After Nahor brought in the corpse of the messenger demon, Jini immediately summoned several Forensic Demons to examine it. Once they arrived, the body was carried away for investigation, leaving the chamber empty except for Jini and Nahor.

  Nahor turned toward his king and said, “My King… I found something at the location where he died.”

  That snapped Jini out of his spiraling thoughts. He looked at Nahor with narrowed eyes, hoping for a clue—anything—to explain the grotesque death.

  “What did you find, Nahor?”

  Nahor slid a folded newspaper onto the table. “This. It’s from the Alvans Studio.”

  Jini raised an eyebrow. “A newspaper from Kingdom Alvans? You're absolutely sure?”

  Nahor nodded firmly. “It was right beside the corpse.”

  Jini picked it up, inspecting the paper closely. The edges were crushed, the front page crumpled as if someone had clutched it with desperate strength. He unfolded it further and saw the headline on the very first page:

  THE WIPING OF KINGDOM NEXUS

  Jini muttered under his breath, “That alone can’t drive someone to kill themselves… not like that.”

  Nahor noticed his king murmuring and asked, “Did you discover something, my King?”

  Jini shook his head slowly. “No.”

  A pause.

  “You’re dismissed.”

  Nahor bowed respectfully and teleported away.

  Now alone, Jini stared down at the paper, thoughts turning heavier with each passing second.

  *Did something inside this newspaper trigger him?*

  *If so… why would Queen Elva allow such a thing? Has she begun distrusting us? Have I failed as a ruler?*

  His thoughts ran deeper and darker until a knock at the door pulled him back. One of the Forensic Demons entered.

  “My Lord, we have finished the preliminary investigation. Your presence is required.”

  Jini rose immediately and followed him to the examination chamber.

  Inside, the Head Forensic Demon bowed.

  “Raise your head and speak,” Jini ordered. “What have you found?”

  Straightening himself, the Forensic Demon reported:

  “My Lord, this demon died shortly after the Nexus wipeout incident. Time of death is two days, sixteen hours, and forty minutes ago. However—his brain ceased functioning one hour before that. Two days, seventeen hours, and fifty minutes ago. That is all our analysis can confirm.”

  You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

  The information hit Jini hard.

  If the brain stopped functioning an hour earlier…

  Then how did he dig through his own chest afterward?

  There was only one explanation—

  Something impossible. Something frightening.

  Jini forced himself to speak. “Prepare the body for burial.”

  “Yes, my Lord.”

  Two Days Later — Abyss Meeting Room

  Queen Elva and King Jini sat facing one another across the dark stone table.

  Elva was the first to speak. “Why have you called me here so urgently?”

  Jini inhaled deeply. “One of my demons clawed through his own chest until he died. Nearby was an Alvans Studio newspaper.”

  Elva raised a brow. “Are you suggesting my kingdom orchestrated such a death? Jini, your demons are the ones who deliver our newspapers. If Alvans Studio were responsible… the death toll would be far higher.”

  Jini’s mind clicked. She was right.

  He bowed his head so low his forehead touched the cold table.

  “I apologize. I spoke carelessly.”

  Elva chuckled softly. “It’s fine, Jini. Stress leads to mistakes. I’ll personally investigate the studio.”

  “That would be greatly appreciated, Queen Elva.”

  The Next Day — Alvans Kingdom

  Queen Elva stormed into Alvans Studio with several Necfars at her side.

  The workers stiffened with confusion and fear as the queen commanded the Necfars to search every stack of newspapers. Whispers filled the studio.

  One worker approached cautiously.

  “Queen Elva… may I ask why this sudden inspection?”

  “It is none of your concern,” she replied calmly.

  The worker stepped back immediately.

  Soon, the Necfars returned.

  “We found nothing, Queen Elva.”

  “I see.” She exhaled. “Then our work here is done.”

  She turned and left the studio, her guards following closely behind as she headed back toward the palace.

  At Nightime — A Small Village

  It was nighttime. Luan, Alya, and I were resting in a small village where the people were unexpectedly warm-hearted—something rare in these times.

  I stared out the window while Alya slept soundly beside me. Soon, Luan approached.

  “Missing your parents… or your kingdom, Dliva?”

  I nodded quietly.

  “I understand that feeling very well,” Luan said.

  “What do you mean, Master Luan?” I asked, curiosity rising.

  “Fine,” he sighed. “I’ll tell you.”

  He sat down and began.

  “I’m a user of White Mana. Very few people can wield it without guidance, and anyone who wishes to learn requires someone who has already mastered it. But I learned it alone… and that violated a divine rule. God punished me. I am bound to teach White Mana to someone. Only once a disciple truly masters it… will I finally be allowed to die.”

  “So you’re immortal until then?” I whispered.

  “Yes,” he said quietly. “But immortality is no gift. I’ve watched everyone I ever cared for wither and die while I continued living. I trained many disciples… but none of them could fully learn it.”

  “How long have you been searching?” I asked.

  “For about a hundred years.”

  “A… hundred?” I stared at him, stunned.

  He stood and looked out the window. “Sleep now. We leave early tomorrow.”

  I lay beside Alya. Sleep came quickly.

  Then a familiar voice echoed through the darkness.

  “You have done well, child. When you reach Kingdom Erka, learn White Mana alongside Alya.”

  A pause. A presence filled the space around me.

  “Then travel toward Kingdom Alvans. I grant you permission to use vehicles to reach it.”

  His voice deepened.

  “Now fulfill your task…

  "Wanderer."