A week had passed since Endi and Rabesta began their mountain training.
It was already past seven in the evening.
Within the Kingdom of Nakatam, the Royal Guard and the security forces scoured the land, desperately searching for Prince Rose and Endi.
Strict patrols were enforced inside and outside the borders, search parties watching every street and alley with hawk-like eyes.
Meanwhile, on the misty ridges outside Baleralc, two men continued their search—Saizo and Kumashis.
"No sign of them even after all this… Could they already be abroad?" Kumashis muttered lazily.
"Perhaps. But to slip past Valentino of all people… Endi isn't half-bad," Saizo admitted, half in awe.
"Valentino, that bastard… If he's the one who let them slip, he should be the one out here cleaning up! Why the hell do we have to cover his mess? Damn fool!"
No sooner had the words left his mouth than Kumashis flinched.
"Kumashis, for the love of the gods, never say that in front of him," Saizo hissed, glancing nervously around. Kumashis quickly dipped his head.
"Oops, my bad. Just slipped out… Still, Nova and Rabesta missing too? They were just made Captain and Vice-Captain of the new corps. What the hell are they thinking?"
Kumashis spat in frustration.
"The Nakatam Corps, eh… barely established and already their top two vanish. This is no small problem."
"We need to find Endi quickly too. Now that it's clear he's Yudra, we can't just let him roam free."
"…True. But remember, Kumashis, our top priority is securing Prince Rose. A missing prince is a national crisis. And don't forget—he's also a key suspect in the murder of King Regalo."
Saizo's voice lowered, his face grave.
Kumashis stared back at him with firm resolve.
"I believe in Prince Rose."
"…Then I'll believe you mean that from the heart."
"Of course I mean it. Unlike you, I don't wear masks."
"…Kumashis, I'll cut you down where you stand." Saizo's temple twitched.
The insults didn't stop, but neither did their search. Beneath the bickering ran a strange, unshaken trust.
Elsewhere, Nostra and Rabesta sat by a riverside campfire after finishing the day's training.
Fish crackled over the flames, caught fresh from the stream. Fallen leaves and twigs fueled the fire—mountain living, self-sufficient.
Rabesta slumped on a rock, biting into roasted fish with weary shoulders.
"Ahh… This is rough."
Days of relentless training had pushed his body to the brink.
"Gahahaha! Already ready to give up, eh? But you've got talent, Rabesta!"
Nostra beamed. For the first time in years, he had someone to spar with, to speak with, to teach. It rekindled a fire in his aged heart.
"That's good to hear. I'll rest up and push myself again tomorrow."
"That's the spirit! Tell me though, Rabesta, this Nova child—are they really that precious to you?"
"Yeah. An irreplaceable friend."
The reply was immediate, without a trace of doubt.
"That's good. Treasuring friends is a fine thing. Endi and Cain too… once, I thought they were fine companions."
His voice carried a shadow of sorrow.
"They used to get along?" Rabesta asked, curious for once.
"Well… let's just say their bond was… twisted."
Nostra stared into the darkness, searching for words.
"Twisted? What do you mean?" Rabesta pressed—
But suddenly, Nostra's eyes gleamed.
"Rabesta, you've grown careless. Haven't you noticed?"
"What…? …!!"
Rabesta realized too late.
From the shadows, a presence emerged—not ordinary, but deadly. The killing intent in the air prickled against the skin.
"Oi, no use hiding. Come on out."
Nostra's call was met by the echo of footsteps. Clack… clack…
From the gloom stepped a sharp-featured boy with long purple hair.
"Well, well! As expected of Nostra-senpai! I thought I'd erased my presence, but you're on another level—no wonder you were once commander of the Sacred Apostles!"
The boy grinned with a twisted blend of madness and delight.
"No matter how you hide, if you're leaking that much killing intent, anyone would notice."
Nostra shrugged.
"Oi, oi, that's a nasty way to put it. I was only sending you a love call, old man!"
"Disgusting brat. Go home, brush your teeth, and sleep." Nostra shooed him with a wave.
"Oi oi oi, don't treat me so cold! You'll make me cry!"
"What do you want?" Rabesta rose, drawing his sword.
"Not you. Stay out of this, small fry." The boy sneered.
Rabesta's face stayed blank, though anger simmered beneath.
"Oi, brat. Who are you?" Nostra demanded.
"Me? I'm a senior warrior of the Yudra Empire! One of the Sacred Apostles—the great Erard!"
"What… Sacred Apostles?" Rabesta stiffened.
"So, you're with the Apostles, eh? Then tell me—what brings you here?" Nostra asked.
"Isn't it obvious? I'm here to bring divine judgment on you, traitor!"
Erard's tongue bared like the fangs of a beast.
"Divine judgment? Don't flatter yourself. If they're letting brats like you in, the Apostles must've fallen low indeed."
Nostra's words cut sharp.
"You're the arrogant one, old man. Once a commander, sure—but your glory days are long past. Now you're just a relic. No match for me."
Rabesta gasped, shaken by Nostra's revealed identity.
"Relic, am I!? Say that again and I'll teach you some respect!"
"Hah! Only the truth, old man. And while I'm at it, I'd love to smash Endi too. Where's that bastard hiding?"
"Endi has no time for the likes of you."
"You're really starting to piss me off, relic. Keep running your mouth and see what happens."
"Gahahaha! Brats are supposed to be reckless. But don't confuse recklessness with idiocy, boy!"
The exchange of words bristled like drawn blades, sparks of battle already igniting.
Rabesta stood, sword in hand, but he couldn't shake the feeling he had been reduced to a mere bystander.
Even armed, he felt oddly sidelined—that was his honest truth.