The old man remained standing in the middle of the office.
His gaze stayed fixed on the door through which Dray had disappeared.
Silence filled the room.
For several moments—
he didn't move.
Then—
his expression slowly changed.
"It seems..."
"I'm not the only one who noticed."
His eyes narrowed.
"Pythia."
The old man lowered his gaze.
"The fact that she's still alive after betraying the cult..."
He paused.
"That alone tells us something."
His fingers slowly tightened.
"She never betrayed the cult."
"Not truly."
At least—
not in her own sense of the word.
The old man remained silent.
His expression became increasingly complicated.
*So that's why...*
*Even after everything that happened...*
*She still remains untouched by the oath.*
---
Meanwhile—
the sun was already high in the sky.
A lone vehicle traveled steadily along the road.
**VRRRRRRMMMM—**
Its wheels rolled over the uneven surface as it continued forward.
Dust rose behind it as the vehicle moved steadily along the road.
Inside—
the rear section of the vehicle had been completely covered.
Thick material had been placed over every opening, preventing even a trace of sunlight from entering.
The interior was dim.
Almost completely dark.
Several figures were seated inside.
Then—
slowly—
someone opened his eyes.
Draven's vision gradually returned.
For a moment—
everything was blurry.
He simply stared into the darkness.
Something soft was beneath his head.
Draven stared upward.
Then—
he realized what it was.
His head was resting on Lyriana's lap.
She was sitting quietly, looking down at him.
The moment she noticed his eyes had opened—
her expression softened.
"His Highness..."
"You are awake."
Draven remained still for a moment.
His mind slowly began to clear.
*What is this?*
*What happened?*
He stared upward.
*Was I sleeping?*
Before he could say anything—
Pythia's voice came from nearby.
"My Lord."
Draven turned his head slightly.
Pythia was sitting across from him.
Vaelith was seated beside her, holding Elenya and Lucifer in her arms.
Aldric was sitting nearby with his arms crossed.
He stared at Draven.
"It's about damn time."
Kaelira's voice immediately followed.
"So Master is awake?"
Draven slowly looked around.
Only then did he realize—
they were inside a vehicle.
Kaelira, Nia, and Ryke were in the front.
Ryke was driving.
Nia glanced toward the back when she heard Draven moving.
The rear section had been completely covered, blocking every trace of sunlight from entering.
Draven looked around again.
*So that's why it's so dark.*
Aldric's voice interrupted his thoughts.
"What the hell, brat?"
"If you're already awake..."
"Then get the hell up."
Draven stared at him.
Then—
he slowly glanced toward Lyriana.
Aldric continued.
"Well?"
Draven slowly sat up.
But instead of moving away—
he shifted closer to Lyriana.
Then—
he simply rested against her.
Lyriana's eyes widened slightly.
"Your Highness..."
Pythia stared at the scene.
A faint blush appeared across her face.
Aldric froze.
His jaw clenched.
A vein appeared on his forehead.
"Damn brat."
Draven glanced toward him.
Aldric pointed toward Lyriana.
"Are you trying to piss me off?"
"Get away from my little sister."
His expression darkened.
"Don't go having any ideas, you bastard."
Draven looked at him with a tired expression.
"Shut up already."
He settled himself more comfortably.
"What's your problem?"
"She doesn't mind."
Aldric's expression twitched.
Draven glanced up at Lyriana.
Then—
he calmly asked,
"Do you mind, Lyria?"
Lyriana's face flushed ever so slightly.
She hesitated.
"..."
Draven continued looking at her.
Then—
Lyriana quietly shook her head.
"No, Your Highness."
Draven nodded.
"See?"
"She doesn't mind."
He looked back toward Aldric.
"You're my maid."
Aldric's expression became murderous.
"I'll kill you."
Pythia watched the exchange.
A smile slowly spread across her face.
Then—
she couldn't hold it back anymore.
"Oooohhh..."
Aldric's head snapped toward her.
Pythia simply continued smiling.
The vehicle continued down the road.
**VRRRRRRMMMM—**
And inside the dimly covered carriage—
the journey continued.
---
Draven glanced over toward Vaelith.
She was sitting quietly with Elenya and Lucifer in her arms.
His gaze then moved toward Aldric.
"So..."
"What actually happened?"
Aldric raised an eyebrow.
"Huh?"
"You suddenly passed out."
He leaned back slightly.
"It happened when I asked you about those eyes of yours."
Draven's expression remained calm.
Aldric continued.
"They did return to normal."
"But you've been unconscious for the past three days and four nights."
Draven's eyes widened slightly.
"Three days?"
"That long?"
Aldric nodded.
"Yeah."
"So now..."
He pointed toward Lyriana.
"Get the hell off her."
Draven looked at him.
"No."
"I don't wanna."
Aldric stared at him in disbelief.
"What the hell was that?"
Draven simply remained where he was.
Aldric's expression darkened.
"I don't care if you want to or not."
"Get up."
Lyriana finally spoke.
"That's enough."
Aldric immediately looked toward her.
"Lyria."
"Are you serious?"
He pointed toward Draven.
"I don't give a shit."
"Get off her, brat."
Draven ignored him.
Instead—
he looked toward Pythia.
"So..."
"Where are we?"
Pythia answered immediately.
"Still in the region of Earldom."
Aldric nodded.
"Yeah."
He glanced toward the front of the vehicle.
"Because of a certain someone being a pain in the ass."
His gaze shifted toward the front.
"Even that bastard has gotten useful."
He paused.
"Though it seems driving is the only thing he's good at."
Ryke continued driving.
"At least I'm no longer being seen as useless."
Aldric immediately replied.
"Shut up."
"You're still useless."
Ryke glanced at him through the mirror.
"Is that so?"
Kaelira suddenly laughed.
"I almost feel sorry for you."
Ryke sighed.
"Yeah, now."
"I'm being pitied."
"And by you of all people."
Kaelira raised an eyebrow.
"Have a problem with that?"
Ryke quickly shook his head.
"No."
"Not at all."
Kaelira laughed again.
Draven looked toward Pythia.
"So we're in the Kingdom of Heliospal."
"Is that right?"
Pythia nodded.
"Yes."
Draven remained silent for a moment.
Then—
he asked,
"And after Heliospal?"
"Where do we go next?"
Pythia looked toward him.
"After Heliospal are the Kingdoms of Taranth and Nordhavn."
She paused.
"And the Kingdom of Veylora."
Draven's eyes narrowed slightly.
"Veylora?"
Aldric answered before Pythia could continue.
"Veylora isn't directly neighboring Heliospal like the other two."
"It's considered a neighboring kingdom to Nordhavn and Taranth."
He leaned back.
"But it's also considered a neighboring kingdom to Heliospal because they're not that far apart."
"The only thing separating Heliospal from Veylora is the border of the northern region of Taranth..."
"And the sea."
Aldric continued explaining.
"If someone wants to go to Veylora from here, there are two ways."
"Either they go through the borders..."
"Or they travel through the sea."
He shrugged.
"Either way, it isn't that long."
"But most people prefer going through the sea."
"Less complicated than dealing with the borders."
Silence filled the vehicle.
Everyone stared at Aldric.
Aldric slowly looked around.
His expression became confused.
"...What?"
Pythia stared at him for another moment.
Then—
she spoke.
"Wow."
"What you said is correct."
Aldric raised an eyebrow.
"But I didn't think you were the type to explain something so clearly."
Aldric's expression immediately darkened.
"Shut up, damn rat."
"What do you know about me?"
Pythia calmly looked at him.
"I don't know much."
"But I've seen enough to know your personality."
Aldric scoffed.
"Like hell you know me."
Lyriana looked ahead.
Then—
she spoke calmly.
"And that is where we're going."
Everyone's attention shifted toward her.
Lyriana continued.
"Veylora."