Iago, Yuki, and Edward arrived at the Sylvan Garden. Although surrounded by low, rusty wrought-iron fences, the place felt like a collective sigh of relief from the hustle and bustle of the Residential District. Tundra Oak Trees towered high, their thick canopy casting a perpetual cool shadow, as if the garden were eternally held in twilight.
Yuki and Iago sat on a stone bench by the edge of the Red Lilies Pond. As Iago pulled the crumpled scrap of paper from his pocket, his eyes unintentionally fell upon the bronze statue in the center of the pond: the statue of the Ancient Forest Goddess, with an emotionless expression and outstretched hands.
A great sorcerer can do anything? What the hell does that mean? Iago muttered under his breath.
"Look at this, Big Brother Iago!" Edward showed him a rabbit in his hands. His face was beaming. "Cute, right?"
Yuki chuckled softly. She glanced at Iago's face before looking at Edward. Iago's face was lowered, facing the ground. "Yes, the rabbit is very cute." Yuki paused briefly, looking at Iago again. "Right, Iago?"
"Ah, yes. Very cute," Iago replied.
Iago and Edward exchanged smiles. Yuki merely observed Iago's movements. Her eyes narrowed slightly.
Edward returned to playing with his friends on the meadow. He looked very cheerful with them. However, the atmosphere on the stone bench became silent.
"Hey, Iago..." Yuki broke the silence.
"Yes?" Iago looked at Yuki.
Yuki's lips curled up. "Maybe I shouldn't pry. But… if you are in any trouble, I'll be here to help you."
"I know," Iago said, offering a small, grateful smile.
After that, Iago returned to observing his surroundings. "Hey, Yuki."
"Yes?"
"Have you ever felt indecisive?"
"... Yes. I'm sure everyone has."
"You're right."
Yuki hesitated before speaking again. "What is making you indecisive, Iago?"
Again, the atmosphere fell silent for a moment. Iago's hands clasped together and trembled almost imperceptibly. Then, he gave a short, self-deprecating laugh and looked at Yuki. "Haha, nothing. Just curiosity."
Suddenly, Yuki held Iago's clasped hands with both of hers. She squeezed them gently. "It's okay. You can tell me, Iago."
Iago was startled. His trembling hands now stilled. His heart was now beating faster. "Yes, thank you," he replied.
Yuki released Iago's hands and continued to look at him.
"This paper." Iago showed her the message he believed was written by Shadow.
"Oh, about Shadow?" Yuki asked.
Yuki leaned closer and slightly bent down to see the contents of the paper. After reading it quickly, Yuki's eyebrows raised and her lips slightly parted. "A sorcerer? What does that mean?"
"I don't know. What's clear is, I need you, Yuki."
"Help with what exactly?"
"Finding the mastermind who sent this letter."
"But how?"
"First, we will look for that mysterious old man," Iago said, frowning.
The afternoon was fading into evening. Eldric's back looked increasingly sturdy behind his plain gray cloak. He was not wearing the IV uniform; just simple clothing that made him look like a late-arriving timber merchant. Behind him, Eliana and about eight other subordinates of Organization IV moved in a loose formation, spreading out and merging with the shadows.
They did not enter Citywon through the Main Gate.
Eldric chose a seldom-used route: a gap in the eastern wall, long known to smugglers. The breach was covered by dense bushes and led directly into the crowded Residential District. The air here felt warmer and smelled of wet spices, far from the cold mountain air they had come from.
"Remember," Eldric's voice was low, barely a whisper, yet every subordinate heard him clearly, "We are not obvious hunters. We are smoke. Don't draw attention from the Royal Guard. Our focus is solely Master Iago."
Eliana nodded slightly. She moved like a shadow. Her eyes swept every corner of the narrow alleys, searching for signs of Iago's presence.
"Eliana," Eldric whispered without turning his head. "You check the old inn area, the remnants of the traces left by the Master. The rest of you, follow me to the Central District. We will start at the drinking houses."
"Okay."
They parted at the intersection of the alleys. Eldric led his group toward the bustle of the Central District, where he believed a confused Iago would seek information or a place to drink.
Eliana moved alone, venturing deeper into the heart of the Residential District. This was where the dense wooden houses stood close together. She used her infiltration skills, jumping from rooftop to rooftop, her eyes scanning every backyard. The smell of horse manure, cooked soup, and sweat mixed in the air.
She stopped on the rooftop of a house located directly opposite the Sylvan Garden. From here, she could see the crowds on the meadow and the gravel pathway. Her eyes narrowed as she spotted the figure of a man she knew—although the man looked weaker and confused—sitting on a stone bench, accompanied by a red-haired girl and a small child.
Iago. He was found sooner than she had expected.
Eliana took a sharp breath. She observed the scene in front of her. The man she loved—and was now hunting—surrounded by innocence, far from the darkness of Organization IV.
You are in the wrong place, Master.
Eliana lowered her gaze to her wrist, which was still slightly bruised from Otto's grip this morning. Doubt crept into her heart, but she quickly dismissed it. She had to bring Iago back.
She drew her two black daggers as a precaution. The obsidian daggers absorbed the late afternoon light, making them seem almost invisible.
However, as she prepared to move, she felt a trace of someone behind her. Not Eldric, not the Royal Guard.
She turned around. On the roof behind her, there was only an empty shadow. But she was certain something had seen her.
As Iago, Yuki, and Edward started walking home, Eliana ignored her feeling and immediately jumped down from the roof, choosing to approach the Sylvan Garden via the gravel pathway, ensuring she would not let Otto or Eldric reach Master Iago first.
"Was the bread good, Edward?" Iago asked, smiling.
"Yes! Tundra Honey Buns are the best!" Edward replied.
Tundra Honey Buns were small sweet breads baked with tundra honey produced in Valemira. They were small, round, with a dense texture, tending to be chewy, but possessed a strong sweet flavor from the honey.
Iago and Yuki laughed. They walked home, holding hands. However, Eliana was already standing in front of them.
"Master..."
Iago's smile faded. His eyes widened, and his hands trembled again. "You..."
Yuki and Edward were confused by the sudden interaction. Edward looked at Iago worriedly. He squeezed Iago's hand tighter.
"Big Brother Iago?" Edward said.
Iago realized Edward's tighter grip. He looked at Edward and forced a smile. "Yes, Edward?"
"Who is she, Iago? Why is she armed?" Yuki asked.
Eliana's eyebrows instantly furrowed, and her grip tightened on her daggers. She stalked toward Yuki. "Who am I? The better question is, who are you?"
"Ah, I'm sorry. Did I offend you?"
"Of course! Filth like you has no right to be by Master Iago's side! Get out, you harlot!"
"What do you mean? What do you mean only you have the right to be by his side?"
"Yes! Just so you know, I was the girl closest to him. I am the one who is suitable to be by his side!"
"I don't understand."
"Don't pretend to be stupid! You intend to approach and exploit him, right?!" Her breathing was ragged. Eliana then looked at the three of their hands intertwined. "What is this, Master? You are not the Master Iago you used to be."
Iago could only remain silent. He looked down at the ground. "This…" He finally looked up at Eliana. "This is none of your concern, Eliana. Leave."
Eliana's eyes widened. Her hands, which were clenched, tightened even more on her daggers. She then pointed her dagger at Yuki's throat. Yuki was startled and could only remain silent. She looked at Iago as if asking for help. Edward wanted to move, but Iago tightened his grip on Edward's hand.
"We don't have time, Master. We must regroup with the members," Eliana said.
"What if I refuse?" Iago asked.
"Then... you must taste your former life. The hard life."
Eliana swung the dagger in her right hand toward Yuki's throat, but a throwing knife suddenly struck her right wrist.
The blade sliced her skin. A thin red line opened on her wrist, as if fresh ink had just been spilled on pale paper. The pain came quickly, sharp like the bite of a poisonous ant, then changed to a warm sensation as blood began to seep out slowly.
"Arghh... Who is that?" Eliana asked, grabbing her right wrist.
Eliana turned to the side. A bunny mask and a cloak—it was Otto, already standing there. Otto began to walk closer.
"You really are irritating," Otto said.
"You! Why do you always butt in?!"
"Don't you remember what our mission here is?" Otto asked.
Yuki and Edward were increasingly confused by the situation, but they also felt relieved.
"Bastard! What if my hand had been severed?!"
Otto walked towards his dagger, which was stuck in the nearby tree trunk. "Don't be ridiculous." He pulled out the dagger. "I calculated the trajectory."
Otto then looked at Yuki and gave a slight, apologetic nod. "My apologies, miss. This girl is quite troublesome indeed."
"What do you mean troublesome?!" Eliana snapped from behind.
"Ah, y-yes. It's no problem," Yuki replied.
"What are you doing, Otto? Why are you bowing to her?! She has a sinister plan against Master Iago. Kill her!"
Otto ignored Eliana and immediately approached Iago. He dropped to one knee, one hand resting on his stomach and the other behind his back, performing a deep, formal salute.
Iago's head began to hurt like shards of glass scraping his brain. A blinding wave of pain hit him. He grabbed his head with both hands.
"Arrghhh..."
"Iago?" Yuki said worriedly.
"Big Brother Iago? What's wrong?" Edward asked.
"Pain... Pain... Damn, it hurts so much...." Iago muttered, now pulling at his own hair.
Otto remained motionless on one knee. "It has been too long, Master. My name is Otto Valen."