Durkin Residence, Royal Grounds
Havey, eldest son of Corozol Durkin, waited in a dimly lit hallway. Behind him stood a heavy wooden door.
"I apologize for being late," said his assistant as he approached.
"Is he awake?" Havey asked.
"Yes, my lord."
The wooden door creaked open, and the two of them descended a narrow staircase. The only light came from the lantern in the assistant's hand, casting long shadows against the stone walls.
"Did he talk?" Havey asked again.
"Yes, my lord. The ruin stones they were carrying came from the Udgard family. Apparently, they were the ones who provided the drop-off location as well."
"Hmm, that's interesting. How did the Udgard family get their hands on so many ruin stones? And where exactly was the drop point?"
"Ah… he fainted midway, my lord. We'll continue as soon as he wakes up."
"Don't push him too hard. I don't want him dying before we get what we need."
"Understood, my lord."
They entered a basement lined with wine barrels. Passing through it, they approached another wooden door. Havey opened it.
"Hmm. So this is the rat that got caught, huh?"
Inside, a man was bound to a chair, his hands and legs tied. Blood covered his bruised face. Two Durkin guards stood beside him and bowed as Havey stepped in.
"Wake him up."
One of the guards grabbed a bucket of water and dumped it over the prisoner's head.
"Aah! Aah! That's all I know! I told you everything! Please, let me go!" the man cried as he jerked awake.
"Shut up," Havey snapped, his voice suddenly low and distorted.
He stepped forward and grabbed the man by the shoulder.
"How did the Udgards get their hands on so many mana crystals?"
"I... I don't know!"
"Then tell me what you do know, Koku. You've had a rough life, haven't you? An awful name the other kids used to mock. Your wife left you because you couldn't afford to feed her. Your crew is dead. And now, here you are, being tortured."
Koku froze. Even the guards looked startled.
"H-how... how do you know that?"
"Oh, I know more about you than you'll ever know. And I will know everything."
Havey placed his hand over Koku's head and closed his eyes. A strange silence fell over the room. A few moments passed before Havey opened his eyes.
"Let's go," he said calmly.
He turned around and headed for the stairs.
"Oh—and get rid of him properly."
The guards bowed again as Havey disappeared from the room.
Havey and his assistant moved briskly through the estate's corridors until they reached his private office. Once inside, Havey unrolled a large map across his desk and marked a location with ink.
"I saw him dumping the ruin stones inside a narrow crack—probably above a cave system. They passed through the Valley of Death to reach Velhein. That's how they slipped past our surveillance," Havey muttered. "I've marked the spot. Deliver it to the Light Knights."
"Yes, my lord," the assistant said, taking the map into his hands.
The assistant hesitated. "My lord, you look worn out."
"He had a barrier protecting his mind."
"What?"
Havey exhaled through his nose, rubbing his temple. "Yeah. This could be worse than we thought. Get that map to the Light Knights immediately. I want to know exactly where the ruin stones were dumped—and more importantly, why."
"Yes, my lord." The assistant bowed and left the room.
"What's really going on, Havey?" asked a voice from behind.
Havey didn't need to turn to know who it was. "How many times have I told you to use the door, Katon?"
"Oh, come on. That's no fun," Katon replied, grinning as he stepped forward.
Havey rolled his eyes.
"You think the Udgards are working with the Velhein Council to seize the throne?" Katon asked.
"There's no way an Udgard ends up on the throne. This isn't about that."
"Then what is it?"
"I don't know," Havey admitted. "But I have a theory. The only way Udgard could get access to so many ruin stones is if the Velhein Council handed them over. The corrupted mana we found on those stones—it matches the magical signature of the Udgard family."
"Oh? And how do you know that?"
"I don't. Just a good guess," Havey said, though his tone suggested it was more than that.
The door opened again, and the assistant stepped in. "Pardon the interruption, my lord—but someone's here to see you."
Havey and Katon turned toward the doorway—and both froze.
Standing just beyond the threshold was the White Wolfs' commanding officer, Rowan Vykie.
"Hey, Havey," Rowan said, casually resting a hand on the hilt of his sword. "I heard an interesting little report from your butler here. Thought it'd be nice to hear it from you directly. Mind if we have a quick chat?"
Katon leaned in and muttered, "Look at that bastard—talking like you have a choice."
Havey smirked. "Of course, Commander. Matter of fact, I was planning to meet you anyway. Your timing couldn't be better. Please, have a seat."