Franklin Grahan shifted in the fairly comfortable, padded chair, straightening the sleeves of his noble attire. He was a Noble Ranker, a rare sight in the isolated mountain city of Daro. His House Grahan was one of the oldest noble houses to settle here. Though he was known locally for his family ties, Franklin was a local only in lineage and looks; he had spent most of his youth as an adventurer in the global hub, the city-state of Derrus. For a man who had seen Derrus, Daro felt like a small block of buildings holding fewer people than a single skyscraper could contain in the adventuring capital.

  After retiring, Franklin found himself stuck with a job—personal assistant to the Duke of Daro—which he had taken due to family politics. He was now confined to a city situated in the middle of a vast, snow-peaked mountain range, surrounded by a perilous Soul Domain forest. Most of Daro's populace lived their entire lives within these mountains; only a few noble families who could afford the Portal Arch could travel without risk.

  Now, he was sitting in the main lobby of the local branch of the Adventure Society, waiting to meet the city’s strongest person: the only Royal Ranker in Daro, Director Garahath Helmswell.

  The waiting room was a polished semicircle, with five wide corridors radiating out to different parts of the campus. The room and corridors were constructed from milky-white marble that Franklin instantly sensed was magically reinforced. Even he, a man capable of raising an entire building to the ground, would be unable to scratch the surface.

  “Lord Grahan,” the man in the administration office called out. Franklin turned toward him. “You can meet the Director now.”

  A woman stepped forward from an inner office and bowed respectfully. “Please follow me.” She started down one of the corridors, and Franklin followed, his gaze sweeping over the intricate murals painted onto the white marble walls.

  “May I know your name, Miss?” Franklin asked the young lady.

  “Reina Darath, my lord,” she answered without turning.

  “Miss Darath, may I know your rank? I cannot sense your aura for some reason,” he inquired.

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  “Soldier level 5, my lord,” she answered, continuing her brisk walk.

  “Good control you are getting, Miss Darath. Hakon Kelin?” The Noble Ranker sounded genuinely surprised by her control over her aura.

  “Yes, my lord. I am currently training under Mr. Kelin. Apparently, he is my father's childhood friend.” The young lady stopped as she completed her sentence and opened a heavy, dark wood door.

  “Thank you,” Franklin acknowledged, stepping into the room as she closed the door behind him.

  Franklin entered a vast, two-story room that felt more like a tower office. He moved toward what appeared to be the main desk when a rough, booming voice echoed from behind him.

  “Franklin, what a pleasure.”

  Franklin turned. He saw an enormous man, roughly seven feet in height, with a salt-and-pepper beard framing a bald head. His presence was palpable—like holding a volatile device in your hands, ready to explode at any second.

  “Director,” Franklin greeted with a respectful nod.

  The man moved behind the massive desk and took his seat, getting straight to business. “What does Derick want now?”

  Franklin took one of the three empty seats opposite the Director’s chair. “The Duke wants to know about the strange beam of light that appeared in the middle of the Soul Domain forest two days ago,” he answered, intently watching the Director’s face for any reaction.

  “Tell the Duke that we sent a Commander Rank scout party on the same day the light appeared,” the Director said, concern tightening his features. “Either they are dead, or they have lost their way.”

  “The Duke proposes that if the Adventure Society deems it acceptable, he is ready to offer his personal guards for any necessary help,” Franklin relayed, a hint of guilt evident in his voice.

  The Director sighed heavily. “Franklin, what is Derick planning to do now?”

  Franklin adjusted his position before answering. “The Duke wants it to mature into a tourist spot.”

  The Director leaned back, his controlled voice suddenly heavier with importance. “The King called me yesterday and ordered me to look into the place myself. Do you and your boss genuinely think that place is just a patch of land in the middle of nowhere? The strongest individuals in our race were bombarding me with questions right before you entered this room.” He took out a device similar to a smartphone and showed Franklin the recent call history.

  “Lord Commander Berklin?” Franklin paused at the name, recognizing the weight it carried.

  “Yes, one of the three Divine Ranked humans—and he might be even older than the city of Derrus itself,” the Director said calmly. “Scroll up, and you will be more shocked.”

  Franklin’s eyes widened in pure, unadulterated fear as he read the name at the top of the list.

  “Emperor Deodas,” he nearly shouted in surprise.