"Congratulations! Tris!"

  "Graduating at the top of your class, that's amazing! It's clear that Helios has chosen you."

  Cheers from his comrades filled the training grounds. Their voices carried sincere respect. Sunlight poured through the windows, making Tristan's silver training uniform gleam. The familiar scent of sweat and leather hung in the air.

  Tristan Valiant quietly exhaled.

  In his chest, joy and burden intermingled. Finally, five years of training had ended. And as the top graduate, no less. He had been looking forward to this moment, but what filled his heart was not elation but a heavy sense of duty. His palms were damp with sweat.

  "Thank you. I couldn't have made it this far without all of you."

  Tristan smiled as he looked at his comrades. His voice was calm, but his eyes held deep gratitude. The five years they had spent together flashed by quickly in his mind.

  But there was no time to indulge in sentiment. From tomorrow onward, he would walk a new path as a guardian of the capital.

  "Hey, Tris! Loosen up that serious expression, at least for today!"

  Paolo slapped his shoulder and laughed.

  "We all made it this far because of you!"

  Paolo's face beamed with a bright smile. His eyes shone with brotherhood. Tristan tried to smile, but a corner of his heart still carried the weight of responsibility.

  Commander Farlowus's words echoed in his mind: 'Greater responsibility comes with graduating at the top of your class.'

  "Everyone move to the ceremony hall!"

  Commander Farlowus's resonant voice echoed from the entrance of the training grounds. His voice carried strictness, but beneath it lay hidden pride. In his decades of training countless holy knights, disciples like Tristan were rare.

  The students rose as one. Tristan remained behind for a moment, gazing at the empty training grounds.

  His eyes swept across every corner of the hall, as if trying to imprint this final moment in his memory.

  'This is where it truly begins.'

  He affirmed in his heart. It felt as though Helios's flame burned within his chest. His steps toward the ceremony were heavy but resolute. The door to the training hall slowly closed behind him.

  With the sound of the closing door came the end of one era and the beginning of another.

  ＃＃＃＃＃＃＃＃＃

  Helios Cathedral

  The temple bearing the name of Helios, God of Light. Seven rays of sunlight streaming through stained glass bathed the interior in golden light. The subtle scent of old wood and incense wafted through the air.

  A sacred painting adorned the ceiling—the moment when Helios pierced the demon Desmos. The bright light bursting from the tip of his golden spear pushed back the darkness.

  Today, in this temple completed by countless artisans over thirty years, new holy knights would be born.

  Tristan's heart raced. Sweat dampened his palms, and his mouth felt dry as sand. Within him, reverence and tension mixed.

  'Finally, this moment has come.' He murmured inwardly.

  Tristan and his comrades entered the cathedral with heavy steps. The sound of their boots striking the marble floor echoed throughout the interior.

  Atop the grand staircase stood Guard Captain Lord Sharlos, Guardian Commander Lord Christopher, and at the center, Regent Minister Padris, the Emperor's representative. The empire's strongest knights and the Emperor's proxy looked down upon them. Their armor gleamed brilliantly in the sunlight.

  "All apprentices, forward."

  Training Commander Lord Farlowus's voice thundered through the cathedral. Tristan felt the Helios pendant around his neck suddenly grow warm.

  Twenty apprentices advanced along the red carpet toward the stairs.

  Then, clang! A metallic sound cut through the space. Silver blades gleaming with light rose into the air in unison. It was as if small suns were rising.

  Clang! The holy knights held their swords at chest height, gripping the handles firmly as they stamped their feet in rhythm.

  This was no mere ceremony.

  The moment they passed beneath the swords, they would no longer be apprentices but "Holy Knights." It was a moment of pledging their lives to the empire. A flame ignited in Tristan's chest.

  His entire body was taut with tension, yet he also felt a strange serenity. The training commander nodded toward Tristan. Tristan took a deep breath to calm his trembling. Then, resolutely, he knelt.

  "The fourth cohort of Holy Knight apprentices have completed five years of training, and now, no longer as apprentices but as knight novices, we pledge loyalty to His Majesty the Emperor!"

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  His voice filled the cathedral. The light entering through the stained glass grew more intense. The interior of the cathedral shone brightly with golden light.

  At that moment, Regent Minister Padris looked at the training commander. His cold gaze narrowed. Questions and dissatisfaction flashed in his eyes.

  "To think that such large numbers have dwindled to this."

  The training commander closed his eyes, then opened them. Pride and regret crossed his face.

  "As peace continues, even recruiting apprentices becomes difficult. We have no need for weaklings who cannot endure the training."

  A brief silence fell. Tristan felt his heartbeat pounding in his ears. Then, Guardian Commander Lord Christopher stepped forward.

  "Nevertheless, I am proud of all of you who remain here today. You are now members of the Guardian Corps, defending the capital fortress of Celesta."

  His voice was warm, but it carried a steely firmness.

  "If you show exceptional performance during your novice period, you will be given the opportunity to join the Royal Guard. The day may come when His Majesty the Emperor personally bestows the title of Holy Knight upon you."

  At those words, the apprentices' eyes wavered. The flame of ambition burned more intensely in Tristan's chest.

  'The Royal Guard... at the Emperor's side...'

  Everyone knew. The Emperor's Royal Guard. The position held by the empire's strongest knights.

  "Apprentices, come forward and receive your novice knight's sword, armor, and badge."

  The training commander announced. The apprentices lined up in order.

  A sword engraved with the imperial emblem. Armor decorated with silver. A badge engraved with the sun symbol of God Helios. Each represented the duty and honor of a holy knight. The badge shone like a small sun, and when Tristan received it, a warm energy traveled through his fingers.

  It felt as though Helios's blessing was flowing into his body. The moment they received this, they were no longer apprentices. They became novice knights of the Guardian Corps.

  "Congratulations on your graduation. Food is prepared in the adjacent room. Enjoy your last night as apprentices."

  The training commander said finally. As the solemn atmosphere dissolved, cheers erupted. The tense air dissipated in an instant. Laughter and words of congratulation echoed within the cathedral. Tristan finally relaxed and smiled.

  The apprentices laughed as they headed for the side room. But at that moment.

  "Lord Farlowus, I have an urgent matter to discuss."

  A low, resolute voice. At Regent Minister Padris's words, the air seemed to freeze. Tristan suddenly felt a chill run down his spine.

  As Regent Minister Padris gestured, the Guard Captain, Guardian Commander, and Training Commander moved quietly. Their destination was the sealed meeting room. Tristan sensed something was amiss from their retreating figures.

  There, a crucial discussion known only to them would begin. Tristan felt a strange premonition, as if darkness was seeping into Helios's light.

  ＃＃＃＃＃＃＃＃＃

  Tristan hurried toward the fortress. The morning sunlight pierced his eyes, and he felt a dull pain at his temples. It was the alcohol from last night.

  His mouth felt as dry as if he had chewed sand, and his stomach twisted uncomfortably.

  'I shouldn't have drunk so much at the celebration party.'

  He berated himself, but a smile formed nonetheless.

  He was no longer an apprentice. The silver badge on his chest gleamed in the sunlight. Though light in weight, the responsibility it symbolized was heavy.

  It was still hard to believe that he had become a member of the 4th Guardian Corps.

  Upon arriving at the fortress, a familiar voice reached his ears.

  "Tristan, you barely made it on time? After drinking so much yesterday."

  Paolo approached with a smirk. His eyes were full of mischief, and he himself looked tired.

  Tristan responded with a smile. "You drank a lot too. You still look drunk."

  But his smile soon faded. He saw the Guardian Commander and Training Commander entering the fortress.

  Their expressions were grave.

  'Lord Farlowus? But it's not the induction ceremony for the 5th cohort of apprentices...'

  Murmurs echoed within the fortress. Tension hung in the air.

  Then, the commander's voice rang out in the fortress. His voice was resolute.

  "Tristan, Paolo, Ederin. Step forward."

  The three instinctively moved forward. Tristan felt his heart racing.

  He sensed that something unusual had occurred.

  "Gather your equipment and follow me."

  It was a firm order. Urgency gleamed in the training commander's eyes.

  Numerous questions arose in Tristan's mind, but he remained silent.

  Tristan was already gathering his armor.

  'I didn't expect my first mission to come so quickly.'

  He thought. A mixture of fear and anticipation filled his chest.

  A new mission, and it would clearly be no ordinary one.

  ＃＃＃＃＃＃＃＃＃＃

  "Is that true?"

  The three novice knights, including Tristan, were speechless with shock. The air in the meeting room grew heavy.

  Darkness, as if Helios's light had momentarily vanished, enveloped their hearts.

  "The Dominator, who once brought the empire to the brink of destruction... has returned?"

  Tristan's voice was filled with disbelief.

  "I thought the previous Emperor had completely annihilated him..."

  The Guardian Commander shook his head firmly. Deep concern shadowed his eyes.

  "We didn't believe it at first either. But the appearance of orcs and the crescent moon symbol... all circumstances point to him."

  The training commander's expression darkened.

  "We must stop the Dominator before he reaches the capital. But we lack sufficient troops."

  At that moment, Lord Farlowus stepped forward.

  "That's why we decided to include you in the expedition."

  His voice carried weight.

  Tristan felt his heart racing.

  "Don't worry, Commander."

  Paolo smirked as he spoke. Excitement gleamed in his eyes.

  "Who are we? The 4th cohort of Holy Knights of the Litrian Empire... well, still novices, but you know!"

  Tristan and Ederin also nodded with determined expressions. Fear mingled with resolve in their eyes.

  This was not a simple mission, but a battle with the fate of the empire at stake.

  Tristan fell into quiet contemplation. Stories about the Dominator that he had heard as a child flashed through his mind.

  It was the moment when the demon from heroic tales told by his father became reality. A chill ran down his spine.

  'The Dominator... a being I only heard about in adults' stories as a child. I should look up records in the royal library before departing.'

  The training commander expressed concern.

  "But holy knights alone aren't enough. To counter the Dominator's dark magic, we need a powerful mage."

  The Guardian Commander also sighed.

  "We requested assistance from Luminarian, but they say there are no mages available for support."

  At that moment, Tristan spoke with a resolute expression. Certainty gleamed in his eyes.

  "Don't worry. I know someone I must bring."

  The Guardian Commander's eyes sparkled.

  "Who might that be?"

  Tristan answered with confident eyes.

  "Someone absolutely necessary for this expedition."

  Silence descended upon the meeting room. The candles burned silently.

  ＃＃＃＃＃＃＃＃＃

  "Father, it's me. It's Tris."

  Tristan spoke quietly, gazing at his father lying on the bed.

  The scent of herbs and dried lavender wafted gently through the sickroom. The afternoon sunlight streaming through the window illuminated his father's pale face.

  "Oh, Tris... you've come."

  The middle-aged man breathed laboriously. His voice trembled faintly.

  Disease was consuming his body.

  "I'm sorry I couldn't attend your graduation ceremony. I heard you graduated at the top of your class? I'm proud of you."

  "It's alright. You must get better quickly and come to my knighthood ceremony."

  Tristan grasped his father's hand firmly. That hand was much thinner and colder than before. The skin, with protruding knuckles, was transparent like thin paper.

  Tristan's heart ached.

  His father had been his hero. Seeing his father in such a weakened state was painful.

  "Father, as soon as I became a novice knight, I received my first mission. I'm heading to Hell Fortress. They say the Dominator has returned."

  In an instant, his father's eyes widened. Life returned to his pupils.

  It was as if a light that had been extinguished for a long time had been rekindled.

  "What? The Dominator...?"

  Surprise was evident on his face. He tried to sit up, but lacked the strength.

  Tristan quickly supported him. His father's body, as light as a feather, pierced Tristan's heart.

  "Not confirming his corpse then has ultimately become the root of the problem... I had my suspicions, but so many years had passed that I had forgotten."

  "Yes, everyone is confused. The Holy Knight Order is assembling an expedition force, and we'll be departing soon."

  Tristan's voice was calm, but his heart was complex.

  The fact that he had to leave his ailing father weighed on his mind. His hand gripped his father's more firmly.

  But he couldn't show it. He was now a holy knight, and his duty to the empire took precedence over personal feelings.

  Two emotions collided within his chest.

  "To reach Hell Fortress, you'll pass through Westdark Castle."

  His father said quietly. His voice was weak, but it carried weight.

  His gaze momentarily drifted to a distant past.

  "When you arrive there, seek out Duke Strider."

  Westdark Castle... Tristan recalled his childhood visit there with his father.

  The meeting with a black-haired girl, and the events that followed, flashed through his mind. The scar on his right cheek suddenly stung.

  That memory was vivid.

  But why should he meet Duke Strider? Questions lingered in Tristan's eyes.

  His father, seeming to read his question, added:

  "Do you remember when you visited Westdark Castle with me?"

  His voice grew increasingly faint. Tristan leaned in to listen.

  "At that time, by the Emperor's order, I delivered an important item to Duke Strider."

  Memories of the past seemed to flit across his father's eyes. His dim blue-gray pupils sparkled, and a faint smile spread across his lips.

  "If you convey my message to him, he will tell you what you must do next."

  As Tristan nodded, his father closed his eyes slowly, as if relieved. His chest rose and fell peacefully.

  Tristan watched his father for a moment. Resolve grew within his heart.

  This mission was not merely an expedition, but also a continuation of his father's legacy.

  'Duke Strider... and Elina.'

  Tristan murmured inwardly.

  Old emotions resurged.

  'So we'll meet again.'