The Silver estate gardens were quiet at night.

  Moonlight spilled gently across winding stone paths and carefully trimmed hedges that had been shaped over generations. Pale silver light touched the petals of night-blooming jasmine, and the faint fragrance drifted lazily through the air.

  A soft breeze rustled the leaves of the pale maple tree standing near the center of the garden courtyard.

  Beneath it sat Daniel.

  A low wooden table rested between two stone benches, and a small porcelain tea set steamed quietly under the moonlight. Daniel’s gaze rested on the distant moon above the estate towers.

  His expression was calm.

  But his thoughts were far from quiet.

  Across from him, Rika carefully poured tea into two small porcelain cups. The motion was slow and practiced, the liquid forming thin curls of steam as it touched the cool night air.

  She pushed one cup gently toward him.

  “For you.”

  Daniel blinked slightly, pulled from his thoughts, then nodded once.

  “Thank you.”

  For a while, neither of them spoke.

  They simply sat beneath the pale maple tree, drinking tea while the garden remained wrapped in quiet.

  Rika broke the silence first.

  She sighed softly.

  “So… the time has come.”

  Daniel nodded once.

  “If we don’t depart tomorrow, the situation will worsen.”

  He lifted the cup and took a slow sip. The warmth of the tea contrasted with the cool night air.

  “The Azure Thorn faction already attempted assassination once.”

  His gaze shifted slightly toward the distant walls of the estate.

  “If they learn the dungeon has awakened… they will try again.”

  Rika listened quietly, her fingers loosely wrapped around her own cup.

  She had already expected something like this.

  Ever since the dungeon reacted to Daniel and Ronan, the atmosphere around the estate had changed.

  More guards.

  More whispers.

  More tension.

  Daniel continued calmly.

  “My father, mother, and Third Sister have approved the expedition.”

  A faint smile touched his lips.

  “But my other siblings…”

  He shook his head slightly.

  “…are certainly planning something.”

  Rika laughed softly at that.

  “That sounds like your family.”

  Daniel did not deny it.

  He stared down at the tea for a moment.

  “They won’t interfere openly.”

  “But if they think I’m walking into danger…”

  He sighed quietly.

  “…they’ll probably create problems.”

  Rika leaned back slightly on the bench, studying him under the moonlight.

  “You make your family sound terrifying.”

  Daniel gave a small shrug.

  “They are.”

  Then he added after a pause.

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  “But they’re also the reason I’m still alive.”

  Rika smiled faintly at that.

  For a while they simply drank tea again.

  The night air was peaceful, almost deceptively calm compared to the chaos surrounding their lives.

  Then Rika suddenly leaned back slightly and said,

  “You know…”

  Her lips curved with amusement.

  “Ronan hasn’t stopped talking about you.”

  Daniel blinked.

  “…What?”

  Rika nodded, clearly entertained.

  “He keeps telling the servants that his future brother-in-law is the strongest warrior he has ever seen.”

  Daniel froze.

  Completely.

  Then a faint blush crept across his face.

  “That idiot…”

  Rika burst into quiet laughter, covering her mouth slightly.

  “Oh, it gets worse.”

  Daniel looked horrified.

  “Worse?”

  “He also told one of the maids that if anyone tries to marry me before you do, he’ll challenge them to a duel.”

  Daniel nearly choked on his tea.

  “He said that?!”

  Rika nodded.

  “Very proudly.”

  Daniel rubbed his forehead slowly.

  “I’m going to kill him.”

  Rika laughed again.

  “You can try. He’ll probably brag about surviving the attempt.”

  Daniel shook his head.

  “That boy has absolutely no sense.”

  Rika’s laughter softened into a warm smile.

  “Sometimes I thought he was being ridiculous.”

  Her expression slowly softened.

  “But you are certainly strong.”

  Daniel blinked slightly.

  The playful mood faded as her voice became gentler.

  “Still… strength isn’t everything.”

  She looked directly at him now.

  The moonlight reflected softly in her eyes.

  “Please protect my brother.”

  The words were simple.

  But heavy.

  Daniel knew exactly what she meant.

  Since childhood, Ronan had grown up without a mother’s warmth.

  And Rika had filled that role.

  She had protected him.

  Encouraged him.

  Raised him.

  Daniel slowly set his cup down on the table.

  “I will.”

  His voice was steady.

  “I won’t let him die in that dungeon.”

  Rika studied his face for a long moment.

  Searching.

  Weighing.

  Then she smiled.

  “Good.”

  They both stood from the bench a few minutes later.

  The tea set remained behind on the table as they began walking slowly along the garden path toward the estate halls.

  The path curved around a marble fountain where water flowed quietly into a stone basin.

  For a moment, neither of them spoke.

  Then Rika said suddenly,

  “…By the way.”

  Daniel looked at her.

  “Yes?”

  “You blushed earlier.”

  Daniel nearly stumbled.

  “I did not.”

  “You absolutely did.”

  “That was because Ronan said something ridiculous.”

  Rika tilted her head playfully.

  “So you didn’t blush because he called you my future husband?”

  Daniel stared straight ahead.

  “…No.”

  Rika hummed softly.

  “Interesting.”

  Daniel felt oddly uncomfortable.

  He had faced assassins, imperial mages, and ancient dungeon mechanisms without hesitation.

  But this conversation felt strangely more dangerous.

  He cleared his throat.

  “We should focus on tomorrow’s expedition.”

  Rika smiled knowingly.

  “Of course.”

  They turned the corner of the garden path.

  Daniel nearly walked straight into someone.

  “Careful.”

  A familiar voice spoke lazily.

  Daniel stopped immediately.

  Standing before them was Freya Maxim.

  His Third Sister.

  Her long crimson hair shimmered under the moonlight as she leaned casually against a marble pillar.

  Her sharp eyes flicked between Daniel and Rika.

  Then a slow smile appeared.

  “Well well.”

  “Is the youngest Maxim courting the Silver princess under the moon?”

  Rika coughed awkwardly.

  Daniel’s expression flattened instantly.

  “We were drinking tea.”

  Freya placed a hand dramatically over her heart.

  “How romantic.”

  Daniel sighed.

  “Why are you here?”

  Freya tilted her head.

  “To see the little brother who suddenly started shaking imperial mechanisms.”

  Her eyes gleamed with interest.

  “You’ve become quite troublesome.”

  Daniel remained silent.

  Freya turned to Rika.

  “You don’t look worried.”

  Rika smiled politely.

  “I trust Daniel.”

  Freya laughed softly.

  “Oh?”

  She walked closer to Daniel and examined him like a rare artifact.

  “Then you have good instincts.”

  Without warning she flicked Daniel’s forehead lightly.

  He frowned.

  “That was unnecessary.”

  Freya ignored him completely.

  Instead she looked at Rika again.

  “So don’t worry.”

  Her tone softened slightly.

  “The youngest Maxim is annoyingly difficult to kill.”

  Daniel crossed his arms.

  “That is not reassuring.”

  Freya smirked.

  “It wasn’t meant to be.”

  Then she turned and began walking away.

  After a few steps she waved lazily over her shoulder.

  “Try not to die in the dungeon.”

  The next night—

  The deepest chamber beneath the Silver estate stood silent.

  Ancient stone walls surrounded the underground hall.

  Massive engraved runes covered every surface.

  Torchlight flickered along the walls, casting shifting shadows across the chamber.

  At the center stood the dungeon gate.

  A massive circular stone door covered in ancient script.

  Daniel stood before it calmly.

  Beside him, Ronan looked around with wide eyes.

  “So this is it…”

  His voice echoed slightly through the chamber.

  “The dungeon gate.”

  Daniel nodded.

  “Stay focused.”

  Ronan straightened quickly.

  “Right.”

  A single elite guard stood near the chamber entrance.

  Silent.

  Watchful.

  Daniel stepped forward toward the stone gate.

  Two shallow grooves were carved into its surface.

  Blood offerings.

  Daniel pulled a small dagger from his sleeve.

  Without hesitation, he cut his palm lightly.

  A single drop of blood fell into the first groove.

  The rune lines glowed faintly.

  Ronan swallowed.

  Then he copied the motion.

  A single drop of his blood fell into the second groove.

  For a moment—

  Nothing happened.

  Then the entire chamber trembled.

  Ancient runes ignited with deep crimson light.

  The stone gate pulsed once.

  Twice.

  Then slowly—

  It began to open.

  The grinding sound of ancient mechanisms echoed through the underground hall.

  Stone scraped against stone.

  Dust drifted from the ceiling.

  Ronan stared at the opening gate.

  “…That’s terrifying.”

  Daniel watched calmly.

  The gate split apart.

  Beyond it lay darkness.

  Deep.

  Endless.

  The dungeon had opened.

  Daniel turned toward the guard.

  “You will remain here.”

  The guard nodded immediately.

  “Yes, sir.”

  Daniel’s voice hardened.

  “No one enters this dungeon.”

  He paused.

  “Anyone under the age of eighteen who attempts entry is to be stopped.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  Ronan cracked his neck nervously.

  “Well…”

  He glanced at Daniel.

  “Ready?”

  Daniel stepped forward without hesitation.

  “Stay behind me.”

  Ronan grinned.

  “Try to keep up.”

  Together—

  They stepped into the darkness.

  Behind them, the ancient gate slowly began to close.

  And the first true trial of the imperial dungeon had begun.