Sera immediately went back to their house while Rin followed her, his steps quick and restless, barely able to contain himself. The urgency in the air was suffocating, pressing against his chest with every second that passed.
She moved straight to Pearl's stable without a word and opened a sack hidden deep inside, something carefully concealed as if it had been waiting for this exact moment. Rin watched her, confusion creasing his brows, unable to understand why she was doing this when time was slipping away.
"Aila, we are wasting time. Let me go get Arelus back now," Rin said as he clenched his fist, his voice strained with impatience and fear. "He must be crying. I swear if they touch my nephew… I'll kill them all."
Rin had been eager—desperate—to rescue Arelus the moment he learned of the abduction from Mrs. Soh. Every instinct in him screamed to move, to act, to tear through anyone in his way. But Sera had insisted he follow her here first, her tone leaving no room for argument.
He was shocked to see Sera pulling out a sword and a bow with arrows from inside the sack, weapons hidden in plain sight all this time, right under his nose. The realization struck him harder than expected—that she had been prepared for something like this all along, that she had never truly let her guard down.
"Why did you have those?" he asked, his voice quieter now, edged with something he couldn't quite name.
Sera didn't answer. She simply threw the sword at him, and Rin caught it effortlessly, his body reacting before his thoughts could. She was about to leave when Rin grabbed her arm, his grip firm but not forceful, stopping her just enough to notice the tremor in her hands as she held her bow.
"Hey… Arelus will be fine… we'll get him back. I promise."
But Sera was speechless. Her eyes, once calm and distant, were now filled with rage—cold, consuming, and suffocating. A killing intent radiated from her, sharp enough to silence anything else.
In her mind, a thought kept repeating: Runar. Maybe it was him. Maybe he had taken Arelus to force her into marriage. The possibility alone ignited something dangerous inside her. It didn't matter who had taken her son.
She would kill everyone who dared to harm him.
Sera and Rin arrived at the Stone Bandits Stronghold. The place was massive, surrounded by towering stone walls that loomed like a fortress meant to keep the world out. But to them, it was nothing more than an obstacle.
They slipped inside like shadows in the dark—silent, precise, unseen. Both of them were skilled enough to handle something like this. In truth, the situation felt smaller compared to the battles they had survived before.
They observed the surroundings carefully, not making a single sound, their movements controlled and deliberate. Every step was measured, every breath restrained. Despite the urgency, they forced themselves to think clearly, refusing to let emotion cloud their judgment.
Rin signaled Sera that he would go find Arelus. The sign language lessons she had taught him paid off—he could now communicate without a single word, even in the middle of danger.
Be careful. Sera signed back to him, her fingers steady despite the storm inside her.
Rin disappeared into the darkness, his presence fading like he had never been there at all, while Sera moved across the rooftop, bending low to conceal herself as she looked down into the courtyard below.
There, she saw Runar kneeling on the ground, his hands tied behind his back, his face bruised and bloodied. The sight was jarring—this man, once standing tall with authority, now reduced to something restrained and vulnerable.
Kai sat in front of him, laughing carelessly while drinking wine, his posture relaxed as if he were enjoying a spectacle. Around them, the bandits gathered, watching in silence, their attention fixed on the fallen leader.
Then Kai stood and delivered another punch to Runar's face. The impact was heavy, enough to make him spit blood onto the ground. He looked weak, his body barely holding itself upright, yet somehow, he still managed to laugh.
"Is… that all… you've got?" Runar said, lifting his gaze to Kai. The courage in his eyes didn't waver, even as his body betrayed him.
Sera's expression darkened as she watched. It wasn't Runar who kidnapped her son.
Her gaze shifted slowly to Kai, and recognition struck her instantly—the man who had barged into her restaurant, the one who had threatened her without hesitation. Her anger surged again, sharper now, more focused.
Kai was about to strike Runar once more when a man came running toward them, his voice panicked.
"Chief Kai, the boy… he's gone!"
"What?! Find him! Now!" Kai shouted, his composure breaking as he ordered everyone to search for Arelus.
Sera's chest lightened, just slightly, as realization dawned—Rin had already found him. Arelus was safe.
But that wasn't enough.
Not for her.
The rescue didn't quiet the storm inside her. It only redirected it.
She still needed to make Kai pay.
The Stronghold fell into chaos as the bandits scattered in panic, searching for the missing boy. Kai, furious and desperate, grabbed a sword, turning back to Runar with the intent to end him once and for all. But just as he moved to slit his throat, Sera raised her bow from the rooftop and released an arrow.
The arrow pierced through Kai's shoulder.
He dropped to his knees instantly, a scream tearing from his throat as pain overwhelmed him.
Runar's eyes widened in shock, his head snapping toward Kai before slowly lifting toward the rooftop where the arrow had come from. The darkness concealed her figure, making it impossible for him to see clearly who had intervened.
The bandits quickly realized what had happened. They rushed into the courtyard, scanning the rooftops until they spotted Sera. Without hesitation, they raised their weapons and fired arrows toward her.
Sera ran.
She moved swiftly across the rooftops, dodging every arrow with fluid precision, her body weaving through danger as if it were second nature. At the same time, she fired back. Each arrow she released found its mark. One by one, the men fell, their bodies dropping lifelessly onto the ground below.
Runar's eyes widened at the scene unfolding before him. The traitors were falling like grass being cut down, their numbers thinning in mere moments. It was brutal—far more brutal than anything he had ever witnessed. This wasn't just skill.
This was slaughter.
Then Sera leapt from the rooftop.
She landed on the ground with controlled force, her presence instantly drawing every remaining bandit toward her. They swarmed, rushing to attack, but Sera moved through them like something untouchable. She didn't hesitate, didn't falter. She cut them down as they came closer, her movements precise, efficient, deadly. Their skills were nothing compared to hers—like wolves throwing themselves at a beast far beyond their strength.
It was almost pitiful.
But Sera felt no mercy.
Kidnapping Arelus had been their mistake.
Both Kai and Runar were left speechless, their eyes fixed on her as the last of the chaos unfolded. Sera held the final bandit by the neck, forcing him to kneel, his body trembling. She positioned him facing Kai and Runar—then, without pause, she slit his throat.
Blood gushed out, spilling onto the ground in a dark pool.
Sera released him and began walking slowly toward Kai and Runar, her steps steady, her presence heavy. Her face and clothes were stained with blood, yet her expression remained unchanged—calm, almost empty, as if what she had just done hadn't cost her anything at all.
Kai trembled in front of her, fear finally breaking through his arrogance. He dropped to his knees.
"It was Runar… he made me do it. He told me to take your son… I was just following orders."
His lie only made Sera angrier.
Without a word, she raised her bow and released another arrow.
It pierced through his throat.
Kai dropped lifelessly to the ground, right in front of Runar.
Runar looked at Kai, his body bathed in his own blood on the ground, the life completely drained from him. The sight was heavy, final. Then his gaze slowly shifted to Sera, who was standing in front of him, unmoving, her presence dominating the courtyard.
In that moment, realization struck him with full force—she wasn't who he thought she was. Not the quiet woman in the village, not the distant figure he had been admiring from afar. There was something far more dangerous beneath her calm exterior. And yet, despite the blood on her hands and the cold stillness in her eyes, he wasn't afraid.
Meanwhile, Rin arrived at the courtyard, carrying Arelus in his arms, his breathing slightly uneven from rushing. The moment he heard the commotion, he hurried to Sera's side, ready to fight if needed. He had already made Arelus bury his face against his shoulder, shielding the boy from the horror surrounding them, refusing to let him witness the brutality of what had taken place.
Rin looked around, his gaze sweeping across the courtyard—and then he froze. Bodies lay scattered everywhere, lifeless, blood staining the ground in dark patches. There were so many that it left him momentarily speechless. His eyes slowly found Sera, standing in the middle of it all, untouched amidst the carnage.
He never expected Sera to do such a thing.
Or perhaps… he simply didn't remember that she was capable of it.
Sera turned her gaze toward Rin, her eyes immediately softening the moment she saw Arelus in his arms. Tears fell silently from her eyes, the tension in her body finally breaking. Relief washed over her, overwhelming and undeniable, as she saw her son safe.
Rin approached her and gently handed Arelus over, the boy still keeping his eyes tightly shut just as he was told. Rin reminded him not to open his eyes until he said so, his voice firm but gentle.
The moment Arelus felt his mother's arms around him, he broke into sobs, clinging to her tightly. Sera held him close, her grip protective, almost desperate, as she whispered apologies for what had happened. Her voice trembled slightly as she comforted him, until eventually, exhaustion took over and the boy fell asleep in her arms.
Runar watched them quietly as Rin moved behind him and untied the ropes binding his hands. Despite the pain radiating through his battered body, a small smile formed on his lips. Seeing Sera and Arelus reunited brought him a strange sense of peace, something warm amidst the lingering chaos.
Rin scratched his head as he looked around at the bodies littering the ground, his brows knitting together. "What are we going to do with all of these?"
"Don't worry, we'll handle it," Runar said as he slowly sat down, his body clearly needing rest.
"We?" Rin turned to him, confusion evident in his voice.
"Yeah. I still have some men in the dungeons."
Sera lifted her gaze toward Runar, her eyes narrowing slightly, her instincts still on edge, as if her work wasn't finished yet.
"Don't worry. They're on my side," Runar added awkwardly, sensing her tension and trying—perhaps unsuccessfully—to ease it.
Sera later brought Arelus to Mr. and Mrs. Soh's place, letting him rest safely under their care. Only after ensuring he was secure did she return with Rin to the Stronghold, where Runar waited to discuss everything that had happened.
Sera stood quietly, watching as Runar's remaining men piled the dead bodies together. The heap grew larger and larger, almost reaching Runar's height. There were so many—too many.
All dead by Sera's hands.
The flames flickered and reflected in Sera's eyes as the bodies were set ablaze, the fire slowly consuming them. The smell of burning flesh filled the air, thick and suffocating, but it didn't seem to bother her at all.
Nor did it bother Rin.
Rin stared at the burning bodies, a strange feeling settling within him. He was surprised that the sight didn't feel unfamiliar—as if somewhere deep inside him, buried beneath lost memories, he had witnessed something like this before.
Runar stood beside Rin, wiping his hands as the two of them turned their gazes toward Sera, who remained standing across from them, watching the flames devour what was left of the traitors.
The two men stood in silence, their thoughts racing in different directions.
How is she able to kill all those men? Who is she? Runar's eyes lingered on her figure, the firelight dancing across her face. She looks dangerously stunning… even more beautiful than before. How can someone who seems so fragile be this deadly?
Her skills… they weren't ordinary. Rin's brows furrowed slightly. What is she not telling me? What are you hiding, Aila? A faint frustration flickered within him. Damn these memories… why won't you come back already?
After everything was cleaned up, the three of them gathered for a meeting.
"Don't worry, none of us will speak of this incident. Nobody will know what happened here," Runar assured them, his voice steady despite everything he had gone through.
"Thanks, Runar… for what you did for Arelus… and for keeping this a secret." Sera's lips curved into a small smile—the first smile she had ever given him.
Runar smiled back, the moment quiet but meaningful, while Rin stood nearby, looking at the two of them with mild awkwardness, unsure of what to make of it.
Rin stretched his arms and let out a yawn, breaking the tension in the air.
"You should go and rest," Runar said as he stood up, his body still recovering.
Sera and Rin stood as well and quietly left the Stronghold.
…
After the incident, everything changed in Orchid Village. The Stone Bandits were gone, replaced by a more structured and organized system under Rin's guidance. With his help, Runar established fairer rules, creating a sense of order that the village had never truly known before. For the first time, the villagers began to feel something close to peace.
Months passed, and Runar became the mayor of the village, while his men took on the role of village guards. Orchid Village slowly prospered, attracting new settlers and growing more lively with each passing day.
Sera's restaurant expanded as well. She hired more workers, her business thriving beyond what she had once imagined. Rin eventually forced her to step back from doing everything herself, insisting on hiring someone to manage the place after Sera fell ill from overworking.
"Mom?… Does your head still hurt?" Arelus stepped into Sera's quarters inside the restaurant, carefully carrying a bowl of soup in his small hands.
He placed it on the side table and stood beside her, looking at her with concern as she lay on the bed.
Sera looked at him with soft eyes and smiled gently. "Just a little bit." She reached out and stroked his hair. "How are your lessons with your uncle?"
"Uncle Ru gave me no lessons today… so I could play," he said happily.
"Is that his birthday present to you?"
"No…" he chuckled. "…he gave me a bamboo kickball. And Uncle Runar gave me storybooks."
"Do you like them?"
"Yes." Arelus smiled brightly, his eyes lighting up.
Then curiosity took over him once more.
"Mom? Is Uncle Runar gonna be my dad?"
Sera's eyebrows slightly furrowed at the question, her expression shifting as she slowly raised her head.
"What made you ask that?"
"My friends told me… I will be the mayor's son if you two get married."
"No, Arelus. Uncle Runar is just a friend." Sera sat up, the question oddly easing her headache—or perhaps it was the medicine.
"Okay."
Sera stood and walked to her wardrobe to change her clothes, but Arelus continued to watch her, his thoughts not yet settled.
"Mom?… Why did Dad never look for us?"
Her movements froze.
She slowly turned to face him, clearing her throat as she searched for the right words.
"Your dad… he's… he's busy fighting some bad men. It's not that he never looked for us. He's just making sure all the bad guys disappear so you and I can live peacefully."
"But he'll look for us when all the bad guys are gone, right?"
Sera approached him and knelt, meeting his eyes as she held his hands.
"Of course. He'll come." She forced a smile.
Arelus had never asked these questions before. The realization struck her deeply—her son was growing. He was five now. And soon, he would want to know everything.
I'm sorry, Arelus. I don't want to lie. Someday, when you're older… I promise I'll tell you everything about your father.
"Go play. I just need to finish some work, and I'll join you for your birthday dinner. Okay? Don't wander far."
Arelus nodded and ran out of the room, holding the kickball his uncle had given him.
Meanwhile, Sera changed her clothes and went to the kitchen.
She was going to bake a birthday cake for Arelus.
Arelus played with his kickball just in front of Mr. and Mrs. Soh's shop, laughing to himself as he kicked it around. But one kick went too far—the ball flew and hit a man passing by.
The ball struck the man's back with a dull thud, causing him to stop mid-step. The movement was subtle, but it carried a quiet authority—as if even the smallest interruption demanded his attention.
Arelus stared, his body going still, as the man slowly turned around. There was no rush in his movements, no sign of annoyance—only a calm, controlled presence. He bent down, picked up the ball, and lifted his gaze toward the boy.
Arelus froze.
The man was tall—far taller than anyone Arelus had ever seen up close. His figure was imposing, his posture straight and unyielding. His clothing was exquisite, made of fine fabric that caught the light in a way unfamiliar to the village. It wasn't just wealth—it was something more. Something commanding.
People passing by couldn't help but glance at him, their eyes lingering for a moment longer than usual. Nobility radiated from him effortlessly.
The man began walking toward Arelus, each step measured, controlled, until he stood right in front of him. He looked down at the boy, the difference in their height making Arelus seem even smaller, almost fragile beneath his gaze.
"Is this yours?" the man asked, his voice calm, his face serious and unreadable.
Arelus nodded, slowly lifting his head to meet his eyes. He couldn't look away. There was something about the man—something overwhelming, almost unreal—that held his attention completely.
"I'm sorry for hitting you...Mister. Can I have my ball back?" he asked politely, his small voice careful and respectful.
The man studied him for a moment before lowering himself, kneeling so their eyes were level. Up close, his gaze sharpened, as if examining something he couldn't quite place.
His eyes… I think I've seen them before.
The man's attention lingered on the boy's eyes—the same shade of green as his own, striking and unmistakable.
"What's your name?" the man asked, his tone quieter now, more focused.
"A… re… lus," the boy answered slowly, pronouncing each syllable with care.
The man's eyes widened slightly, something shifting within them before a faint smile formed on his lips.
"Arelus?… I knew someone named Arelus."
"Is it my grandfather?" Arelus asked innocently, tilting his head just a little.
The question caught the man off guard, his expression faltering for the briefest moment.
"My mom named me after my grandfather. Maybe he's the one you knew."
"What is your mother's name?" the man asked, a flicker of something—hope, perhaps—appearing in his eyes, subtle but undeniable.
"Aila."
The hope vanished just as quickly as it came, leaving behind something quieter, more restrained.
"It's my birthday today. We're going to have a party there…" Arelus pointed toward the restaurant, his small arm stretching out with excitement.
The man followed his gesture, his gaze settling briefly in that direction.
"Would you like to come?"
The innocence in Arelus' voice made the man look back at him, something softening in his expression. His features eased, the sharpness fading as a genuine smile appeared—one that didn't seem forced or distant. It was rare, almost unfamiliar, as if he hadn't worn it in a long time. There was warmth in it. A warmth he hadn't felt in years.
A warmth that felt strangely familiar.
"I'm sorry, but I have somewhere to go."
He reached into his robe, his movements smooth, and pulled out a strawberry candy bar. He placed it gently into Arelus' hands.
"Happy birthday." His voice softened, and he patted the boy's head, the gesture unexpectedly gentle.
Then he handed back the ball and stood, turning away without another word.
Arelus watched him go, his small figure unmoving as the man slowly disappeared into the crowd, his presence fading but leaving something behind that the boy couldn't quite understand.
Only when he was gone did Arelus look down at the candy bar in his hands, confusion settling across his face.
"What is this?"
He turned it over, examining it closely. He had never seen anything like it before. The wrapping was strange, the material smooth and unfamiliar. His eyes narrowed slightly as he noticed the markings on it, bringing it closer to his face.
"Wait… these are the letters Mom taught me… S… t… raw… ber… ry… Strawberry! C… can… dy? Candy! It's candy!"
His face lit up with excitement at his discovery.
He began walking back toward the restaurant, his attention completely fixed on the candy bar as he continued sounding out the words.
"Ho…ney... map…ple… yo… gurt…? What's yogurt?" he muttered to himself, curiosity filling his voice.
Sera, standing by the kitchen door, noticed the object in his hands. Her eyes narrowed slightly.
Then, in an instant, they widened.
She moved quickly toward him, urgency in every step.
"Where did you get that?" she asked, her voice sharper than she intended, cutting through the moment.
Arelus flinched, startled by her sudden tone, his grip tightening slightly around the candy.
"A mister… gave it to me," he answered honestly, though a hint of fear crept into his voice.
"Can I see that?"
He nodded and handed it to her without hesitation.
Sera's hands trembled slightly as she took the candy bar, her fingers tightening around it as recognition hit her like a wave.
Her face turned pale.
It was one of the sweets she had packed in her luggage.
The same luggage she had left behind in her house in Mort City—along with everything else from the world she once belonged to.
How is this here?
Her chest tightened, her breath catching.
Azron…?
He's here?