Draven stood before Vaelith.
His crimson eyes narrowed.
His voice was cold.
"What is this?"
"Why have you come into the city without my permission?"
He stared directly at her.
"It's best you have a good explanation."
Vaelith immediately lowered her head.
"Yes, My Lord."
She remained respectful.
"I sensed your awakening."
She paused.
"Once I realized you had awakened, I knew you had succeeded in your mission to create your mana pool."
Vaelith then began explaining everything.
She had communicated with Pythia through the earring.
Pythia had informed her about the plan to infiltrate the spatial port and secure one of the spatial transfer circles.
With the help of the artifact—
once the circle was activated—
they would be able to travel a great distance in a single transfer.
Vaelith explained that after learning this, she agreed to the plan.
It would allow them to cover a large portion of the journey.
There was no reason to waste time traveling the entire distance by ordinary means when the spatial circle could shorten it considerably.
She also explained why she had released so much mana while approaching the city.
She had been certain Draven would sense it.
And she knew—
he would come.
Draven listened silently.
When Vaelith finished—
his expression remained cold.
"I remember asking you to stay put, though."
Vaelith lowered her head slightly.
Draven continued.
"What you did wasn't wrong."
His eyes narrowed.
"But I don't like it when you disobey what I told you."
Vaelith remained silent for a moment.
Then—
she spoke.
"My task is to protect the Young Master and Miss at any cost."
Her voice was firm.
"And that's what I intend on doing."
Draven stared at her.
"It seems like you haven't understood yet."
He began walking toward her.
One step.
Then another.
Vaelith remained where she was.
Draven stopped directly in front of her.
He slowly raised his gaze.
Vaelith lowered her head.
Their eyes met.
Then—
Draven's killing intent suddenly erupted.
The atmosphere became heavy.
His voice was cold.
"You wouldn't want to find out what will happen..."
He paused.
"...if they so much as get a scratch."
Vaelith's expression remained calm.
"I'll make sure that never happens."
Draven continued staring at her.
His killing intent remained.
The tension between them was suffocating.
But then—
a sudden giggle broke through the silence.
"Hehehe!"
Draven's eyes shifted.
The black cat was still in his arm.
Elenya and Lucifer had both reached toward it.
Their small hands stretched out eagerly.
The black cat immediately tried to move away from them.
It twisted in Draven's arm.
Then—
it shifted away from their reaching hands.
Elenya giggled again.
Lucifer reached after it.
The cat dodged them once more.
Draven looked down at his younger siblings.
The coldness in his expression disappeared.
A faint smile appeared on his face.
He looked at both of them.
"How have you both been?"
He gently adjusted the cat in his arm.
"Had a good sleep?"
Meanwhile—
Aldric descended from the sky.
His black wings slowly folded behind him as his feet touched the ground.
He looked toward Vaelith.
"Hey."
He glanced at the enormous amount of mana that had been released earlier.
"What's with that?"
"Are you trying to announce yourself or something?"
Vaelith remained silent.
She simply stood there.
Draven looked toward Aldric.
"Let's go."
Vaelith immediately nodded.
"Yes, My Lord."
The group began moving toward the entrance of the spatial port.
Vaelith walked beside Draven.
Nia followed closely behind them.
Aldric remained behind the group.
He looked at them.
Then—
his expression became annoyed.
"What the hell?"
He spread his arms slightly.
"No one is going to tell me what's going on?"
Draven didn't even turn around.
"Just shut up and come see it for yourself."
Aldric stared at his back.
"...Fine."
He followed.
---
The group continued through the entrance.
Their footsteps echoed through the damaged hall.
The atmosphere inside the spatial port suddenly became heavy.
Illyria immediately turned her attention toward the entrance.
Hannah also looked in the same direction.
The guard captain standing nearby suddenly felt his breathing become heavier.
His chest rose and fell.
*What is this pressure...?*
His eyes widened slightly.
*I can barely breathe.*
The presence approaching them was overwhelming.
Then—
footsteps echoed through the hall.
**STEP.**
**STEP.**
**STEP.**
Everyone's attention shifted toward the entrance.
A figure slowly walked into view.
Draven.
His black wings were folded behind him.
His crimson eyes scanned the hall.
Illyria stared.
But—
not at everyone.
Her gaze remained fixed on Draven.
More precisely—
on him.
Her expression became slightly tense.
*So that's him.*
She studied his appearance.
*He looks exactly as described.*
But then—
another sensation washed over her.
Something she couldn't explain.
Something unpleasant.
Her eyes narrowed.
*What is this feeling...?*
It was disgusting.
The moment she sensed his presence—
she felt it.
A strange, overwhelming disgust.
Illyria's expression hardened.
*Why do I feel this way just by looking at him?*
---
Hannah suddenly stepped forward.
Illyria's eyes widened slightly.
"Princess."
Hannah continued walking.
Draven's steps suddenly stopped.
Aldric looked at the cloaked figure approaching them.
"Huh?"
He frowned.
"Who the hell are you?"
He stared at her.
"Do you have a death wish or something?"
Hannah said nothing.
She slowly raised her hands.
Then—
she pulled down her hood.
Her face was revealed.
Draven's eyes widened slightly.
His expression changed.
"...Hannah."
Silence.
Aldric's eyes widened.
"Huh?"
He looked between Draven and Hannah.
"You know the elf?"
No one answered.
Draven simply stared at Hannah.
Hannah stared back at him.
---
On the other side—
the others also felt the pressure.
Pythia's eyes shifted toward the entrance.
A faint smile appeared on her face.
"My Lord has arrived."
Ryke glanced over at her.
His expression didn't change.
He muttered under his breath.
"...A one-eighty."
Kaelira's eyes immediately lit up.
"Master."
She stared toward the entrance.
Lyriana remained silent.
Her crimson eyes were already fixed in the same direction.
She simply watched.
The one they had been waiting for—
had finally arrived.