"It's ti to start expanding your territory.."
At the far northern boundary rose the Arctic Iceberg Mountain range.
Within that unforgiving land stood the Ice Spirit Plateau Fortress.
Grand Duke Selphram narrowed his amber eyes, montarily lost in the words of Pale Yellow Autumn Moon.
"Expand my territory... Did I hear that right?"
To Selphram, Pale Yellow Autumn Moon was like a deity... She was the one who cured his younger sister Sansaeram of a lethal illness and saved the fortress during its darkest hour. Without her help, the fortress might have lost its legendary status as 'impregnable' under his watch.
Because of this, Selphram followed her advice without hesitation. Yet this ti, he couldn't help but question her intent.
"Yes. The ti has co for you to broaden your reach. Don't you think it's unfair that, for countless generations, people have lived out their lives trapped in these frozen wastes? If you don't act now, your children and grandchildren will be condemned to the sa bleak fate."
"... Why ?"
"Because this mont is perfect for you. Think about it: you're a prodigy who reached Class 8 magic in your thirties, and you're a skilled general. If not now, then when?"
"You flatter too much. I can only cast one Class 8 spell..."
"You, of all people, should know the difference between having at least one spell and having none at all."
"Besides, your greatest talent is your natural skill in commanding troops."
Endowed with the [King's Charisma], Grand Duke Selphram had built Ice Spirit Plateau Fortress's military to heights never before seen. People said it was the mightiest force in its long history. But there was one problem...
"You're too cautious."
"... I apologize."
Despite possessing exceptional charisma, leadership, and even the talent of reaching the class 8 magic level in his 30s, his conservative nature was his greatest flaw.
He feared change.
Even though he possessed enough power to subjugate the forbidding northern reaches of Arctic Iceberg Mountain, he hesitated, haunted by worries of failure:
'What if I fail?'
'Wouldn't this level of troops still be woefully insufficient?'
'What if... just one class 8 spell isn't enough to make a real difference?'
Such timid doubts ran in circles through his mind. Though he was arguably the greatest commander ever to stand watch over the Ice Spirit Plateau Fortress, he had done nothing.
... In reality—
'I made him like this, didn't I?'
Pale Yellow Autumn Moon smiled secretly. She had shaped Selphram's character since his youth, blending charisma with insecurity to ensure he would always be malleable to her words.
Why had she gone to such lengths?
She wanted a 'hunting dog'... soone powerful yet obedient to her will. Truly formidable minds couldn't be fully wiped clean or forced into blind devotion. But subtly molding his ego so he would hang on her every word was enough.
"I'll make up for your indecision. With your gifts and my ambition... if we combine our strengths, we might just conquer the world."
This was no idle boast. Pale Yellow Autumn Moon felt an urgent determination.
'It has to be now!'
When Selphram was born, he was hailed as a once-in-a-century genius. Pale Yellow Autumn Moon had seized that chance, devoting centuries of effort to ensnare his mind.
He was a brilliant mage from the far north, hidden away but supported by the region's most formidable army.
Yet there was sothing she hadn't foreseen:
She didn't know that, within just a few years, prodigies even greater than Selphram would be born.
Two boys, Ma Yu-Seong and Jeremy Skalven, carried [Majestic Aura], a trait beyond Selphram's own [King's Charisma].
Then there were two more, Fla and Hong Bi-Yeon, who surpassed his [Mana's Blessing] with their [Mana's Love].
Finally, Eisel and Hong Bi-Yeon possessed [Nature's Affection], an even greater trait than Selphram's [Nature's Blessing].
Reflecting on these nas, Pale Yellow Autumn Moon felt anger flare within her. She crushed the delicate cup in her hand.
CRASH!
"... Are you all right?"
"Ah, yes. I just miscalculated my strength."
She casually tossed the broken pieces to the floor, and the attendants silently entered to clean up the ss.
'What a disgusting twist of fate.'
She had waited centuries for a genius mage she could use as her puppet. After finally choosing Selphram as the perfect candidate, mages with even greater talents had been born within just a few years.
It felt as though the heavens themselves were mocking her.
'No. I must keep faith in my plan.'
True, there were those who surpassed Selphram in certain fields.
But none possessed his balanced excellence across the board.
'My choice... was not a mistake.'
Pale Yellow Autumn Moon reached out and held Selphram's hand.
"Grand Duke Selphram."
"... Yes, my lady?"
"What sort of dream do you hold... as a human being?"
She spoke in her softest voice. Though she felt an unsettling chill across her skin, Selphram, already enchanted by her, noticed nothing.
"My dream is..."
Closing his eyes, Selphram pondered for a mont before giving a sowhat dull answer.
"To live and die quietly, just like my father."
His father had ruled over Ice Spirit Plateau Fortress, safeguarded it with silent resolve, and departed this world in peace. Selphram's wish was simply to follow that path.
Of course, defending the fortress from the monsters of the north was already a monuntal responsibility. For that reason, Selphram had never considered anything beyond it. His fear of personal shortcomings or mistakes gave him pause.
"The world will never rember your na."
"... That doesn't matter to ."
"No. It does matter. Without you - without Ice Spirit Plateau Fortress acting as the wall holding back the northern threats - the central continent might have already turned into hell."
Every day, the fortress stood as a shield against hordes of monsters, never letting a single one slip through its walls. Long ago, people of the central continent acknowledged and appreciated this sacrifice. But over ti, mories faded.
No one rembered the Ice Spirit Plateau Fortress anymore, even though it was a bulwark holding back an unimaginable hell.
"No... I'm fine with that..."
"Doesn't it feel unfair?"
Suddenly, Pale Yellow Autumn Moon's eyes glowed yellow.
In that instant, Selphram's pupils dilated, and his thoughts beca sluggish.
"Think carefully. While those people lounge in comfort, snacking in their warm hos, you and your soldiers bleed and sweat to protect this world."
"Yet they no longer give thanks. They've forgotten their debt to you. Doesn't that sting? Even if your soldiers die, they won't bat an eye."
"Th-That's not..."
"The solution is simple. It's sothing you're more than capable of doing. All you have to do is... Open the fortress gates just a little."
"Let the monsters flow into the central continent."
Once those people see their friends and loved ones drenched in blood, they'll rember. They'll rember Ice Spirit Plateau Fortress, the stronghold that sealed off the northern hell.
"And then...?"
"Yes. After that, you'll rescue them. Monster hunting is your specialty, isn't it? You'll wipe out every last creature that overruns the central continent and raise your banner over the ruins. Let the world learn the na of Selphram."
"That is... Not just my dream, but yours too. Isn't it?"
Selphram, with his vacant and unfocused eyes, stared blankly into the air.
Indeed, despite having only just entered the class 8 and being able to cast only a single spell, his ntal defenses had noticeably grown stronger.
Yet Pale Yellow Autumn Moon smiled. She had been sweet-talking and manipulating him since he was a child, so resisting her words was practically impossible for him.
"I'll... Do it."
Unable to resist Pale Yellow Autumn Moon's will, Selphram finally nodded.
Just as she was about to let out a triumphant cheer—
BANG!
"G-General! Ergency situation!"
A subordinate burst into the room without warning.
"Tch."
Selphram blinked, his eyes gradually regaining focus as he turned toward his subordinate. Pale Yellow Autumn Moon quietly stepped back, wearing a faint smile.
'Well, it's a sha it ended here, but the seed has already been planted.'
Selphram's mind was likely already consud with the thought of carrying out her orders. He wouldn't have the capacity to focus on anything else now.
"... What's the situation?"
"The unidentified monster that annihilated the Blue Wind Forward Base has appeared!"
'Unidentified monster?'
Pale Yellow Autumn Moon tilted her head, unable to make sense of it. But she didn't bother trying to figure it out.
She could simply peek into Selphram's mories.
'... Huh?'
After scanning his mory, her eyes widened in disbelief.
'What... Is this?'
The wounds it left were clean, as though sothing impossibly sharp had sliced them. It didn't resemble any magic she knew. If it were Wind Blade Magic, other signs of collateral damage would be evident, yet there were none.
'Sothing... feels very wrong.'
Having lived for over a thousand years, Pale Yellow Autumn Moon trusted her instincts. This was no ordinary being.
Dealing with it was the imdiate priority.
At that mont—
"... Open the fortress gates and clear a path for them."
"Huh?!"
Pale Yellow Autumn Moon's stunned exclamation mirrored the soldier's horrified expression. But Selphram's gaze remained resolute. His mind clung to a single directive:
'Release the northern monsters into the central continent and let the world know our nas.'
The goddess he worshiped - the only one he trusted - had held his hand and given him this order. It was an absolute command, one he could not defy.
For his dream... And for hers.
"Must I repeat myself? Open the gates and let the unidentified creature pass. That is all. I'm heading to the command center."
"Y-Yes, sir! At once!"
"Wait! Selphram! Wait a mont—!"
Pale Yellow Autumn Moon hurriedly called out to him, but it was already too late.
The 'suggestion' she had carefully implanted was slowly lting away his doubts and reinforcing her control over him. It was not sothing that could be undone easily.
Breaking it would require her to expend every last drop of her remaining power. But if she did that, she would be left as nothing more than a helpless puppet for years to co.
As Selphram strode off to command the troops, Pale Yellow Autumn Moon sagged against a nearby pillar, her expression hollow. A helpless, almost absurd laugh escaped her lips.
"It'll... Be fine... Right?"
Even though this unidentified creature remained a mystery, surely it was just another monster. Why panic over such a trivial threat?
'Y-Yeah... This is all part of my plan.'
She repeated that thought like a mantra, closing her eyes as though trying to reassure herself.
Surely, the great Pale Yellow Autumn Moon - one of the Twelve Divine Moons - would not be thrown off by sothing as minor as this.
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