After the death of King Dan, the entire kingdom sank into grief.
The once lively capital had become silent.
Black banners hung from every tower and building. Even the marketplaces, normally filled with shouting merchants and crowded streets, remained quiet. Bells rang throughout the city from morning till night in remembrance of the fallen King.
Many families mourned loved ones lost during the Dark Day.
Soldiers.
Merchants.
Adventurers.
Children.
No part of the kingdom had escaped untouched.
The royal palace itself felt colder than ever before. Servants walked quietly through the halls while guards stood with lowered heads. Even the nobles who usually competed endlessly for influence maintained silence during the first days of mourning.
For two whole days, the Kingdom of Dan stood still.
Then—
The mourning ended.
And politics began.
Because no matter how deep the grief—
A kingdom without a crowned ruler could not remain stable for long.
The royal court erupted into chaos.
Inside the grand ministerial hall, voices echoed endlessly.
"The First Prince should inherit the throne!"
"No, Princess Irwin possesses greater capability!"
"The Second Prince has military influence!"
"The kingdom needs stability!"
"The kingdom needs strength!"
Arguments filled the chamber from morning until evening. Nobles formed groups while ministers debated fiercely over succession.
King Dan had never officially declared a Crown Prince.
And now the uncertainty threatened to divide the kingdom itself.
Meanwhile, away from the court—
The royal siblings gathered together privately.
The atmosphere inside the room felt heavy.
Max sat with his head lowered, his fists trembling slightly.
Though he was known throughout the kingdom as a capable and respected prince, he now looked broken.
"If I had arrived sooner…" he muttered weakly.
"There was still fighting in the western district. I thought Father would be safe with the Shadow Guards…"
His voice cracked.
"I failed him."
Irene sat beside him quietly.
For once, there was no teasing in her voice.
No playful expression.
Only sadness.
"It was not your fault," she said softly.
But Max did not answer.
Across the room sat Mike, the Second Prince.
His complexion remained pale ever since the incident. He leaned silently against the couch, speaking little while staring blankly toward the floor.
Beside him sat Mark.
Unlike the others, Mark looked completely lost.
As though he still could not fully accept reality.
Near the large window stood Irwin.
The eldest princess.
The woman many ministers feared more than generals.
She looked outside silently toward the black-covered capital.
For a brief moment—
A tear rolled down her face.
But she quickly wiped it away before turning back toward her siblings.
All of them wore mourning clothes.
All of them carried grief.
Yet Irwin's eyes alone had already moved forward.
"The days of mourning end today," she said calmly.
Her commanding tone immediately drew everyone's attention.
"We must focus on what comes next."
Though reluctant, the others listened.
Because among the siblings—
Irwin had always been the one who remained steady during crisis.
She slowly looked toward Mark.
"The next ruler should be Mark."
Silence filled the room instantly.
Mark looked genuinely shocked.
"Me?"
He stood up abruptly.
"What about Max? Or Mike?"
Even Irene looked slightly surprised, though not entirely.
Mark shook his head immediately.
"I don't have achievements like the others."
"I've never led armies."
"I'm not suited to be King."
Then he looked toward Irwin.
"What about you, Sister?"
Irwin's expression remained unreadable.
"I have other matters to deal with."
The moment she said those words—
The room became strangely quiet.
Everyone except Mark seemed to understand something.
But none of them spoke about it.
Mark lowered his head uncertainly.
"I… need time to think."
"You have one day," Irwin replied firmly.
"Tomorrow, the court will announce the next ruler."
Mark had never desired the throne.
Unlike many nobles, he had never competed for power.
He only wished to remain beside his siblings peacefully.
But fate rarely cared for personal wishes.
—
The next day, the royal court gathered once more.
Ministers resumed their arguments immediately.
Voices rose throughout the hall.
Until—
Irwin stepped forward.
The room fell silent almost instantly.
Her authority alone was enough to suppress the court.
"The royal family has already decided," she declared.
"The next ruler of the Kingdom of Dan shall be Mark."
Shock spread through the ministers.
Several nobles looked confused.
Some looked unwilling.
But no one openly objected.
Because the person speaking was Irwin.
And because the other princes themselves remained silent.
Thus—
Mark was crowned the new King of Dan.
The ceremony itself was far less celebratory than ordinary coronations.
The kingdom still mourned too deeply.
Yet stability had been restored.
A feast was held later that evening mainly for nobles, officials, and important guests.
Henry attended as well.
When he approached Mark, the newly crowned King still looked uncomfortable wearing royal robes.
Henry laughed slightly.
"You're going to do just fine."
Mark sighed weakly.
"I already feel overwhelmed."
Henry placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Welcome to the world of paperwork."
Mark blinked.
"What does that even mean?"
"You'll understand soon enough."
For the first time in days—
Mark managed a small laugh.
Meanwhile, elsewhere within the palace—
The shadows moved quietly.
Deep beneath one of the hidden training halls, members of the Shadow Guards stood silently.
Juliene knelt before their instructor.
Her injuries from the battle had not fully healed yet.
"You require more training," the instructor said coldly.
Juliene lowered her head.
"I am sorry."
"I failed to protect the King."
"Then do not fail again."
The instructor's voice remained emotionless.
"Strengthen yourself."
"Erase hesitation."
"Next time, there may not be another chance."
Juliene silently clenched her fists.
The death of King Dan had deeply shaken the Shadow Guards.
They existed to protect the royal family from threats hidden in darkness.
And yet—
Their King had died before them.
Elsewhere in the capital, Irene quietly watched the training from the shadows.
Unlike before, something about her had changed.
The cheerful princess who constantly teased Henry now carried a colder expression.
More focused.
More dangerous.
The Dark Day had changed everyone.
—
Slowly, the kingdom began returning to motion.
Markets reopened.
Soldiers resumed patrols.
Farmers returned to their lands.
People still mourned—
But life continued.
Henry eventually returned to the Barony of Tecka.
The moment he entered his office—
He regretted it instantly.
Mountains of paperwork covered his desk.
Reports from Verna.
Trade requests.
Agricultural records.
Construction approvals.
Tax reforms.
Nabu stood nearby calmly holding another stack of papers.
"My lord, these arrived while you were away."
Henry stared at the papers in horror.
"I fought demonic beasts for this kingdom."
"Yes, my lord."
"I survived pirates, sea monsters, and assassins."
"Yes, my lord."
"And this is my reward?"
Nabu placed the final stack onto the desk.
"Yes, my lord."
Henry slowly sat down while staring at the endless paperwork before him.
Then sighed deeply.
Far away, within hidden darkness, dangerous forces still moved across the continent.
But for now—
Henry's greatest enemy was documents.