The King Who Came for One

Chapter 3 – The King Who Came for One

The next day, Kaelis left for the Indigo Nation.

There, she sought out someone who knew the path into the 

underworld organization known as the Ashen Covenant. Disguising herself as a teenage girl from the Indigo Nation, Kaelis prepared to infiltrate the organization from within.

Meanwhile, in Aurellion, life within the White Nation’s capital 

continued.

Serine had begun working as a maid within the royal household. 

Under Eryx’s supervision, she was also receiving training—basic self-defense and instruction in controlling her magic.

Thalen continued his duty as the king’s shadow, while Selwyn 

remained buried in political affairs.

Caelis walked through a long corridor of the castle.

Beyond the tall windows, the royal gardens stretched beneath the winter sky. Thalen followed silently behind him.

After a short while, they reached a newly reinforced section of 

the castle—built to withstand any future attacks, ensuring the safety of the royal children.

Caelis entered.

Inside, Prince Elion and Princess Arinelle were waiting.

Elion was in the middle of combat training, while Arinelle studied 

magic under her tutors. The instructors immediately bowed when they noticed the king’s presence.

The moment Elion saw his elder brother, he rushed forward.

“Brother! You’re back!” he exclaimed. “What present did you bring for us?”

Arinelle followed closely behind him, smiling brightly.

“Big brother, mine should be bigger than his!”

Caelis knelt down, warmth and affection clear on his face.

“Yes, yes,” he said softly. “I brought presents for both of you. And they’re very big.”

He handed the gifts to them before standing once more.

Turning to the instructors, Caelis asked,

“Are their lessons finished?”

“Yes, Your Majesty,” they replied with a bow. “Classes are over for today.”

Caelis looked back at his siblings.

“Would you like to come with me,” he asked, “or would you rather stay in the castle?”

Without a second of hesitation, Elion and Arinelle shouted 

together,

“Yes, brother! We’ll come with you!”

From behind them, Thalen spoke calmly,

“In that case, I will arrange proper conveyance for you, Caelis.”

Caelis began walking with his brother and sister. As he passed Thalen, he said quietly,

“There’s no need. But if you’re worried about safety, you may 

follow—stay in the shadows.”

A faint smile crossed his face.

“I want to spend some time with my siblings.”

Thalen straightened instantly.“As you command.”

Caelis went to the market with Elion and Arinelle. The people greeted him with genuine warmth—there was no doubt in their hearts now. Caelis was truly ruling the White Nation.

Elion and Arinelle enjoyed every moment by his side. Laughter 

followed them through the streets, rare and precious in a land still healing from winter and loss.

As the sun began to descend, the three returned to the castle. 

Elion and Arinelle were soon sent to rest, their excitement finally giving way to sleep. Caelis, however, went straight to receive the latest report on the Ashen Covenant.

Eryx was already waiting.

“According to the report,” Eryx said, placing the documents on the table, “Kaelis has successfully found a way inside the organization. She has also identified the leader—Malgareth Vorn. Their primary objective is the destruction of the Nexus Council and its control over magic.”

He paused, his expression darkening.

“This is dangerous. If the Council falls, it will become far more 

difficult to uncover who was truly behind the attack seven years ago.”

Caelis walked into the royal garden. Moonlight bathed the snow-

covered ground as fresh flakes began to fall. He watched them quietly.

“Seven years…” Caelis murmured.

“You’re not the only one who remembers,” Eryx said gently. “We will find them. The Council is searching as well.”

Caelis turned, letting the snow gather in his open palm.

“I don’t trust the Council,” he said calmly. “Its system is rotten at the core. Let them handle their own problems. For us—tell Kaelis to observe only. If their movements threaten our nation, she may act. Otherwise, she reports everything back to us.”

Eryx bowed.

“As you command, my king.”

Beyond the five great landmasses where the nine nations and 

the Nexus Council stood, countless smaller islands dotted the seas. Even the largest among them barely stretched a single kilometer.

Earlier that same day, Kaelis had found a way onto one such 

island.

Over the next few days, she finally caught sight of Malgareth Vorn.

Disguised among the workers beneath him, Kaelis carefully blended into the crowd, inching closer whenever she could.

When Malgareth moved, the crowd parted instinctively, clearing a path for him.

Kaelis watched from the shadows.

“So that’s him… the leader of the Ashen Covenant,” she thought. 

“And four others like him. Together, they rule the entire underworld.”

She studied him closely.“No hair color. A commoner,” she realized. “That makes it worse. I can’t identify his magic by appearance alone.”

Malgareth soon disappeared from her sight.

As Kaelis withdrew, unaware, Malgareth slowed his steps.

A faint smile curved his lips.

“A rat has entered my territory,” he murmured.“It will be amusing to hunt it.”
Moments later, Malgareth had already moved to an entirely 

different sector of the island. There, surrounded by his inner circle, he was planning the Ashen Covenant’s next course of action against the Nexus Council.

Kaelis searched desperately for him.

She ran through narrow paths and shadowed corners of the island, her breath uneven.

“Where did he go?” she thought. “I’m running out of time.”Suddenly, she collided with someone.

“I–I’m sorry, sir,” she said quickly, bowing her head.

“There is no need for forgiveness.”The voice was calm. Emotionless.

Kaelis stiffened.

“That was my fault,” she said carefully. “I wasn’t watching where I was going.”

The man studied her, resting a hand against his chin.

“Then tell me something,” he said slowly. “Who are you? I have 

never seen you here before.”

Kaelis took a step back.“Is he serious?” she thought. “My disguise is flawless… how—?”

“I don’t understand, sir,” she replied.

The man’s hand moved to the hilt of his sword.“You are exposed,” he said coldly. “It would be wiser if you came 

with us.”

Kaelis prepared to strike.

But before she could channel her magic, the man drew his sword in a single fluid motion. The blade shimmered—then her magic collapsed instantly, canceled mid-formation.

Pain tore through her body.

Kaelis was thrown to the ground, consciousness intact but her limbs refusing to obey.

The man looked down at her, his eyes empty of mercy.

“You are an excellent spy,” he said. “Your disguise was perfect. But you made one fatal mistake.”

He leaned closer.“You never changed your personality.”

Moments later, Malgareth’s men arrived. Kaelis was restrained and dragged away into darkness. Her disguise magic faded completely.

Days passed.

No light.

No food.

No water.

Kaelis remained imprisoned in a dark chamber, her strength slowly fading.

Meanwhile, in Aurellion, life continued—unaware.

Serine began adapting to her new life within the castle. Under Eryx’s supervision, she had started using basic magic and 

learning self-defense. Caelis and Selwyn remained occupied with affairs of the kingdom.

But one thing troubled them.

Kaelis had gone silent.

Eryx attempted contact again and again.Nothing.

On the night of 12th Frostwane, Eryx finally decided to speak.

He met Caelis in the council chamber, his voice low.

“My king… since the night of the 7th Frostwane, we have been unable to establish contact with Kaelis.”

Caelis froze.

“That’s impossible,” he said sharply. “She never misses a report. Not once.”

Eryx lowered his head.

“I don’t want to believe it either,” he said quietly.

“But it appears… she has been captured.”
As soon as Caelis heard those words, he turned and walked out 

of the chamber.

Eryx followed closely.“Eryx,” Caelis said without slowing, “order all our men to gather 

information on Kaelis and Malgareth. Immediately.”

Eryx caught up to him. “As you command. I will lead the search personally.”

Caelis moved through the long hallway, his voice cold and firm.

“If we cannot establish contact with Kaelis within two days… I will 

go there myself.”

Eryx stopped.

“I will make sure it doesn’t come to that.”

Caelis descended into the ruins beneath the old castle, where the Royal Library lay hidden. Ancient magic protected the place—only members of the royal bloodline and a select few nobles could enter.

No one outside the royal family knew what knowledge slept 

within those halls.

For two days, Caelis remained there, buried in forgotten records 

and forbidden texts.

Meanwhile, Eryx and his soldiers followed every lead mentioned 

in Kaelis’s reports.

Nothing.

No traces.

No witnesses.

No signs.

As Eryx passed through a market in the Indigo Nation, he noticed a familiar shop.

A middle-aged man stood there—someone Kaelis had once saved. Since then, he had quietly supplied her with information.

Eryx turned back and entered.

The man’s eyes widened.

“Good day, Sir Eryx. It has been a long time. What brings you 

here?”

Eryx wasted no time.

“Have you heard anything about Kaelis?”

The man hesitated.

“Lady Kaelis… yes. She came here about a week ago. After that, she left for an island.”

“We know that much,” Eryx said sharply. “Which island?”

The man stepped back, thinking.

“As far as I remember… southwest of here. Near the upper sea 

currents.”

“Thank you.”Eryx left immediately.

In the seven years since the attack, Caelis and his inner circle had discovered a way to travel swiftly through this weakly connected world. The method was used only in dire emergencies—and its existence was known to no one outside their circle. Not even the Nexus Council.

Eryx ordered his men to return to the White Nation.

He traveled alone.

What normally took ten to twenty days took only a few hours.

When Eryx reached the capital, he went straight to the Royal Library.

Caelis was still there.

“We’ve found Kaelis’s location,” Eryx said. “We’re awaiting your orders.”

Caelis closed the ancient tome before him and placed it gently on the table. A faint smile appeared on his face.“Prepare yourself,” he said. “We’re going to protect someone 

dear to us.”

Eryx placed his hand on his sword.

“We are ready. We can destroy the entire organization if needed.”

Caelis stepped past him, his smile widening slightly.

“No. We’re not going there to fight. You’ll understand once we 

arrive.”

He paused. “Where is Thalen?”“He’s already waiting outside—with the forces.”

They emerged into the open grounds.

Caelis stepped onto higher ground and addressed the gathered 

soldiers.

“My men,” he said, his voice steady, “I understand your feelings. But this mission does not require your strength. I need you here

—protecting the capital while we are gone.”

The soldiers responded with thunderous resolve.As Caelis, Eryx, and Thalen prepared to leave, hurried footsteps 

echoed behind them.

Serine ran toward them, struggling to catch her breath.“I want to come with you.”

Eryx immediately shook his head.

“You’re not ready for combat. Stay here.”Thalen crossed his arms.

“Kid, you’ll only slow us down.”

Serine straightened, forcing herself to stand tall.“No. I won’t. I may not know Kaelis well, but you all showed me 

kindness when I had nothing. You’re risking your lives for someone important to you… I want to help.”

Caelis extended his hand toward her.

“You may come,” he said calmly, “but on one condition. You stay hidden at all times. No risks.”

Joy filled Serine’s eyes as she nodded and climbed aboard.
Within a few hours, they crossed the Blue Nation and began 

flying over the northern sea. The ocean below was calm, but the sky had darkened—heavy clouds gathering, as if a storm was approaching.

They pierced through the clouds, heading straight for the island.

Serine looked around, her eyes shining with excitement.

“So this is what it feels like… flying in the open sky?”Eryx answered calmly, “That depends on how you see the world.”

Caelis stood at the front, gazing ahead.

“For us, the world is not open yet,” he said quietly. “When it finally is… the feeling will be something else entirely.”

Thalen leaned forward, looking down at the sea’s surface.

“We’ve arrived.”

Caelis’s eyes locked onto the land ahead.

“Land…”They descended, cutting through the clouds. As they neared the island, strong winds surged upward. The guards stationed near 

the shore were caught completely off guard—unable to organize any meaningful defense.

With a thunderous impact, Caelis, Eryx, and Thalen landed on the 

island.

Men rushed toward them, weapons raised.They didn’t last long.

Eryx and Thalen moved effortlessly, cutting through the attackers as if they were nothing more than obstacles in their path. The streets fell silent as bodies dropped and fear spread.

Further ahead, at the heart of the settlement, Malgareth stood 

waiting—flanked by his closest subordinates.

His eyes narrowed.“So… Caelis Lysandriel,” Malgareth said, a cold smile forming.

“What business does the White Nation have with me?”

He laughed softly.

“Have you become dogs of the Council? Coming all this way to free that girl?”

Caelis rubbed the back of his head, unimpressed.“You’re half right. I am here for that girl.”

He looked directly at Malgareth.

“But not because of the Council.”

Malgareth’s men tightened their grip on their weapons.

“Then why?” Malgareth asked. “Did she learn something inconvenient about us?”

Caelis raised his hand and pointed straight at him.

“She’s my friend. You captured her.”

“So I’m here to take her back.”

Malgareth let out a low laugh and gestured to his men.

“You think you can defeat all of us? You came here, yes—but you won’t leave this island. At least, not alive.”

Caelis gave a subtle signal to Eryx and Thalen.

“Let me be honest,” Caelis said calmly. “For a moment, I considered letting you live. I even thought you might work for us.”

His eyes hardened.

“The Council hoards power and wealth, suffocating the world 

beneath it.”

Malgareth’s expression twisted with amusement.

“In the underworld,” he said, raising his hand, “only the strongest have the right to give orders.”

He dropped his hand.“So die.”

The moment Malgareth’s men lunged forward, Caelis turned away, already losing interest.

“Eryx. Thalen,” he said quietly.

“They’re yours. Don’t take too long.”

The battle continued for nearly ten minutes.

Throughout it all, Caelis remained calm, seated on the branch of a tree overlooking the battlefield. Below him, Malgareth stood unmoving, watching as his men fell one by one.

Caelis finally spoke.

“Malgareth,” he said evenly, “do you remember what you said about the underworld?”

Malgareth turned his gaze toward him.

“Listen carefully,” Caelis continued. “I will fight you. I will defeat 

you. And when I do, you will work under me.”

Malgareth’s expression hardened.“You believe that defeating my men means you can defeat me?”

Caelis glanced back at the battlefield.

“When the time comes,” he said calmly, “the result will speak for 

itself.”

His eyes shifted.He noticed Serine standing nearby—confused, frightened, 

uncertain of her place.

“There’s no need to be afraid, Serine,” Caelis said gently.

She looked at him, trying to steady herself.

“I want to help… but it feels like I’m only a burden.”Caelis leapt down from the tree, landing softly before her.

“That’s not true,” he said. “Everyone has a role. Right now, yours is important.”

He placed a hand on her shoulder.

“Kaelis will be weakened. Help her recover. That is your task.”

Moments later, the fighting ended.

Eryx and Thalen returned, barely winded. They hadn’t needed to use their full strength—though Thalen bore a minor injury, earned through his own carelessness.

Caelis walked past them, eyes fixed on Malgareth.

“It seems our time has come.”As he passed, he spoke without turning.

“Kaelis is being held underground, in that building. Save her. I’ll handle Malgareth.”

Eryx and Thalen moved immediately. Serine followed close 

behind.

With several guards already defeated, the island’s defenses had 

weakened. They rushed toward the underground entrance.

Suddenly—A magical attack surged from behind.Eryx sensed it instantly and pulled Serine aside, deflecting the spell before it could strike her.

“Are you hurt?” he asked.

“I’m fine,” Serine said quickly.She noticed another attacker forming a spell behind Eryx. 

Without hesitation, she cast her water magic—just enough to disrupt the enemy and give Eryx time to counter.

Thalen glanced at her with approval.“It seems your training is starting to show.”

They reached the underground entrance.

The door was sealed.

Thalen didn’t hesitate—he shattered it with brute force.

Inside, Kaelis was bound to the wall. Conscious, but visibly 

weakened. Days of imprisonment had taken their toll, yet her eyes still burned with sharp awareness.

As the door opened, she smirked faintly.“So… has my dream prince finally come to rescue me?”

Eryx began untying her restraints.

“Kaelis, can you be serious for once? And Caelis is a king—not a 

prince.”

“Do it faster,” Thalen snapped. “She’s been like this for days.”

Kaelis’s strength failed her the moment she was freed. Her body sagged, but Eryx caught her before she fell.

With Serine’s help, they guided her out of the chamber and 

began treating her injuries.

Elsewhere on the island—

Caelis and Malgareth faced one another.

The real battle was about to begin.

To be continued…