"She has appeared…"
The moment that phrase was uttered, everyone in the room jumped up from their seats.
Lina immediately sprinted outside, followed without hesitation by the rest of the squad.
Nevalis ran with them, but he turned toward Felix and shouted:
"Does he mean by 'appeared'...?"
Felix remained silent for a moment, then replied calmly:
"We'll find out soon enough."
Everyone continued running behind Lina, heading toward the Mercenary Guild building. But suddenly, Nevalis slowed down—then came to a complete stop.
Felix turned to him, puzzled.
"What is it? Why did you stop?"
"
It's nothing… go on ahead, I'll catch up soon."
Felix frowned slightly, but didn't press the matter.
"Alright, but don't take too long."
Then he dashed off again while Nevalis turned and quietly ran in a different direction.
He ran toward the outskirts of the city until he stopped in front of one of the old alleyways. Strangely, the place was completely deserted—like everyone had suddenly vanished.
Nevalis stepped forward quickly, a warm smile forming on his face.
He whispered with longing,
"My master… It's been a long time, have—"
But he didn't finish the sentence.
A girl rushed toward him and threw herself into his arms.
She had golden hair and bright golden eyes, shining with innocence and yearning.
"Lara?!" Nevalis gasped in surprise.
Before anyone could say a word, a firm voice echoed from the alley's entrance:
"Sorry to interrupt… but you should be careful where you are right now."
A tall knight stepped forward, clad in black armor bearing the imperial insignia. A beautiful white sword hung at his side.
Lara quickly stepped back, her face flushed with embarrassment.
"Master…" she whispered.
Nevalis smiled, then took a step forward and saluted the knight.
"What are you two doing here?" the knight asked calmly.
Lara responded in a slightly scolding tone:
"Of course we came to get you… Do you know how worried my mother and I were when we heard the news?"
Erden added seriously:
"Since the fall of the Olivier family and the failure of the plan, we were supposed to retrieve you immediately. But you disappeared before that."
Nevalis nodded silently.
"As you know, the plan was for you to assume the name of the Olivier family as their adopted son, and then receive direct support from me and the Empress to take down one of the four ducal families."
He paused, then continued:
"The goal was to dismantle the corrupt system of the dukes and begin true reform in the kingdom… especially now that the Emperor has declared neutrality, as long as they stay out of the capital."
"But…" Nevalis said quietly, "the plan failed… with the fall of the family."
"Exactly. After that, you disappeared. Then months later, we found you again… as a member of the Mercenary Guild, and not just any member—but part of its third strongest squad."
Erden sighed before continuing:
"I wanted to bring you back, but the Empress said: 'Let him do as he wishes, if this is the path he's chosen.' But now, things have changed… and she has ordered me to bring you back."
Nevalis raised an eyebrow in surprise, noticing something in his master's tone when he said "things have changed."
"What exactly has changed?" he asked.
"It's not confirmed yet… but it seems we are on the brink of war."
"What?! War? War with whom?!"
"The North."
Nevalis froze in place.
"But… the monster war is less than two years away. If another war starts now, the entire continent could face extinction!"
"We know… but the movements in the North are suspicious. There are preparations—though we have no direct evidence of hostile intent."
"If they're preparing for the monster war, that makes sense… But if they're preparing to fight us… that's catastrophic."
Erden nodded heavily.
"Everything could collapse—the prince's plans, the emperor's strategies… all of it."
What is the North thinking? Nevalis wondered. They're supposed to be wiser than this. And for what reason would they attack us? The monster war will affect them too. Starting a war now is a death sentence for everyone…
"How foolish," he muttered.
Erden sighed. "There's no use in overthinking now. Come—we're going to the palace."
"No."
"What?" Lara exclaimed.
"Tell Mother… I'll find a way to survive all of this. When war begins, the ducal families will be forced to lead the frontlines due to their positions—especially the Brandeil Duchy, since they directly face the North. This will be the perfect time… to weaken and bring them down."
Erden looked into Nevalis's eyes for a moment, then sighed.
"Alright. I'll inform the Empress."
"What?!" Lara cried. "You're really going to agree with this? Are you dragging this stubborn fool with us?"
"Lara, don't be like that," Nevalis said. "I promise I'll come to the palace after all this is over." He gently patted her head.
"No means no! This is too dangerous. This is war, Nevalis!"
"Lara."
"No," Lara shouted suddenly. "You can't go to this war!" she said firmly.
"Lara," Nevalis called gently, looking directly into her eyes.
He patted her head softly, smiling as he said:
"I promise I'll come back… above all else."
Then he added with a laugh:
"Prepare one of your amazing stories for me… I'll want to hear it when I return."
Lara blushed, unable to respond with anything more than a small nod.
"And now, I must go—it's getting late, and my team is waiting for me…"
Nevalis turned around, saluted Erden, waved farewell to Lara, and took off toward the center of the city.
....
Nevalis hurried towards the Mercenary Union, lost in thought.
Could what appeared... be the same ruins where Captain's husband disappeared?
His steps quickened, and a strange feeling of unease began to creep into his chest.
He approached the Union's base, reached out to open the door, and as soon as he did...
He fell.