Brandon and Rheanne walked side by side through the wide, sunlit corridors of the castle.

Servants and guards bowed deeply the moment they recognized Rheanne, stepping aside with murmurs of "Goddess."

They were soon escorted by two nervous-looking royal guards toward the grand audience hall.

The massive double doors swung open as they approached. 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝕨𝕖𝗯𝚗𝚘𝕧𝕖𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝕞

At the far end of the Emperor’s throne room, Emperor Valerian Bleaufort of Eurasania was sitting.

The moment Rheanne entered, the entire court fell silent.

Nobles, advisors, and attendants dropped to their knees or bowed deeply.

The Emperor himself rose from his throne and descended the steps, bowing with genuine respect.

"Goddess Rheanne, your presence honors us. We have awaited your arrival with great anticipation."

Rheanne inclined her head gracefully.

The Emperor’s sharp eyes shifted toward Brandon and he asked curiously "And who is this companion you bring with you, Goddess?"

Rheanne answered without hesitation, "He is my right hand... Kael. You may speak freely in front of him."

Brandon lowered his hood slightly and gave a nod.

The Emperor looked at him for a moment longer, then nodded.

"Very well. Welcome, Kael."

He gestured toward a long table that had been prepared on the side of the hall, laden with maps, scrolls, and reports.

"Please, sit. We have much to discuss."

They moved to the table. Servants brought chairs and fresh wine.

Once everyone was seated, the Emperor leaned forward.

"The tower in the eastern mountains has grown more unstable. Strange creatures have begun spilling out. But since Lady Rheanne has cleared it... the tower will be stable for a while."

"But there is another dungeon nearby, which is spilling powerful monsters outside."

"Villages are being abandoned around that area and the people are getting escorted to safety. I fear it may soon threaten the capital itself."

He slid a detailed map toward Rheanne.

"I humbly request your assistance, Goddess. Clear this dungeon too, and the gratitude of the entire Eurasania Empire will be yours. Lands, titles, gold... whatever you desire shall be granted."

Rheanne looked at the map calmly, her fingers tracing the marked location.

As the discussion continued, Brandon remained mostly silent, observing everything.

His gaze occasionally drifted to the Emperor and the nobles present.

This was real history unfolding around him.

After the main points were settled, the Emperor stood and bowed once more.

With a nod, Rheanne replied "We will depart tomorrow morning."

Smiling, the Emperor replied "Until then, please rest and make use of anything the castle has to offer."

---

Stepping out into the sunlit corridor, Rheanne glanced at Brandon beside her "Then I will go and meet the Historians."

Brandon raised an eyebrow "Historians?"

She gave a small nod as they continued walking down the corridor, "There is a group of people who have been following me for years. Scholars."

"I tell them what happens inside the towers and rifts. Everything that is happening right now... for the future generations, it will become History."

She gestured lightly with one hand as they walked, "About the first human with extraordinary powers like this. About the weird monsters coming out from the rifts. About how the world is changing. I make sure they record it accurately so that those who come after us will understand."

Rheanne paused for a moment, then added with a faint smile, "So I will tell them what to update in the records today. Don’t worry... I will keep your existence a secret. No one needs to know about the second person who can wield this power."

Brandon nodded slowly, processing her words.

They turned a corner into a quieter wing of the castle "Also... the name you gave the energy. ’Ether.’ I like it. It feels right. Cleaner than just calling it ’energy.’ I will start using it when I speak to them."

She glanced at him sideways, "You said it first. So in a way, you’re already part of the history I’m helping to write."

Brandon gave a dry smile "I didn’t realize I was naming something that would stick for centuries."

Rheanne chuckled softly "History is made of small moments like that."

---

Rheanne reached a set of tall oak doors guarded by two silent attendants. The moment the attendants saw Rheanne, they bowed deeply and opened the doors without a word.

Inside, there is a large, circular chamber filled with long wooden tables covered in scrolls, maps, and open books.

Several older scholars and a few younger scribes looked up from their work.

When they saw Rheanne, all of them rose quickly and bowed "Goddess Rheanne,"

Rheanne nodded graciously and stepped into the room "I have much to tell you today. Prepare fresh parchment."

The scholars moved with surprising speed, clearing space at the central table and bringing out clean rolls of parchment, ink pots, and quills.

Rheanne sat down at the head of the table "First, the name of the power. From today onward, call it ’ether.’ It is more precise than simply ’energy.’ Write that down."

The scribes’ quills scratched furiously across the parchment.

---

The morning sun bathed the castle grounds in a warm, golden light as Brandon wandered through the wide corridors and open courtyards.

’This place looks really beautiful,’

’How the heck did they manage to build this 500 years ago?’

He continued walking, passing servants who bowed respectfully when they saw him, as word had already spread that he was the Goddess’s companion.

Eventually, his steps led him away from the main halls and into a more secluded part of the castle.

A beautiful private garden opened up before him, enclosed by high hedges and flowering vines, with a small fountain bubbling in the center.

Then he heard noises... the soft twang of a bowstring, followed by the sharp thud of arrows striking wood.

Curious, Brandon followed the sound.

At the far end of the garden, partially hidden by a cluster of flowering bushes, stood Amelia Bleaufort.

She was dressed in a practical training outfit and in her hands she was holding a finely crafted recurve bow.

She nocked an arrow, drew the string with smooth precision, and released.

Twang- Thud!

The arrow struck the center of a wooden target set up against the garden wall.

Brandon watched for a moment, impressed by her form and focus.

He stepped forward and hearing his footsteps, Amelia’s head snapped toward him instantly.

Her hazel eyes widened in surprise, and she lowered the bow "...You."

Brandon waved his hand casually and offered a small, friendly smile "Hello there, princess."

Amelia glanced away quickly, a faint blush coloring her cheeks as memories of the previous night flooded back "Uhm... yesterday... sorry for doubting you."

Brandon waved his hand dismissively, "It’s alright. I understand why you reacted that way. I was a stranger sneaking around the castle at night. Anyone would be suspicious."

Amelia looked back at him "I... I didn’t know you were truly with Goddess Rheanne. When you said it, I thought you were lying to protect yourself. The Goddess is... very important to me and to all of us."

Brandon nodded, understanding completely "I get it. No hard feelings."

He glanced at the target and the quiver of arrows beside her.

"You’re pretty good with that bow."

Amelia’s shoulders relaxed slightly at the change of subject and a proud smile touched her lips.

"I train every morning. My father says a princess should know how to defend herself and her people. Archery is... calming."

She nocked another arrow almost absentmindedly, drew, and released.

Twang- Thud!

Another perfect center shot.

Brandon whistled softly "Impressive."

Amelia tilted her head, curiosity winning over her earlier embarrassment "Are you from... somewhere else? The way you speak... it’s different from anyone I’ve met in the empire."

Brandon chose his words carefully "Let’s just say I’m not from around here. But I’m here to help Rheanne. That’s all that matters right now."

Amelia nodded slowly and gestured toward the target.

"Do you want to try? I have a spare bow."

Brandon smiled and shook his head "Maybe another time. I’m better with a sword than a bow."

"...I see."

Amelia’s gaze lowered "If you’re truly with the Goddess... then please take care of her. She carries the weight of the entire world on her shoulders. She shouldn’t have to do it alone."

Brandon met her eyes and nodded his head "I will. She won’t be alone while I’m here."

Amelia gave a small, satisfied nod.

Then, as if remembering her royal dignity, she straightened her posture and picked up her bow again.

But as she shifted her weight to nock another arrow, her foot slipped on a slightly uneven cobblestone.

"Ah-"

Brandon stepped forward instinctively. His right hand caught her waist to steady her, while his left hand reached out to support her upper body.

*boing* His palm landed directly on her breast.

The soft flesh filled his hand for a second before he realized what had happened.

Amelia’s face brightened instantly, "Y-You are a perverted scum after all!"

Brandon: -_-

Why does this keep happening?

He quickly pulled his hand away, stepping back with an awkward expression.

Before he could even apologize, a mature, amused voice drifted from the garden entrance.

"Oh my..."

Brandon immediately let go of Amelia and turned his head.

Freya Bleaufort stood a few paces away, holding a silver tray with two glasses of fresh fruit juice.