Shivana woke up with a smile on her face. She turned toward Nico, ready to greet him with a cheerful "Good morning," but suddenly stopped.
Nico was already awake.
He was staring blankly at the window where the first light of morning slipped into the room. Yet something about him was deeply unsettling. Sweat covered his face, his expression was filled with shock, and the rapid beating of his heart was loud enough to be heard. His body remained completely still, as if he had witnessed a nightmare too terrible to endure.
Shivana called his name several times, but he didn't respond.
Worried, she held his face with both hands. His eyes were wide open, unmoving, as though he had drifted far away from reality.
Fear gripped her chest.
"Nico!" she shouted suddenly.
The sound snapped him back to awareness. Nico blinked and looked at her—but his gaze carried a deep, dark despair.
Shivana asked anxiously, "Nico… are you alright? What happened to you? You were frozen like you had seen something horrifying!"
Without warning, Nico pulled her into a tight embrace.
"Don't worry, Shivana," he murmured quietly. "It was just a passing nightmare. The important thing is that you're safe… and here beside me."
She answered softly, touched by his words.
"Of course, Lord Nico. I'm fine… and I'll always stay by your side."
Nico slowly released her, though his tone remained tense.
"Listen carefully. I need to leave now—I'm already late for my team. Someone I trust will come to take you to a safe place. He's a reliable friend, so don't be afraid."
He paused briefly before adding,
"And try not to overexert yourself. Your health still needs time to recover."
"Thank you… for the time we spent together."
Then his voice grew more serious.
"And remember—don't tell anyone about what we discussed. You understand how dangerous that information is."
Shivana nodded firmly.
"Yes, Lord Nico. I'll do exactly as you said."
But she hesitated before adding with concern,
"Are you really alright? I feel like something is troubling you deeply."
Nico turned toward the door.
"There's no need to worry. Everything is under control."
He glanced back briefly.
"Just follow what we agreed on. I'll see you later."
With that, Nico left the house.
Moments later, he soared into the sky, heading toward the headquarters of the Black Spear. His mind was restless, and his thoughts churned violently.
*Impossible…*
*What I saw in that dream cannot be explained.*
*That distorted white crown… it isn't just a symbol.*
*It's a warning.*
*Something far worse is approaching.*
He clenched his fists slightly.
*Damn it… how am I supposed to deal with this?*
*I have to hide this tension from everyone. No one can know what I saw.*
After a moment, he exhaled slowly.
*For now, I need to focus on my duties.*
*These people… they've started to matter to me.*
*Almost like the family I never had.*
*I'll continue supporting them with everything I have.*
---
Not long after, Nico arrived at the headquarters of the Black Spear.
Akaria was already waiting for him.
A wide smile spread across her face as she greeted him.
"Welcome back, Nico. How was your walk through the city?"
Nico gave a brief nod.
"It was a good walk. I apologize for being away during such a difficult time. I ran into a few minor issues that delayed me for almost an entire day."
Akaria waved the apology aside kindly.
"It's alright. Everyone has personal matters to deal with from time to time."
She began walking beside him through the headquarters corridors.
"What matters now is that I've developed an effective plan to confront Ruler Kaizen and reclaim the Elven Kingdom."
Nico looked at her with surprise.
"Really? You found a way to do that?"
"Yes," Akaria replied confidently. "After extensive research, Zorua and I finally developed a viable strategy."
"And we've gained powerful allies as well."
Nico raised an eyebrow.
"Allies?"
Akaria nodded.
"The Frost Shadow Empire has agreed to support us. We concluded negotiations shortly after you left. The meeting happened suddenly, so unfortunately you weren't present."
Nico sighed lightly.
"I see… I'm sorry I missed it. It sounds like a lot happened while I was gone."
"But I'll do everything I can to help make this plan succeed."
Akaria smiled gratefully.
"I appreciate that, Nico. Your strength will be a cornerstone of this operation."
Nico looked at her curiously.
"So what exactly is the plan?"
Akaria answered without hesitation.
"It's simple."
"We're going to declare war on Kaizen."
"When he arrives on the battlefield with his army, we'll ambush him from every direction with the support of our allies."
"Don't worry—I've accounted for every possible outcome."
She added casually,
"And we've also recruited a new member from Arcadia University to join our team."
Nico nodded with approval.
"That's impressive. You accomplished a lot while I was gone."
A faint smile crossed his face.
"It's good to see you regaining your strength as a leader."
Akaria returned the smile.
"Of course, Nico. All of this was possible because of your support."
Nico shook his head.
"No… it's thanks to your own efforts."
He stretched slightly.
"For now, I'll go take a bath and change my clothes. We can discuss the remaining details later."
Akaria nodded.
"Of course. Take your time."
Nico walked away down the corridor.
The moment he disappeared from sight—
Akaria's smile vanished completely.
Her expression turned cold and severe.
The warmth from before had been nothing more than a mask.
Behind it lay the quiet conspiracy being woven against Nico… waiting patiently for the destined moment to arrive.
Nico stood beneath the running water, completely lost in thought.
His eyes reflected an inner fracture he had never experienced before. The truth he carried within him was something no one else knew—a vision that seemed to tear at his soul from the inside.
For as long as he could remember, his dreams had always been like coded messages of events yet to come, as if some higher existence was constantly observing him.
And for the first time since he arrived in this world…
Nico shed a tear.
It slid quietly down his face, carrying a weight of sorrow he had never felt before.
After a moment, he closed the water valve and began changing into clean clothes, preparing to head toward General Akaria's office to discuss the coming war against Kaizen.
---
As Nico walked through the headquarters corridors, he passed by the training grounds.
Several warriors were already preparing for battle.
Melina.
Elara.
Jaxon.
And the new recruit—Lyra Vesper.
Elara noticed Nico watching them.
For a brief moment their eyes met.
But she quickly lowered her head and continued training, avoiding even a simple greeting.
Nico had always been the one who tried to change her view of life—helping her integrate into society and overcome the loneliness she once carried.
Yet now…
She behaved as though she knew something about him.
Something that made her afraid to even approach him.
Nico said nothing and continued walking.
---
Soon he reached Akaria's office.
She was already waiting for him, standing beside a large map spread across the desk.
"Welcome back, Nico," she said seriously. "Are you ready to discuss the plan?"
"Yes," Nico replied calmly. "I'm ready. Tell me what you have prepared."
Akaria nodded and gestured toward the map.
"Good. Let's begin."
"As you can see, this map shows the three great empires."
She pointed to the northern territory.
"Here is the **Frost Shadow Empire**."
Her finger moved slightly.
"Next to it lies the **Demon Rift Empire** under Kaizen's rule."
Then she pointed toward the southern lands.
"And here is the **High Light Empire**, which includes our kingdom of **Arcadia** along with the surrounding allied kingdoms."
She straightened slightly before continuing.
"Our strategy is simple: we will surround Kaizen and his army through our alliance with the Frost Shadow Empire."
"Their support will be immense. They are sending several high-ranking generals and elite warriors."
Nico studied the map carefully.
Then he placed his finger on another region.
"But what about the **Dead Venom Empire**?"
"According to my information, they are extremely isolationist. They avoid participating in wars near their territory."
Akaria nodded.
"That's an important point—but I already handled it."
"I sent a message to their ruler explaining that the conflict could potentially spill into parts of his territory."
"Then I offered compensation—seventeen percent of the spoils after our victory."
She looked at Nico calmly.
"I received his reply earlier today."
"He agreed without resistance."
Nico nodded slowly.
"That's good… and it works in our favor."
"But we should still prepare contingency plans for unexpected developments."
He tapped the map lightly.
"We only have two acceptable outcomes here."
"Victory."
"Or, at worst, a stalemate."
"Defeat is not an option."
His voice grew colder.
"If we lose, both allied empires will collapse. Kaizen would seize control of the **Heavenly Star Kingdom** and **Arcadia** entirely."
Akaria nodded.
"I understand that perfectly, Nico."
"Don't worry."
"Everything will proceed exactly as planned."
"All we need now is confidence in our success."
Nico leaned back slightly.
"That's impressive work, Akaria."
"So when does the operation begin?"
Akaria exhaled slowly before answering with a firm tone.
"In three days."
Her eyes sharpened.
"At that time, we will all be standing on the battlefield."
"So prepare yourself with everything you have."
Nico stood up and placed his hand over his chest respectfully.
"Of course, Akaria."
"You can rely on me."
"I will do everything in my power to live up to your expectations."
[End of Chapter 55]