"Puppets of the Throne"
Walmiliya — "Walminiya… did you hear something from inside?"
The door slowly opened.
Both stepped inside—
—and froze.
Walinsiya stood there.
Smiling.
Their eyes lost focus.
Color faded.
«««Hypnosis: Initiated»»»
They stood still.
Controlled.
Completely.
Walinsiya's smile deepened.
—
Footsteps rushed in.
Commander Lam burst inside.
"Princess! Are you both alright?!"
He stopped.
Something felt… wrong.
Walinsiya looked directly into his eyes.
«««Hypnosis Attempt: Failed»»»
Lam frowned slightly.
(What… was that?)
He stepped forward.
"Princess…?"
Suddenly—
Walmiliya and Walminiya turned toward him.
Their movements were unnatural.
Cold.
"We're fine, Commander Lam…"
"Come closer."
Lam hesitated—
but obeyed.
"As you wish."
The moment he stepped in—
BAM!
Both princesses slammed him against the wall.
Lam's eyes widened.
"Princess… what are you—"
Their grip tightened.
Too strong.
Too unnatural.
(…Something is wrong.)
Walinsiya watched quietly.
(He's resisting… interesting.)
Lam struggled.
"Stop this… this isn't you!"
The pressure increased.
His breathing became unstable.
Walinsiya stepped closer.
Slow.
Controlled.
"You're strong…"
"But not enough."
Lam looked at her—
realization hitting.
"…You."
Walinsiya's eyes glowed faintly.
«««Hypnosis Pressure: Increased»»»
Lam's vision blurred.
His body weakened.
His resistance cracked.
"Don't… look…"
Too late.
«««Hypnosis: Accepted»»»
His eyes faded.
His body went still.
Controlled.
—
Scene Shift — Present (Police Station)
Commander Lam sat in front of Yorvin.
"...After that… I remember nothing."
"When I regained consciousness…"
"I heard a massive explosion."
"I returned to the castle…"
"And saw her…"
"…sitting on the throne."
Silence.
Yorvin slowly rotated his chair.
"Based on your statement…"
"She is not just dangerous."
"...She is a threat."
"Mr. Waylv."
"Yes, Sir."
"The girl we recovered from the castle?"
"She's unconscious, Sir."
"Our healers said she's in shock."
Yorvin nodded.
"Good. Monitor her."
"Take her statement as soon as she wakes up."
"Yes, Sir."
—
Suddenly—
The door burst open.
"WHERE IS MY SON?!"
Sumie stormed inside.
Ruden followed, trying to stop her.
"Sumie, calm down—!"
"I WON'T!"
"Tell me where Jeigan is!"
Yorvin stood up.
"Please sit down."
"I will explain everything."
Sumie didn't move.
Yorvin slammed his hand on the table.
"Sit down."
"If you don't stay calm…"
"You'll only increase the risk to your son."
Silence.
They slowly sat.
Ruden spoke quietly—
"What do you mean… risk?"
Yorvin began explaining.
—
Scene Shift — Sky
Julian flew at high speed.
Jeigan hung awkwardly.
"Do you not have a flying deal or something?!"
Jeigan shouted—
"If I did, would I be hanging like this?!"
THUD!
Julian punched his head lightly.
"Shut up!"
"That hurt!"
The imbalance—
They dropped.
CRASH!
They smashed through a window—
Landing inside Takemishi's house.
Takemishi collapsed.
Unconscious.
Julian walked over.
"...Is he dead?"
Jeigan poked his foot.
Takemishi suddenly jumped.
"OY! WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!"
Jeigan stepped back.
"Sorry!"
Julian sighed.
"Take. Listen."
"Long story short—"
After a few minutes—
Jeigan froze.
"...Jinha wants to kill me?"
Julian nodded.
"She's being manipulated."
Takemishi clenched his fist.
"So much happened… and I knew nothing."
"Hanaume… where is he?"
Silence.
Julian's face darkened.
"I… hurt him."
"...He won't forgive me."
Takemishi grabbed his shoulder.
"You regret it now."
"That's enough."
"He'll forgive you."
He turned to Jeigan.
"And… I'm sorry."
"For what we did to you."
Julian nodded.
"...Same."
Jeigan placed a hand on both their shoulders.
"What's done is done."
"Let's fix it."
"Let's find Hanaume."
Takemishi nodded.
"Agreed."
Julian looked away.
"Don't misunderstand."
"I'll still take revenge later."
Jeigan gave a nervous smile.
"...Yeah. Sure."
Takemishi stepped forward.
"Then let's move."
Jeigan paused.
"...I think I know where he is."
Julian and Takemishi looked at him.
"Where?"