The morning air was cold.
Not sharp enough to bite—but enough to remind him where he stood.
The northernmost edge of the Valentia Empire.
Valencrest.
Cain adjusted the strap of his equipment in silence.
Armor—light.
Blade—standard issue.
Crossbow—new.
Elias' idea.
"…You're finally using something other than a sword. I'm proud."
"…It is a tool."
"Yeah, yeah. Say that after it saves your life."
Cain ignored him.
The room was quiet. Organized. Everything had changed over the past month. Training had resumed. Control had stabilized. Not perfectly—but enough.
They no longer fought each other for every second. They worked… together. Reluctantly.
"Alright, before we leave, let's go over this again."
"…I already know."
"Humor me."
A pause.
"…Speak."
Elias leaned back—mentally, as usual.
"Geography first."
"The Valentia Empire is split into five major powers. Center—Royal Capital. That's where the royal family sits. North—Valencrest. That's us. Military strength. Cold climate. It's the land of knights."
Cain remained silent. Listening.
"West—Ravenwing."
A slight pause.
"…You recognize that one."
Cain's grip tightened—just slightly.
"…Yes."
"Yeah. Shadow politics, intelligence networks, assassination toys. Real friendly neighbors."
"East—Arcanis. Magic specialists. Territory rich in mana density, forests, and research institutions. Which is exactly where we're going."
"Anyways, the last one would be in the South—Nightveil."
Cain frowned slightly.
"…I know little about them. Most people don't. Trade, information, and a lot of things happening behind curtains."
"And that's the big four… plus the Royal Family."
Silence lingered.
"…The request came from Arcanis."
"Yes."
"It was about a mutated monster. Some type of Orc Lord. They said it was highly resistant to magic."
Cain nodded.
"That explains why they asked for Valencrest."
"Exactly. When magic doesn't work—send the guys who hit things harder."
Cain stepped toward the door.
"…We depart soon."
"Yep."
A pause.
"…And we're not just going there for fun."
Silence.
"…The hidden dungeon."
"...I know."
"Good. Glad we're on the same page."
Knock.
"Sir Elias, the unit is ready."
Cain opened the door.
"…Understood."
Alias- Elias Dayne.
From now on, he was no longer Cain to the rest of the world, but Elias.
---
Departure
The gates of Valencrest opened slowly. Knights assembled. Horses steady. Banners still.
At the front—Knight Captain Malthus.
His gaze swept across the group before settling briefly on Cain.
"…Stay in formation."
"Yes, sir."
The march began.
---
The Road East
Days had passed. The terrain changed gradually. The cold stone of the north softened into dense greenery. Forests thickened. The air grew heavier. Richer.
"…You feel that?" Elias muttered.
"…Yes."
"The mana density is way higher than Valencrest."
The further they went—the quieter it became. Not peaceful. Eerie.
"…We're close to the eastern forests."
Cain's eyes scanned the surroundings.
"…Stay alert."
"Relax. If anything jumps us, we finally get some action."
A sound. Rustling. Sharp. Unnatural.
Cain stopped.
"…Something's there."
"Yeah. And it's not trying to be quiet."
Voices. Rough.
"…Careful! Don't damage it!"
"…It'll sell for more if it's alive!"
Cain's eyes narrowed.
"…Hunters."
"And they found something interesting."
Another sound—smaller. Panicked.
Cain looked at Malthus. A nod. Then he moved. Fast. Silent.
Through the trees—he saw them.
Three men. Weapons drawn. Surrounding—
A child, about five years old, stood barefooted on the grass.
Her skin was like that of bronze. It was rare to see someone like that in the empire.
The child trembled—her eyes wide. Cornered.
"…Well that's not suspicious at all," Elias muttered.
One of the hunters stepped forward.
"Stay still, brat—"
||Thwip.||
A bolt pierced his head. There was no other sound. He fell to the ground.
The other hunters looked in the direction of the arrow with panic.
"WHAT—?!"
Before they could react—Cain stepped into view. Crossbow lowered. Another bolt ready.
"…Leave."
The remaining two hesitated. Measured him. His armor. His stance. His killing intent.
"…Tch. Not worth it."
They backed away slowly, then fled.
Silence returned.
The child didn't move. Still shaking. Still staring. At him.
"…She's terrified."
"Yeah. Of you."
Cain lowered the crossbow. Slowly.
"…You're safe now."
No response. The child looked at the corpse in front of her. Unable to speak.
She then looked at the man who had just killed someone.
"…Switch."
"…What?"
"Switch."
Silence.
Then—control shifted.
His posture softened. Subtly. But noticeably.
"…Hey."
His voice—gentler.
"…They're gone. You're safe."
The child flinched, but didn't step back this time.
"…Are you hurt?"
A small shake of the head.
Elias smiled. He crouched to get to the child's level.
"I'm Elias. What is your name?"
"...July."
"That's a pretty name... Where are your parents, July?"
"…Home."
The voice was quiet. She was still being careful.
"…They live nearby."
He nodded.
"...I see. I can help you get there if it isn't too far."
The child hesitated.
"No... My parents don't like visitors. But...thank you for saving me... Uncle Elias."
A small bow. Then she ran. Gone into the trees.
Silence lingered.
"She... called me an uncle."
Cain responded.
"…She trusted you."
"…She was afraid."
"Yes. Of me."
A pause.
"…We should move."
"Yeah…"
Elias' gaze lingered where the child disappeared.
"…She'll be fine. I hope."
The march resumed.
But something had changed.
Ahead—the eastern forests awaited.
And somewhere within—a monster that magic could not kill.
"…Now it gets interesting."