The journey passed in silence. Good weather and clear roads pushed them forward faster than expected.
By the fourth day, the land changed. The thick bamboo forests of Tenzan Skyhold stood ahead.
The carriage driver kept his eyes on the road and flicked the reins.
"We should arrive by noon."
Rage looked out the window. He saw Tenzan Skyhold's castle. It rose high against the sky.
By noon, they reached the gates.
The carriage halted.
The stone walls were huge and blocked the view inside. There were no windows or gaps.
A sudden burst of movement followed. Guards ran forward with their hands on their katana handles. One of them spoke in a sharp voice and stepped closer.
Through the carriage window, Rage watched a trader step down from the front cart. The trader gave a bundle of travel papers to the guards waiting nearby.
The guards checked each carriage one at a time. It looked like a normal check. There was no sign of worry.
When they reached Rage's carriage, they looked inside quickly and then gave a nod. They showed no reaction. He was just another traveler passing through.
A moment later, a guard lifted his arm to give a signal ahead.
The gates opened and showed a busy city. Lanterns hung from the roofs. The streets were made of stone and filled with people. Merchants called out from stalls.
Past the gate, wooden bridges crossed canals. Tea houses and forges stood nearby.
The castle of Tenzan Skyhold rose above the city. Watchtowers and banners surrounded it.
At the end of the road was the path to the main castle.
Rage's carriage moved along the main road until it reached the center of the city. It stopped in front of a large fountain. The driver pulled the reins and stopped the horses.
"This is your stop," he said, nodding toward them.
Seloria was already moving. She stepped off first and picked up the bags without delay. Rage followed and lifted a bag onto his shoulder.
The driver pointed to a small street. "The Shrouded Crane Inn, that's where you're staying."
He reached into his sleeve and took out a folded piece of paper, then gave it to Rage. "From the Queen. Give it to the innkeeper."
Rage glanced at the sealed document before tucking it into his coat.
With that, the driver flicked the reins, and the carriage rolled away, disappearing into the crowded streets.
Rage adjusted his grip on his bag, glancing at Seloria. She was already moving toward the inn's entrance.
The inn was nearby, only a short walk from the city center. Rage and Seloria walked through the busy streets, passing merchants who were packing their stalls and samurais who were heading to taverns.
They came to the entrance, pushed the curtains aside, and went in. Behind the counter, was the innkeeper, a middle-aged woman wearing a simple kimono, stood up straight when they entered.
"Welcome," she said, with her hands folded neatly in front of her.
Rage let out a breath and looked around. "This must be it." He took the folded paper from his coat and gave it to the innkeeper.
The innkeeper looked at the seal and nodded. She walked out from behind the counter and pointed to the hall. "This way, madame and sir."
She brought them to an empty room and opened the sliding door with steady hands. "Your stay includes cleaning, meals, and a reminder that the city has a curfew after midnight."
Rage did not say much and went inside. Seloria placed their bags in the corner and fixed her gloves.
The innkeeper stayed for a moment and looked at them with a small smile. "Are you two a couple?"
Seloria did not answer.
Rage let out a short laugh. "Not even close."
The woman laughed softly. "Ah, well, I should mention, there is only one bed."
Rage rubbed his forehead. "I'll take the sofa."
The innkeeper nodded with a smile. "As you wish. Enjoy your stay."
She closed the door and left them to settle in.
***
The afternoon sun was still high, but Rage already felt tired from the trip. Without saying anything, he lay back on the sofa, crossed his arms, and closed his eyes.
He fell asleep quickly.
Seloria stayed awake.
She moved quietly and did what seemed like her usual tasks. She folded his coat, checked his weapons, and placed their things neatly as if getting ready for the next part of their trip.
Time went by.
When evening came, the light of lanterns shone through the wooden slats of the room and moved gently with the wind. A soft knock on the door showed that dinner had arrived. It was a simple meal left by the inn staff.
Rage barely moved. He opened his eyes just long enough to eat quietly, then lay back on the sofa again.
Night came.
Then, there was a knock on the door.
Rage woke up on the sofa and opened one eye. Seloria was on the bed, her breathing was calm. Another knock came, followed by a voice from outside.
"Honored guest, are you the envoy from Abyssal Tides?"
Rage sighed and rubbed his face.
There was a short pause. Then the voice spoke again. "Envoy-sama, we need your help. Meet us at the castle gardens."
"Yeah, yeah, we're coming," Rage said as he got up from the sofa. So much for sleep.
Seloria was already sitting up and fixing her sleeves. She picked up her dagger belt.
Outside the inn, a samurai in full armor waited. A carriage stood nearby.
The samurai bowed a little. "Apologies, Envoy-sama, for waking you at this hour."
Rage ran a hand through his hair and tried not to yawn. "No problem."
He stepped into the carriage, and Seloria followed quietly.
Soon they reached the castle gates. Inside, they were led to the war room, where a large table stood under a bright paper lamp with several people gathered around it.
Rage walked toward the group in the room.
At the center stood a woman. Her posture was straight, and her face gave nothing away.
[SYSTEM] Yuna Lv.76
[SYSTEM] class: Swordsman
[SYSTEM] neutral
Rage looked at her and let out a breath. "So... not the Empress, then."
Yuna looked at Rage as he came closer. "Envoy-sama, I apologize for waking you at this hour, but we are in great need of your help."
The people around the table turned to him with serious faces.
Rage sighed and rubbed the back of his neck. "Rage. Just call me Rage."
Yuna nodded. "Understood, Rage-sama."
She took a short breath before speaking again.
"Our Empress left for a hunting trip with some nobles and soldiers a few days ago. She knew you were coming but thought you would arrive later."
Her voice grew heavy. "But this evening, one soldier returned, injured." She paused. "They were attacked. The Empress was taken hostage."
The people at the table began to whisper as the air grew tense.
Yuna continued speaking. "Some nobles have joined a warlord. We believe they want to gain favor with his growing kingdom. The warlord's demand is simple. He plans to marry Empress Kazumi by force and take control of Tenzan Skyhold. To stop a war, he wants us to hand over the papers that prove our rule."
Rage let out a short laugh. "So either you give him your kingdom on paper, or he takes it by force anyway."
Yuna's face grew tense. "Exactly. His army is stronger, and worse, he was once our ally. We do not know why he changed sides, but with nobles helping him, our soldiers are too divided to fight."
She looked down for a moment. "We plan to rescue the Empress. If we fail, the papers will be given to him."
Rage leaned back a little. "And let me guess, we are being sent on a mission that will get us killed?"
Yuna kept her eyes on him. "To stay hidden, we will send only a few of our best soldiers."
Rage raised an eyebrow and spoke in a flat tone. "Right. And what do you want us to do in this mission?"
Yuna looked straight at him. "We need you to return to Abyssal Tides and ask for help."
Rage looked back at her without moving. "Better to send a real rider. They would reach faster."
He sighed and rubbed his neck. "I just got here, and you already want me to go back to Abyssal Tides?"
He had faced death many times before. He had fought enemies, survived battles that were not his, and lived when he should have died.
Why would this be any different?
Running away was not his way. If there was another fight coming, he would face it.
Yuna's face grew tense. "You understand what you are saying, right?"
Her brows came together. "Rage-sama, this mission is dangerous. If we fail, we die."
Rage tilted his head slightly. "Yeah. I know."
A flicker of something passed through Yuna's eyes. It looked like concern or doubt. Then she gave a slow nod.
"Understood. But know this, Rage-sama, if something happens to you, it could spark a war between Abyssal Tides and Tenzan Skyhold. Are you prepared for that?"
Rage tilted his head, unimpressed. "Nah, I'd win."
He turned to Seloria with a silent question in his eyes.
She met his gaze without hesitation and nodded.
Yuna looked at the others around the table. Her voice was calm. "The retrieval force will be divided into small groups to increase our chances of success."
She looked at Rage. "You were not expected to join, but since you insist, you will be accompanied by the Empress' elite squad."
At her signal, three figures stepped forward from the shadows.
Rage blinked. Their outfits were strange compared to the other warriors. They wore black and red dresses with frills, layered skirts, high stockings, and armored boots. It looked like gothic Lolita combat gear.
His mind stopped for a moment.
No way.
[SYSTEM] Miyu Lv.74
[SYSTEM] class : Swordswoman
[SYSTEM] loyalty : 9%
[SYSTEM] Suzu Lv.73
[SYSTEM] class : Striker
[SYSTEM] loyalty : 8%
[SYSTEM] Reina Lv.72
[SYSTEM] class : Assassin
[SYSTEM] loyalty : 5%
Yuna gestured toward them. "These three are among the Empress' elite squad. The best of the best."
Rage raised an eyebrow. "So, you mean to tell me that the Empress left without her elite squad?"
Yuna shook her head. "The Empress has many in her elite squad. It just so happens that these three were unable to go with her."
Rage crossed his arms. "Carry on."
"Let's depart as soon as we can." Yuna pointed to a map spread across the table. "You should reach the warlord's territory by tomorrow afternoon. You'll be disguised as traders. Our convoy will carry weapons and goods to keep up the act. Some nobles will join the main caravan for the negotiations."
Her tone hardened. "We believe the Empress is being held in the fortress's underground cells."
No one spoke after that.
Yuna gave a final nod, a silent signal for them to leave.
The crowd scattered. Some went to prepare while others quietly disappeared.
***
By dawn, a long line of carriages moved out from Tenzan Skyhold. They were loaded with crates of goods. A group of disguised soldiers traveled with the convoy.
Inside one of the carriages, Rage leaned back with his arms crossed. Seloria sat beside him, quiet as always. Across from them, Miyu, Suzu, and Reina sat with blank faces.
The silence lasted for a while.
Then Rage began to hum without thinking. The tune was low and hard to understand. He did it out of boredom.
"Kingslayer, destroying castles in the sky... Kingslayer, forevermore the apple of my eye..."
Miyu narrowed her eyes. "What are you singing?"
Rage opened one eye. "Nothing."
He closed his eyes again and sank deeper into his seat.
***
The journey lasted through the day. The sun was already setting when they reached the warlord's fortress.
By sundown, the convoy passed through the gates. The travelers wore long and thick robes to hide who they were.
At the entrance, a figure waited.
[SYSTEM] Renshiro Lv.78
[SYSTEM] class : Armsman
[SYSTEM] neutral
Renshiro walked forward with his arms crossed. His eyes moved over the new arrivals. Then he gave a small smile. "Welcome, travelers."
His voice was calm and steady. "I appreciate your timely arrival. The goods will be put to good use." His eyes showed a hint of expectation.
There was a short pause.
Then he nodded, looking pleased. He pointed toward the fortress. "Rest for the night. The roads are dangerous after dark. Leave in the morning."
Soft murmurs filled the group. Some nodded while others let out quiet breaths. No one objected.
[SYSTEM] Corruption : 33.2%