The sky was dark, and the surroundings were silent. Akira sat among the bloodied corpses of Renzo and Gareth, staring up at the stars. Deep down, he wondered why this had happened. Rage was evident in his eyes—he had never been this angry at anyone in his life. Just thinking about Kael was enough to ignite his fury.
After a while, he looked toward the door and shouted loudly:
— Heyy!!!
The father muttered and headed to the door.
— What's going on!?
As soon as he stepped outside, he saw Renzo and Gareth's blood-soaked corpses. Tears streamed down his face as he ran to them. He clutched Renzo tightly, trying to wake him:
— Renzo! Son, wake up… I'm here… I won't scold you about the restaurant again… please, wake up…
Akira spoke in a whisper, eyes fixed on the ground:
— They're dead…
Tears streamed down the man's face. Then, anger overtook him. He grabbed Akira by the collar and lifted him, shouting:
— What did you do to them!!
Akira, still looking down, replied:
— I'm sorry… I couldn't save them. I'm too weak…
The man was shocked but still furious. He threw Akira forward. He collapsed to the ground, unable to stop crying.
After a brief silence, Akira spoke coldly:
— I ask you… let's bury them at the palace. They would have wanted it, most likely.
The man replied without looking at Akira:
— Fine…
Akira walked over to Renzo and Gareth. He removed his suit jacket and wrapped it around them. He lifted Gareth onto his back. Just as he was about to lift Renzo, the man intervened and carried Renzo:
— I'll come to the palace too.
Akira nodded in agreement. Together, they started walking toward the palace. The man looked at his son, Renzo, lost in memories.
When they arrived at the palace, Sato was at the gate. Seeing the corpses, he froze, then immediately ran to inform Natsuhara. Akira left the bodies with the staff near the cemetery and headed to Arisawa's palace. On the way, he encountered Seraphina.
Sera had been searching for Renzo and Gareth. Seeing Akira, she asked in shock:
— Akira, where are Renzo and Gareth? Are you alright?
Akira ignored her and continued walking, stopping only briefly to respond in a cold voice:
— They're dead…
Seraphina couldn't believe it. She thought Akira was joking. But she had never seen him this serious, this sorrowful. Tears started streaming down her face as she ran toward the cemetery.
Akira entered the palace and went up to Arisawa's room. He knocked on the door, and when there was no answer, he opened it.
Arisawa, sitting at his desk, shouted:
— Hey! What are you doing, Akira!?
Akira looked at Arisawa's face:
— Renzo and Gareth from the Sorane team… they're dead.
Arisawa raised his eyebrows:
— Dead!? Who did this!?
Akira clenched his fists; his face showed pure anger.
— Kael Volgrath! I'll kill him!
Arisawa froze.
— In Eldravon… they were killed by the Volgraths!? Are you joking!?
Akira didn't reply, staring blankly at Arisawa. Arisawa immediately stood and headed to the council room. A council meeting about the Volgraths was already scheduled, but this new news would certainly change the decision.
Akira followed him into the council room. When Arisawa entered, he quickly opened the door and told Akira to wait outside.
The council had gathered. Only Arisawa and Hoshigaki's seats were empty. Shortly after Arisawa sat down, Hoshigaki arrived.
Akabane muttered:
— I'm tired of waiting. Let's start, what's the topic?
Kuronuma turned to Arisawa:
— Arisawa called this meeting, you should explain.
Arisawa took a deep breath:
— The Volgraths…
A silence fell over the room. The first to speak was Sorane, her voice timid:
— W-we already m-made a decision about this…
Akabane folded his arms:
— Dealing with them isn't a good idea. After all, Daigo was killed.
Noa clenched his fists:
— I'll kill him!
Natsuhara spoke firmly:
— If we fight them, we'll die. Even if we had a chance of victory together, the losses would be severe.
Makise looked out the window, indifferent:
— We won't know until we fight.
Arata laughed:
— Would you even want to fight?
Makise didn't respond.
After a brief silence, Arisawa spoke sharply:
— The Volgraths killed two of our soldiers right in the middle of Eldravon.
Everyone in the room froze.
Akabane shouted:
— That's impossible!
Kuronuma shouted similarly:
— This is a declaration of war!
Arisawa tried to calm the chaos:
— It's time we fought them.
Makise coldly turned to Arisawa:
— We barely know anything about them.
Arisawa smiled:
— I've been investigating for three months. And I think I've found something.
Akabane interjected:
— What did you find!?
Arisawa looked at his papers, realizing he had forgotten to bring a file. He turned to the door and shouted:
— Akira!
Akira immediately entered. Arisawa squinted:
— I left my file in my room. Can you bring me the blue folder on my desk?
Akira nodded and ran to Arisawa's room.
The room was orderly, as expected of a disciplined person. Akira walked to the desk and searched for the folder. He couldn't find it on top, so he opened the drawers. Then he noticed a hidden compartment beneath one of them.
He quickly opened it. It was a small drawer. Inside lay the blue folder he had been looking for. Just as he was about to take it, he noticed a syringe next to it. He was surprised; he didn't know Arisawa had any medical condition. He picked it up—it contained a green, mixed liquid. There were also a few herbs nearby.
Akira froze. This was a drug.
Finding a drug in the cabinet of the impeccable, powerful, disciplined Arisawa… Akira couldn't believe it. He decided he would ask Arisawa about it directly. But for now, he had to take the folder to the council room. He closed the hidden drawer, took the folder, and ran to the council room.
Akira handed the folder to Arisawa.
Arisawa separated the papers and began reviewing them.
Akira glared at Arisawa, thinking: Is he really using drugs… I can't believe it…
Arisawa noticed Akira's expression and asked:
— Akira, is something wrong?
Akira quickly composed himself:
— Should I leave?
Arisawa turned his attention back to the papers:
— No need.
A brief silence followed. Then Arisawa raised the folder and spoke:
— I believe the Volgraths are working with the Kingdom of Karathos.
Everyone in the room was shocked.
Hoshigaki asked immediately:
— Why do you think that? Do you have any proof??
Arisawa explained clearly:
— First, we've encountered chaos spirits in other kingdoms before. But never a Volgrath. Three months ago, Daigo went to Karathos as an envoy. When he returned, he had been set up. And just in time… because he had mentioned that the trees weren't there when he left. He also suspected the king of Karathos; he hadn't even shown his face. So according to my theory, the Volgrath siblings have been in Karathos for a while… and they're planning something.
Akabane asked thoughtfully:
— But what are they planning?
Hoshigaki interjected:
— If they've been around for a hundred years, why haven't they revealed themselves?
Suddenly, Akira remembered Kael's words before escaping from Eldravon. Whispering, his eyes fixed on Makise:
— Makise… because of you…
Makise froze and stared seriously at Akira.
Akabane laughed:
— What, you're telling us the Volgraths are afraid of a girl like her?
Just as Akira was about to reply, he felt a tightness in his chest. His heart raced, his breathing became shallow. He fell to the ground, coughing.
Arisawa immediately got up and knelt beside him, touching his shoulder:
— Are you alright, Akira?
Akira struggled to stand and nodded.
Arisawa returned to his seat, eyes serious:
— In short… we need to undertake a secret mission in Karathos. What do you all think?
The room was silent. Most members feared the Volgraths; after all, they had killed Daigo.
Natsuhara closed his eyes and spoke firmly:
— I won't go.
Akabane slammed his hands on the table:
— If you're right, we'll face all of them when we go there. That's a direct path to death.
Hoshigaki added in a resigned tone:
— I agree with Lady Akabane. I won't accept such a mission.
Sorane spoke timidly:
— I-I'll stay here…
Noa slammed his fist on the table, rage written all over his face:
— You cowards! Do you even call yourselves council members!? You're all scared!! I'll kill Kael!!!
Makise interjected coldly:
— Then only those who want to go should. The rest stay in the kingdom and handle things here.
Arisawa nodded:
— That makes sense… Who will come with us? I want everyone to consider this seriously.
The council thought for a while. Ultimately, a new team for the secret mission was formed: Noa, Kuronuma, Makise, and team leader Arisawa.
Everyone else left the council room.
Arisawa spoke seriously:
— I'll also include a few members from my own team in the mission.
Then he turned to Akira:
— Even if I wanted, I couldn't leave you here.
Makise looked silently out the window:
— My entire team is dead.
Kuronuma spoke firmly:
— I won't bring my team. I won't let them die.
Arisawa turned to Noa, asking curiously:
— And you? What about your close ones?
Noa thought for a moment, then answered firmly:
— Rui will object a little… but I won't bring them either.
Arisawa took a deep breath. Then he spread the large Karathos map on his desk.
— Alright… then let's begin the plan.