As Kerin rode the horse with Eleana held firmly in his grasp, he looked ahead and saw the castle drawing closer. Even so, it would still take quite some time to reach it. In truth, doubts gnawed at him—he wasn't sure if he could save her.
All around, darkness was slowly spreading across the sky, creating a baffling, oppressive sight. Just when will it go away? he wondered.
He glanced around. The citizens appeared perplexed. Fortunately, he was positioned in the middle of the scout formation, so most people couldn't see Eleana clearly. Still, he could read the emotions in their eyes—hope in some, resignation in others, and sorrow in many. Some stared silently at the sky.
Most houses were shut tight. As Kerin passed the restaurant where he and his friends used to gather, a sense of unease washed over him. Something felt deeply wrong. He shook his head and looked down at Eleana.
He hesitated.
Should I use it… or not?
At last, he made up his mind as he studied her lithe figure, her eyes closed. She was truly lonely—he had always known that. And he knew how desperately Veer wanted to save her.
Memories of their academy days surfaced. Back then, Veer would often stare blankly at Eleana from afar. Whenever Kerin urged him to confess, Veer would only say strange things.
"We belong to different worlds…"
Kerin clenched his teeth as Veer's last expression flashed through his mind. He let out a slow sigh.
Turning slightly, he addressed the knight riding behind him."Temur, hand me my inscription bag."
Temur nodded and passed him an intricately designed bag. It was old and dusty, clearly ancient. Kerin caught it and opened it. Inside lay a single pen.
From behind, Temur hesitated."Kerin… you once said this was for your aunt. Are you really going to use it?"
Kerin tightened his jaw."My mother can survive for a few more months. But if I don't use it now, she will die. And this situation… it doesn't feel right."
The surrounding knights looked confused as Temur spoke again."Captain, they all—"
Kerin cut in with a sigh."I had emergency medicine prepared for my mother, but after seeing the extent of Eleana's injuries… they're far beyond what it can handle. Still… let's try."
The atmosphere turned grave. Everyone nodded silently.
Revel, a silver knight with flowing black hair, spoke solemnly."Captain Kerin, we are all with you."
Kerin drew a rune on the bag. Space tore open slightly, forming a tiny void, and a vial emerged. It was emerald blue, glowing faintly. He took it and carefully poured its contents into Eleana's mouth.
For the first time, the void-like wounds consuming her abdomen began to heal. The bleeding slowed, then stopped.
"Now… we have a better chance," Kerin muttered.
Temur exhaled softly."Captain… you're a great man. I don't know if I could make such a choice."
Kerin said nothing as they continued forward.
His thoughts drifted elsewhere—back to the day a massive emerald bow appeared in the sky. His inscription bag had glowed with emerald light that day. When he touched it, he felt as if his soul were being dragged out of his body. Terrified, he had handed the task to his most trusted follower instead.
His grandfather's words echoed in his mind.
"Little Kerin… this bag holds a pen. It belonged to our ancestor. Remember—no one can take this bag from our family unless we give it willingly… through a blood-bond ritual."
Kerin murmured the words he had once memorized.
"Seven realms, seven oceans, and seven protectors of the world…Uncover the truth…The pieces will fall into place…With the convergence of destiny…"
.....
Within half a prahar, the castle loomed ahead. As they approached, Kerin felt the oppressive weight pressing down on the citizens. Blue mages and a golden army surrounded the area, and the atmosphere inside the castle grounds felt distinctly different.
The castle was as majestic as ever—yet something felt off.
Kerin frowned."Did I just see that wrong…? A human jumped from the bell tower."
The central castle appeared oddly empty and desolate. The public halls on either side were silent, and the northern bell tower stood firm but ominous. Kerin sighed as he observed the knights stationed at the first elevation.
The golden knights felt different. Kerin himself was a golden knight, yet every one of them radiated something unusual.
His pupils contracted when he spotted their leader—a knight without rank, yet one who surpassed most black knights.
Rio.
The very knight Eleana had once challenged.
Rio wore standard golden armor, but his spear gleamed brilliantly. His massive build stood out, and his gaze was fixed in their direction—particularly on Eleana.
The blue mages stood at the front, their faces hidden beneath strange robes, while the golden knights formed a protective ring behind them. Blue spheres floated throughout the area, casting a dim glow. Though it was still daylight, the air felt like dusk.
Kerin slowed his horse.
Why are they here? Why aren't they at the frontlines?
The king had declared war. The commander had gone missing. Eleana had been forced to lead the war herself—until she was injured. And now, the commander had returned… wounded.
His thoughts halted as the leader of the blue mages stepped forward.
Kerin raised his hand, signaling the cohort to stop. He pulled out a badge engraved with a lady holding a bow and tossed it forward before dismounting.
The mage caught it and examined it."It's real," he said calmly. "But we cannot allow anyone to enter the premises."
Kerin's anger flared."Can't you see she's on her deathbed?!" He pointed at Eleana.
"I see that clearly," the mage replied. "But these are His Majesty's orders. Perhaps you could take her to the princess quarters."
Hope flickered in Kerin's eyes."Is Eryssa there?"
The mage shook his head."Princess Eryssa's protectors are missing. The guest accompanying her is missing as well."
Kerin drew his sword in fury."Are you all insane?! With this many forces, how can they just disappear?! The quarters are nearby!"
Golden swords rang out as hundreds of knights unsheathed their weapons. The pressure in the air became overwhelming.
"We don't know the details," the mage said firmly. "No one was seen leaving. They are simply… gone."
Temur whispered urgently,"Captain, let's not provoke them—"
Kerin silenced him with a glance."Then take me to the king."
"I'm afraid that's impossible," the mage replied, twirling his wand.
Kerin's face hardened."Is there any way to save her?"
A female mage stepped forward sharply."What kind of leader gets this injured and carried back? Who's leading the war now?"
"Enough. Go back," another mage snapped, forcing her to retreat.
The leader leaned closer and whispered so only Kerin could hear."This level of injury can only be treated by the princesses, the holy saintesses… or the King."
He lowered his voice further."The saintesses have vanished from the temple. The princesses are missing as well. His Majesty ordered us to hold our positions and allow no one inside."
Kerin stared at Eleana, his expression darkening.
...
Moments earlier…
Lythria ran through a narrow back alley connecting the princess's residence to the castle interior. Eryssa had informed her of most routes, and she had already incapacitated a few knights or slipped past them using her tricks.
But now, she froze.
Golden knights surrounded the castle in overwhelming numbers.
What's going on…?
The first elevation only held the base of the towers. Most of the castle lay higher. Why was her lotus hidden here?
She hesitated, calculating her chances.
Footsteps echoed behind her.
She turned to see a female knight approaching—blue armor, stylishly designed, wielding twin swords. The helmet matched Eleana's description of the knight who had attacked her and Veer.
"You," Lythria said cautiously. "Why did you attack Veer and Eleana? Why are you here?"
The knight scoffed."You recognized me? Did that bitch Eleana tell you, or that fool Veer?"
She chuckled darkly."That bitch Noelle baited me and turned me into her puppet for a while."
She laughed again."I should thank that guy—and the Moon Lady—for helping me break free."
She tilted her head."Now you have your answer."
A white lotus bloomed in Lythria's hands."Why are you here?"
"To capture a spy from Mythria. Isn't it obvious?"
Fear crept into Lythria's chest. She wasn't as strong as Veer, John, or Eleana.
"You should be punished," Lythria said. "How are you freely roaming?"
The knight sneered."Who's going to punish me? This is my duty attire. I was gone for a few months. Now I'm back."
She raised her swords."So… surrender? Fight? Or should I call the knights and have them tear your clothes apart? Mythria's beauties sell for a high price."
Her laughter echoed cruelly.
Lythria's eyes turned pure white as her lotuses expanded.
Defense was her specialty. She struck precisely, one lotus grazing the knight's neck—but the knight dodged effortlessly.
A massive white flower enveloped Lythria as she defended against relentless attacks.
"Dancing Flames…" the knight muttered after sometime.
Suddenly Fire consumed the lotus barrier. Lythria's energy drained rapidly. Her Nadis ran dry as her defenses broke as the knight laughed gently.
The knight grabbed her hair, ripping away her veil."Beautiful indeed…"
She cuffed Lythria's hands and dragged her away.
"Ancestor… Veer…" Lythria whispered.
...
Kerin snapped back as someone shouted,"Captain! Look! Isn't that the Princess's guest?"
Kerin froze.
Lythria—being dragged toward the castle.
"Look after Eleana!" he shouted, rushing forward.
Golden knights raised their swords, but the blue mage signaled them to stop.
Suddenly, a spear thrust toward Kerin. He countered with a dangerous step, vaulting over it.
"What are you doing?!" Kerin demanded. "She's the Princess's guest!"
"Enough, Rio," the female knight said lazily. "I'll handle this."
She yawned."She was spying. I captured her."
Kerin helped Lythria stand, but before he could speak, the knight struck his stomach.
"She's my prisoner," she sneered. "I'm a Silver Knight. I can do whatever I want."
"Silver Knight…? Only Eleana—" Kerin muttered.
She pressed her boot harder."I was granted the title recently. I can't capture you even if you are doing trespass… but her? That's different."
"What do you want?" Kerin coughed.
She yanked Lythria's hair and kicked him again. The cohort was restrained as Temur prepared to flee with Eleana.
The knight whispered,"You already know."
Suddenly everything clicked.
Kerin gently laughed as he said,"Guess I am very smart."
Kerin laughed bitterly as tears streamed down his face."You can dream. That's my family's most important possession."
She leaned closer."What if that girl can only be saved by Mythria's lineage… and that depends on me?"
Kerin went still.
His grandfather. His mother. Veer's lonely eyes. Eleana.
He drew a knife and the rune bag.
Slashing his arm, he let blood drip onto it. Emerald inscriptions rose into the air.
"I, Kerin—descendant of the Sacred Wise Clan—formally forfeit the Emerald Rune Talisman…"
The bag lost its color as it fell into the knight's hand.
She smiled."Go on. Save your friend's lover."
Kerin looked toward his distant home and whispered,"I'm sorry… Mother. Grandfather."
Then he took Lythria and walked back to the cohort.