Alan kept watch vigilantly, eyes scanning the surroundings.
Meanwhile, Celia, Reynold, and Jena rested quietly among the bushes.
Celia caught her breath, replaying the events that had just unfolded.
‘I still can’t believe it.’
They had really broken through the encirclement and escaped.
If she hadn’t heard that voice at the last moment, she would have died trapped inside.
“That voice was the Young Master’s, wasn’t it?”
Jena gasped out between heavy breaths.
Celia only nodded silently, unable to speak further.
‘What exactly had that been at the end? And where on earth was Evan?’
Her heart ached, not knowing a single clue about Evan’s whereabouts.
The higher-ups had trusted her to protect Evan, but in the end, she had failed.
“First, someone should return to request reinforcements. The rest will keep watch here and try to find the Duke’s whereabouts.”
When Celia spoke, everyone nodded in agreement.
But their plan was soon cut short.
“No need for that. We’ll leave here immediately.”
A voice came from behind.
All eyes turned toward the direction of the voice.
“Y-Young Master!”
“My Lord!”
As if rehearsed, everyone had the same reaction.
Evan approached, adjusting his clothes as he came forward.
“Where have you been all this time?!”
Celia’s voice cracked with worry despite her anger.
“I’m glad you’re safe.”
Jena breathed a sigh of relief and finally allowed herself a smile.
Reynold stepped forward, seeming to want to say something but held back.
They were all worried about him.
Seeing them reminded Evan of his old comrades, and a bitter smile touched his lips.
“Sorry. This is partly my fault. But we can’t talk about it now. We have to return to the Countdom capital at once.”
Everyone’s eyes showed confusion.
Celia asked on behalf of the group, “Is something wrong?”
Evan’s face darkened as he spoke.
“We got information from those Nerban cultists. Their gathering point is Valles. They’re trying to awaken something sleeping there.”
Jena shouted upon hearing this.
“An evil beast! The Oracle of the Goddess—”
Her eyes locked on Evan’s as all attention fell on her, and she quickly clamped her mouth shut, realizing her mistake.
“It’s only a matter of time before everyone finds out anyway. No need to hide it.”
Evan clicked his tongue and began organizing the intelligence he had extracted from the Nerban cultists.
The information gained from judging those bastards boiled down to two main points.
First, something sealed within the Countdom was being targeted for release.
Second, something was about to happen in the kingdom’s capital.
He had tried to gather more precise details, but whatever magic the cultists had cast caused them to die one by one whenever they revealed even a single piece of information.
They must have sensed it, because soon after, they vanished without a trace.
‘Lucky to have gotten anything at all.’
Evan brought up the map window in the archive.
He scanned for any clues to their exact destination.
‘There was a mountain range near Valles.’
Since it was long ago, the entire terrain of Kerthen County looked somewhat different.
He traced the location of Valles by using the surrounding mountains as reference points.
But something was strange about the place names.
No, not just Kerthen County — the entire kingdom seemed off.
‘The Nerban Goddess Spirit?’
The Valles Mountain Range, where Kerthen County was located, had transformed into the unfamiliar name “Goddess Spirit.”
***
When Evan returned to Talin, all the residents welcomed him and the knights.
News had spread of the impossible battle victory.
Relieved that their homes would not be lost, they cheered loudly.
“Long live the Talin Order of Knights!”
“Waaah! Long live the Commander!”
Amid their celebration, Evan headed toward the Talin Command Center.
“My Lord, I think everyone’s perspective on you will change after this. I’m truly glad this day has come!”
Alan felt pride and emotion welling up inside him.
Evan had long been scorned and pointed at by those around him.
But something had changed at some point.
And now, for the first time, Evan was truly recognized by everyone.
Though Talin was a small town, someday this recognition would spread across the entire Countdom.
Reynold shouted and waved his hand vigorously.
***
While joy mingled in the air, Celia’s feelings were more complicated.
‘I have to report this.’
Looking at everything Evan had done, she worried if anyone would believe it.
Everything sounded so unbelievable.
Lost in thought, she glanced at Evan and chuckled quietly.
‘I’ll think about it later. If I write it as it is, they’ll figure it out on their own.’
Of course, there was also the opposite side.
Jena, the priestess beside Celia, was troubled in a different way.
‘The higher-ups are going to make a big fuss about this. I probably won’t be able to return anytime soon…’
Evan’s exploits only increased scrutiny.
She sighed, feeling as though she could foresee her future.
Soon they arrived at the central command of Talin, where the cult priests, Sacred Knights, and all the remaining knights who had stayed to protect Talin were gathered.
Andre, standing at the front, ran forward to greet Evan first.
“My Lord! You’ve truly endured so much! Your heroic deeds will be widely known throughout Talin.”
His eyes reflected deep respect.
His loyalty toward Evan had grown beyond trust—he was now a devoted subordinate.
Evan wanted to savor this change calmly, but the situation wouldn’t allow it.
“Sorry, but I think I have to step down as commander here. I need to return to Valles immediately.”
“H-How? Suddenly…!!”
“Everyone else, come inside. I’ll explain.”
Andre stiffened at the sudden order.
Evan patted his shoulder twice and entered the command center first.
He explained what had happened with the Nerban cult.
That the Countdom capital was their next target and a bloody storm was about to sweep the kingdom.
“I don’t know the full details, but they’re definitely moving toward that place. Information might have leaked, so they may act fast.”
Andre grasped the gravity of the situation.
Though reluctant to see Evan leave, he put aside his feelings and showed proper respect.
“Understood. Then leave this place to me. Despite the unfortunate events, we won’t fall so easily this time. If you return, I’ll show you a stronger Talin.”
“Good. I trust you with it.”
Andre had more resolve than Evan expected.
No one else could lead Talin.
Andre surely knew that better than anyone.
No matter his condition, he had no choice but to take up the mantle.
A commander’s position was one that could never falter.
‘You’re stronger than I thought.’
Evan smiled wryly and rose to his feet.
***
Darwen stood looking at the mage tower under construction.
The tower was massive, and a large sum of money had been invested.
But money was not the issue for him.
Once completed, he could resume the research his family had left unfinished.
It was a chance to revive the declining house and take a leap forward.
Darwen’s satisfied expression remained as he walked forward.
Near the site stood a small hut, temporarily built for site management.
As Darwen approached, a black-haired girl awaited him at the entrance.
“Father, you’re home early today.”
Elisa, with her red eyes and cold, silent expression, gave off a chilly impression.
She was currently in charge of finance and site supervision for the mage tower.
Since it involved the tower, important matters had to be entrusted to family.
Elisa was highly competent in household management, far more capable than Darwen in this regard.
Darwen smiled brightly.
“We found decent mages faster than I thought. Anything unusual happen?”
“Yes.”
She answered briefly, standing still.
Though she showed no further signs, Darwen immediately sensed a change in her.
It was a look that only appeared when she had worries.
Darwen cautiously asked, “Is something wrong?”
Elisa rarely showed her emotions.
If she was troubled to this extent, it meant something beyond her ability to handle.
Elisa reluctantly spoke.
“We’ve received an invitation…”
At once, Darwen’s brow furrowed deeply.
It happened so often that just hearing that was enough for him to understand.
It was an invitation from noble families’ heirs.
Elisa’s appearance had always attracted attention since long ago.
No matter how much she refused, they clung stubbornly.
“The Fourth Prince and Prince Frix insisted you must come.”
The two were the biggest pains in the neck, of course.
The Fourth Prince was the royal bloodline beyond doubt.
Frix, like the Kerthen Count family, was from a prestigious knightly house considered a pillar of the kingdom.
But the problem was that both were utterly despicable people.
The reckless Fourth Prince was a royal troublemaker, and Frix was notorious for being cunning and cruel.
“Damn those bastards!”
“We’ll refuse, but then…”
Elisa worried aloud.
One reason the family faced pressure was precisely because of this.
Darwen sighed heavily.
“Just hold out a little longer until the engagement ceremony. You won’t have to endure this humiliation anymore.”
“Yes…”
Elisa answered weakly but then seemed to recall something.
She handed Darwen a letter she was holding.
“What’s this?”
“This is a letter. It was at the guild base and looked urgent, so I wanted to deliver it to you personally. It’s from the Prince to Evan’s father.”
“Prince?”
Darwen tore open the letter and read its contents.
As he read, his expression grew increasingly grave.
“Father? What does it say?”
Elisa tilted her head, curious.
Darwen regained his composure and warned Elisa.
“We need to strengthen the defenses here. I fear a storm of blood will blow through the Countdom. Those fanatics are moving. And if it becomes dangerous, be ready to flee immediately.”
Elisa nodded.
“Yes.”
“Please take care of this place. For now, I must meet with the Prince and handle matters. Things are going to get busy.”
“Please be careful.”
Darwen laughed lightly and moved on.
He hurried toward Valles.
Previously, he had led a raid on the Nerban cult’s facilities to deal with Heres and Hilton.
Though the documents and information taken from them had been handed to Clyd, Darwen kept copies for himself.
His tasks were to keep the information safe and investigate their final destination.
Evan had pushed the Nerban cultists hard once, so their next moves were uncertain.
Worse, crucial information had leaked, so the cultists would surely move first.
Darwen rushed back to Valles.
As he arrived at the guild base, something unusual caught his eye.
The Valles guards were bustling about, blocking the way.
Shifting his gaze slowly beyond them, Darwen’s eyes widened.
“Hmm?”
Thick black smoke was rising.
More precisely, the entire building housing the guild base was on fire.
Darwen stood frozen, stunned as he stared at the scene.