The Castle – The King's Hall
The atmosphere was cold and quiet as usual. Minalost sat on his throne, with two guards at the door. Ban and Thea sat with their heads bowed toward Minalost, waiting for White to arrive.
Moments later, White entered, holding Thanos' head in his left hand, and in the other, a sword made from his own blood.
He walked calmly toward Minalost, his steps cold and quiet. There was anger in his eyes, yet at the same time, they appeared extremely cold—unlike the eyes of someone who had just killed a fellow comrade.
When he reached the king, he did not bow, instead pointing his sword directly at Minalost.
Minalost did not move from his place, nor did he show any concern—he only looked into White's eyes.
Minalost (calmly): Have you lost your mind? If you lower your sword now, I will overlook this incident.
White threw Thanos' head at Minalost's feet.
White: You want me to lower my sword? Tell me first—what is your goal behind all of this? And what are you secretly planning?
Minalost: Is that all? That's all you want to know?
White: Yes, that's all. Why don't you start talking?
Thea stood up and stepped in front of White.
Thea: Why don't you calm down a little, Lord White?
White: Get out of my way. I need answers from him now.
Thea: He is still the king. You should respect him.
White pointed his sword at Thea, but she wasn't foolish enough to stand in front of him knowing she'd easily be defeated. She simply stepped aside quietly.
White looked back at Minalost.
White: Are you going to tell me why you did all this?
Minalost: Can you bear the consequences if I tell you?
White: I'm ready for that. Just tell me.
Minalost: Did you know that information has been leaked from inside the castle?
White: That's impossible! The vault has been sealed and protected by me the whole time.
Minalost: I didn't mean the vault's information. Something worse than that—information from the laboratory.
White looked toward Ban.
White: Isn't Ban the one in charge of the laboratory?
Minalost: That's correct. (Looks at Ban) Why don't you tell him yourself, Ban?
Ban stood from his place and walked toward White.
Ban: Alright, let me summarize what happened. There's been a leak of the former Minister Rees's experimental data. That data was leaked, and after the leak, those enhancement pills started being produced.
White: But what does that have to do with what happened to Thanos?
Ban: Lower your sword, and I'll tell you the rest.
White lowered his sword.
White: Speak. What happened? And how is this related to Thanos?
Ban: How do you think he got one of those pills?
White: Why wouldn't he? Anyone with money can buy one.
Ban: That's true. But did you know the only people allowed to enter the lab are: you, the king, me, and Thea?
You haven't been there in years, and Thea was always away. But recently, Thanos was often seen around the lab—entering and leaving.
Also, a maid saw him taking papers out of the lab.
White: Are you telling me now that Thanos was the one who leaked the information? That's why you wanted to eliminate him quietly?
Ban: That was the king's idea. He didn't want anyone to know we were aware of those pills.
White: What if you were wrong? You said a maid saw him, right? What if she was the one who leaked the information?
Ban: Didn't I tell you that no one besides us can enter the lab?
White: But why didn't you tell me all this?
Minalost: What if we had? What would you have done? Would you have chased Thanos down and forced him to confess?
White: I can't believe this... But I'll investigate. Something's wrong. I'm sure Thanos wasn't the one who did it.
Thea stepped forward.
Thea: I verified the maid thoroughly. She was never lying. I also used the Truth Bind on her.
General Note:
Truth Bind: An ability that works by pumping blood into the brain and manipulating the nerves, forcing the person to tell the truth and speak what they really mean. However, this skill requires extremely high precision.
White: Damn it! Why wasn't I informed of all this?
White stormed off angrily and slammed the door behind him.
Minalost: Things are getting annoying now.
Thea: Are you planning to get rid of White now?
Minalost: Don't worry, I won't do that. So, what about the task I asked you two to handle?
Ban stepped forward and took a rolled paper from his pocket.
Ban: Everything's here, sir.
Minalost took the paper and read its contents.
Minalost: They've reached this point? This is very interesting. Keep monitoring closely. Don't miss a thing. Is that understood?
Thea and Ban: Understood, sir.
Everyone left the hall.
Minalost spoke to himself:
Minalost: So... you've started making your move, you damn traitor...
---
In the Castle Corridors
Thea walked quietly, sunlight reflecting off her white clothes, hiding her black hair and horn.
Naya appeared in the corridor as usual and approached Thea.
Naya: My lady, there's something you need to know.
Thea: What is it now? Why are so many things happening at once?
Naya: It's not about what's going on now, but rather something related to that hybrid.
Thea: Speak. What is it?
Naya: Two girls and a young man, with a talking bird, were looking for him earlier.
Thea: Where?
Naya: The merchant in the rear prison of the castle reported them. He said they tried to bribe him and wanted to smuggle someone out.
Thea: Alright, I'll deal with that. Now tell me—where are those who were looking for him?
Naya: They're heading toward the northern gate, I believe.
Thea (thinking): Why are they heading toward the northern gate? What's there? Are they adventurers?
(Speaks to Naya) Are they adventurers?
Naya: I haven't confirmed that, but they look like fighters.
Thea: Why would fighters head to the northern gate?
Naya: Are they going to Cast Beast?
Thea: They couldn't find information about the hybrid in the prison, so they're heading to Cast Beast for it?
Naya: They didn't seem that strong. I don't think they can get anything from there.
Thea: If there's someone with a Gold rank, that's enough to obtain information like that.
But... do you think Cast Beast knows about him? That he's in the north?
Naya: I'm not sure, my lady. Would you like me to go check?
Thea: No, I'll handle this. For now, watch that maid. Something about her makes me uneasy.
Naya: Understood, my lady.
Naya quietly left.
Thea (speaking to herself): Who are these people? Are they his friends or enemies? I'll find out myself...
She headed to her room, put on black clothes similar to Naya's, covered her face completely, and then left through the window, heading toward the northern gate.
---
Several Hours Later – Sunset
Near the Cast Beast Building
Lem drove the carriage quietly.
Lem: Look, we're getting close.
Kalira looked at the massive building.
Four six-story buildings, connected by walkways in the middle.
Kalira: This is amazing! How was this even built?
Limiti: I don't know either, but they have many secrets. Also, I heard a rumor they used human ideas to design these buildings.
Kalira: Buildings? There are more of them?
Limiti: Yes, there are over 80 buildings like this across the continent.
Kalira: That's incredible...
Limiti: Come on, be ready—you're about to see it from the inside.
They all arrived in front of the massive building, entered with the carriage between the structures, then all got off.
---
To be continued...