The king stared from his balcony.
Below the palace—
People gathered with pitchforks and torches.
"What is going on…?"
Before he could process it—
The palace gates exploded open.
Team Z.
Ryo led the charge.
Guards rushed them.
They were defeated quickly.
No killing.
Just precision.
Sulaiman kicked open the throne room doors.
BOOM.
King Ludigas stood frozen.
Beside him—
His fifteen-year-old son.
"Father… what's happening?"
Before the king could respond—
Ryo crossed the room in an instant.
He slammed the king against the wall.
"Why?" Ryo's voice trembled with anger.
"Why did you destroy the underground?"
The king's eyes widened.
"The underground… is destroyed?"
Silence.
"I swear to you… I gave no such order."
Ryo stared into his eyes.
No fear.
No deception.
Just confusion.
Slowly…
He let him down.
"It wasn't him."
Zain entered calmly.
"So. Are you going to kill him?"
Ryo's eyes were cold.
"No."
Ruqayya stepped forward.
"He's lying."
"He's not," Ryo replied.
Zain nodded.
"Trust Ryo when it comes to intent."
Scarlet crossed her arms.
"If it wasn't him… then who?"
Benjamin muttered, "The citizens?"
Leona shook her head. "They don't have that kind of power."
"…The royal family," Benjamin said quietly.
"But it wasn't the king," Aisha replied.
Silence.
The prince watched everything quietly.
Zain exhaled.
"First, we calm the mob."
The king agreed to shelter the survivors outside the palace walls.
But above them—
Something else was moving.