Lumberling raised his hand quickly, shaking his head.

"Wait, wait, Lady Thalia. I know where this is going. You're about to drop some ominous red flag, aren't you?"

Her brows furrowed. "Red flags?"

"Yes," he said firmly, giving her a pointed look. "One of those cryptic warnings where you predict doom, I'm supposed to change fate, and somehow I end up doing exactly what you foresaw. That kind of thing."

For a moment there was silence, then Thalia's lips curved, and a sudden giggle slipped out. The sound was light, almost girlish, nothing like her usual composed self.

"You're the first one who has ever told me that, Lord Lumberling," she admitted, covering her mouth, but the laughter still escaped. Even with her veil, her smile was unmistakable.

"Finished?" Lumberling asked dryly.

She drew in a breath, calming herself, and nodded. Her tone shifted, soft but serious.

"Sorry. But yes… I do have a 'red flag' for you."

Her voice lowered, threading with a weight that made the air colder.

"Shadows are stirring beyond these wars. If you don't want to be buried with this empire, get away from here, far, far away. Because soon, blood will walk under the moon, and the howls of the wild will answer back."

Lumberling's brow tightened.

"…Blood walking under the moon?" he repeated.

Thalia's gaze flickered, her veil shifting slightly as if the morning wind carried her words with more weight than she intended.

"There are things older than empires, Lord Lumberling. Things that do not care for crowns or borders. When the night deepens, you'll see them. And when that happens, remember what I've told you."

For a moment, Lumberling only frowned, trying to read her expression through the veil. But all he found was silence and the distant echo of her warning lingering like a shadow in his chest.

As Thalia turned back, Lumberling reached out, his palm resting firmly on her shoulder.

"I apologize, Lady Thalia," he said quietly, though there was weight in his voice. "But I hate it when people leave things vague. What were you really trying to tell me? What's going on?"

Thalia froze, caught off guard by his directness. Slowly, she turned to face him.

"Have you heard of the cursed land… Duskwind Field?" she asked.

Lumberling gave a short nod. "I did."

"Then you must know the whispers about it. There's a hidden artifact buried there… a weapon of a God."

Lumberling didn't flinch. He knew of the artifact, and Thalia, who came from a powerful Church, it wasn't shocking she knew as well. But what struck him was the certainty in her words, and the chilling phrase, a weapon of a God.

"The Emperor believes this artifact will grant him the strength to ascend to a higher stage," Thalia continued, her voice low but urgent. "He's been moving in secret to awaken it. No one truly knows what it can do, but…" She trailed off, her lips pressing into a hard line, a shadow flickering across her expression.

"But what?" Lumberling pressed.

Thalia's breath caught as memories surged back. Her shoulders trembled faintly, and she shook her head as though trying to clear the images. "I only know this much, when it awakens, something terrible will happen to the empire."

"What do you mean by terrible?"

Her eyes grew distant. The steady rhythm of her breath faltered, quickening as if she were reliving something she wished she could forget.

"I… saw it," she whispered, almost to herself. "Flames swallowing cities… humans screaming, falling into chaos. Blood on the streets. The sky itself tearing apart…" She cut herself off, sucking in a shaky breath.

Lumberling's jaw tightened as he studied her. This wasn't just a guess. She had seen it, and the conviction in her trembling voice told him she believed it fully.

At last, Thalia steadied herself, though her eyes still burned with dread. She placed a hand over her chest as though willing her heartbeat to slow. "We must stop anyone from activating it," she said, her voice firm again, though edged with fear. "At any cost. Such an existence should remain buried where it belongs… not in human hands."

Lumberling held her gaze for a long moment. He could feel the weight of her conviction pressing on him. For once, the usually composed Thalia looked fragile and haunted. And that only made him realize how grave this truly was.

"Did the emperor know?" Lumberling finally asked, his voice low.

"He knows. But he would rather wield it himself than letting others claim it… even if it means risking the empire.

Lumberling frowned. "And the Church?"

"They know," she admitted, her tone tight. "And there are other forces moving trying to stop others to take hold of the artifact as well. We are one of them, but against a war this vast, there are limits to what we can do."

He studied her carefully. "So, do you want me in this… propaganda too?"

Thalia shook her head, a faint, almost sad smile tugging at her lips. "I'm not here to recruit you, Lord Lumberling. I'm warning you. Whatever choice you make, whether to stand with us or leave the empire, that will be your own."

For a moment, silence stretched between them. Lumberling let the weight of her words sink in. Finally, he exhaled. "With my current strength, I can't change much… but I'll do what I can."

Something softened in her eyes. She gave a small nod. "Thank you, Lord Lumberling. There is one name you should remember, Nathaniel Creed. A descendant of the Grand Duke's line. He has stood firmly against using the artifact."

Lumberling etched the name into his mind. "Nathaniel Creed… I'll remember."

"When the time comes… please, lend us your strength."

He met her gaze steadily. "If you ever need our service, seek me out. I won't turn away."

…..

And with that, the force of the Church departed. The soldiers moved in an orderly line, banners swaying faintly in the morning breeze. Thalia mounted her horse last, but before leaving, her gaze lingered on Lumberling.

She inclined her head, the perfect picture of poise. "Until next time, Lord Lumberling."

Then she turned away, leading her people down the road.

Lumberling stood at the edge of the courtyard, watching their silhouettes grow smaller until they disappeared into the horizon. His chest felt heavy, his thoughts circling back to the conversation.

The artifact. The emperor. Other forces. Danger looming like a storm.

He exhaled slowly, the weight of it pressing on his shoulders.

'If it really comes down to it… then I would leave the empire,' He had fought, bled, and survived in this land, but no single banner or crown was worth shackling his freedom or risking the lives of those who followed him.

He turned back toward the manor where Liraeth waited, her sharp eyes no doubt already questioning his private talk with Thalia.

But for now, he kept his thoughts guarded, his heart steady. The empire was already walking a dangerous road. And whether he stayed or left, he knew his path would soon cross with theirs again.