My lord... by the time you read this, I’ll probably already be far from Caldrath Mountain.

I’m truly sorry for leaving without saying anything first. I know disappearing like this is disrespectful, but... I just couldn’t bring myself to face you.

Serving you has genuinely been one of the best things that has ever happened to me. Even though I was cowardly and incompetent most of the time, you still accepted me as your ward. You never mocked me or treated me like I was beneath you.

Truthfully... I don’t think I deserve that kindness.

After the Proving, I finally realized something. Someone like me has no place beside someone like you. I lost my very first battle without accomplishing anything. I couldn’t even stand properly once blood started spilling everywhere.

I’m weak, my lord.

The only thing I’m really good at is carrying too many bags and overpacking things nobody needs.

Someone like you deserves a ward who can actually support you. Someone dependable. Not somebody who panics at the sight of blood and becomes dead weight the moment things become dangerous.

So... I decided it would be better to leave now instead of continuing to burden you.

Thank you for everything you’ve done for me, my lord. Truly.

I’ll never forget it.

I wish you nothing but success in the future.

— Tobias 𝓯𝓻𝒆𝙚𝒘𝓮𝙗𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝒍.𝙘𝓸𝙢

...

Zephyrion lowered the letter, not even the slightest flicker crossing his indifferent face.

’As expected.’

Tobias had finally been pushed past his limit. From the very beginning, Zephyrion had known that, with Tobias’ fear of blood, making any meaningful progress in the Proving had been impossible.

Now, those feelings of inadequacy had finally overwhelmed him and driven him to leave.

It also had to be remembered that Tobias had a sick little sister whose medical expenses were covered solely because Tobias served as Zephyrion’s ward. By leaving now, those payments would naturally come to an end.

Most people would have remained despite their reservations.

However, it was clear the thought of deceiving Zephyrion revolted Tobias to such an extent that he would rather gamble everything alone than continue living under that guilt.

Zephyrion had to admit it.

He had never seen such honesty before.

His gaze shifted toward the maid.

"Prepare a carriage."

He paused briefly before adding;

"Silently."

Though visibly caught off guard, Kilo immediately nodded and hurried off.

...

Since returning, this would be Zephyrion’s first time visiting the capital city of the South.

Dunewall.

Located west of Caldrath Mountain, the vast city stretched endlessly beneath the night sky. Massive walls surrounded it entirely while countless buildings sprawled throughout its interior like an endless sea of stone and light.

Some structures rose high into the sky like towering spires, while others remained more modest in size. Even at night, the city remained brightly illuminated.

With the Calderalth crest displayed upon the carriage, entry into the city was swift and unquestioned.

Zephyrion sat silently within the carriage, his expression impassive as he watched Lumi stare out the window with excitement.

For a brief moment, he found himself wondering whether the girl had ever experienced anything resembling a normal life.

Even months after finding her, he still had to teach her the most basic things about living. Social cues any one her age should naturally understand often seemed entirely foreign to her, which sometimes made him wonder just what kind of life she had lived before he found her.

It wasn’t as though he had never tried asking. However, every question regarding her past was always ignored as though he had never spoken at all.

So obedient, yet unbelievably stubborn. That was Lumi.

Zephyrion released a quiet sigh, pushing the lingering thoughts aside. Ignoring the tense figure of Kilo seated across from him, he shifted his gaze toward the window.

A bustling city greeted him.

People moved along the paved streets in endless streams. Some minded their own affairs while others openly stared toward the passing carriage with curious eyes.

’Still remains the same.’

Aside from a few infrastructural changes suggesting advancements in building technology, the city itself remained largely unchanged.

Well... except for the massive golden statue of the Iron Father rising prominently at the city’s center. Even from this distance, its radiant glow remained visible beneath the night sky.

Zephyrion lightly tapped his fingers against his lap.

’The Sarakhel...’

The leaders of the Ferran faith. Temples dedicated to the religion existed throughout the entire Empire, and naturally, the South was no exception.

As far as he remembered, the statue had once been forged from dark iron.

The gold was new.

Though when his thoughts drifted in that direction, he realized quite a lot had changed during his absence. A Sarakhel now governed one of the southern bastions, and for all he knew, more territories may have already fallen under their influence.

Soon, he would need to properly familiarize himself with the current political landscape if he wished to fully understand the South’s present situation.

Fortunately, his status as Prime would make that relatively easy.

"My lord... I apologize, but the carriage can’t go any farther."

The voice came from the coachman outside.

"...Why?"

"The roads ahead are... a bit complicated, my lord."

Zephyrion frowned. Judging from the address, they were still nowhere near their destination.

"I-I’ll confirm!" Kilo immediately blurted before hurriedly jumping out of the carriage.

"Young lord..." Kilo returned a moment later with an awkward expression. "The streets ahead are too narrow for the carriage, so it seems we’ll have to..." She hesitated briefly before forcing the final word out. "...walk."

She stared at Zephyrion nervously after saying the last word, clearly afraid he might lash out at her. Asking someone of his status to walk through cramped streets felt almost disrespectful.

However, Zephyrion merely nodded.

"Alright."

He calmly adjusted his cloak before pulling the hood over his head. Shadows immediately obscured most of his face, leaving only faint traces of his features visible beneath the darkness.

As the current most talked-about individual throughout the South, exposing himself openly within a densely crowded district was simply unwise, especially with the number of forces likely searching for him.

After motioning for Lumi to do the same, Zephyrion stepped out of the carriage.

The surrounding pedestrians immediately cast probing glances toward them, their reactions making it painfully obvious that carriages rarely entered this part of the city.

Without wasting another moment, Zephyrion turned toward the narrow, unpaved street ahead and began walking.