Jinny and Rameses finally arrived at the entrance of Apomon Village. They came to a stop and faced each other.
"I can only accompany you this far," Rameses said.
Jinny gave a respectful bow. "Thank you for your help. Without you, I wouldn't have survived the forest. I owe you my life."
"No worries. Just be safe," he replied.
"I hope I'll see you again," she said softly.
"I'm not sure about that," Rameses answered, turning away. "Go ahead. I'm leaving now." Without another word, he began to walk off.
"Thank you again! Please be safe on your journey!" Jinny called out, waving.
He didn't look back.
Still, Jinny smiled. She didn't even know his name, yet she was deeply grateful. She knew she would never forget him.
Turning to face the village entrance, she placed a clenched fist over her chest, took a deep breath, and stepped inside.
Apomon was a small, peaceful village—so different from the bustling town of Dunmere. The villagers moved with quiet purpose, focused on their daily tasks. Their livelihoods came from farming—fields filled with vegetables, fruits, and grains stretched beyond the cottages, and pens housed various livestock.
Though the market was filled with customers, it wasn't noisy. Laughter and warm smiles made the atmosphere inviting.
As Jinny walked, she looked around, taking in the calm charm of the place.
"I wonder if Ran and the others have arrived here already," she murmured to herself.
A delicious aroma wafted through the air, stopping her in her tracks. She turned toward a nearby bakery and stared at the fresh bread displayed in the window. Her stomach growled, but she had no money to buy anything. With a sigh, she tore her gaze away and continued walking.
From one of the inns in Apomon Village, Ran and Rin descended the stairs.
"Come on, Ran. Why don't we take a break first? We've been traveling for days," Rin complained, rubbing his neck.
"I can't relax. Jinny's still out there—in the forest," Ran said, his brows drawn tight with worry.
Rin frowned and stepped in front of him, arms crossed. "Why are you so concerned about her? Do you like her or something?"
Ran clenched his jaw. "It's not about liking her. She's still our—" He paused, catching himself.
"Our what?" Rin pressed, one eyebrow raised. "Don't tell me... you've finally accepted her as our sister?"
Ran ran a hand through his hair in frustration. He grabbed Rin by the arm and pulled him aside, away from any listening ears.
"I'll only say this once," he whispered, "but promise me you won't tell anyone."
Rin blinked in confusion. "Alright. What is it?"
Ran hesitated. "The reason I'm so worried is because..."
"Because what?" Rin asked, eyes narrowing as he waited.
"She's pregnant," Ran said quietly.
Rin's eyes widened in shock. "What the fuck? Bro, did you—did you get her pregnant?"
"What?! No!" Ran snapped. "It's not mine!"
"Then who the hell is the father?" Rin demanded.
Ran leaned in and whispered, "The emperor."
Rin staggered back a step, stunned. "Damn! You're kidding... Is that true?"
Ran nodded grimly. "I was furious when I found out. She's too young... He took advantage of her."
Rin let out a long breath and rubbed his forehead. "This is bad. If our brothers find out, they'll be furious."
"That's why we need to find her first," Ran said firmly. "We'll figure out what to do once she's safe."
"Alright. Let's start by asking around the village," Rin agreed.
The two brothers stepped out of the inn, unaware that someone had been listening in.
From the shadows, Shuu emerged, his eyes following their retreating forms. A smirk played on his lips.
"Interesting..." he muttered to himself.
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Inside the prison dungeon, Izak finally freed Charmagne from his chains. The magic stone that bound him had shattered—thanks to Izak's sheer strength, which had already broken his own restraints before turning to help Charmagne.
Charmagne raised his right hand slightly, and a glowing magic circle appeared beneath his feet.
"Hold on to me," he ordered.
Izak gripped his arm. In the blink of an eye, the two vanished—teleporting to a dense forest just beyond the borders of Montclairs.
Izak let out a deep breath, eyes scanning their surroundings. "Finally, we're free!"
Charmagne, however, remained serious. "It's not time to celebrate. Once the guards realize we've escaped, they'll start hunting us immediately. We need to return to the Serolf Empire as soon as possible."
"Then let's teleport there now!" Izak said quickly.
"I can't. Not yet," Charmagne replied, his voice low and weary. "My strength is depleted. I was locked up and tortured for too long... my body's exhausted. I need time to recover."
He looked around the forest. "For now, we need to find a safe place to hide. It won't take long. Just give me a little time—so don't worry."
Izak nodded. "Alright. If you say so."
Without another word, the two set off into the forest, searching for a place to lay low.
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.
.
High above the land, a massive hot air balloon drifted silently through the sky. Inside the basket stood Arthur, peering through a brass telescope as he scanned the world below.
"Hmm..." he muttered, lowering the telescope to examine a worn map spread across the wooden table beside him.
Thanks to a traveling merchant he'd met during one of his journeys, Arthur had acquired this remarkable flying contraption. It was rare and expensive—but well worth the investment.
"According to my intel," he murmured, tracing a route on the map with his finger, "a group of carriages entered Wyrmholt Forest. I can't confirm if those were the emperor's younger brothers... or if the woman he's desperate to find is with them. But who knows? If I manage to find them both... the reward will be massive."
A sly grin spread across his face.
He glanced toward the distant forest. Have the Crimson Blades found them already? he wondered.
Arthur looked back at the map and narrowed his eyes. "If they made it through Wyrmholt Forest, then their next likely destination is..."
His gaze shifted toward a small mark on the map—Apomon Village. Another grin crept across his lips.
"Alright! I won't try my luck in Wyrmholt Forest. I'll just head straight to Apomon and see if they're there."
With newfound resolve, Arthur adjusted the balloon's controls and changed course, the wind carrying him swiftly toward his next target.