Team Z finally reached Mivarala.
The gates alone were unlike anything they had ever seen — towering metal walls lined with glowing circuitry, mechanical sensors scanning every movement. Armed guards stood at attention, dressed in sleek uniforms fitted with advanced tech instead of armor.
As they approached, Ryo slowed slightly.
He glanced at Abraham.
"You good?" Ryo asked quietly.
Abraham turned toward him with a calm smile — too calm.
"Yeah. I'm fine."
Ryo didn't fully believe it, but before he could press further, two guards stepped forward.
"Halt. You cannot enter Mivarala until we have assessed—"
Before Guard No. 1 could finish, Guard No. 2 touched the earpiece attached to his ear. His posture straightened immediately.
"Yes, Your Majesty… understood."
He lowered his hand and turned sharply.
"Let them in. The Queen ordered it."
Guard No. 1 blinked. "Why would the Queen invite strangers?"
Guard No. 2 looked at Team Z again, then narrowed his eyes.
"They aren't strangers. That's Zain Akashi."
Guard No. 1's posture snapped straight.
"My apologies for the delay… Devil of Light."
Zain groaned. "Seriously, stop calling me that. It's weird."
The gates opened.
And the moment Team Z stepped inside, everything changed.
Metal roads stretched across the kingdom. Vehicles moved without horses. Drones flew overhead. Robots assisted citizens. Towering buildings shimmered with glass and steel.
Leona's eyes widened. "I thought it was a myth… but cars actually exist."
Everyone stared in awe.
"Okay," Zain said firmly. "Enough sightseeing. Let's move. We're heading to the palace."
The palace was no less impressive — a fusion of royal architecture and futuristic design.
At the top of the grand hall stood Queen Maria.
Her eyes landed on Zain immediately.
"Well," she said with a small smile, "long time no see."
Everyone looked between them.
"You know each other?" Leona asked.
Maria's smile deepened. "Your captain never told you? He saved me during the war. If he hadn't… I wouldn't be queen today."
Zain scratched the back of his neck. "It really wasn't that big of a deal."
Maria laughed softly. "Tonight, you will all stay at the palace."
Everyone cheered.
Everyone except Ryo.
And Abraham.
Ryo's eyes drifted toward his friend again.
Something isn't right.
That night, the palace quieted.
Most of Team Z slept soundly.
But Abraham didn't.
He walked outside toward the palace pond, moonlight reflecting against the water. He stared into his reflection.
Lohum, his Damik, spoke quietly.
"Are you certain?"
Abraham didn't answer at first.
Footsteps approached.
"I had a feeling you wouldn't be sleeping."
Abraham didn't turn. "What do you want, Leona?"
She sat beside him by the fountain. "Follow-up question. Why aren't you?"
Silence lingered.
"Don't tell anyone about this," Abraham said quietly. "Especially Ryo. He's done enough already. If he gets involved in this… he might die."
Leona's expression shifted.
"Abraham… what are you talking about?"
Lohum's voice echoed again. "Are you sure you want to do this?"
"It's okay, Lohum."
Abraham clenched his fists.
"My father died in the war."
Leona's breath caught.
"When we received his body, one of the soldiers handed us something. An emblem. A Pegasus with wings spread wide."
Leona's eyes widened slightly.
"The soldier said my father was holding it tightly in his hand."
Abraham finally turned toward her.
"That's Mivarala's emblem."
The words felt heavy.
"The obvious conclusion was that he was killed by one of their soldiers."
Leona shook her head. "That doesn't mean—"
"Before we leave this kingdom," Abraham interrupted, voice steady but cold, "I'm going to kill Maria."
Leona froze.
"Abraham, think about this. What if there's another explanation?"
"There isn't."
"What if you're wrong?"
His jaw tightened.
"You can't change my mind."
What neither of them knew…
A few feet away, hidden in the shadows, Rimazu stood completely invisible — concealing his presence.
He had only come outside out of curiosity.
Now he couldn't move.
He had heard everything.
His heart pounded.
Kill Maria?
He quietly slipped away, trying not to make a sound. Once far enough, he broke into a light run back toward the palace — originally intending to use the bathroom before bed.
Now his mind was racing.
Abraham and Leona eventually returned inside as well.
But the silence between them was heavier than before.
Morning came.
Breakfast was served in the grand dining hall.
Team Z sat along one long table, Queen Maria at its center.
The atmosphere was normal.
Too normal.
Ryo noticed Abraham hadn't touched his food.
Rimazu looked pale.
His hands trembled slightly.
He stared at Abraham.
Then at the Queen.
His heart pounded louder and louder until he couldn't take it anymore.
He shot to his feet.
"Abraham wants to kill Queen Maria!"
Silence.
Utter silence.
Every fork stopped mid-air.
Leona's eyes widened in shock.
Abraham slowly turned toward Rimazu.
Queen Maria did not move.
Ryo's expression hardened.
"What… did you just say?"