Erythro: The Prophecy Unveiled

At the heart of the Verdantia Empire, the grand Ordinance Building stood as a bustling epicenter of activity. Men in sharp suits moved swiftly in and out, their expressions tense and focused. Horse-drawn carriages continuously arrived and departed, adding to the sense of urgency that permeated the air. Inside, the atmosphere was even more chaotic—some individuals were running through the hallways, clutching papers and documents, clearly driven by the pressing matters at hand.

Among them, Regents Ryan and Kevin walked briskly, their footsteps echoing off the marble floors as they navigated the building's winding corridors. "Wow, it seems busy here," Regent Kevin remarked, his eyes scanning the hurried crowd. Regent Ryan shot him a quick look, replying, "Of course it is, the black wolves have returned. What do you expect? Anyway, we must hurry." Kevin nodded in agreement, the gravity of the situation sinking in as they quickened their pace.

As they continued down the hallway, a man carrying a towering stack of documents nearly collided with Kevin, but his quick reflexes allowed him to sidestep just in time. The man, barely noticing the near accident, hurried on, the papers teetering dangerously but remaining in place. With the tension in the building growing thicker by the moment, Ryan and Kevin pressed forward. They soon reached the heavy wooden door of their office, the words "Division 2" etched on a sign above it. 

Inside the room, Regent Ronald was deeply engrossed in his task, sifting through a chaotic mess of papers in a frantic search for something important. The office was in complete disarray—papers and folders were strewn haphazardly across the desk, chairs, and even the floor, creating an almost unmanageable clutter. The usually orderly space had been transformed into a scene of disorganized urgency. As Ryan and Kevin entered, Ryan's eyes widened in disbelief at the sight before him. "Goodness! What happened here?" he exclaimed, his voice cutting through the silence like a knife.

Startled by the sudden outburst, Regent Ronald, who was crouched on the floor with a magnifying glass clutched in his right hand, looked up with a surprised expression. He quickly composed himself, recognizing his colleagues. "Oh! It's you guys," he said, letting out a small sigh of relief. "How was the party?" he asked, as if the chaos surrounding him was nothing out of the ordinary. 

"Forget about the Royal Ball! What on earth are you doing? And what happened to our office?" Ryan demanded; his voice edged with exasperation as he took in the chaotic state of the room. His gaze swept over the scattered papers and disorganized mess that had overtaken their usually tidy workspace. The tension from the urgency of the situation seemed to finally crack through his composed exterior.

Regent Ronald, still catching his breath from the shock of their arrival, quickly tried to explain. "Regent Ryan, the High Regents have issued an urgent directive," he began, his words coming out in a rushed, spluttering manner. "They've announced that all division heads must attend an emergency meeting. We've been instructed to gather and present complete, detailed reports on any cases we've handled that could be linked to the wolves—specifically, the black wolves." His tone was a mix of urgency and anxiety, reflecting the gravity of the task at hand. Ronald's hands trembled slightly as he gestured to the papers scattered around him, emphasizing the monumental task they were up against. The mention of the black wolves sent a shiver down Ryan's spine, intensifying the already palpable tension in the room.

"That's exactly what I've been telling you both all along—keep the reports organized!" Ryan exclaimed; his frustration evident as he surveyed the chaotic office once more. His tone carried a note of reproach, as if this situation confirmed his long-held concerns about their lack of order. The disarray was a stark contrast to the meticulous structure Ryan had always advocated for, and the impending urgency only heightened his frustration.

Regent Ronald quickly defended their actions, his voice tinged with exasperation. "We simply don't have the time for that, Ryan. We're always out in the field, investigating," he retorted, knowing full well that their work was more about action than paperwork. Regent Kevin chimed in, half-jokingly, "He's right. Maybe we need a woman for that task." His attempt at lightening the mood was met with a sharp glare from Ryan, who was clearly not in the mood for humor. Ignoring the comment, Ryan issued a brisk command, "Gather all the necessary documents. I'll be at the Grand Court." He glanced at his pocket watch, the gravity of the situation reflected in his voice as he added, "The meeting starts in an hour. Hurry, you two." Recognizing the seriousness of the moment, Ronald and Kevin responded in unison, "Yes, sir!" They quickly set to work, the urgency of the task driving them into motion.

The Grand Court within the Ordinance Building was a majestic chamber, adorned with intricate carvings and towering columns. Sunlight streamed through stained glass windows, casting an ethereal glow upon the polished marble floor. The air was thick with anticipation as the heads of division gathered, their voices hushed in anticipation of the proceedings.

Regent Ryan, a figure of undeniable authority, stood before the imposing entrance to the Grand Court. His eyes traced the intricate carvings on the gigantic golden door, where a pair of majestic lions stood as sentinels, symbolizing the power and strength of the empire.

Above the door, the sign "Grand Court" was emblazoned, marking the threshold of one of the most powerful chambers in the Ordinance. As he took a deep breath and stepped forward, the murmur of the crowd inside reached his ears, a low hum of voices that hinted at the weighty matters about to be discussed. The sense of anticipation was palpable as Ryan crossed into the opulent room, where the very air seemed charged with significance.

Inside, the Grand Court was a spectacle of power and prestige, its grandeur reflecting the importance of the gathering. The room was filled with the empire's most influential figures, the heads of various divisions seated in their designated places, each chair a symbol of their rank and responsibility. Ryan quickly took in the scene: some of the regents were engaged in quiet conversations, their heads bent together in serious discussion, while others seemed lost in their own thoughts, perhaps contemplating the gravity of the issues they were about to face. The opulent surroundings, with their rich tapestries and gleaming chandeliers, only served to heighten the tension in the room.

As Ryan made his way to his seat, a voice cut through the low din. "You're late!" The remark came from a man with striking blonde hair, his tone sharp and critical. Ryan, ever composed, offered a respectful bow in response. "I've just returned from Carthage," he explained, his voice steady despite the underlying tension in the room. The blonde-haired regent raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. "The Royal Ball?" he inquired, his tone tinged with a mix of curiosity and disbelief. The mention of the ball sparked murmurs among the other division heads, who quickly voiced their opinions.

"The King of Carthage has the audacity to host a ball in the midst of these crises? He must have plenty of time on his hands!" one of the regents scoffed, his voice dripping with disdain. Another head regent chimed in, shaking his head in disapproval, "That's exactly why I didn't attend. There are far more pressing matters at hand than wasting time at a party!" The room buzzed with a mix of agreement and quiet judgment, as the division heads weighed the balance between duty and the perceived frivolity of the Royal Ball. Ryan remained silent, his thoughts already moving ahead to the matters at hand, the urgency of the meeting far outweighing the criticism of his tardiness.

Regent Ryan merely rolled his eyes in response, replying, "I wasn't there to indulge in festivities, gentlemen. I had urgent matters to discuss with the King of Carthage." His tone was firm, making it clear that his presence at the ball had been purely for business. The blonde man gave a dismissive huff but said nothing more, the tension in the room hanging thick in the air.

Just as the murmurs began to fade, the gigantic doors swung open, and the High Regents entered the Grand Court one by one. The eight of them moved with a quiet authority, their presence instantly commanding the attention of everyone in the room. They took their seats on a raised platform at the front of the court, each draped in a black cape emblazoned with the regent's symbol, a mark of their high station. Their faces were solemn, etched with the heavy burden of leadership. Among them was High Regent Julius, a figure of great reverence, whose wisdom and years of service had earned him the respect of all those present.

As the division heads took their seats, the court gradually fell into a hushed silence. The atmosphere changed the moment Erudite Cedric Vale, a man of striking intelligence and undeniable charm, stepped into the chamber. At forty years old, Cedric was a figure who effortlessly commanded respect and attention. His meticulously styled dark hair framed his handsome features, while his sharp yet gentle eyes conveyed both wisdom and authority. He moved with deliberate purpose, taking his place at the center of the raised platform, surrounded by the four High Regents flanking him on either side.

Erudite Cedric Vale held the prestigious position as head of the Ordinance, a role he had assumed at the astonishingly young age of 25. Now, fifteen years later, he remained the youngest Erudite in history—a title reserved exclusively for the leader of the Ordinance. His tenure had been marked by both wisdom and strength, qualities that were evident in his every move. As he settled into his chair, the High Regents flanked him, four on his right and four on his left, reinforcing the gravity of the gathering.