Eryssa's nervousness vanished in an instant. She looked up and protested, her voice trembling with restrained anger."Father, you were the one who was careless. You clearly know Veer was plotted against, yet you are punishing him. How is this fair? You didn't even arrive there yourself. If he has to go to that dangerous ruin, I will go with him. It's far better than living in this ferocious concrete jungle."
The king sighed gently."We have already lost your brother. Tell me—was he not involved in this? Do I even have the face to deny it?"
No one dared to speak. The silence stretched before the king finally said,"Do whatever you like."
Eryssa suddenly broke down, sobbing as she pointed at her uncle."It's all because of him, Father! He manipulated my brother. Now even my sisters are unconscious!"
Veer felt a sharp pain in his chest.What is this feeling? he wondered.
The king rose from his throne and slowly walked toward Eryssa. The entire council stood motionless. He embraced her and said softly,"Don't worry. You can go with that knight. Try to calm yourself."
Releasing her, his voice turned resolute."Just because he is my brother… do you all really think I will forgive him? Have you forgotten who I am? How I became king?"
He looked around the hall."Laren, assign someone to protect Eryssa."
Then his gaze hardened."Throw the bastard into the deepest dungeon."
Eryssa's uncle did not utter a single word as he was dragged away.
The king declared,"From this day onward, there will be only seven Black Knights."
Eleana stepped forward and raised her voice."I also wish to make a request. I want to explore the ruins with them. Knight Veer may not need protection, but Lady Eryssa does. Even if a protector is assigned, I wish to accompany her."
The councillors nodded. It was finally decided that Eleana, Veer, and Eryssa would head to the ruins. Surprisingly, the additional protector chosen for Eryssa was none other than John. They were to depart within a few hours and were dismissed immediately—there were many matters the king still needed to address.
................
Some time later, inside a cavern near the castle, the group of four sat together, having their lunch. Veer pondered several troubling thoughts.
First—the old man was somehow involved in this mess.Second—Eryssa's brother and her uncle shared a suspicious relationship with the mysterious woman who controlled puppets.And finally—the king himself.
Although the king appeared uninvolved, Veer couldn't shake the feeling that he may have allowed everything to happen. Worse, Veer couldn't read the king's true intentions at all.
Is he just a hypocrite?
Veer took another sip of wine, feeling slightly more relaxed.
What the hell was that elixir? And why was Alicia unconscious?No one had targeted her—she was the one who proposed the duel.
He glanced at Eleana, who seemed lost in thought as well.
She nodded subtly as everyone finished their meal and began preparing to depart. Veer turned to John and asked,"How far are the ruins from here? And what general information do you have about them?"
John thought for a moment before answering."They appeared suddenly about a decade ago. There was a massive earthquake in these lands, and the ruins surfaced afterward. We'll rent horses near the Puppet Bazaar. From there, it's about two yojans away—roughly a quarter of a day on horseback."
Veer frowned."Are we expected to spend the night in those ruins? Isn't that dangerous?"
Everyone looked at him in confusion. Eryssa replied,"Isn't that obvious, Veer? But… can I really last that long?"
Eleana shook her head reassuringly."We'll be with you. Even if we arrive in the morning, it won't make much difference. The ruins are enormous. As for the elixir plant, I've been there once during my training and can guide you to its general location. That region is known for exotic fruits and dangerous beasts—we must be cautious."
At the mention of the Puppet Bazaar, Veer grew wary again. He asked Eleana,"What is the origin of the Puppet Bazaar? Could everything that's happened be connected to it?"
Eleana shook her head."It's been here for a very long time. You can find all kinds of puppets—singing, dancing, even autonomous ones. There are also highly advanced puppet mentors, though they don't deal with the general public unless paid handsomely."
John added hesitantly,"I've heard a rumour. Puppet arts were once among the strongest disciplines. While they can't match direct combat arts, they're unparalleled in controlling others. There were once many puppeteers, but their legacy faded with time. Now, they exist mainly through bazaars scattered across different kingdoms."
............
The group soon reached the outskirts of the Puppet Bazaar. Veer occasionally felt headaches while looking at certain strange puppets, so they hurried through and reached the rental area.
As they prepared to rent horses, Veer continued pondering.If puppeteers are involved, how does that connect to the mysterious woman? And why did my involvement with them cost me my memories?
He was jolted back to reality by a girl approaching them.
She wore a light blue dress, her face mostly concealed by white cloth.She looks familiar, Veer thought.
John's face lit up."Oh Caria! What are you doing here?"
Caria removed the cloth from her face. She had deep black eyes, soft lips, and a delicate nose. Her black hair was shorter than Eryssa's or Eleana's, yet her beauty was no less striking.
"I'm monitoring this area," she said calmly. "Not just me—many under Sir Myrell are doing the same."
Eleana nodded."Then why stop us?"
Caria smiled."My task is complete. I noticed you were heading out on a trip, so I volunteered to join. I could use a few days of rest."She turned to Eleana playfully."So, Lady Eleana, may I accompany your team?"
Eleana looked at Eryssa, who nodded. John and Veer had no objections either. Just like that, the group of four became five.
Veer learned that Caria served under Sir Myrell, the kingdom's strongest knight—the same man who stood behind the king.
Veer suddenly asked,"Lady Caria, where were you during the banquet?"
Caria froze for a moment, then pressed her hand against Veer's forehead."Oh my—being called 'Lady' by a brute like you is new."
She chuckled."I was on a mission assigned by Sir Myrell."
She placed a finger on her lips and winked. Veer shuddered and instinctively stepped back.
One thing quickly became clear—Caria was extremely conscious about prices. Thanks to her, they rented the horses for half the usual cost.
As they finally left the bazaar and entered the open plains, the sun dipping toward the horizon, Veer, Eleana, and Eryssa suddenly shuddered. They exchanged glances.
John and Caria looked confused.
Veer finally spoke."So… are the three of us also thinking about Eryssa's assassination attempt—the one we all somehow forgot?"
Eleana nodded.
Eryssa and Veer's expressions darkened with shock.
John still looked bewildered.
Caria, however, wore a faint smirk.