"What do you mean they left?" Arthur asked, turning to Ragnar with a furrowed brow. He had been busy organizing the newly arrived goods when Ragnar showed up with troubling news.
"King Froilan said they escaped—with the forbidden book," Ragnar replied, taking a long swig from his mug of beer. "The one that holds the cure for the emperor. Everyone's been assigned different tasks, and one of them is to find them."
Arthur narrowed his eyes. "That explains why one of my merchant passes went missing. Maybe that reckless Shuu stole it."
"His Majesty needs your help," Ragnar said, setting his mug down and pulling a folded piece of parchment from his coat. "You've been assigned to search for this girl."
He handed Arthur a sketch.
Arthur examined the drawing. "Who's this? I thought we were supposed to be looking for the emperor's brothers?"
"That mission is separate," Ragnar said, lowering his voice. "This one's confidential. The woman in the sketch—her name is Jinny. She's carrying the emperor's heir."
Arthur's eyes widened. "What?"
"Shhh!" Ragnar hissed, glancing around. "No one can know. If the enemy finds out about her, everything falls apart."
Arthur swallowed hard and looked at the sketch again, his expression darkening. "I understand."
Ragnar drained the last of his beer and stood. "I need to check on the western sector. You should begin your search immediately."
"Leave it to me," Arthur said, nodding firmly.
Ragnar gave a quick wave and left the guild hall. Arthur ran a hand through his hair, sighing.
Too many people missing.
First, Prince Hendrik.
Then the emperor's younger brothers.
And now this mysterious woman.
They were being stretched thin. But the empire couldn't afford failure—not now.
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.
The carriages finally came to a halt. They had reached the boundary of Elarion Forest.
Hajee and the others stepped out, eyes scanning the dense treeline ahead.
"This is as far as we go," said the leader of the hired escort, turning to face them. "That forest is crawling with wild beasts. Please, be careful."
"Thank you for your help," Kiko replied, handing him a pouch of coins. "Safe travels back to the empire."
The escort leader accepted the pouch with a nod.
(The coins, unbeknownst to him, had been stolen from the palace by Imman.)
With a sharp signal, the man gathered his group, and they began their journey back.
Harusheen stood at the edge of the forest, his eyes wide with anticipation. "Wow... I wonder what kind of beasts we'll run into in there."
"Stay alert," Ineah warned. "Keep your weapons close at all times."
Everyone nodded in agreement.
"Alright, let's move. We need to get inside before nightfall," Hajee said, taking the lead.
They climbed back into the carriages—Kiko took the reins of the first, Imman the second, and Kasey the third. Together, they crossed the threshold into the shadowy depths of Elarion Forest.
In the last carriage, Jinny and TJ sat near the window, quietly watching the forest pass them by.
"Why didn't you show yourself to your brothers?" Jinny asked softly.
TJ didn't look at her as he answered, "It's not time yet. I'll reveal myself once they reach their destination."
Jinny nodded, a chill running through her as her thoughts lingered on what dangers might be waiting for them in the forest's shadows.
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.
.
"Wahahaha! That's it! Kill them all! Make them your feast!" Jacques laughed like a madman, his eyes gleaming with madness as he watched Jean's newly created monster ravage the Firenzan country.
Chaos reigned.
The people screamed in terror, running for their lives in every direction. Buildings crumbled and houses burned, black smoke rising into the sky. Corpses littered the blood-soaked ground—some pierced by arrows, others slashed by swords, and many horrifically torn apart, their limbs devoured by the rampaging beast.
The air was thick with the cries of children, the wails of grieving families, and the desperate screams of civilians caught in the slaughter.
Firenzan soldiers and allied barbarians clashed with the invading Montclair forces, but they were overwhelmed—outmatched by the sheer brutality of the monster Jacques had unleashed.
Jacques couldn't stop laughing, consumed by twisted delight as he watched the destruction unfold.
From the rooftop of a nearby house, Maikell and Thane stood as silent observers.
Thane let out a heavy sigh, his face grim. He couldn't bear to watch any longer.
"This is too much..." he muttered, sorrow filling his voice. "These people are innocent."
But Maikell's gaze remained fixed on the battlefield below, cold and calculating.
"It will be over soon," he said flatly. "Victory is already ours."
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.
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"YOUR MAJESTY!!!"
Froilan spun around at the urgent shout, his eyes locking onto Ragnar as he rushed toward him, his face etched with worry.
"What happened?" Froilan demanded.
Ragnar panted heavily but wasted no time.
"Y-Your Majesty… The Firenzan—our country—is under attack!"
Froilan's eyes widened in shock. Without hesitation, he grabbed his sword and vaulted onto his horse.
"QUICK! WE MUST RETURN IMMEDIATELY! OUR PEOPLE NEED US!" he shouted, urgency thick in his voice.
He kicked his horse hard, urging it forward in a desperate gallop. Ragnar and the troops mounted swiftly, rallying behind their king as they raced toward home.
Froilan clenched his teeth in frustration. Damn it… The enemy slipped in and attacked while I was away.