The air turned heavy as she continued.
"He predicted a dungeon before it formed. In the middle of a noble's estate. The Guild refused to act on it—said no signs, no magic disturbance."
"Renhallow stood outside the estate gates for two days without rest. Then the land split open and a core emerged beneath the wine cellars. The noble's entire family was lost."
"He didn't even flinch. Just turned and said, 'stupid guild and king.' Then he walked away."
Caelen's expression darkened.
"And the retaliation?"
"Nobles blamed him. Said he cursed the land. Someone tried to frame him—accused him of planting cursed relics."
"He let the trial proceed. Never defended himself. But the day before sentencing, every noble who filed the complaint eceiving backlash as their corruption being brought to the light ."
She paused.
"None of them came to court the next day. Their properties were confiscated within the week. A month later, those nobles house proven guilty with planning for coup and money laundering ."
Hale, clearly unsettled, asked quietly:
"What about the Level 10 dungeons?Based on reported files he cleared 3 already."
Lira nodded once.
"Three years ago, in Aerthwyn's southern canyons, a phenomenon occurred. Core signs beyond Level 9. Guild flagged it as an anomaly—no active adventurer dared approach."
"Renhallow went in alone. We thought it was suicide."
"He returned a week later. Unfazed, holding a cracked relic no one recognized."
"When we asked what was inside, he said: 'The remnants of a broken god trying to wake up.'"
"That canyon has been quiet ever since. No magic flow. No beast activity. The soil refuses to grow."
---
Caelen leaned back in his chair.
"Why does someone with power like that just staying in one country.?"
Lira (softly): "I never understand him.He said he want to repay a debt from royal family cause giving him a citizenship while he still a wanderer."
She looked toward the garden again, where Renhallow stood beneath the statue.
"I think he follows events, not people. And right now… he believes something is coming. Bigger than any dungeon."
__________________________
[Late Afternoon – Southern Garden Courtyard]
Sunlight filtered through amber-leaved trees, their branches still from the rising tension across the capital. Carriages passed through the inner gates in a slow procession—banners of foreign nations snapping above guards in formal armor.
Renhallow walked alone, hands in his coat pockets, head tilted like he was listening to something just outside the range of sound.
From the opposite arch, Ysarre and Lucan stepped into the same path, half-distracted in conversation. She was laughing lightly at something, until her steps faltered.
Ysarre: "...Wait."
Lucan caught it too—the air pressure changed. Their training sharpened their focus instantly.
A lone man stood before them at the garden's curve. Dressed plainly—nothing about his presence screamed power—and yet neither of them could hear the birds anymore.
Lucan (low): "No killing intent. But that's not a civilian."
Ysarre: "He's not even shielding his presence. Who is…him?"
Renhallow paused, gazing past them like they were echoes.
Then—without urgency—he spoke.
Renhallow: "A star and a shadow. Curious pair."
Ysarre blinked.
"...Excuse me?"
He looked directly at her for the first time, and it felt like time compressed.
Renhallow: "You cut the dungeon's core with a reverse spiral. That's rare."
Ysarre (frowning): "How do you—"
Renhallow turned to Lucan, not smiling, but amused.
Renhallow: "And you.Is your master healthy lately.He really good,erecting this large barrier covering the entire kingdom not a small feat.A Level 9 hunter maybe?"
Lucan's hand hovered an inch near his blade hilt.
"You're reading us.We never meet before."
Renhallow: "No. Just remembering."
A silence hung, thick and unexplainable.
Ysarre: "Who are you?"
Renhallow (casually): "That depends on who's asking. But today, I suppose I'm just a bodyguard."
He gave a shallow nod and began walking past them.
Renhallow (as he passed): "You'll both vow the same leader when the time comes. That's good."
They turned to look, but he was already gone—disappeared behind the hedged path without a sound.
---
[Aftermath]
Ysarre (quietly): "...What the hell was that?"
Lucan: "Something odd.Probably ancient relic?"
They stood in stillness a moment longer, instincts screaming—but no threat to be found.