“Mister.”

Serin quietly opened her mouth to speak.

When she regained consciousness in the carriage, Serin was not foolish enough to be unaware that she had been kidnapped. Her head felt heavier than it ever had before.

She had heard that the Arin, who couldn’t use magic, relied on strange drugs, and it seemed that was the case now.

It was frightening, but she wouldn’t cry.

Because her mother would be looking for her. Because her mother, now the queen, would find her.

“Can I have some water?”

The man sitting in front of her looked disturbingly similar to the Duchess.

What could be the reason for that?

“What’s your name, mister?”

“What does it matter if you know my name?”

But the bitter sneer on his face was entirely different from the Duchess. The same violet eyes and black hair, yet how could the feeling be so different?

“To get involved in this damned mess.”

The man spoke bluntly after a brief pause.

“Where are we going?”

It seemed like they were heading to that forbidden capital that all Shatonwell people were prohibited from entering.

“Can’t you be quiet?”

The chillingly harsh tone of his voice, which she heard for the first time, made even Serin shrink back. She turned her head away. She didn’t want to hear or see anything.

‘Duke Kaiden.’

‘Mother.’

‘Please hurry.’

She felt like she might cry, but she held it in.

Because she was the princess of Shatonwell.

And then—

*KABOOM.*

With a deafening crash, the carriage flipped over. Serin lost consciousness amid the screams.

***

Isla, who had told them to follow, turned and walked ahead.

“I have something to show you.”

Rohana glanced up at Heath. His face was slightly stiff, but he gave her a brief reassuring smile before his expression hardened again.

The queen, accompanied by her guards, descended quickly underground.

Although the underground area was dark, the unusual architectural structure allowed light to enter from various places, so their vision wasn’t completely obstructed.

The view of the sky, seen through a high, round opening above, was strangely beautiful.

“Heath, where are we…?”

“I’m not sure either.”

Shortly after Heath finished speaking, the group reached what appeared to be the lowest floor.

A thick arched door was tightly secured with a strong lock. The queen removed the jeweled necklace from around her chest.

With a quick flick, the jewel transformed into a key in her hand. The key slid smoothly into the lock.

“Come in.”

Isla spoke in a cold voice.

As they entered, a larger dome overhead allowed light to pour in through glass windows.

Darkness vanished instantly, revealing countless books and strange, unknown objects in their view.

“Most of the magic-related books were burned after the Unification War 30 years ago.”

Rohana’s mouth dropped open in awe. The room was meticulously organized, with everything from ancient, crumbling papers to heavy cannonballs laid out.

“Isla, this is…”

“No one knows about this place.”

Heath’s eyes narrowed. Despite the secrecy of this location, the guards’ expressions were oddly calm.

“You alone…”

“No one can ever find out about it.”

Preserving the records was a duty Isla had as Queen of Shatonwell, as a descendant of the Kark tribe. Her pale green eyes fixed on Rohana.

“Do you know why I opened such an important place for you?”

Rohana slowly walked forward and stood before the queen.

“Because the war has already begun.”

Rohana nodded.

Isla clenched her jaw and took a small booklet from a nearby table.

“Caladrius.”

Isla’s gaze rested on Rohana as she tossed the book. Heath caught it and handed it to Rohana.

Though her arms were still bound tightly to her chest and arms, she managed to open the book. A red thread marked a specific page.

“The Caladrius, the emperor’s bird, heals and absorbs illness, and at times, it scatters them again.”

Rohana furrowed her brow. The passage in the booklet began with the same information that Siryul had mentioned.

“Keep reading.”

Isla spoke as she watched Rohana lift her head.

“As a creature beyond the control of any human, wizard, or prophet, the Caladrius remains elusive.”

Rohana’s hesitant voice began to pick up speed as she continued reading.

“However, in ancient Kellyan legend, there are stories of its incarnation appearing and being tamed.”

‘If you are such a being, then maybe I really do need to kill you.’ Isla thought to herself as she gazed at her old friend. Heath’s face remained firm and unwavering as Rohana kept reading.

“When the incarnation is in danger, it is said that a high and beautiful song will sound as a warning. No verified records exist.”

That hauntingly beautiful song.

‘The one only I could hear.’

‘So that’s why.’

Rohana’s heart began to race. She bit her dry lips. And at that moment—

*Clang!*

Rohana staggered. Before she could understand what was happening, she felt Heath’s breath close by. He was right next to her.

The guards’ blades had just grazed her neck and side. Heath’s body wrapped tightly around Rohana’s, shielding her.

A powerful flow of air, possibly magic, surrounded them. Without even having time to be surprised, Rohana found herself held securely by Heath’s strong left arm.

“What do you think you’re doing?”

It was a new voice. The soft, polite tone he usually had was completely gone.

“And what do you think you’re doing? You know there’s no other choice.”

Isla’s voice cracked.

“If we don’t act now, we’ll all die.”

Rohana was dazed, as if she had been hit on the back of the head, but at the same time, she understood Isla’s actions in her heart.

“Duchess, you understand, don’t you? I don’t intend to harm you. All you have to do is return to the emperor.”

Isn’t it obvious?

“My daughter has been kidnapped.”

It was right to seize assets that could become valuable weapons. That’s why she had initially intended to return.

“It’s nothing personal.”

“Who said they’d return Serin just because you’re going?”

“At least I have to try!”

Isla snapped irritably. Heath frowned, closing and then opening his eyes. An icy voice slipped through his lips.

“I’m warning you.”

“Heath, how can you…”

Isla’s face twisted.

“If they don’t back off by the count of three, I’ll kill everyone except for you.”

His tone was harsh and cold. It was a voice she had never heard from him before.

“Heath.”

Rohana’s words had no effect on him.

“One.”

Tears suddenly welled up in Isla’s large green eyes. Aside from the moment she learned her daughter had been kidnapped, she had managed to keep her composure, but now her face was contorting as if she were about to break down.

“Heath!”

“Two!”

A white light flickered from Heath’s sword, almost tinged with blue.

A murderous aura.

“Stand down. You can’t win.”

While the guards hesitated, Heath swiftly decapitated one of them.

“Heath!”

It was Rohana who screamed in shock. Isla, clenching her fists tightly, shouted again.

“I said stand down!”

The guards retreated.

“How can you do this?”

“You know better than anyone that this is who I am.”

“Impressive.”

Isla smirked as her lips twisted. As the guards dropped their weapons, a clattering sound echoed from the ground.

“My current mission is to protect Rohana Delcliff.”

“Ha.”

Isla let out a bitter laugh, and a flash of indescribable pain flickered through her eyes. Though Rohana, held tightly in Heath’s arms, couldn’t see him, she could feel it through his heartbeat.

He was hurting just as much.

“Is that really all?”

“It’s none of your concern.”

“You’re insane.”

“You know I’ve always been extreme.”

Heath’s arms tightened around Rohana, pulling her even closer.

“Stop acting on your own. This is why we failed.”

‘We failed.’

Rohana repeated the words in her mind, feeling the rapid beat of Heath’s heart. The bitter edge in his voice brought tears to Isla’s eyes, and they began to fall to the ground with soft, steady drops.

Though he didn’t show it openly, the moment he saw her tears, a small amount of tension left his arms.

“Isla…”

The queen merely stared at him in silence.

“Serin will be rescued. Trust in Delcliff.”

“You really have a remarkable ability to trust. You’ve endured all this time.”

Her low voice was filled with resignation. It was in that moment, as Rohana cautiously exhaled the breath she had been holding, that she raised her head. When she did, Heath furrowed his brow and looked down at her, confused by the movement.

‘This can’t be.’

Her violet eyes shook violently. Her gaze was fixed on the round, open ceiling above them. Sunlight poured through the high, circular opening, and in that moment, something streaked across it.

And as if it were a lie, the sound echoed in her ears once more.

It was the Caladrius.

Rohana quickly turned her head to look up at Heath. Seeing the confusion in her eyes, Heath’s own eyes narrowed.

“Isla.”

Without a word, Isla stared back at Heath.

“Wait!”

Rohana interrupted their exchange. The sound had returned.

That song.

“Isla, let’s go up.”

Heath followed Rohana’s gaze and spoke slowly. At that very moment, a trumpet blast resounded from beyond the tower.

Boom, boom, drums began to echo.

Isla clenched her teeth tightly.

“It’s an attack.”

Before the guard could finish speaking, Heath released her and sprinted up the stairs.

Isla drew the sword she carried. In an instant, her composure returned, and she asked sharply:

“Do you know something?”

Rohana quickly shook her head in response to Isla’s question.

“But I can hear it.”

Isla furrowed her brow.

“I can hear the sound.”

Hearing Rohana’s reply, Isla instinctively held her breath. The moment Rohana finished speaking, she took off running after Heath.