Arthur, Eveline, and Esralda strolled through the bustling streets of the academy city. The vibrant atmosphere was a stark contrast to the solemnity of the church. Street vendors called out their wares, the aroma of freshly baked bread and roasted at wafting through the air. The cobbled streets bustled with rchants, adventurers, and students enjoying their leisure ti.
Their first stop was the Hero's Monunt, a towering statue dedicated to the first hero who had driven back the demon king centuries ago. The bronze figure stood proudly with a sword embedded in the ground, his gaze piercing toward an unseen enemy. Eveline bead as she gestured toward the plaque below.
"This monunt was erected in honor of Aegis Dawnbringer, the first hero. It is said that his sword, while no longer present, left behind a residual magic that still lingers to this day."
Arthur ran a hand over the base of the monunt. "I've read about him. The guy was a beast on the battlefield. But his biggest mistake was not finishing the job completely."
Esralda chuckled. "You speak as if you were there, Arthur. But history rarely tells the full truth."
They moved on to other attractions, from the Grand Fountain to the rchant's Square. to the rchant's Square
Finally, they reached the Royal Museum, an imposing structure of marble and gold accents. Large banners of the Hestia Empire draped from the pillars at the entrance. The museum's grand design was a testant to the empire's rich history and cultural pride.
Arthur glanced up at the magnificent building, its sheer size overwhelming. "Well, I'll admit, this is a little more exciting than I expected."
A tour guide leading a group of visitors noticed them and bead. "Welco! You've arrived at the pride of the Hestia Empire—the Royal Museum!"
"Let introduce you all to the pride of the Hestia Empire, the Royal Museum," a guide announced to a group of tourists nearby, his voice filled with excitent.
Arthur muttered under his breath, "I have a bad feeling about this place."
Eveline, oblivious to his concerns, clutched his arm and pulled him forward. "Co on, Arthur, don't be such a killjoy. There's so much to see inside."
Just as they were about to step inside, Samantha arrived.
"Esralda!" she greeted with a warm smile before her gaze landed on Esralda. Without hesitation, she stepped forward and pulled her old friend into a hug.
Esralda chuckled as she returned the embrace. "It's been too long, Samantha."
Arthur, however, found his attention drawn elsewhere—specifically, to the way their ample chests pressed against each other. His gaze lingered for a mont longer than necessary.
Eveline, noticing his shaless staring, elbowed him lightly. "That's enough."
Arthur coughed and looked away. "Right."
Samantha pulled back, a fond smile on her lips. "Shall we head inside?"
Eveline and Arthur walked ahead while Samantha and Esralda followed behind, talking and laughing as they caught up on old tis.
The interior of the museum was just as magnificent as its exterior. Towering marble columns lined the halls, supporting ceilings adorned with intricate murals of legendary battles and monts in history. The atmosphere was thick with history, a silent testimony to the glories and tragedies of the past.
Arthur's eyes darted from one artifact to another. Each display held relics of imnse historical and magical significance. His gaze landed on a glass case showcasing an ornate sword—one that bore runes pulsating faintly with residual energy.
"Excalibur's Replica," Samantha read from the plaque. "One of the many weapons wielded by the Hero of Dawn during the Demon Wars. It was reforged multiple tis, but the original remains lost to history."
Arthur scoffed. "They really like making replicas of everything, don't they?"
Samantha chuckled. "Not everyone gets to hold the real thing, Arthur. Museums are ant to preserve stories, not just artifacts."
They continued their tour, stopping before another display—a shattered crimson gauntlet, encased in thick layers of protective enchantnts.
"The Gauntlet of Emperor Faustus," Samantha murmured. "It's said that the emperor punched a dragon out of the sky with this."
Arthur leaned closer, eyes narrowing. "You sure he didn't just bribe a bard to write that?"
Samantha rolled her eyes but smiled. "Believe what you want. History is written by those who survive."
As they walked deeper into the museum, they ca upon a section dedicated to magical relics. Arthur's fingers tingled as he felt the dense mana swirling around the objects displayed. So of these items were far from re artifacts—they were powerful remnants of battles long past.
His gaze landed on a particularly ominous display.
Encased in multiple layers of arcane barriers, a jagged black blade rested on a darkened pedestal. The very air around it seed distorted, as if reality itself rejected the weapon's existence.
"That's..." Arthur muttered, taking an unconscious step closer.
Beside him, Samantha's expression darkened. Her usually composed deanor wavered as she followed his gaze.
"The Abyssal Fang." Her voice was low, almost reverent, yet laced with unease. "The weapon wielded by the Demon King Satan himself. And let be clear—it's not a replica. That is the real thing."
Arthur exhaled slowly, his pulse quickening.
"It's been sealed here for centuries," Samantha continued. "Bound by the strongest wards known to man. And even now, it still hungers."
Arthur felt a chill run down his spine. He rembered this weapon from the ga's lore—Abyssal Fang, the sword Satan left behind when he was forced back into hell.
It was a Mythic-rank weapon, one that only Satan himself could wield. Anyone else who so much as touched it would go insane in minutes. The mages of old had sealed it with layers of powerful sigils, and now it was just sitting here in a museum, a glorified trophy telling the story of the hero who drove the Demon King away.
Even with all those seals, this thing still feels dangerous.
Before he could think about it any longer, a familiar voice called out.
"Arthur?"
He turned to see Alicia walking over, followed by the whole gang—Cedric, Kaela, Nadia, Akira, Cassandra, Luna, and even Alex.
Arthur's eye twitched. What the fuck?
"What are you guys doing here?" he asked.
Alicia crossed her arms. "That's what I should be asking you. Weren't you supposed to be visiting the church with Eveline?"
Arthur pointed over his shoulder. "I did. Her mom's right there, talking to Samantha. We were just showing her around." He raised an eyebrow. "But why are all of you here?"
Alicia shrugged. "We were bored, so we decided to go on a little outing."
Arthur narrowed his eyes. "And you chose a museum for that?"
"Right?!" Cedric chid in, relieved to find an ally. "That's what I said! Who goes to a museum for fun?"
"We do!" The girls replied in unison, glaring at Cedric.
"It's good to learn about our empire's history," Nadia added, flipping her hair.
Akira sighed. "Alright, alright, no need to argue. Since everyone's here, we might as well make the most of it."
Eveline clapped her hands. "Actually, I was just about to introduce everyone to my mother. Co on, let's go."
The group followed Eveline toward Esralda, but Arthur didn't move. A nagging thought clawed at the back of his mind.
The whole main cast is here. That can't be a coincidence.
His gaze drifted back to the jagged black blade, Abyssal Fang, still pulsing with faint ominous energy. His mind raced through the ga's story events, piecing everything together.
And then it hit him.
The museum attack. The demon contractors.
This wasn't just any relic—it was one of the strongest demonic artifacts left behind by the Demon King himself. In the ga there was an even related to the museum, the demon contractors launched a terror attack to steal it, sacrificing countless civilians in the process.
Arthur wasn't sure if today was the exact day, but all the signs pointed to it.
And then—
BOOM!
A thunderous explosion ripped through the museum.
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