A few days passed.
Visil noticed something very unusual.
Ayumu had not approached him again about joining the expedition.
No questions. No requests. No quiet persistence like before.
It was as though she had simply… let it go.
And strangely, that brought him some relief.
Someone like her—aloof, yet vulnerable—should not be placed in such danger. Even if she was strong… even if she had proven herself, there were still too many unknowns. Too many risks.
Out there, beyond the empire's reach… no one could truly protect her.
It was better this way.
Better to have her close.
Where he could keep an eye on her.
What Visil did not know—
Ayumu had not given up.
She was simply… preparing.
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Night fell over the palace.
Unlike the grand halls used for ceremonies, the administrative wings—the offices and libraries—were left mostly unlit. Only the private chambers retained their glow, leaving the corridors dim and quiet.
Near midnight, Kaiser walked through one of the long arched hallways, his footsteps echoing softly against the stone.
He had just finished his work for the day.
The expedition was in two and a half weeks.
There was still much to settle.
Earlier, he had reviewed the list of participants assigned to accompany him.
A brown magis—Rhea. Skilled in medicine and first aid.
A charoite magis—Fifi. Known for her deep understanding of artifacts and mechanical constructs.
A water magis—Levain. Skilled in scouting.
A young knight.
And then, one name that irritated him.
Drobar.
The brute son of Lord Elbus. Chosen by the sword, yet lacking refinement.
Kaiser exhaled lightly. He will definitely be an unpleasant companion.
But still… preferable to dealing with his father.
As he continued walking beneath the archways, a faint sound reached him.
A soft… neigh.
Kaiser stopped.
His eyes narrowed slightly as he turned back.
Silence.
Nothing.
The sound was gone as quickly as it had appeared.
Then—a door creaked open nearby.
The library.
A large figure stepped out.
Out of all people, it had to be Drobar. The son of Lord Elbus.
He looked drained, his posture slightly slouched, as though every ounce of energy had been squeezed out of him. A long night of studying—something he clearly despised, yet was forced to endure as part of his path to becoming a judge.
But the moment his eyes met Kaiser's—
His energy snapped back. Like a flame reigniting.
"Well, if it isn't the magnificent Lord Kaiser."
His voice echoed loudly through the quiet hall.
There was no restraint.
No attempt at subtlety.
In terms of status, Kaiser stood far above him.
But Drobar—born of noble blood, raised under Lord Elbus—had never cared much for such hierarchies.
Some would call it arrogance. Others, rudeness.
But in truth—
Drobar was simply… unfiltered and entirely unbothered by it.
"It seems we'll be going on an expedition together." Drobar spoke.
Kaiser remained silent.
That alone irritated Drobar—but he pressed on.
"I've been meaning to say this, Lord Kaiser," Drobar began, his tone edged with irritation. "You doubted me when I was chosen to be a judge."
"I still doubt it now," Kaiser replied at once, his voice flat. "Judging by the state of you."
The response came instantly.
Drobar's eye twitched, a vein visibly popping at his temple.
"Oh… so the rumours are true," he scoffed. "You really are a piece of work."
"I have no time to quarrel with you," Kaiser replied flatly. "Perhaps you should use your time to study instead… and prove me wrong."
A pause.
"Though I highly doubt you will."
Drobar's anger surged.
"Oh yeah? Maybe instead of studying, I should just beat you right here—right now."
Kaiser's gaze didn't even shift.
"I wonder where you get your confidence from… or if you're simply that stupid."
"What did you say?!"
The tension between them snapped tight.
But then—
From the corner of their eyes, something moved.
A white figure.
It passed by the far end of the arched hallway—silent, fleeting.
Like a ghost.
Both men froze.
They turned sharply. But there was nothing.
A chill crept up their spines.
For a brief moment, neither spoke.
Then—
A soft neigh echoed through the corridor.
They exchanged a look. Curiosity overrode hostility.
Without another word, both moved quickly toward the end of the hallway.
They peered through the archway, glancing left and right—but there was nothing.
Still wary, they stepped forward cautiously.
And then they reached the wide open window.
And there, standing upon the ledge—was Ayumu.
Her long white hair swayed violently in the wind, her robes fluttering against the night air. Pale. Still.
She was looking down. Too far down.
They were on the fifth floor.
Drobar's breath caught.
"Lady Ayumu?…What is she doing?"
It didn't look right.
No—
It looked like—
Ayumu leaned forward.
And fell.
"What?!"
"No—!"
Both of them lunged forward, rushing to the window.
For a split second—their hearts dropped.
They thought they had just witnessed her death.
But instead a neigh rang out again.
Below—Ayumu was fine.
Mounted on a white horse.
The very same one gifted to her by the emperor.
She rode off swiftly, laughter escaping her lips as the horse galloped across the palace grounds.
Silence fell between them as they witnessed that heart-stopping moment.
Then Drobar collapsed onto the floor.
"I think… my heart just burst out of my chest," he groaned, clutching himself. "Does Lady Ayumu always do that? Appear out of nowhere and scare people half to death?!"
This was the second time she had startled him so badly.
And it stung.
But Kaiser said nothing. He just remained at the window.
Watching.
"Hey—say something, damn it," Drobar snapped.
Kaiser's voice came, low and focused.
"There are people following her."
"What?"
Drobar immediately got up and leaned out further, his larger frame needing more space to see below.
At the spot where Ayumu had landed, there was movement.
A small group of riders.
Four of them, dressed in black.
They lingered briefly—then spurred their horses forward, trailing in the direction Ayumu had gone.
Keeping their distance seliberately.
Drobar's expression darkened.
"That's not good…"
Kaiser's eyes narrowed. "Do you know who they could be?"
Drobar hesitated.
For once, he actually thought.
Long enough that Kaiser almost regretted asking.
Then—"Maverick."
They both looked at each other.
"I've heard rumours," Drobar continued, more serious now. "He's hated her from the beginning. Said things… threatened her. Swore she'd pay."
A beat of silence.
Then both moved at once.
No more arguing. No hesitation.
They rushed off—quickly making their way down, intent on following.
Because now, this was no longer curiosity.
It was Ayumu's safety at stake.