The man stepped inside with the unconscious princess. The structure sealed shut and moved underground, disappearing into the depths.
As it traveled through the darkness, the man spoke quietly.
"Nigeria is a nation in West Africa," he said. "Your world may pretend it doesn't exist. History was buried—just like the soldiers today."
His eyes narrowed.
"Your ancestors chose to hide their crimes.
He glanced at Princess Emilia.
Now i have a concrete evidence.
"Britannia is no longer strong. No longer a threat.
The machine continued forward, deeper into the earth."
"Soon," he murmured, "we will cleanse this land of its tainted, rotten blood."
Leywin Loid sat atop a jagged rock, staring at the scorched battlefield below.
Those memories I saw… they weren't mine.
His fingers curled slowly.
They must have belonged to Cedric. But why did i saw his memories as soon as the blade came in contact with his neck.
.
A faint unease settled in his chest.
What's happening to me? Was it an illusion? Or am I just overthinking it?
Leywin took a deep breath and forced himself to assess the situation logically.
Lionel and Reinhard were still unconscious. The demon, Senryanku, had fled. Two wyverns had escaped—and by now, they must have reached a nearby village or town.
The rest of the squad was dead.
"…What a disaster," Leywin muttered.
Once word spread, the Raiders Guild would not listen to excuses. They would blame the survivors of Dragon's Breath—for the casualties, for the escaped wyverns, for failing to report in time.
We'll be locked up or executed to calm the citizens… I knew the path i choose, i knew this life i choose would be difficult, but not like this. This is insane.
He let out a bitter sigh.
"Oh… morons."
His lips twisted into a faint, self-mocking smile.
So much for the name Dragon's Breath.
Even if he ran—how far could he go? Where would he even run to?
There was only one option.
Hunt down the runaway wyverns… and clear Dragon's Breath's name.
As if in response to his resolve, a faint voice called out.
"…Leywin."
He turned.
Lionel stirred, slowly pushing himself up. "It seems you've finally woken up," Leywin said quietly.
Lionel frowned. "How bad is the situation?"
Leywin didn't sugarcoat it. "Very bad. We suffered massive casualties. Dragon's Breath is almost wiped out. Senryanku escaped. And two wyverns got away."
Reinhard's eyes snapped open.
" Wyverns Escaped?" he shouted hoarsely. "How can this be—?!"
Lionel clenched his jaw and forced himself to stand. "There's no time to waste. The closest village from here is our hometown—Lionmere."
Leywin's expression darkened.
"We need to move. Now."
Lionel turned to him. "How long was I unconscious?"
Leywin glance at the time teller on his wrist.
"Two hours," Leywin replied.
Lionel exhaled sharply. "Then there really is no time to waste. We'll retrieve our comrades' bodies after dealing with the wyverns."
Leywin nodded.
"Let's move."
The three survivors turned away from the dungeon—leaving behind the fallen—and rushed toward Lionmere, carrying both guilt and resolve in their hearts.
Northwest of Lionmere
"Mom, did you see that?" a boy shouted excitedly, tugging at his mother's sleeve.
"That knight of Britannia is amazing! When I grow up, I want to be just like him!"
Nearby, a group of girls whispered among themselves.
"He's so cute…"
"At such a young age, he's already achieved so much."
"He must be the chosen one—the one who will sail across the mighty sea and lead our people to new lands."
"He's godsent."
A young boy gathered his courage and ran toward Lancelot.
"P-Please, sir! Can I have your autograph?"
Lancelot smiled faintly but shook his head.
"Maybe next time. I still need to file a report. Take care."
With a surge of electricity, he ascended into the air and flew southward, vanishing beyond the horizon.
Lionel exhaled slowly.
"Leywin… it seems your brother has the situation under control."
Leywin remained silent.
Lionel continued, his voice heavy.
"Let's leave. Britannia no longer has a place for us."
Leywin turned toward him, eyes filled with uncertainty.
"Where do we go from here? Is there even a place that will accept us? I've thought about leaving before… but there's nowhere to go."
Lionel paused.
"There is a place."
Leywin's expression shifted—sadness giving way to fragile hope.
"Have you heard of Urue Everhour?" Lionel asked. "Beyond the sea lies a land called Utopia—a place free for all."
Leywin's breath caught.
"Utopia…? You mean they would accept us if we manage to reach it?"
"Yes," Lionel replied. "They will accept us Urue Everhour won't abandoned the homeless."
"Urue Everhour has maintained peace between Britannia and the rest of the world for over two hundred years," Lancelot said.
Leywin frowned.
"Two hundred years? Then he must be dead by now."
Lionel shook his head.
"You're wrong. Urue Everhour achieved the dream of all mankind—immortality. He does not age, and he cannot die."
Leywin fell silent.
Urue Everhour…
The name stirred something deep within him—like a memory just out of reach.
"…That name sounds familiar," Leywin said quietly. "Like I've known it before. But never mind. I believe in you, Lionel. Wherever you go… that's where I'll go."
Lionel turned toward Reinhard.
"I'm with you," Reinhard said immediately. "To the very end."
Lionel nodded, a rare smile forming.
"Then it's decided. We're heading to Utopia."
The sadness lingering in their eyes slowly faded, replaced by hope.
Lionel's voice softened.
"But first… we must give our comrades a proper burial."
The three returned to the dungeon.
They stood in silence, paying their respects to the fallen—comrades who would never walk beside them again. No words were spoken. None were needed.
When they finally turned away and stepped out of the dungeon, the world greeted them with movement.
A group of travellers appeared on the road ahead, riding in a guarded carriage. The sound of wheels against stone echoed faintly through the air.
Lionel's eyes narrowed.
He leaned closer and whispered to Leywin, " They are only five i am sure we can take them out and besides we're no longer part of Britannia. In my opinion, we should attack the carriage and take their supplies."
Reinhard bent his head toward Leywin as well, lowering his voice.
"I agree. It would save us from buying food and spending money until we reach the shore."
Leywin watched the carriage in silence.
After a moment, he spoke calmly.
"I have no objections," he said. "But I won't participate unless the situation becomes dire."
Lionel nodded, understanding immediately.
Reinhard's lips curved into a faint smile.
The carriage continued rolling forward—unaware that its fate had already been discussed.
And so, without realizing it, the travellers drew closer to the crossroads where raiders had begun to walk a path no longer bound by law or loyalty.
Reinhard raised his hand.
Blue eternal flames gathered at his palm, condensing into two small, rotating spheres. They spun silently, their light calm—yet terrifying.
"Taste my eternal flames and die," Reinhard said flatly. Rotating sphere.
The spheres shot forward and struck the travellers heads.
In an instant, the guards on the left side of the carriage collapsed, their bodies hitting the ground without a sound.
The carriage lurched to a halt.
The young woman holding the reins shouted desperately, "Everyone, prepare for battle! We're under attack!"
She didn't know.
The guards on the left were already dead.
The remaining men abandoned their positions and rushed toward the front of the carriage. Before they could reach her—
The blue spheres curved through the air.
They fell as well.
Silence followed.
The girl trembled, tears streaming down her face as she fell to her knees.
"Please… don't kill me," she cried. "I'll give you anything. Anything you want. Just… please don't take my life."
Lionel stepped forward.
"Metal spear."
A spear of iron formed instantly in his hand. Without hesitation, he threw it towards the girl the spear struck her chest.
The girl fell from the carriage.
Everything went quiet.
Leywin stood to the side, frozen.
She surrendered, he thought.
She begged for her life.
His fists clenched.
And they still killed her.
A chill ran down his spine.
If I object… if I try to leave… I'll end up like the travellers my fate his already decided.
Lionel turned his head slightly.
"Leywin. You can come now. We're done here."
Reinhard walked forward calmly.
"Burn the bodies."
"You don't need to tell me," Reinhard replied. "I already know."
Blue flames spread across the ground.
There were no screams. No remains.
The eternal flames consumed everything, leaving not even ash behind
.
Lionel climbed onto the carriage and opened its door—
Then he froze.
Inside sat a familiar figure.
"…Princess Emilia."
Even with her eyes closed, Lionel recognized her instantly.
The familiar features, the noble bearing—there was no doubt.
Leywin's eyes widened.
"Princess Emilia…? What is she doing here?"
Reinhard's lips curled into a thin smile.
"What a stroke of fortune," he said calmly. "I know a merchant in Riverview Estate. We could sell her and earn a massive reward."
Lionel cursed under his breath.
"Damn it… this is bad."
He ran a hand through his hair, thinking rapidly.
"We're in serious trouble now," Lionel continued. "Either we leave her here and run as fast as we can before her knight comes after us… or we use her as a bargaining tool to secure a ship to Utopia."
His gaze hardened.
"Both options carry risk."
He turned toward the carriage.
"I'll drive."
Then he looked at Leywin and Reinhard.
"You two get inside. If the princess wakes up—knock her out. Make sure she stays unconscious."
Leywin's chest tightened.
The road ahead had already been stained with blood—but now, there was no turning back.
The carriage creaked as Lionel climbed aboard.
And with that single decision, the three crossed a line none of them could undo.
Lionel urged the carriage forward at full speed, the wheels rattling violently against the road as the horses strained under his command.
"We'll stop at Crownford," he said grimly. "It's a village not far from Lust Hall, located in the southeast of Britannia—close to the sea."
His eyes remained fixed ahead.
"If the knight of Britainna dosent catch up with us it will be our first and last stop before we reach Riverview Estates."
The carriage surged onward, carrying them toward a future none of them could yet see.