Zaek and Aelira searched everywhere.

  ?They checked the main road, peeked into bustling shops, and scanned every shadowed corner.

  ?Nothing.

  ?After a long search, they stood in the middle of the street, empty-handed.

  ?Zaek crossed his arms, his eyes narrowing as he scanned the crowd.

  ?“Where did she go? There’s no sign of her anywhere.”

  ?Something’s wrong.

  ?We should’ve found that maid by now... and there are eyes everywhere.

  ?He felt them. The prickling sensation on the back of his neck. People were watching them. Not just curious glances from villagers, but sharp, calculating stares.

  ?He froze.

  ?Wait.

  ?She disappeared the moment we arrived. And now she’s gone, while these people keep tabs on us...

  ?It could mean only one thing. These weren’t random lookouts. They were coordinating.

  ?She sold us out.

  ?If she sold them, that meant she was after something valuable.

  ?But what? We don’t have anything of real value on us. If she wanted to kidnap Aelira, she’d have done it already. Then...

  ?His eyes widened.

  ?The horses.

  ?Those Nightmares were worth a fortune.

  ?He spun around abruptly.

  ?“Sensei?” Aelira asked, blinking up at him.

  ?“No time to explain! We have to get back to the carriage, now!”

  ?Damn it, I should’ve noticed earlier.

  ?“Faster, kid!” he snapped.

  ?Seeing her struggle to keep up with his long strides, Zaek groaned. He scooped her up under one arm like a sack of potatoes and broke into a sprint.

  ?The carriage yard was chaotic.

  ?Several men were struggling to control the massive black horses. The beasts reared and snorted, their hooves striking sparks from the cobblestones as they fought against the ropes.

  ?“Can’t you idiots even control a few horses?!” a sharp voice cut through the shouting.

  ?Zaek skidded to a halt. His eyes narrowed.

  ?Standing in the center, commanding the men, was none other than Clara.

  ?“It’s Clara...” Aelira whispered, shocked.

  ?“I thought as much.”

  ?Zaek scanned the area quickly.

  ?The two drivers lay on the ground, tied up and unconscious. Five men struggled with the horses, while others rummaged through the luggage.

  ?A man beside Clara—clearly their leader—barked orders with practiced authority. He held a curved blade loosely in his hand.

  ?“...I see,” Zaek muttered, setting Aelira down.

  ?He stepped out from the shadows, his presence heavy.

  ?“So, you planned this whole thing. Looks like we were the ones being played this time, huh?”

  ?“W-What are we going to do?” Aelira asked, clutching his coat.

  ?Zaek wore his usual lopsided smile, but his eyes were cold. Dead cold.

  ?He took a few steps forward, making himself visible.

  ?All eyes turned toward them.

  ?Clara froze. Her face paled.

  ?“Why are you here?! What happened to the watchers?”

  ?She looked back at the alleyway entrance, expecting a signal. None came.

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  ?Zaek raised his hand in a mocking wave.

  ?“Your first question: because this is our carriage. Second question: they were too slow.”

  ?Clara ground her teeth. “Useless...”

  ?Beside him, Aelira stepped forward. Her voice trembled.

  ?“Clara? W-Why are you doing this?”

  ?Clara’s head snapped toward the girl. Her expression twisted into pure venom.

  ?“Why am I doing this? Easy for you to ask.” She placed a hand on her chest, her voice rising. “Everything has been handed to you on a silver platter. But what about us?”

  ?She threw her hand into the air, gesturing to the thugs, the dirt, the poverty around them.

  ?“We’re the ones cleaning up after your mess! We’re the ones you step on with your rules and discipline that you don’t even care about! But no more. You won’t trample on me anymore.”

  ?Aelira stood frozen.

  ?Everything handed to me? She never felt that way.

  ?Rules I don’t care about? She had no choice but to follow them.

  ?Trample on her? She didn’t remember ever hurting Clara.

  ?These words... they aren’t meant for me.

  ?They are meant for someone who isn’t here.

  ?Or maybe... just for the name ‘Viremont’.

  ?Zaek stepped between them, shielding Aelira.

  ?“Oi. She’s just a kid. Even if you’ve got beef with the family, you can’t blame her.”

  ?Clara slapped the air dismissively.

  ?“Kid or not, nobles are all the same. They know nothing except how to preach about their greatness while bleeding the poor dry.” Her gaze locked onto Aelira with burning hatred. “Child or not—it’s all the same.”

  ?Aelira lowered her head.

  ?Child or not...

  ?Just because I was born into it.

  ?“I see strong resentment here,” Zaek said calmly. “Still, are you sure about this? You can still back down. Walk away.”

  ?Aelira took a deep breath. She took a step forward, peering around Zaek.

  ?“C-Clara...”

  ?“Shut up!” Clara shouted. “Don’t you dare look down on me with those pitying eyes!”

  ?She signaled the men.

  ?“Take them down, boys!” She glanced at Zaek with irritation. “Curse your luck for coming back early.”

  ?“Oh, we won’t,” Zaek grinned.

  ?Aelira felt her heart hammering against her ribs. Her breathing quickened.

  ?Clara... Why? Why is she doing this?

  ?No—that doesn’t matter right now. I don’t have a weapon...

  ?Her panic spiraled until Zaek’s carefree voice cut through it.

  ?“It’s a good opportunity, wouldn’t you say?”

  ?“A-An opportunity?” Aelira echoed, confused.

  ?“Just stay there and watch.”

  ?Behind his back, the world felt safe.

  ?“An opportunity for you to see what a real fight looks like.”

  ?The first man charged, a rusty sword raised high.

  ?Zaek didn’t even draw his blade. He simply vanished.

  ?Thud.

  ?He reappeared behind the man, slamming his head into the cobblestones.

  ?“That’s the first one.”

  ?Another thug tried to draw his sword. Zaek stepped on the man’s foot, pinned the weapon in its sheath, and floored him with a brutal punch to the gut.

  ?“Second one.”

  ?The others froze, stunned at how quickly their comrades had fallen.

  ?“What’s the matter?” Zaek taunted, beckoning them with a finger. “Don’t tell me even thugs these days are useless?”

  ?“Damn it!” the leader shouted in frustration. His eyes flicked to Aelira, and a nasty smile appeared. “You guys take him—I’ll grab the kid.”

  ?Two more men rushed Zaek, screaming battle cries. At the back, a mage began chanting, a fireball forming in his hands.

  ?Zaek blurred forward.

  ?He bypassed the two attackers and struck the mage with a devastating punch to the jaw. The man flew backward before the spell could even form.

  ?“Third one.”

  ?The remaining thugs panicked. Instead of attacking Zaek, they turned on Aelira.

  ?“Nope. You won’t.”

  ?Zaek was on them in an instant. A sweeping kick dropped one; an elbow crushed the other’s nose. Both collapsed, groaning in agony.

  ?“Fourth and fifth. Only one left...”

  ?He turned to the leader.

  ?They locked eyes. The leader hesitated—then yanked Clara close, pressing a knife to her throat.

  ?“What are—” Clara choked, silenced by the cold steel against her skin.

  ?“If you want this maid alive,” the man snarled, backing away, “give up the horses and walk away.”

  ?Zaek stopped. He looked at the hostage situation with utter boredom.

  ?“Go on. Kill her,” he said flatly. “You’re naive to think she holds any value to me as a hostage.”

  ?“S-Sensei?” Aelira gasped.

  ?Zaek glanced at Aelira. Fear and anxiety swirled in her silver eyes.

  ?He sighed inwardly.

  ?Even though she betrayed them, Clara was someone Aelira had known for years... Damn it.

  ?He lowered his hand from his hilt.

  ?“Seems I was the naive one, don’t you think? Now I’ll take the horses, and you’ll stay right there. Understood?” The leader grinned, pointing his knife between them as he backed toward the carriage.

  ?“Good boy. Put your weapon down.”

  ?Zaek narrowed his eyes. Slowly, deliberately, he sheathed his katana.

  ?Click.

  ?With a sigh, he closed his eyes for a moment. Then, his hand hovered over the hilt again.

  ?The leader scoffed. “Oi, what are you—”

  ?The man’s words died in his throat.

  ?Schwing.

  ?A single flash of silver.

  ?Then, Zaek was standing behind him, hand resting on his sheathed sword.

  ?Instant Breeze.

  ?The leader’s eyes rolled back. He collapsed like a puppet with cut strings.

  ?Clara stumbled free, gasping for air as she dropped to her knees.

  ?“And that’s the last of them,” Zaek declared, dusting off his coat.

  ?Aelira stared at his back in awe.

  ?Is this... the power of a Hero?

  ?Among all the knights she had seen, none came close to this speed. It seemed unreal. Like magic without mana.

  ?“You okay, kid?” Zaek asked, turning to her.

  ?“Yes...”

  ?“Well, you did well. Staying put was the right call.” He reached out and patted her head.

  ?“Now, what should we do with them?” he asked, glancing at the unconscious thugs and the shivering maid.

  ?“...Do whatever you want. I was doomed from the start anyway,” Clara muttered, hugging herself.

  ?“Sensei...” Aelira whispered, tugging his sleeve. “Can’t we just forgive Clara?”

  ?Zaek raised an eyebrow. “...Forgive, huh?”

  ?He knelt before her, forcing her to look him in the eye.

  ?“Your kindness is admirable, Aelira. But too much kindness is nothing but weakness.”

  ?“B-but—”

  ?Zaek shook his head firmly.

  ?“First, she dared to steal from the Viremonts. As a member of the family, you cannot let that slide. It shows weakness. Second, she aimed for your life. You could’ve been injured—or worse.”

  ?Aelira clasped her hands tightly and bowed her head.

  ?“Sorry, kid.”

  ?Aelira approached Clara, who still crouched on the ground.

  ?“What? Here to laugh at me? Tell me how stupid my plan was?” Clara spat.

  ?“No... I just want to know why you did this.”

  ?Aelira hoped for a reason. An excuse. Something she could understand.

  ?“Like hell you’d understand.”

  ?Clara looked away, her eyes dead.

  ?“...”

  ?But no. Her words weren't enough. She couldn't reach her. And she had no idea how to bridge the gap between them.