The morning air was crisp, carrying the faint scent of incense from the inner halls of the Crimson House. Daniel walked beside the Patriarch in silence, the weight of the recent duel and the Silver House engagement still pressing on his mind.

  “You wish to visit the Silver House?” the Patriarch asked finally, his voice calm but sharp.

  “Yes,” Daniel replied, inclining his head respectfully. “They sent an invitation after the engagement and I intend to respond properly.”

  The Patriarch nodded slowly, eyes narrowing ever so slightly. “Very well. Take guards of the family with you. You will not travel alone.”

  Daniel’s lips pressed into a straight line. “Understood.”

  The Patriarch handed him a sealed letter. The wax bore the Crimson House crest, embossed with the intricate pattern of his father’s personal sigil. “This is to the Patriarch of the Silver House. It contains formal acknowledgment of the invitation, and assurances of your safety. Do not lose it.”

  Daniel received it carefully, sliding it into his storage ring. “I will not.”

  “Do not mistake this for a mere courtesy visit,” the Patriarch added, his tone more serious now. “Politics remain delicate. Alliances are fragile. Observe, but do not provoke.”

  Daniel inclined his head again, letting the words settle. The visit was official. And it would be a test of more than courtesy.

  After leaving his father’s presence, Daniel made his way to the inner garden, where Freya waited with a casual grin.

  “You’re early,” he said, his tone measured.

  “Always,” she replied. Her eyes sparkled with amusement. “What’s the hurry, little brother? You look like you’re about to storm the Silver House personally.”

  Daniel exhaled, running a hand through his hair. “Prepare. We leave soon.”

  “Prepare?” Freya raised an eyebrow, tilting her head like a mischievous cat. “Prepare for what? Your engagement? You only just found out about that and now you’re already thinking about meeting her?”

  Daniel’s eyes narrowed, his lips pressing into a line. “No, we are going because of the invitation. That is all. Nothing else.”

  Freya’s grin widened, teasing. “You are no fun.”

  Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

  Daniel ignored her, slipping past her into the inner halls, already thinking through the journey and the potential complications.

  The echo of footsteps approached. Freya’s hand flicked to her side, lowering as she whispered in Daniel’s ear, “That’s the Second Elder. He’s cunning—affiliated with the Fifth Brother. Watch yourself.”

  Daniel inclined his head subtly, eyes narrowing as the man approached. The elder was tall, his robes pristine, and his eyes sharp as a hawk’s, glinting with a mixture of respect and calculation.

  “You must be Daniel Maxim,” the elder said smoothly, bowing lightly. “I’ve heard of your… remarkable achievements.”

  Daniel’s gaze remained steady. “I have done what I must.”

  The elder’s lips curved slightly. “Indeed. But you know, a bird should not be flying so freely in the sky. There are hunters in this world, and any careless bird will fall at the wrong moment.”

  Daniel’s eyes sharpened, unflinching. “Then the bird must fly at a speed the hunter cannot keep up with.”

  The elder’s smile faltered, a flicker of dissatisfaction crossing his face. He paused, sizing Daniel up, before continuing. “There is a raid… one the Fifth Brother was to lead. He cannot go, of course, with his… condition.” He inclined his head slightly. “I trust you understand.”

  Freya’s hand pressed lightly to Daniel’s back, whispering again, “Don’t listen to him. He’s plotting something.”

  Daniel’s lips curved into a faint grin. “I know. But let’s see what he’s plotting.”

  With a measured nod, he turned his focus back to the elder. “I will take your proposal. Lead me to the raid.”

  The next day, Daniel assembled his team in the outer courtyard, the early morning sun glinting off the Crimson House banners. The five people designated by the Second Elder stood in neat formation before him, each trained, competent, and eager to prove themselves.

  A quest notification appeared in the system.

  Ding.

  [Quest Activated]

  [Objective: Make all five members of the assigned group your Sword Unit members.]

  [Reward: Unknown]

  Daniel studied them for a long moment, the corners of his mouth lifting into a faint, calculating grin. Good. I prepared for this in advance.

  He looked over each member, noting strength, potential, and personality. A small, almost imperceptible aura of strategy settled around him. This was more than a raid—it was a chance to solidify the unit, to test loyalty and coordination under pressure, and to quietly observe the motives of the Second Elder.

  “Listen,” Daniel said finally, his voice carrying across the courtyard. “We work as one. Each of you is now part of a team. That means trust, discipline, and respect. We act together—or not at all.”

  The members nodded in unison, some faces bright with determination, others curious, still others calculating quietly.

  Daniel turned toward the gate waiting for them—the first of several that would lead into contested zones, dungeons teeming with hostile creatures, and the faint, unpredictable traces of the demonic energy that had begun to leak into their territory.

  “The raid begins now,” he said, eyes scanning the horizon. “Stay close. Follow my lead. And remember…” He let the words hang, letting the weight of his presence settle on the group. “I prepared for this. Don’t waste it.”

  He led the five members through, fully aware of the Second Elder’s watching eyes, the political stakes, and the subtle dangers hidden in every shadow.

  And for the first time that day, Daniel felt the full weight of being not just a Sword Beginner, but a strategist, a leader, and a protector of those who could follow him.

  The gate’s shimmer swallowed them, and with it, the next layer of challenges began—physical, political, and personal.