Drenovar's main capital was surrounded by water from three sides.
The city was built along the shore because, at the ti, humanity was locked in war. They needed a base as close to enemy territory as possible to launch quick attacks and defend efficiently. The location gave them a strategic advantage.
That's why two headquarters were established, and one of the two was nad Drenovar.
The military strength of the nation was quite profoundly big, and the soldiers were well-trained and equipped as well.
For the Council, Drenovar was both a military stronghold and a source of wealth. In contrast, the Union Council might be willing to sacrifice Eryndor if it ca to that. Austin feared this possibility even more after noticing Union Council soldiers moving about.
However, soon, he would realize that the main purpose of their presence here was sothing entirely different.
...
To reach here, they had to swim for half an hour before they reached the coast and sohow found this motel not so far away from the shore.
The receptionist was really nice since he allowed them to first get freshened up before paying for the room.
After taking a bath and changing his clothes in the room they were provided with, Austin went to pay for the room and food.
"It's quite busy around the city as well." As Austin returned to the room after paying the receptionist, he heard Valerie muttering.
Sebastian was in the other room, changing clothes, that's why Austin didn't lock the door and approached his lover.
"Did you hear anyone talking about what has been happening?" Valerie asked him as she turned to look at him.
They noticed that there definitely was sothing happening in the capital since nurous warriors were moving around, and there were barely any civilians on the streets.
Austin heaved a sigh before informing her, "We might have arrived at the wrong ti, Val."
Hearing that, Valerie's eyes parted slightly, but before she could have asked anything, Austin told her to wait for Sebastian.
Looking outside the window, Austin looked at the bright palace in the distance and felt that it was looking quite far even though he could reach it in a few minutes.
The current situation was quite complicated.
*Knock*
Hearing the knock, Austin said, "Co in."
From the other side, the familiar grey-haired butler stepped inside; wearing a long, flowing tunic with intricate embroidery along the edges, the fabric light yet durable, perfect for travel.
His trousers were loose, gathered at the ankles with leather ties, allowing for ease of movent. A wide sash wrapped around his waist, securing a small pouch and a curved dagger at his side.
"Woah ...what's with that outfit?" Austin sounded amazed and Valerie seed surprised as well.
He didn't look like Sebastian at all.
"I will be going to investigate the situation later, so I arranged so native clothing to blend well."
Austin heaved a sigh, as he inford him, "I might have so idea what is happening around the place."
Austin gestured for the man to close the door before he sat down on the chair.
Sebastian also approached the duo and stood before his master, "What's the matter, sir?"
Austin told them, "Do you know what a Hellstain is?"
Sebastian's brows drew closer, while Valerie seed slightly unsure, as she asked, "Is it related to the great war?"
Austin explained to her, "The war between the Heroes and the Demon Lord spread across both realms, shaking the land and sky. Blood flowed on both sides, turning the battlefields red. But the Demon Lord's blood was no ordinary blood—it was cursed. Wherever it touched the ground, it did not fade. It sank deep, leaving dark marks that never disappeared. Even after a thousand years, those stains still remain."
Heaving a sigh, he added, "And whenever chaos rises near those stains, demons begin spilling out of them—until the stain fades."
Looking out of the window, Austin added, "And recently, one of the stains has awakened in the capital because of growing chaos."
They were preparing for the war that's why thousands of soldiers had gathered in Drenovar. And because of that, the Hellstain awakened.
Austin never anticipated it since canonically, this and several other Hellstains only awakened when the Demon Lord returned.
However, he forgot that the plot had shifted, and he couldn't keep any possibility out of the ga.
"How many days does it generally take for a Stain to fade?" Valerie asked a tinge of anxiety in her voice.
They don't have much ti left, and entering the palace under these circumstances would be quite difficult and risky.
"Generally it takes about fifteen days...based on a country's military strength. However, Drenovar had to ask for the Union's help, which ans....the Hellstain is pretty grave." Sebastian spoke without thinking too deeply about it. It was all just a guess, and considering the situation, it seems to be true.
Silence descended in the room after that as Austin kept looking outside.
Sebastian, after a minute of silence, asked, "What do you think, young master? What should be our next move?"
Austin took a deep breath before relaying his decision, "We need to divide into two teams—one would go and check on the situation around the palace. And Sebastian, you would be best for the job. And in the anti, Valerie and I would go and see the situation at the Hellstain."
Sebastian objected, "It would be too risky, sir."
Austin agreed, "I know but coming here was already too big of a risk. We can't hesitate now, Sebas."
Valerie also said, "We need to asure all the factors before taking any step, Sebastian. And not like we would fight the demons after going there."
The older one exhaled an audible breath, "You are right; I might be overthinking a little." He couldn't consider these two as regular teenagers.
The lady was one of the strongest warriors in the world, and the young master was quite a wise and proactive person Sebastian had ever t.
"Okay then, let's have dinner and then go to our respective destination. It's quite a long night ahead waiting for us."
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A/N:- I hope you all are enjoying the story so far. Drop a comnt.
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