I fell silent, thinking about who that figure could be. Then I immediately asked about their facial features or body shape.

“What are the characteristics?” I asked, but he only shook his head, followed by a harsh sigh.

“They wore fully covered clothing. Throughout the road, they kept their head down and spoke only a few sentences to the demon. Then suddenly, the demon gave birth extremely fast.”

Once again, I was shocked by his explanation. Who could this person be?

“Alright, thank you. I’ll tell Arvan.”

I was confused about where to start the investigation, especially since the history book still hadn’t been found. This war might be far more painful, the weight already creeping through my whole body.

“What are they after from my body?” I muttered softly, but the owl immediately let out a quiet chuckle.

“You know, the ancient flame is extremely rare. If someone possesses it, that person can control all elements that exist here.”

“Even the demon doesn’t have it.”

I scratched my head though it wasn’t itchy, then left the pavilion.

“You’re not going back to the forbidden forest?” I asked when I saw the owl following me.

“Once I leave the forbidden forest, I cannot enter again unless the seal is broken by the king.”

I took a deep breath and allowed it to follow me.

“Fine, you may come with me. Just don’t speak carelessly.”

After that, I was about to re-enter the castle.

—

Training today was led by Arvan. At times, he acted very strictly toward soldiers who appeared weak. It seemed he was recruiting more soldiers to use as pillars in the battle against the Demon. He even often influenced soldiers who looked completely useless—like single-element carriers—to charge or attack.

The noisy atmosphere made me want to leave immediately. I still had matters left unresolved.

“Arvan, I’ll be gone for a while!”

I wasn’t asking for permission—I was informing him. Then I walked away without waiting for his reply.

“Where are you going?” Arvan shouted loudly, but I ignored him.

The owl followed wherever I went.

“Xanders… I smell something extremely pungent.”

The owl perched on my shoulder, and I instantly halted.

“Do you smell something?”

It kept sniffing the air, but I continued walking into my room.

“Is something odd?” I asked, yet it flew straight onto Farel’s bed.

“Is there something wrong with Farel?” I swallowed hard as the owl sniffed his bed. Without thinking clearly, I approached it.

“There’s something strange about him.”

“You should avoid him for now.”

After saying that, the owl left me with questions swirling in my head.

My thoughts stopped when Farel suddenly opened the door. He looked surprised to see me in the room.

“Weren’t you supposed to be training right now?” he asked. I shook my head.

“What about you? Weren’t you also in training?”

He didn’t respond. He simply sat on his bed.

“A few days ago, while you were gone, I think someone entered my room. I noticed it because the condition of the door had changed from before.”

My gaze turned to the door—indeed, there was a trap that someone clearly set.

“Are you suspecting someone?” Farel asked, looking at me intensely.

I shook my head. For now, I couldn’t reveal what had been instructed to me.

“No, I just want to rest first.”

I lay down and pulled the blanket over myself as Farel approached the door.

“I’m sure someone is watching us.”

Yet deep inside, I suspected Farel had already used my eyes. I remained silent and closed mine, entering vision mode once more.

When Farel left the room, I opened my eyes. My destination this time was the house of the book keeper—to check its condition.

—

I rode my horse and hurried to his home. But when I arrived, only an intact tree remained, while the house had burned down completely.

I tied my horse to the tree outside, then walked in, hoping something still remained. I leaned against the tree, realizing everything was gone. Then I gently patted the tree trunk.

“Did your master truly leave nothing behind?” I whispered, letting out a rough breath.

As I was about to leave, I felt the ground beneath me shift—slightly different.

“Why is the ground different?”

I rubbed my foot against it and realized it was dug-up soil, uneven with the rest.

I knelt and began digging. After removing enough earth, I felt something.

“What is this?”

I pulled out a small silver box. It looked simple but felt incredibly valuable.

I tried to open it, but it was locked. I picked up a stone and struck the box repeatedly. Still, it wouldn’t open.

“What is he hiding?” I muttered softly.

The sun had set into night. I returned to the castle, carrying a fragile hope in my heart.

—

When I arrived, I crossed paths with Luvita. She didn’t ask anything, but her gaze was sharply fixed on me. I ignored her presence and entered my chamber.

Night had fallen.

Farel was already on his bed. Whatever he had been doing, he immediately looked toward me as I opened the door.

“Did you visit the house of that old guardian?” he asked, looking straight at me.

“Yes. I went to meet him, but I didn’t find anything.”

“You know, those rumors—they say he was once incredibly ruthless. He rose to power by overthrowing the former ruler. Anyone who stood against him died.” Farel said as he approached me. I raised an eyebrow.

“Where did you get that information?”

“Anyway, it’s just a rumor—not necessarily true,” I replied while changing clothes and secretly placing the box out of his sight.

“Some say he had a pair of twins. Have you ever met them?” Farel asked.

“Gustav’s children?” I responded reflexively.

Farel immediately threw a pillow at me.

“You speak of him as if he were your friend… tch.” he scoffed. I shrugged indifferently.

“So they’re inside the castle?” I asked to confirm. Farel nodded.

“I’m not sure, but they’re twins. I’ve never seen their faces.”

“Did you find anything?” he asked again, staring at me suspiciously.

I shook my head once more.

“No clues remain. So it’s better for me to prepare for the war.”

“Are you going to sleep?”

I had been about to lie down, but I sat upright again.

“Are you planning something dirty?” I asked, narrowing my eyes. He ch

uckled softly.

“You truly are the best friend I have.”

He approached and placed an arm around my shoulder. I only cleared my throat lazily in response

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