you.", Luce soothed the enraged Grand Duke with a calm voice.

" So, what's the point of brother Luce's summoning if we're the ones who they need to break the seal?", Michel was confused about the whole situation. He wanted more explanation to judge what's going to happen next using his ability.

" Even if I tell you all 'why', it's useless if you will be captured by Leopold. You will lose all your memories and become someone else if they capture you.", Luce shook his head, refusing to tell Michel the reason why he was summoned.

" Becoming someone else? Having no memory of what we've experienced at all in everything we did. What about our families? My kid is still just a baby. Me and Dastan left our territory just to be informed that we're now being threatened in this upcoming banquet? I think we're going to have to leave now", frustrated, Dastan's wife, Lady Iris dragged Dastan's clothes to make him stand but she was stopped by the Grand Duke.

Lady Beatrice was also worried about her child as she was as biting her lips.

" We can have someone to take care of all your kids if worse comes to worst. I already entrusted them to my friend, Marquis Velfort and his men, I guess they are a pretty hard wall to crumble.", Grand Duke Levi, now calm, said to ease the worried mothers in the room, Lady Iris and Lady Beatrice.

He can sense their fear of losing their precious children or rather, their memory of having them in their minds. But, they can avoid it if they prepare plans and strategies to counter the emperor's plans.

However, something unexpected happened. All of the people in the room suddenly swung through the air with chains on their wrists and feet, making them immobilized.

Everybody panicked, even the Grand Duke. With his level, he can possibly break through any restrictions below level 70 but, this ability, it surpasses his strength.

Luce kept a calm look even though there's a strong restriction placed on him.

' How can they possibly restrain the heroes that was at least level 50 and completely immobilize them?! But the real question is, how did they know we were here having a secret meeting?!', Luce thought, waiting for an opportunity to break through.

The door slammed on the floor as someone kicked it to open. Then soldiers equipped with weapons and shields surrounded them in all direction.

" I have to give it you, Luce! You totally fooled me. To think you would plot a rebellion behind my back? And with my uncle too?! That's hurt me a lot, bud!", Leopold, donned in his crimson and gold armor with a crown on his head said while clapping loudly.

There's so many people now surrounding the house, soldiers and bystanders mixed in. Luce, still thinking of something ignored the emperor.

As the emperor saw his treacherous prime minister ignoring him, he was immediately filled with anger, and gritted his teeth.

' How can he still ignore me at a time like this?! I had him and everybody here constrained by my beast soul and he still has the time to ponder about something and ignore me?!'

Leopold entered the house that was destroyed by his chains and walked in front of Luce, happily smiling.

" I'm grateful to you, though. You brought me all the Zodiacs except my wife and even my beloved uncle bunched together here. Oh, and their children too. I'll be bringing them to the palace dungeons and let them be tortured by their beloved parents.", Leopold grabs the chained people's chin as he moved to them one by one.

"I've always known you were a scumbag, you piece of golden turd! But nothing will change even if you would take away our memories, we will have our revenge someday! And you will receive your retribution while sitting on your golden throne and be burned together with it! I swear to the gods that it will happen!", Yelena yelled at him with fiery eyes.

Leopold approached her, still chained and smirk mockingly at her. It's as if he's was saying,' you can curse me but you will never, ever reach me'.

"I never said I will take away your memories though. I will just bring out your most hidden persona and fuse them to your body fully", the emperor said, approaching Yelena.

"We should've fused you with your bodies the moment we summoned you but, my uncle over there said that it will have an effect on you so, we didn't!", Yelena struggled for air as Leopold choked her using his right hand, while pointing at the Grand Duke using the other.

The others enraged as they saw what the emperor was doing to Yelena. But it was all for naught. They were too weak to break the chains restricting them.

That brought to the cruel man that caught them. Seeing them struggle brought him joy. He then laughed hysterically while holding the crimson stone with his hands, the golden light on it glowing bright.

'Yes! Struggle more! Cherish your last moments! 'Cause it will end soon! MUAHAHAHAHA!!!', he thought. He is so focused on them now that he forgot his uncle, who was now unchained.

"Luce, you should prepare yourself soon. Leo will begin the ritual.", Grand Duke whispered on Luce's ear. But, there's no reaction. 'Maybe he is concentrating on something.', he thought.

[ 7TH STAR CORE: MANIFESTATION - GOLDEN LION]

Leopold took out his cores and the one above his head glowed like the sun. The room was lit with golden shine and then emerged a majestic golden lion staring proudly at the others.

It was the Star soul of the emperor. Seeing it being manifested, Leopold then crushed the stone in hands. The golden lion roared, suppressing the pressure that came out of the stone, and then vanished as it's job was done. Shadows begun to form and slithered to the chains that is binding the heroes.

It seeped through the metal made of Gracia and glowed crimson red. It brought excruciating pain to the victims and they screamed loudly.

"Don't worry, the ritual has begun. You will become the person you have ever been to the fullest. Including you, Luce. *Sigh*, if you hadn't been so nosy, we could've been great partners. We would've conquered the world! Let's see what your hidden self would look like. I'll wether to keep you by my side or not after that.", Leopold said while gasping. Activating the blood crystal of the Crimson Lion King had made him exhausted.

It took an hour for the ritual end. The 12 captured people all collapsed to the floor when the soul binding chains dissipated in the air. They were expected to wake up when the the first light breaks.

The soldiers carefully took care of the unconscious people and they were repairing the house too. The emperor is outside, resting in his tent in the middle of the street. He is guarded by imperial guards, focused on protecting him.

Only triumph filled the emperor's mind. The ritual succeeded and the seal of the world will be broken if he fuse Joanne's soul too. But he was reluctant. She was not there because she is still resting in the castle. And she is the Empress of the empire now, not the 'Flames' of the Zodiacs.

The emperor was still thinking what to do when a man with a monocle entered the tent. He leaned to whisper to the emperor as he saw the emperor meditating.

"Grand Duke Levi is not with them, Your Majesty", he whispered. His voice was soft so that it can't hinder Leopold's concentration. " And what shall we do about the hero of flames, Your Majesty?", he asked lightly

"It's 'Empress, now, not hero of flames. And don't touch her yet. I'm still considering it.", Leopold said, still eyes closed.

"But, we won't break the seal if -"

"I know! Just give me time."

The man with the monocle made his way out of the tent. The air made his auburn hair sway. His whole face was shown, he was still young, just like the age of the emperor, with sharp green eyes with a monocle on the right.

"I will ascend soon, just a little more.", he said, looking at the horizon that is showing the brilliance of the sun.