Night was falling when Emma burst through the castle gates like a storm. Her body was slick with sweat, eyes sharp and scanning the crowd like blades. Without hesitation, she grabbed a passing servant.
"Elias! Have you seen him?!" she asked in a low voice, but her tone was razor-sharp, urgency pouring from every word.
A few familiar guards nearby paused. Though her appearance was unfamiliar and her clothes plain, they recognized her voice and exchanged surprised glances. One of them whispered, "Are you… the new Captain of the Guard?"
Emma gave a quick nod, too rushed to explain further. "Where is he? I need to find him—it's urgent. Livia is in danger!"
The soldier shook his head. "Lord Elias hasn't shown up today. We haven't seen him."
Emma's heart pounded like a drum. She had already tried calling Elias several times on the way here, but he never picked up. A sinking feeling formed in her chest. She hesitated, wondering if she should go straight to the hospital and find Marcellus instead—but just then—
From the shadows of the main gate, a tall figure strode steadily toward her. Dressed in a tailored suit, his lean frame moved with controlled strength. As the moonlight fell on his composed, striking features, there was no mistaking him—it was Elias.
Emma's eyes lit up. Before he could speak, she rushed up and grabbed his wrist.
"Come with me!" she commanded instinctively.
Elias frowned slightly, his eyes narrowing as he quickly twisted his arm to counter the grip, ready to subdue the stranger—but Emma countered just as precisely. The two exchanged several quick moves, their feet shifting, strength flaring—three swift bouts passed in an instant. When their eyes met again, both were startled.
—This one is no amateur.
Emma knew there was no time to waste. She immediately pulled a bloodstained scrap of cloth from her pocket and thrust it in front of him. "The training hall. Livia's in danger. Now."
Elias froze, his expression instantly darkening. "This… this is Livia's?"
Emma nodded. "I'm her training instructor. You know the secrets of that place. She's trapped, and you're the only one who'll believe me."
Elias hesitated no longer. He didn't need more details. He locked eyes with her, nodded once, then turned and sprinted from the castle with Emma beside him, asking for details as they ran.
In the car, Emma quickly laid out the entire situation—from the cave, the mysterious man, to the moment she realized those people belonged to Eryx.
At the mention of "Eryx," Elias's face grew grim. "Damn it. If it really is Eryx's men who've surrounded her, the two of us alone won't stand a chance. They won't show mercy."
Emma gritted her teeth. "Then what do we do? We can't wait!"
Elias took a deep breath and said calmly, "We need someone with real weight to step in—"
"Who?" Emma asked.
"My injured brother. Marcellus." Without another word, Elias spun the wheel, sending the car veering toward the hospital.
…
It was deep into the night. The hospital hallway was quiet and dimly lit.
Elias jogged down the corridor and pushed open the room door. The faint scent of medicine still hung in the air. Marcellus sat up in bed, reviewing a document, his forehead still bandaged and shoulder wrapped in gauze.
"Livia's in trouble," Elias said without preamble.
Marcellus looked up, pupils narrowing. His voice was low and hoarse, but there was no hesitation. "I had a bad feeling… so it's true."
Before he finished speaking, he threw off the blanket and stepped out of bed.
"Wait!" Elias caught him by the arm, frowning. "Are you even in any condition to move?"
Marcellus pressed one hand to his injured shoulder, pain flashing across his face. But he gritted his teeth and spoke each word with resolve: "Doesn't matter. Only if I show up personally will Eryx be forced to hold back. On the surface, we're still playing nice. If I appear with a team, they can't make a move."
He forced himself to stand straight, jaw clenched. Sweat beaded on his brow, and his hospital gown was already being replaced with casual clothing. His movements were stiff, but nothing could stop him now.
Elias spoke softly, trying to reason with him. "I can go first—"
"No." Marcellus cut him off coldly. "She's mine. I have to go. I won't lose her."
As he spoke, he pulled out his phone, rapidly changing clothes while issuing orders. "Alert the Royal Guard's reserve unit. Plainclothes only. Bring the people I specify and meet at the southern mountain pass. Light weapons only—don't attract attention."
His tone was calm, decisive—ice-cold.
"We move in five minutes."
Elias looked at his always-collected brother, now pushing through injury to personally lead this mission. His heart surged, but he only nodded in silence.
Emma followed close behind, her eyes resolute.
She knew—this battle, they could not afford to lose.