Now everyone finally knew the truth… who the "Blessed Child" really was, and whose sacrifice was destined to happen on the night of the coming Full Moon. Everyone now had only one goal to stop that sacrifice at any cost. A heavy silence filled the chamber while the cold night wind brushed against the windows and the candle flames flickered quietly in the chamber.
But amidst all of this, one question kept circling inside Skye's mind. She slowly looked toward Leo and Ray before speaking in a serious tone,"Do either of you know where Felix lives?"
The moment that question was asked, both Leo and Ray immediately went silent. Their expressions alone made the answer obvious. Neither of them knew.
Skye placed a hand on her forehead in frustration before saying in an annoyed tone,"Seriously? You two are his friends… and you don't even know where he lives?"
Leo instantly defended himself."How would I know? We never really asked him about things like that."
Skye crossed her arms and stared at them with disappointment."What kind of friends are you two…"
Hearing that, both Leo and Ray gave her a serious look. An awkward silence filled the room for a few seconds before Ray finally spoke,"Felix comes from a very wealthy family. His father is a famous businessman… someone with a lot of influence."
Leo turned his head toward Ray with confusion in his eyes."So?"
Ray leaned slightly forward and continued,"So their residence won't exactly be hidden. Their family is pretty famous in Morveth… we'll probably find his house very quickly."
This time even Skye nodded slightly. The idea actually made sense to her."Yeah… that's actually a good plan."
But then her expression turned serious again."Still… we can't directly tell Felix that his family is in danger."
Leo agreed immediately."We need to explain the situation properly first… otherwise he'll panic."
Ray quickly added,"Then we should leave for Morveth as soon as possible."
At that exact moment, a cold voice suddenly echoed from the corner of the chamber."Leo, Ray… and I will go."
Everyone's gaze shifted toward Chris. The Captain of the 6th Division was sitting on the sofa, leaning slightly forward with both hand covering part of his face. Guilt and regret were clearly visible in his eyes.
"Skye… you're staying here."
Skye instantly objected."No. I'm going too."
But Chris slowly raised his cold eyes toward her. Just one glance from him was enough to make the atmosphere heavier than before.
"You're staying here. That's an order."
This time, even Skye couldn't argue back. She slowly lowered her head before quietly saying,"…Fine."
Then she spoke again in a calmer voice,"I'll arrange train tickets for the three of you tomorrow morning."
Chris didn't respond. Just then, someone knocked on the chamber door.
"Come in," Skye said.
The door slowly opened and a member of the 6th Division entered the room. He was short in height and wore the cloak of the Division. Bowing respectfully, he spoke,"Captain… a letter has arrived for you."
Chris slightly raised an eyebrow."From whom?"
"The King of Norvia."
The atmosphere instantly grew heavier. Even Chris looked visibly surprised."What does the King want this late at night?"
"I don't know, sir. But… he's waiting for you in town."
Chris immediately stood up."Prepare the carriage."
The member bowed again."Yes, sir."
Then he quietly left the chamber. At that moment, Steven's words suddenly echoed inside Leo's mind…
"There's a chance the King himself is involved in this sacrifice…"
Leo's expression instantly darkened."Take us with you."
This time Chris didn't refuse. He walked toward the mirror, adjusted his tie, and spoke in a cold tone,"…Fine. Let's go."
A little while later, Chris, Skye, Leo, and Ray stood outside the entrance of the Division building. The night had grown even darker, and the entire area was almost silent.
Leo's eyes wandered around the surroundings and he noticed that all the dead bodies had already been removed. Even the bloodstains had been cleaned away, yet a metallic scent still lingered faintly in the cold air… a reminder of the massacre that had taken place there.
But Leo chose not to ask Chris anything. Soon, all of them entered the carriage, and it slowly began moving toward Norvia Town.
Meanwhile… Norvia Town was still alive despite the late hour. Warm golden lantern lights illuminated the stone roads while vendors continued managing their stalls. Some people laughed while passing by, others drunkenly shouted among themselves.
Near the center of town stood an old roadside dhaba made from wood and stone. Orange lanterns hung outside its entrance, swaying gently with the wind. The smell of cooked roti, tea, and smoke filled the night air.
Beside the dhaba stood a large stone fountain where water flowed endlessly. Moonlight reflected beautifully upon the water, turning it silver beneath the dark sky. Around the fountain, several musicians were playing violins and flutes, creating a calm and peaceful melody that made the entire atmosphere strangely comforting. People nearby had stopped simply to listen to the music and forget their worries for a while.
And there, seated at one of the tables outside the dhaba… was Lucius, the King of Norvia. A cup of green tea rested in front of him, while beside him sat Null.
Null had his eyes closed while quietly enjoying the music. His fingers lightly tapped against the teacup before he smiled faintly and said,"Lucius… this music is beautiful, isn't it?"
Lucius calmly nodded."Yes, My Lord."
Null slowly opened his eyes and stood from his chair. Sliding his hands into his pockets, he spoke casually,"I'm going to take a walk around town. I don't like waiting for people."
Lucius simply nodded once again."As you wish, My Lord."
Null casually walked through the town streets. At that moment, his eyes looked completely normal. Normal pupils. Normal expression. Like an ordinary human being.
Then suddenly, a carriage stopped in front of the dhaba. Chris and Skye stepped out first, followed by Leo and Ray.
Chris and Skye respectfully knelt before Lucius in greeting. Lucius calmly took another sip of tea before saying,"You may stand."
The two stood up and sat across from him. Lucius still looked relaxed, but there was a hidden pressure behind his calm expression.
"I'll get straight to the point," Lucius said coldly."I heard your Division was attacked."
Chris remained silent. Lucius placed the teacup down onto the table."Who were they?"
"Cult members," Chris answered.
"And why did they attack?"
"We discovered the location of one of their secret bases. We even captured three cultists… but later they all died."
Chris's eyes darkened slightly as he continued,"And the others attacked us in order to retrieve their bodies."
Lucius remained silent for a few seconds before his voice suddenly turned colder."You should have informed me first."
Chris said nothing. Lucius stared directly into his eyes."You are not some great authority, Chris… you don't get to make decisions on your own."
The anger in his voice became more obvious."You should have asked for my permission first."
Chris quietly lowered his gaze."…Sorry."
But Lucius didn't stop."And who exactly will take responsibility for the people who died?"
Chris's expression grew heavier."Who will answer their families?"
Every word pushed Chris deeper into guilt. Finally, he clenched his fists and answered quietly,"I will take responsibility."
Skye silently glanced toward him from beside his chair. Chris's voice grew heavier with regret."This was my fault… I should have been at the base at that time."
His voice slightly cracked as he continued,"If I had died instead… maybe those innocent people would still be alive."
Lucius looked slightly irritated after hearing that answer. It was almost as if he hadn't expected Chris to accept the blame so easily.
"Fine then," Lucius replied coldly."Handle your Division however you want. Just don't break any rules… otherwise I'll be forced to take action."
At this point, anger had already started building inside Chris as well, but he forcefully controlled himself. Then Lucius spoke once more,
"This time… you failed to fulfill your duty."
Those words struck Chris deeply. His guilt was slowly tearing him apart from the inside. Even Skye could clearly see that he was mentally breaking down.
Leo and Ray, standing behind them, noticed it too. Leo could feel anger rising inside him.
"What kind of king is this…" he thought bitterly."Instead of supporting him… he's destroying him even more."
But Leo couldn't say anything.
Then suddenly, Lucius's gaze shifted toward Leo… and toward the figure slowly approaching behind him.
Null.
Null casually walked back toward the dhaba, but the moment his eyes landed on Leo… he instantly recognized him. Because he had already seen Leo's face once through the eyes of the Ogre King.
A faint smile appeared on Null's lips. Slowly, he activated his power. His eyes closed for a moment… and when they opened again, his pupils had changed completely.
Dark eyes. Tiny pupils. A monstrous gaze that no human should possess.
His eyes locked directly onto Leo. For several seconds, Null simply stared at him silently…
But suddenly… Null's entire expression froze. Blood began dripping from his eyes as he instantly dropped to his knees in the middle of the street.
This wasn't weakness.Nor pain.
He had fallen to his knees because of something he had seen. Something so horrifying… that even someone like Null had been shaken to his core.
And the moment Lucius saw that scene… even his expression changed instantly.