Helya had moved into the new residence arranged by Cael.
It was a modest building on the edge of the military district—highly secured but deliberately inconspicuous. The gray-white exterior blended seamlessly with the surrounding architecture, easily overlooked by passersby. Inside, however, the decor was meticulous. Every detail reflected caution and an understated sense of care.
She sat by the window, gazing out toward the city's illuminated core. The nights in the Technological Kingdom were vastly different from those of the Magical Kingdom. There were no floating star lanterns, no glowing arcane rails—only towering steel structures flickering with cold, steady lights.
"It's too stuffy…" Helya murmured, pulling a cloak over her shoulders.
She didn't care to explain why she had agreed to relocate. From the moment Cael made the suggestion, a subtle wariness had bloomed inside her. It was a gilded cage wrapped in concern. But for now, she had to play her role. Even if it meant staying caged, she would endure it.
She quietly pushed open the door and exited the building through a side path. No trace of magic, no disturbance to any sensors. She simply wanted to walk—to breathe, and perhaps admire the city's unique beauty.
But as she turned into a narrow street, a sharp metallic crash rang out. She froze, a chill slicing down her spine.
Killing intent.
She rounded the corner and spotted two figures ambushing a man in uniform—his posture, his stance, the clean-cut line of that black military coat. Unmistakably Cael.
He was bleeding heavily from his left arm, struggling to fend off the assailants.
Her heart seized for a moment.
No time to hesitate.
"Shadows, arise—veil their sight."
She chanted in a low voice, and a thick fog of darkness rose from the ground, enveloping the attackers. She leapt into the mist, summoning a thread-like arcane blade that sliced through one assailant's wrist with precision.
A scream split the night.
Cael's eyes widened at the sudden aid, recognizing the familiar presence even through the smoke. He seized the opportunity, landing a solid strike that sent the second assailant crashing to the ground.
The fight ended faster than either of them had anticipated.
As the fog dissipated, Helya stood before him—her breath slightly uneven, but her expression composed.
"You…" Cael stared at her, brows furrowed. "Why are you here?"
She averted her gaze, tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear.
"I just needed some air," she replied calmly. "Thought I'd take a walk and admire the city at night."
A pause.
"And then I saw you being attacked."
Cael remained silent. His AI had warned him earlier about a spike in unknown energy, but right now, he couldn't bring himself to bring it up.
Helya stepped closer, glancing at his bloodied arm. "You should tend to that wound."
He gave a slight nod, still watching her—his gaze unreadable.
Then, unexpectedly, he offered a faint smile. "Thank you, Helya."
She said nothing, only nodded in return.
…
Elsewhere, deep beneath the city's core, two figures sat across from one another in a dimly lit chamber.
One wore the flowing robes of the Magical Kingdom. The other, a vice-officer from the Technological Kingdom's military.
"If tonight's plan works, he should stop investigating."
"You're sure she's worth all this?"
"She carries the weight of trust between both kingdoms."
They exchanged a long, silent look before rising and parting down different corridors.
Dust stirred faintly in the underground breeze.
And with it, the quiet scent of conspiracy began to spread.