The room felt strangely familiar. More precisely, it was the office of Third Division Commander, Runsel Caliber. Though the walls were neat and lined with maps, documents, and a large bookshelf of military archives, the air today was heavier—filled with an unsettling tension.
Several individuals were gathered, each carrying a different weight on their shoulders.
At his desk sat Commander Runsel, fingers interlocked, posture dignified but weary. On one of the sofas, Lieutenant General Guntur leaned back with one leg crossed over the other, calm yet calculating eyes fixed on the man sitting across from him.
Canis Majoris.
He sat with his right leg over his left, arms crossed, back pressed into the sofa without a hint of tension. A relaxed, confident posture—one that spoke clearly: I do not fear you.
Standing behind him like a quiet shadow was Easton, arms folded, a sentinel presence as always.
The silence was broken by Guntur, voice deep and heavy.
"Estimates say over five hundred casualties. One hundred confirmed dead," he said flatly, eyes locked on Canis. "It's only a matter of time before this spreads across the Empire. So tell me—who do you think should be held responsible?"
The tone was sharp. Accusatory.
Canis didn't flinch. He knew exactly where Guntur was aiming.
"The Bloodminers," Canis said without hesitation. "They orchestrated the entire attack."
Runsel raised an eyebrow slightly. Guntur, too, looked mildly surprised—but not unconvinced.
"Bloodminers, huh?" Runsel echoed, stroking his chin.
Guntur scoffed. "Vermin. Easy to crush, impossible to catch. But this should've fallen under Red Star Corps jurisdiction. It's their job to deal with terrorist filth."
"They're not at fault," Canis replied calmly. "Not this time. The scale of this event was beyond what the Corps is equipped to handle. We're talking about a Cerberus-class threat."
Guntur and Runsel exchanged glances. The name carried weight.
Cerberus—one of the six known S-Class monsters, whose destructive power rivaled a natural disaster.
Runsel stood slowly and moved toward the window, peering out over the military district. "If what you're saying is true, we've got more than monsters to worry about. The All Stars keep acting like a kings themself."
"I don't care about the All Stars," Canis replied bluntly. "My focus is the Bloodminers."
Guntur gave him a look. "Even if it means going against the Empire's orders?"
Canis stood. "If the Empire stands in my way, then yes."
Before leaving, he cast one last look over his shoulder at Guntur. "Tell the palace. I will never bow to them."
He turned to walk out, Easton following silently behind.
But Guntur called out before they reached the door. "Wait."
They paused.
"There's still something I don't understand," Guntur said. "Where did the Bloodminers get a shard of Cerberus? They shouldn't have even seen a creature like that. Only the All Stars operate in the Border of Level 2 of Fallen Heaven."
Canis replied without turning around.
"Then someone gave it to them."
There was a pause.
"A traitor in the Empire."
The room fell into stunned silence. Even Runsel's eyes narrowed at the implication.
It made sense. Terrifying sense.
Just then, a knock came at the door.
"Come in," said Runsel.
A tall man in a formal black uniform stepped inside. His presence was sharp and professional. The silver badge on his chest identified him as a Deputy Director of the Imperial Guild Department.
Canis recognized him immediately. Etos.
Etos glanced around the room and did a double take when he saw Canis.
"Majoris?" he asked, clearly surprised. "Why are you here? Shouldn't you be at Branch 48?"
Canis didn't answer.
Etos already knew the truth anyway. He was one of the few men in the Empire who had authorized Canis's identity to be sealed, allowing him to live in quiet exile as a mere receptionist.
Guntur gestured to a chair. "I invited him. He's here for his knowledge."
Etos nodded and sat.
"Let's get to the point," Guntur said. "What do we need to know about Cerberus?"
Etos leaned back and folded one leg over the other.
"Fallen Heaven is divided into three major zones: Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3," he began. "Each level represents a jump in monster power and intelligence. The deeper you go, the more nightmarish the creatures become."
"Cerberus is one of six confirmed S-Class monsters, all of them native to Level 2. Only one group in history ever managed to survive that deep—Tsar the Conqueror and his elite party."
Everyone's eyes briefly flicked to Canis. He said nothing.
"After Tsar's retirement and death," Etos continued, "we lost ground. Now, we're confined to Level 1. Venturing deeper is a death sentence."
"But Cerberus belongs in Level 2," Guntur muttered. "It shouldn't be anywhere near the capital."
"Exactly," Etos agreed. "This wasn't a natural migration. Someone brought it here. Someone with knowledge, power, and access."
"And that," Canis said darkly, "leads us back to the traitor."
Another silence settled over the room.
The weight of that idea—treason within the Empire—was heavier than any monster.
{Chapter 37 end}