Morning sunlight poured through the castle windows, filling the dining hall with a warm golden glow. The smell of freshly cooked food lingered in the air.
Eyrx, Nick, and Darven sat around the dining table, enjoying their breakfast.
Eyrx took another bite before looking at Darven.
"You are a great cook. That was actually delicious."
Nick nodded in agreement.
"From today onward, you cook for us every day."
Darven almost choked on his drink.
"What?"
Eyrx pointed at him.
"He has a point."
Darven shook his head with a helpless smile.
"No problem. I like cooking anyway."
Eyrx happily continued eating while Nick immediately started planning what he wanted for dinner.
For a brief moment, the castle felt peaceful.
A peace none of them knew would not last forever.
Far away, deep within the jungle, Larissa rode at the front of a small team.
The wind pushed against her white hair as her horse raced through the forest. A sword hung at her waist while her sharp pink eyes scanned the path ahead.
Beside her, one of the scouts checked a small compass-like device.
"How much farther?" Larissa asked.
The scout looked down at it.
"I'd say fifteen minutes."
"We're close."
Larissa nodded.
After several more minutes, she suddenly pulled on the reins.
Her horse stopped.
The entire team halted behind her.
Larissa looked ahead toward the distant mountains.
Then she turned toward her men.
"You go from the east."
The team leader frowned.
"Lady Larissa, you're going alone?"
"Yes."
"At least take a few men with you."
Larissa shook her head.
"No."
Her expression remained calm.
"I can handle them alone."
Then her eyes sharpened.
"And stay alert."
"James's territory is filled with traps."
The team leader exchanged glances with the others before bowing.
"Understood."
Moments later, the group split apart.
Larissa urged her horse forward and disappeared deeper into the forest.
Meanwhile...
Inside the abandoned factory.
The battle continued.
Kael rushed forward with a metal rod in his hand.
James stepped aside as the rod shot past his face.
The next second, both men collided.
Punches.
Kicks.
Counters.
Neither side held back.
A powerful kick slammed toward James's neck.
James caught Kael's leg.
Kael immediately twisted his body and landed a punch across James's face.
James stumbled back.
A drop of blood rolled from the corner of his mouth.
His expression darkened.
Without hesitation, he drew his sword.
The blade gleamed beneath the factory lights.
James dashed forward.
The distance between them vanished instantly.
Kael raised his hand.
A crimson barrier exploded into existence.
BOOM!
The sword struck the barrier and sparks erupted everywhere.
Then Kael activated his power.
Red energy burst from his body.
His speed increased dramatically.
He moved like a blur.
Even James struggled to follow his movements.
Punches and kicks rained down from every direction.
James retreated several steps before blue energy erupted from his own body.
The air trembled.
Now both powers clashed.
Red and blue energy collided again and again.
The factory walls cracked under the pressure.
Kael swung his rod like a sword master.
James countered with precise strikes.
The fight became so intense that it was impossible to tell who held the advantage.
Then—
BAM!
Kael's kick landed squarely on James's chest.
James was thrown backward.
But the moment Kael landed, his vision blurred.
His breathing became unstable.
The alcohol still lingering in his body finally caught up to him.
His red energy flickered.
Then vanished.
Kael staggered.
Everything spun around him.
"Damn..."
His knees almost gave out.
James saw the opportunity immediately.
He tightened his grip on the sword.
And charged.
The blade raced toward Kael's chest.
Kael could barely see.
His vision had become a blur.
The sword came closer.
Closer.
Then—
Slash!
Blood dripped onto the concrete floor.
Drip.
Drip.
Drip.
James froze.
The sword had stopped.
Not because Kael dodged.
Someone had caught it with their bare hand.
Blood flowed from the wound.
James slowly looked up.
"Larissa..."
White hair danced in the wind.
Pink eyes glowed coldly.
Larissa stood between them.
One hand held the sword.
The other supported the barely conscious Kael.
Kael looked up weakly.
"L-Larissa..."
She didn't take her eyes off James.
"Stop it, big brother."
Her voice was calm.
But dangerous.
"You're going to kill him."
For several seconds, neither sibling moved.
The factory became silent.
Then James slowly lowered his weapon.
Larissa understood immediately.
She grabbed Grace and supported Kael.
James made no move to stop her.
Because deep down, he already knew.
Grace wasn't Isabella.
And he couldn't bring himself to harm someone who looked so much like her.
As Larissa walked away, one of James's men approached.
"Boss, why did you let them go?"
James stared at the broken factory entrance.
Then quietly replied,
"Let them go."
His gaze drifted toward the distance.
"She isn't Isabella."
Later.
Inside the jungle.
Larissa's team had stopped to rest.
The sun was beginning to descend toward the horizon.
Larissa sat on a large rock while wrapping a bandage around her injured hand.
Nearby, Grace remained unconscious.
A few moments later, Kael slowly opened his eyes.
The first thing he saw was Larissa.
"You okay?" she asked.
Kael sat up.
"My head feels like someone hit it with a mountain."
Several soldiers laughed.
Larissa rolled her eyes.
"That's because you fought while drunk."
She took a small bottle from her pouch and handed it to him.
"Medicine."
Kael immediately drank it.
A few moments later, the pounding in his head eased.
"Where are we?"
"Our territory."
Kael nodded.
Then his expression suddenly changed.
He touched his neck.
His eyes widened.
"My clan key!"
He stood up immediately.
"It's gone!"
Larissa calmly reached into her bag.
Then tossed something toward him.
Kael caught it.
His eyes widened again.
"My key!"
Larissa looked away.
"You dropped it in the jungle."
Kael stared at it before smiling.
"Thank you."
Then he laughed softly.
"You always clean up my mistakes."
For the first time, Larissa's composure cracked.
A faint blush appeared on her cheeks.
She immediately turned her face away.
"That's not necessary."
The soldiers exchanged knowing glances.
But wisely remained silent.
Above them, the evening sky slowly darkened as the journey home continued.