This power… it's all a lie, a lie that leads to a cage.
The man said it while broken, kneeling on the ground, his body bent under an unseen weight. His hands were pressed against the earth, his head lowered, his breath uneven. A tremendous sound followed, deep and heavy, like a drum struck by something far greater than man. The sound echoed, spread, and rang through the earth itself, as if the world was responding.
The man wearing the glorious armour spoke calmly, his voice steady and unmoved. He stood firm, facing the eternal flames. Flames that could melt anything that stood before them. Flames that destroyed all things without mercy. Yet they allowed only one person to stand in front of them. Only one. The one they burned for. The one they accepted.
Aron slowly opened his eyes.
The vision faded, dissolving like smoke. The cart moved forward, its wheels creaking against the rough path. They had reached their village. The familiar surroundings returned, replacing fire and echoes with earth and wood.
Aron stepped down from the cart, his movements slow, his mind still distant.
Balrad looked at him and spoke, his voice calm but concerned.
"Aron, go rest. It's been a really hard and tiring day for you."
Aron nodded without saying a word and began to head inside, leaving the cart behind him.
,,,,,,,,
The horses were galloping fast, their hooves striking the ground in rhythm. The sound of their breathing sponged across the air, sharp and constant, mixing with the wind rushing past them.
Luxorious broke the silence.
"How are you exactly going to find that kid, Trail?"
Trail kept his eyes forward.
"There is only one person…"
His eyes glimmered as the thought settled.
The desert stretched far and wide before them, endless and unforgiving. From a distance, the horses looked like ants moving across a sea of sand. It was none other than the land where Smith once travelled by foot — the Spring Desert, silent and vast.
After a long journey, the sun began to descend. Shadows grew longer. The heat slowly faded. The horses reduced their speed as they reached a village after crossing the desert and the mountains. It was a beautiful village, filled with people and movement, crowded with life.
One man stepped in front of them, blocking their path.
"Who are you?"
Trail's eyes glared at him sharply. When the man noticed Luxorious standing beside him, his expression changed instantly, and he stepped aside without another word.
Trail spoke.
"We are looking for a person. She is female. Her name is Luna Casprio."
The man placed his right hand on his head and thought deeply, his gaze shifting.
"Oh… yes."
Trail released a breath of relief he didn't realize he was holding.
"She is currently on bed. Her condition is the worst, and most of all, she doesn't talk to anyone."
The man escorted them to her house.
However, two more people stopped them at the entrance, refusing to let them pass, saying she didn't want to meet anyone.
Trail's voice hardened.
"Say to her that the son of Smith has come to see her."
Everyone froze at those words.
From inside, a weak but clear voice rang out.
"You can come inside."
The door slowly opened. Trail and Luxorious entered. Trail took a seat on a chair while Luxorious leaned against the wall, silent and watchful. Luna lay on her bed. Her hair had turned completely white with age. Her skin was pale, her face thin and worn, yet her eyes were still sharp.
"You look just like him," Luna said as she stared at Trail.
Her gaze burned with memory.
The man who gave me that baby… she thought.
"I am a commander," Trail said. "And I would like to ask you something."
The room was filled with old books stacked around the walls. Utensils lay scattered across the floor. The wooden structure creaked with every movement, and dust hung in the air. A woman approached and placed two glasses of water in front of them.
"Yes," Luna said quietly. "You probably would. I knew it from the moment you came."
Trail spoke again.
"We would like to know about the child who was given to you by Smith."
Luxorious watched from behind, unmoving.
"Yes," Luna replied. "I will tell you. It was quite long ago. That day, a sandstorm rose from the desert — a large one. Everybody took shelter. But I saw a man carrying a child. At first, I hesitated. Then he asked me to let him enter my house."
She paused, gathering herself.
"When he came in, the child was crying. I held him, and he became calm. The storm was still raging outside. The man stood up. He didn't talk. I asked his name. He said it was Smith. Then he left. He was coming from a long journey."
Trail listened carefully.
"Do you know where that child is now?"
"I raised him," Luna said. "He was about five years old. A very happy boy. His name was Leon."
"Leon…" Trail said quietly. "That's him. The real king of Wingman City."
"That child was kind," Luna continued. "For the first time, I didn't feel lonely. But murders increased. Raider attacks became frequent. With my condition worsening, I knew I couldn't keep him safe."
Her voice weakened.
"So I sent him to the Kingdom of Thoms. A place no one could touch. I sent him to my brother. He raised him. Later, I heard the Kingdom of Thoms was destroyed by darkness. I cried. After that, my health worsened, and the bed became all I could use."
Trail stood up slowly.
"The Kingdom of Thoms… so we don't have a clue about the boy now."
"Thank you for your answers, Lady Luna."
They left the house.
Outside, Trail spoke again.
"What do you think, Luxorious? What should our next step be?"
"Let's inspect the Kingdom of Thoms."
They mounted their horses and left the village, riding toward the ruined kingdom.
,,,,,,,,,
In the Kingdom of Hell, a magnificent dinner was being served. Servants moved silently around the table. The air was heavy with rich scents. Reaper sat still, unable to enjoy any of it, his face resting behind Lyoth's seat. The table stretched long. Golem slept nearby, unmoving like a mountain carved from shadow. Only Zeiris and Lyoth remained calm.
Fresh lamb and beef filled the table along with many other dishes. They ate without disturbance.
"Delicious," Lyoth said. "Zeiris, you should taste it too. Rogard."
Rogard stood behind Zeiris, tense.
"No, I am—"
"You are welcome," Lyoth said coldly. "Take your seat."
Rogard sat. The chair creaked beneath him. He tasted the beef, his hands trembling.
"It's delicious."
Lyoth nodded, gripping a bone in his hand.
"Indeed," Zeiris said. "I can't wait to see all siblings dining with Master. It will be an honour."
Lyoth stared at him."You may be right, brother."
He leaned back
"When I killed Norm — the butcher of darkness — what a fool he was. Obeying as if his life depended on it."
"He may be," Zeiris replied. "But the real threat is the boy with the blade."
"He will come to us by himself," Lyoth said. "There's no need to rush."
His eyes turned cold.
"There are many humans left. If we kill them all, what will remain for Master?"
He paused, then spoke softly.
"So we wait… and we butcher them. Not sparing a single one."