As the glow of the system window faded, silence settled in the grand hall. The revelation of Meharu's overwhelming strength had ignited hope, while Sanato's modest beginning had drawn quiet concern. Princess Eurial, sensing the shift in the atmosphere, composed herself quickly. With a graceful motion, she turned to the two brothers.
"We must not linger here," she said. "Come, I will take you both to the palace. There, you will understand the weight of your summoning."
Sanato and Meharu followed as Eurial led them toward the temple's exit. Priestess Salina walked beside them, offering soft words of reassurance. As they stepped outside, a long, ancient stone staircase stretched before them, winding upward along the cliffside. The temple stood at the kingdom's highest peak, overlooking everything below.
The procession ascended slowly, accompanied by a few royal guards. Sanato, catching his breath, lifted his gaze—and what he saw stole it away entirely.
Before him lay Sandria, the last stronghold of humanity. The kingdom was vast, spreading far into the distance, its many towers and districts connected by great stone bridges. However, despite its former glory, time had taken its toll. Parts of the city were in ruin—blackened buildings, shattered walls, and empty streets whispered of destruction.
Sanato's eyes darted toward the outer walls. There, massive scars from past battles marred the once-proud defenses. Some sections had been hastily repaired, while others still bore the evidence of brutal combat. The air carried the faint scent of smoke, as if the remnants of war still lingered.
His stomach tightened.
"This place... It's on the verge of collapse," he muttered under his breath.
Beside him, Meharu crossed his arms, his sharp eyes scanning the ruined landscape. "It's worse than I expected," he admitted.
Princess Eurial, walking slightly ahead, spoke without turning around.
"This is the reality of our world. And the reason you were summoned."
She gestured toward a waiting carriage at the base of the stairway. Two sleek, armored horses stood poised, their dark coats gleaming under the fading sunlight. A royal emblem was engraved into the side of the carriage—a golden crest of intertwined wings and swords.
The group climbed inside, and with a soft command from Eurial, the carriage began moving, carrying them toward the heart of the city.
A Kingdom on the Brink of Destruction
As they traveled through the streets, Sanato observed the people they passed. Unlike the ruins of the outer districts, the central area still had life. Citizens moved about their business, but there was an undeniable tension in the air. Guards patrolled every corner, eyes sharp with caution. Blacksmiths worked tirelessly, forging new weapons. Even children seemed to understand the weight of war, their innocent laughter scarce in the heavy atmosphere.
Sanato leaned slightly toward Eurial. "What happened here?"
Eurial's green eyes darkened. She hesitated for a moment before finally speaking.
"Ten years ago, the Demon Lord rose to power."
The carriage fell silent. Even Meharu turned his full attention to her words.
"At first, it was only whispers—small villages falling, people disappearing. But as the years passed, the attacks became relentless. One by one, every human kingdom fell. Cities burned, kings were slain, and armies were annihilated. Now, only Sandria remains."
She glanced at them, her voice heavy with emotion.
"This is the last human kingdom."
Sanato's fingers curled into fists. "Then… how long do you have left?"
Eurial inhaled sharply before answering. "We don't know. But a few days ago, one of the Demon Lord's generals led a direct assault on our eastern front."
Salina, who had been quiet until now, added softly, "That battle cost us greatly. Our forces barely managed to drive them back, but we lost many brave warriors."
Eurial's expression hardened. "Among them... was my father, the King."
Sanato's breath caught in his throat.
"The King… was an S-Rank warrior," Salina explained. "He was one of the strongest protectors of this kingdom, yet even he couldn't stop what was coming."
A heavy silence followed her words.
Sanato suddenly felt the weight of their summoning. This wasn't some grand adventure. This was war. A war they were expected to fight.
Meharu, sitting beside him, exhaled deeply. "So that's why you summoned us."
Eurial turned to him, her voice unwavering. "Yes. You are the heroes chosen by the gods. You are our last hope."
The carriage rolled on, passing through the final gate before entering the palace grounds.
Sanato's heart pounded.
Was he truly meant to be here? Was someone like him—a mere E-Rank—really supposed to be a hero?
As the grand palace doors loomed before them, he had no choice but to find out.
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