Chapter 428 430: Lumos

As surely as the sun will rise—

It wasn't just a saying. It was a fact. The sun always rose, and today, it rose again.

Its golden light bathed Damon in warm radiance. It was comforting. A fleeting touch of normalcy in a life that rarely knew peace.

Yet he hadn't slept well. His mind had been restless. Tense. His instincts buzzed, whispering warnings with no form.

He wasn't in immediate danger.

But by the time he saw it coming… it would be too late.

Being paranoid wasn't just habit—it was survival.

And that alone, was what made Damon… Damon.

He reached for the Whisper Coin, fingers brushing its surface with familiarity. He had intended to buy a pager—something to finally connect him to Lilith in real time—but as always, he lacked the funds.

Sure, he had rare resources that would fetch absurd prices in the right hands… but he doubted Commander Varran would let him out of his sight, let alone out of the city.

'These Brightwater knights are overzealous as hell… don't they ever get tired?'

He cleared his throat, flipping the coin gently in his palm. Then he began his message aloud.

"Hey, it's me again… yes, I know what you're thinking. 'Why won't he just get a pager now that he's back in a city?'"

He paused, rubbing the back of his neck.

"I might be in trouble."

He leaned on the windowsill, holding the coin to the morning light.

"Remember that one story you told me? The one where you warned me not to get too close to you-know-who...? Yeah… well, I might've gotten closer. And now her father wants to meet me."

He gave a slow sigh.

"I smell a trap."

The courtyard below bustled with life. But none of it eased his nerves.

"I'll let you know if I need rescuing. Don't come here… not yet."

He gently set the coin down.

If things did go wrong, there was only one option: run. Straight toward Astranova territory. Maybe—just maybe—Lilith would hide him.

He could almost hear her voice echo in his head.

"Whatever you do, don't do anything stupid—and keep your ego in check… are you listening, Damon?"

A small smile tugged at his lips.

"…I hate to admit it but—I really miss her."

Funny, considering she once dragged him to her bedchambers and threatened him.

He got dressed. The clothes they'd given him were of exceptional quality, but the Pale Crown remained. Wrapped tightly in black fabric, it made his outfit look… strange. Odd. But no one said a word—not even during breakfast with Commander Varran.

His friends understood why he wore it.

And oddly enough, Varran didn't ask.

Still, Damon wasn't the only one uneasy.

Evangeline kept fidgeting. Subtle, nervous tics. She only ever did that when something really bothered her.

The only one more unusual was Matia, who refused to sit, refused to remove her armor, and stood directly behind Damon—silent, unmoving.

Even Varran had insisted she relax.

She didn't—until Damon, with a quiet glance and a calm suggestion, urged her to take a seat.

That was enough.

Enough for Varran to know who truly called the shots.

—

After breakfast, an escort of knights—clad in full ceremonial armor—led them to the teleportation gate at the city's heart.

This would be Damon's first time using it.

He'd used Waypoints before, but this? This was something else entirely. Larger. Better. Capable of far longer distances.

The shift came like a snap.

Suddenly, the world twisted—light bent, and the very air changed.

And then, they were somewhere else.

When Damon looked out the carriage window, he saw a new city.

Lumos.

It was massive—and buzzing with anticipation.

What caught his eye wasn't the city itself—but the knights.

They waited in rows. Dozens of them. Ceremonial armor gleamed under the sun. A procession had formed. The streets were lined with people—cheering, tossing petals, waving flags.

He glanced at Evangeline.

"…Erm. Your people are, uh, quite high-key. How lively…"

She inhaled deeply, steadying herself.

"We… this isn't the norm."

Sylvia rested a hand on her chin, smiling brightly.

"Soltheon has such fascinating customs. I didn't expect your return to be this grand. It feels festive!"

Damon grinned.

"Wish I was a princess too. Wouldn't mind making an entire city stop just because I came home."

Xander rolled his eyes. "No need to be jealous. You'd look hideous in a dress."

Damon scoffed, arms folded. "Stop staring at my chest, you animal."

Leona laughed at the banter.

"I think Damon would make a nice princess. We could talk about girl stuff together."

Damon glanced sideways. "What girl stuff, you tomboy?"

Thud.

Her fist met his gut. The usual.

Their antics—childish as they were—made the tension bearable.

No need to be too paranoid.

He was only meeting one of the most powerful men in the Empire. No big deal.

As the carriage rolled deeper into the city, Damon saw commoners throwing flower petals, some cheering, others merely watching in awe. Canals carved through the city like veins—glittering with rune light. Aquatic creatures darted beneath the surface.

He leaned closer to the glass.

"…Barrier magic?"

He recognized the patterns. Runecraft. Valerie had taught him well. Even if the magic here was different, the principles held.

It was… beautiful.

Eventually, the shadow of the Palace entered his perception.

Evangeline's unease intensified.

So did his.

Finally, the carriage halted before a grand entrance.

Damon stepped out first.

White towers rose high into the sky. Towering banners danced in the wind. Rows of knights stood rigid with raised flags. A line of maids bowed low as the party stepped forward.

The central path led straight to the castle doors.

A butler stepped forward, head bowed, and without a word, turned to lead them.

Damon took a long breath… then followed.

No one spoke.

The silence in the palace halls was heavy—a stillness that felt like judgment.

Servants bowed as they passed. Then, at the foot of the great stairs… they saw them.

A tall, poised man with golden hair and piercing golden eyes.

Duke Cassian Brightwater.

And beside him, a woman with long, platinum-blonde hair and soft, steely gray eyes.

The Duchess.

Evangeline's mother.

The woman smiled—but maintained perfect composure. Regal, refined.

Damon stepped forward and bowed slightly, curtsying with the elegance expected of nobility.

"I am Damon Grey. First-year student of Aether Academy."

He had no title. So he used the only name that might carry weight.

The others followed, greeting the Duke in turn—except Evangeline. His daughter. She stood still, anxious, unsure.

Her mother finally stepped forward and embraced her tightly, unable to restrain herself any longer.

The Duke's gaze—cold and unreadable—lingered on Damon.

"Welcome to Lumos," Cassian said, his voice low and unwavering. "I hope it is to your liking."

He let the words hang… before smiling faintly.

"I would love to hear about your travels. Perhaps…" His gaze sharpened.

"We could start with the story behind that crown, hidden beneath the fabric you're wearing."