A completely devastated mansion…

  Remains of flames were still burning in some areas, releasing a bitter, lingering smell that mixed with the metallic scent of blood. The room that had once belonged to a small and innocent infant lay in ruins, unrecognizable, covered in dark stains and thick puddles that seemed to have seeped into the cracks in the floor. There was no possibility of proposing or even suggesting a solution. The air was too tense, too heavy with despair to allow the existence of any hope.

  Standing there were three guardians who had failed in their mission, their bodies rigid and their gazes empty, unable to process the disaster. In front of them, a mother completely destroyed knelt on the ground, her trembling hands buried among the rubble.

  What could be said?

  There were no clues.

  There were no directions to follow.

  There was no culprit to hunt down and erase to the last cell.

  At that moment, the main gate was violently breached by a horse that burst in at full speed, shattering the sepulchral silence with a brutal crash.

  From ground level, the epicenter of the tragedy could be clearly seen. At that moment, Tana understood the true weight of her earlier words. Without sparing energy or effort, she ran at full speed toward the main scene, her heart pounding violently in her chest.

  —MY LADY! —she shouted, her voice breaking.

  —Tana! —Enta replied upon seeing her arrive.

  Still unable to hear clearly or move, Caria did not react. Her eyes, open but absent, did not seem to register anything happening around her.

  Tana froze completely when she saw that those who, only hours earlier, had happily told her they would take care of the young master now lay dead alongside other soldiers, their lifeless bodies sprawled across the destroyed floor.

  —What happened to the young master…? —Tana asked, her voice trembling, dreading the answer.

  —He was… he was kidnapped… —Ken replied, barely able to form the words.

  —We will begin searching immediately… —Enta added, taking a breath to steady himself.

  Tana inhaled deeply, trying to contain the panic threatening to overflow.

  —Quick! —she exclaimed—. Lady Redda is following a lead on the kidnapper!

  The three guards turned their eyes toward her with intense urgency, as if her words had ignited a spark in the middle of the chaos.

  —What do you mean, Tana? —Holley asked, frowning.

  —When we were returning by carriage after the shopping, Lady Redda saw something… I don’t know exactly what it was —she explained—. She only told me to take a horse and come as fast as possible. Before we split up, she told me this:

  “Tell the guardians that if I find anything, I will send a signal to show my position. It might be soon… and I will only do it if it’s because I’m about to die.”

  Hearing that, Enta and Ken did not hesitate for even a second to plan their countermeasures.

  —ENTA! —Ken shouted.

  —…! —Enta responded, turning toward him.

  —I will lead the soldiers and call the entire army of the city of Cautares if necessary —Ken said firmly—. Listen carefully: only you can do this. Run at full speed to the border of the first wall on the southern coast.

  —What?! —Enta exclaimed, shocked.

  —ENTA, ONLY YOU HAVE THE SPEED TO COVER THAT DISTANCE! —Ken continued—. Lady Caria is not in any condition to fight, and only Holley remains here. Only you can reach them in time to warn Laret and the Grand Lord. I know it’s selfish to ask this of you, Enta, but please… we need them here.

  Enta understood the situation immediately. Authority was needed there, and they could not waste time. Without hesitation, he removed his boots and the heaviest parts of his armor and clothing, remaining only in his undergarments. Slowly, he began to concentrate and intensify his magic, greatly increasing the musculature of his feet and arms. He adopted a four-legged stance, almost as if returning to a primitive and purely instinctive state.

  —I entrust the search to you, Ken… —he said, his voice deep.

  The next instant, and almost tearing the air apart with overwhelming force, he broke the sound barrier, generating a powerful shockwave that shook the house. His figure vanished toward the farthest area of the southern coast of the territory, in search of his lords.

  —HOLLEY! —Ken shouted—. I’ll move ahead and call all the soldiers. You and Tana make sure to bring my lady back to her senses.

  With that said, Ken leapt from the shattered floor, kicking up dust and fragments of stone, and began shouting orders at the top of his lungs. Within seconds, all available soldiers were summoned.

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  Twenty fully armed soldiers presented themselves at the main gate, weapons ready and faces hardened by urgency.

  —MEN! —Ken exclaimed with authority—. WE ARE IN A CRISIS! THE GRAND LORD AND THE YOUNG HEIR NEED YOU!

  Your mission is to alert every soldier in the city. YOUR MESSAGE?

  Ken paused briefly, letting the tension settle.

  —THE BLUE STEEL OF TARATIOS CALLS YOU!

  —WITH OUR LIVES, MY GENERAL! —the soldiers answered in unison.

  After that cry filled with determination, the soldiers departed at full speed alongside Ken, spreading throughout the city to gather forces and reach Redda.

  Back at the site of the disaster, the scene remained unbearable. The figure of a woman completely shattered by the loss of her child stood out among the remains of the mansion, motionless, as if the world had ceased to exist for her.

  —My lady… —Holley said firmly as he approached—. You must pull yourself together. There is still hope. Your son needs you! You must stand up!

  Caria did not react. Her dim eyes showed that her body was present, but her soul seemed to have been torn away.

  Suddenly, the only thing that could be seen was a fist moving rapidly toward Caria’s face. The blow was strong enough to snap her head back and violently bring her back to reality.

  After that, she was shaken forcefully.

  —FOR THE LOVE OF THE GODDESS, CARIA! —Tana shouted, tears streaming down her face—. Wake up! Your son needs you! Redda is chasing the kidnapper and needs our help! Don’t force me to hit my lady again!

  The impact and the rough shaking managed to trigger part of her subconscious. Upon hearing that there was still even the smallest hope, Caria slowly began to react.

  —Tana… —she murmured, her voice broken—. What did you say…?

  —When we were returning, Redda saw something fleeing toward the city —Tana explained—. I’m completely sure it was the kidnapper.

  Little by little, color returned to Caria’s face. She took a deep breath, as if refilling lungs that had been empty, and finally stood up. Her body was still trembling, but firm.

  —Tana… —Caria said.

  —Yes, my lady —she replied immediately.

  —You are in charge of the house —Caria ordered—. Reorganize all the maids and take them to the safest place in the mansion. We don’t know if they could attack again. Inform all the soldiers who remain here and have them protect that area. Stay alert in case we do not return… or if my husband arrives first.

  —Yes, my lady —Tana replied, bowing—. Please… I trust that you will bring the young master back safe and sound.

  Caria’s eyes hardened.

  —I swear on my life that I will bring Kael back.

  With a determination harder than adamantite, Caria filled her body with energy. The air around her began to vibrate, charged with an almost suffocating pressure.

  —Holley, prepare yourself —she ordered—. We must be in the city right now. We will crush the worms who dared to harm my house… my servants… and above all, my son.

  If hell exists… they will wish they were there to escape my fury.

  —Yes, my lady —Holley answered without hesitation.

  In a single leap, almost like a combat aircraft, Caria launched herself toward the city. The most brutal heroine who had ever made demon legions tremble now advanced with even greater power than she had shown when she fought the Demon King.

  …

  …

  …

  Pain.

  Despair.

  Worry.

  In the arms of a complete stranger, Kael was trapped.

  This is horrible… he thought. I can’t stop shaking… I can’t react. Seeing those guards being killed in front of me… one of the maids throwing herself at that man and being brutally murdered… and the last one trying to escape with me in her arms…

  The memory struck him again and again.

  Seeing her face go dark after being stabbed in the back… he continued. I had never seen people die in front of me, and even worse… being murdered. I can’t stop vomiting. The smell of blood and entrails still weighs on my nose…

  //-- don’t stop vomiting. If you can, alternate the regurgitations --//

  Why are you asking me to do that? Kael thought, his throat burning.

  //-- for you and for the one who still doesn’t realize he’s carrying you on his shoulder, this helps leave a trail. Any member of the Sungley house could detect your vomit or any trace to interpret where you passed --//

  He’s right… Kael admitted. Anything will help alert them.

  //-- we’re getting close to the city. Pretend to be unconscious. Don’t show signs of wanting to cry. Act as if you’re half-conscious and won’t cause a disturbance --//

  But in the city, if I cry, people will notice me…

  //-- it’s very risky… these guys seem to be risking everything just to capture you. From how things ended at the mansion, they don’t intend to ask for a ransom for your release… if you alert them with screams, you’ll force them to move faster, and the real chance of being rescued could disappear. Let’s make them believe they’re in control so they move slower. Knowing the members of the Sungley house, they’ll be here soon --//

  All right… Kael accepted.

  After slipping through one of the alleys of the lower districts, where light barely managed to filter between damp, neglected buildings, the captor slowed down and regrouped with the other individuals. The smell of garbage, urine, and salt filled the heavy air of the city, creating a suffocating atmosphere.

  —We have the package —said the captor, adjusting the child on his shoulder—. Luckily, he hasn’t started crying. He’s quite calm… he doesn’t even know the aberrations they’re going to do to him.

  —Did you pay attention to see if anyone was following you? —one of the accomplices asked, nervously glancing toward the entrance of the alley.

  —No one followed me —he replied with disdain—. All those idiots were fighting with the slave.

  —He’s dead —another one intervened—. My slavery contract already burned.

  The captor showed a faint smile, empty of emotion.

  —We just need to wait —he said—. The city will probably fill with soldiers. When we activate the decoys and they run around like idiots again trying to kill them, we’ll escape through the other side.

  …

  …

  …

  Meanwhile, in the southern coastal area, at the border with the Indomitable Forest, several hours had already passed. Inside an inn bearing the banners of the Sungley family, Laret and Garbard were eating in silence, tension still hanging in the air.

  —It’s strange —Garbard commented, breaking the silence—. The fractures in the wall don’t look like they were made by normal beasts…

  —Yes… —Laret replied, frowning—. It’s almost as if they used a tool… or magic.

  Suddenly, the door of the inn burst open violently. A shadow crossed the threshold and crashed brutally into several tables, smashing them to pieces.

  Alerted by the sudden situation, Laret and Garbard immediately took a defensive stance. However, upon recognizing the figure lying on the floor, the tension shifted completely.

  —Enta! —Laret exclaimed.

  Enta, still recovering from the impact, tried to get up while gasping for breath. Laret quickly moved to help him to his feet. Garbard, seeing the state of his face, instantly understood that something serious had happened.

  —Boy… —he said in a deep voice—. Just by looking at you, I know something important happened.

  —Huff… huff… —Enta could barely speak—. Kid… kid… kidnapped the young master…

  The silence stretched for a few more seconds.

  And then, Laret’s aura exploded.

  The nearest table split in two without him touching it.

  The inn’s torches went out at the same time, as if the fire refused to exist before that presence.

  The air burned with brutal pressure, so intense that the ground began to crack beneath his feet.

  A blue aura completely enveloped his body, spinning around him like a hurricane of uncontrollable fury.

  Garbard did not try to stop him.

  He knew that at that moment, there was no reasoning left.

  Only a father… and his instinct.

  Laret clenched his fists so tightly that his knuckles cracked. When he spoke, his voice came out hoarse, broken, barely held together by pain and a primal rage.

  —They kidnapped… my son…

  He said nothing more.

  His body vanished in a blue flash that tore through the inn’s walls, shattered the windows, and released a shockwave that shook the entire building. Tables flew, objects crashed to the floor, and the echo of his departure thundered like a retreating storm.

  Garbard exhaled slowly.

  His gaze followed the blue trail fading into the horizon.

  Then he calmly turned toward Enta.

  The young feline looked at him with tear-filled eyes, his body trembling, barely able to remain standing.

  —My lord… —he stammered—. We tried… we fought with everything we had… but he… they were faster…

  He swallowed hard, his voice breaking.

  —Please… save him.

  Kael doesn’t deserve this.

  I would give my life… I would give my soul… if it meant seeing him smile again…

  Garbard stepped forward and placed his massive hand on the young man’s shoulder. His gaze remained firm, but now carried deep sorrow.

  —Enta… —he said in a deep voice—. You have already given more than any soldier ever would.

  Your loyalty to my grandson honors the name of this house.

  He paused briefly.

  —Now rest.

  Let the fire you lit guide our path.

  The feline nodded in silence, letting the tears fall and disappear against the floor.

  Garbard turned toward the door and straightened his back solemnly.

  —My son runs driven by fury… —he said—. I will run for justice.

  And without another word, the lord left the inn, following the luminous trail his son had carved across the night sky.

  The wind smelled of war.

  The Sungley lineage… had awakened.