The reply did not take long.
A faint shimmer appeared within Roman's office as the Pope's letter materialized before him. Roman picked it up without hesitation and read through it quickly.
His expression did not change much
But when he reached the end, he let out a quiet breath.
"…So it's already begun."
He closed his eyes for a brief moment.
The words of the Pope echoed in his mind
Something… has awakened.
Then
A sudden, relentless banging shook the door.
"Come in."
The door swung open instantly.
Issac stepped in, his usually composed demeanor replaced with urgency.
"Forgive me, young master but the situation is not good."
Roman's eyes shifted toward him.
"What happened?"
Issac took a breath, steadying himself.
"In the Presia estate… the nearby forests animals are behaving like monsters. They are attacking people, hunting them without reason."
Roman remained silent.
"They don't stop even after being killed," Issac continued. "They rise again… and continue attacking. Anyone injured by them has their life force drained. Their bodies… turn completely black."
A brief pause.
"The Presia knights are struggling to contain it. Lady Selena is leading the force but it's still not enough."
Roman did not respond immediately.
Instead, he stood.
Then walked toward the gallery.
He opened the doors.
Cold wind rushed in.
"I'm going to Presia."
His voice was calm.
"Handle everything here. If there's even the slightest change inform me immediately."
Issac stepped forward. "Young master, I will prepare the carriage"
"No need."
Before Issac could say another word—
Roman stepped forward
And jumped.
For a brief second
There was nothing beneath him.
Then
Mana surged.
Dark golden energy wrapped around his body as he activated flight magic, shooting forward into the sky at incredible speed.
Issac watched him disappear into the distance.
"…Sometimes," he murmured, "I forget what kind of being the young master truly is."
He didn't waste time.
Immediately calling for Allen, Josey, and Andrew, Issac began issuing orders.
"Tighten security. Monitor everything. Any unusual movement report instantly."
The estate moved into high alert.
Meanwhile
Presia was descending into chaos.
Panic spread through the city.
Citizens were being rushed into bunkers.
Knights shouted orders, trying to maintain control as screams echoed in the distance.
The forest had changed.
Creatures once harmless
Now hunted like predators.
Their movements were unnatural.
Violent.
Relentless.
Some who failed to reach safety
Were torn apart.
Their bodies, once alive, now lay still
Turning black.
And then
They moved again.
Deep within the forest
Selena stood at the center of destruction.
Her aura burned crimson, wrapping around her like raging fire.
Her blade moved with precision
Each strike clean.
Each movement controlled.
Beast after beast fell.
But it wasn't enough.
The creatures rose again.
Their bodies twisted.
Wounds open.
Flesh torn.
Eyes hanging loosely from broken sockets
Yet still moving.
Still attacking.
Even the Holy Knights
Dispatched across the world
Were struggling.
They could kill them
But not fast enough.
Casualties continued to rise.
Inside the estate
Duke Jacob stood within his office, overseeing the situation through a communication orb.
"Has Roman been informed?"
His voice carried tension.
Adam bowed slightly.
"Yes. I informed Issac. The young master should already be on his way."
Jacob frowned.
"…He should be here by now."
Adam remained silent.
"…Perhaps he already is."
At that moment
The communication orb lit up.
Issac appeared.
"I have informed the young master," he said. "He is on his way."
Jacob exhaled slowly and leaned back.
"…Good."
High above
Roman cut through the skies.
His speed increased with every passing second.
But his thoughts
Were not calm.
This is only the beginning.
The system's warning echoed in his mind.
The worst thing that could happen in this world.
For a brief moment
Doubt surfaced.
…Was it enough?
Then
His eyes sharpened.
"No."
He pushed forward.
Faster.
Soon
Presia came into view.
Roman slowed slightly, his senses expanding.
He searched.
Then
He felt it.
A powerful, burning aura.
Crimson.
Violent.
Selena.
Without hesitation, he changed direction and shot toward the forest.
Within moments
He arrived.
Selena stood surrounded by corpses.
Her blade dripping.
Her aura raging.
A creature charged toward her from behind
Fast.
Savage.
But Selena didn't move.
She had already sensed him.
Roman's voice echoed lightly.
"You really are a monster, big sister."
A blade of dark gold shot forward.
His Archon Sword pierced through the creature's head
Driving it into the ground.
Silence followed.
Selena turned.
A grin spread across her face.
"You're late."
Roman landed before her.
"…No," he replied calmly. "I'm right on time."
For a brief moment
They looked at each other.
"Long time no see," Roman said.
Selena smirked. "You've grown stronger."
Around them, the Holy Knights bowed.
"It is an honor, Warherald."
The Presia knights followed.
"Welcome, young master."
Roman acknowledged them briefly before speaking.
"What's the situation?"
One of the Holy Knights stepped forward.
"These creatures are infected with dark mana. It's spreading through the environment changing them."
He continued,
"So far, it's only affecting animals. But if the concentration increases…"
He paused.
"…humans will be next."
Roman's eyes narrowed slightly.
"We can't reverse it yet," the knight added. "This is connected to the dungeon. Once the gate fully opens, the energy will shift but until then…"
"…we're dealing with the aftermath."
Selena exhaled.
"…So what can we do?"
"Contain it," the knight replied. "Eliminate the infected. Quarantine the rest."
"…Sounds simple enough."
Selena glanced at Roman.
Then
Without warning
She struck his forehead lightly.
"Let's finish this quickly," she said. "We've got a lot to talk about."
Roman smirked faintly.
"…Then let's make it interesting."
"A bet?"
Selena raised an eyebrow.
"Whoever kills more," Roman said.
Selena grinned.
"You're on."
Their auras flared.
Selena unleashed a fraction of her true strength
Power surging violently around her.
Roman
Used even less.
And then
They moved.
The forest shook.
Blades flashed.
Creatures fell.
Roman's movements were precise.
Efficient.
Each strike ended a target instantly.
Yet even as they fell
Some tried to rise again.
Bodies twisted.
Blackened flesh cracking.
He watched them briefly.
"…So this is what it's doing."
There was no hesitation.
He cut t
hem down again.
Beside him
Selena was destruction incarnate.
Each swing carried overwhelming force
Yet remained perfectly controlled.
The hunt continued.
Until
Silence returned.
The forest stilled.
By the time they finished
Night had fallen.
Without a word
They began walking back.
The air was colder now.
Heavier.
When they reached the gates of Presia
Duke Jacob stood waiting.
Watching.