Rudra's arms steadied Kaelen's body as the boy collapsed into unconsciousness. Around them, the battlefield was littered with craters and the residual glow of fading star magic. The earth still steamed from the sheer force Kaelen had unleashed.
But Kaelen's eyes fluttered open weakly, his voice a ragged whisper.
Kaelen: "Did… did I get him?"
Rudra looked down at him, lips curling into the faintest smile.
Rudra: "You did more than anyone could have expected. That attack tore his arm clean off—but he escaped. Don't worry. My friend and I will hunt him down. You rest, boy. Besides, I have questions for you…"
But before Kaelen could respond, his vision went black. This time, he fell fully unconscious.
Hours later, Kaelen stirred awake inside a dimly lit tent. The sounds of soldiers outside—clashing metal, commands shouted, fires crackling—reminded him he was still at the front. Selianne was sitting beside him, her small frame slumped in sleep against the bedside.
Kaelen gave a faint smile. Carefully, he adjusted her posture and placed a blanket over her.
Kaelen (softly): "You should rest properly…"
He slipped quietly outside. The camp was alive with knights and soldiers patrolling under torchlight. His body ached, but his steps carried him forward. Eventually, he spotted his father standing with Lyra and Allaric.
Allaric smirked the moment he noticed him.
Allaric: "Well, well—sleeping beauty awakens."
Kaelen sighed inwardly, but before he could reply, Lyra added with a teasing grin:
Lyra: "did the princess's kiss finally wake you up"
Kaelen's father, however, silenced them with a sharp look.
Father: "That's enough, you two. Kaelen—the Emperor is waiting for you. Go see him now, then return to the tent. We'll be there."
Kaelen: "Yes, Father."
The command tent loomed at the camp's center, guarded by elite soldiers. As Kaelen entered, he found Rudra seated with several officers. The Emperor's piercing gaze found him instantly.
Rudra raised his hand, signaling the knights to leave. Once they had stepped out, Kaelen hesitated, then asked:
Kaelen: "Um… Your Highness, where is Velgrynd-sama? She usually never leaves your side."
Rudra: "I sent her on an errand. Don't concern yourself with that." His voice sharpened. "What I want to know, Kaelen Caelthorn, is simple: what are you?"
Kaelen's expression froze. The Emperor's bluntness was unexpected, though not undeserved.
Kaelen: "…Whatever do you mean, sir?"
Rudra's eyes narrowed, his tone serious.
Rudra: "Don't play games with me. Answer."
Kaelen exhaled, realizing there was no dodging this.
Kaelen: "Then, please… put a sound barrier up. And cut off your skill's connection temporarily."
The Emperor's brows lifted slightly, but he complied. The room fell into silence, sealed.
Kaelen then revealed part of the truth.
Kaelen: "I was… not born here. I came from another world. My body… it's made from the combined magicules of the four True Dragons and the Great Holy Spirits. That made me… something called an Aetherion. But when I entered the Cardinal world, I devolved into a Nascent Aetherion."
He hid the connection to Veldanava and the Founder skill, keeping that part close to his chest.
Rudra leaned back, visibly shaken, but intrigued.
Rudra: "…So that's what you are. Then tell me—why did you make me sever my skill?"
Kaelen: "Because I felt it was chiping your soul away. If it can chip away at your essence, doesn't that mean it could one day… take your body?"
The Emperor chuckled lowly, though his eyes glimmered with unease.
Rudra: "So, you saw through me… Interesting. That skill is Ultimate Skill: Lord of Justice, Michael. And yes, at this rate… Michael may very well take control of me."
Kaelen already knew about this from the novel.
Rudra: "That's why I'm entrusting you with a mission. If that day comes—if Michael takes me over—you must stop me."
Kaelen didn't hesitate.
Kaelen: "…Understood."
Rudra: "Good. Now, do you want anything ?"
Kaelen: "Just… keep what I've said hidden. And allow me to deal with the Orc Disaster."
Rudra gave a nod of respect.
Rudra: "Done. Also… if you wish, you can become my apprentice. I could teach you much. But for now… I must handle other matters."
Before Kaelen could even answer, Rudra vanished in a blink, leaving only the faint ripple of his presence.
Kaelen returned to the family tent. His father explained the situation calmly.
Father: "I will be supervising Group 5. Tomorrow, the hunt begins."
One by one, everyone settled to rest. Kaelen, however, remained awake, staring at the starry sky outside.
Selianne eventually came out, rubbing her eyes.
Selianne: "…Eetho, why are you staying up so late?"
Kaelen smiled faintly.
Kaelen: "Just admiring the stars."
She hesitated, then sat beside him. For a while, they both gazed upward in silence. Before long, Selianne's head drooped onto his shoulder, fast asleep. Kaelen carefully carried her back to bed.
But once she was safe, his figure vanished in silence.
Moments later, Kaelen stood upon the fortress wall, his [Eyes of the Eternal Dragon] scanning the dark expanse of the Jura Forest. His gaze locked on something—a presence, heavy and sinister.
Without hesitation, he vanished again.
When he reappeared, he stood atop a tree overlooking a plain. There, illuminated faintly by the moonlight, stood the hulking form of the Orc Disaster.