Water droplets clinging to the tips of the leaves stood as silent witnesses to Ron's exchange with Honest regarding Ashil and Vashil's request.
Honest let out a soft chuckle. "Is that all?"
Ron remained silent, his gaze turning sharp and intense. "Is there a problem, Honest Peaceraft?"
"Of course not, Ron."
Zigh stepped forward, his voice echoing through the ruined remnants of the estate. "Who was the man that took Lian away?"
Nox stayed still, averting his gaze.
"Yes, who was that aquamarine-eyed man?" Ron added.
"Rest assured, you will find out soon enough," Honest replied, tilting his head toward the night sky.
Zigh ran a hand through his hair, exasperated. "Still keeping your mouth shut. You Ipsix people are truly infuriating."
Honest turned his attention to Zigh, then glanced aside. "Pakis, it seems you need to teach him some proper manners."
Pakis bowed. "Forgive him. Truly, he is still young and knows nothing."
"What did you just say?!" Zigh snapped.
Ron immediately placed a hand on Zigh's shoulder. "Calm down, Zigh."
"How touching," Honest mused, his eyes shifting toward Nox. "Truly remarkable words coming from someone who once committed atrocities against the Esculenta. Isn't that right, Nox Eosvile?"
A collective gasp rippled through the men gathered in the debris-strewn courtyard.
Ron lowered his arm, his head dropping toward the damp earth. Nox surged forward to confront Honest, only to be blocked by Ashil and Vashil.
"Get out of the way," Nox growled.
Vashil puffed out his chest, glaring back at Nox.
Honest clapped his hands once. The sharp sound drew every eye directly to him. The brown-haired man with warm hessonite garnet eyes then produced a shimmering golden feather and cast it toward the crowd before him. In an instant, a radiant golden light enveloped the group.
Ron observed the luminous specks drifting through the air. Is this... golden dust?
Zigh reached out, trying to catch a stray particle. "This is..." he muttered.
Ashil and Vashil stood unmoving.
"What are you doing?!" Nox demanded.
Pakis's eyes widened. "Young Master—"
"Shh... give my regards to Grandfather, Pakis."
With a sudden gust of wind, they vanished alongside the scattering golden particles.
Honest smiled. "Now, for the final act..."
He retrieved another golden feather, crushing it until luminous particles enveloped his entire figure. Within moments, Honest faded away into the swirling golden dust.
The wind continued to howl across the darkened city. With the power grid completely dead, the only illumination came from the faint glow of phone screens held by displaced citizens.
"This is terrible..." an elderly man murmured.
"Father... are you alright?" asked a girl whose long hair reached down to her waist.
A blonde young man standing beside her quickly extended his hand. "Mr. Estogazt, is there anything I can assist you with?"
"No, thank you," Roy replied, looking at the youth before turning his gaze to his daughter. "And what about you, my daughter, Leyra?"
"I am fine, Father."
Roy turned back to face the mansion, which was now nearly leveled to the ground. "A complete disaster..."
Leyra held her father's arm. "Father, it would be best if you rested first..."
"Lady Leyra speaks the truth, Mr. Estogazt," the blonde youth added.
"I know... but before that," Roy replied.
Roy walked over to his remaining staff, with Leyra and Rhax following closely behind him.
The middle-aged noble carefully scanned the faces of his employees. "Thank God you all survived."
"Thank you, sir," one worker offered warmly.
The others nodded or managed weak smiles, exhausted from the ordeal.
"You may rest now. It is getting late," Roy instructed.
"Understood, Mr. Estogazt," the staff answered in unison before dispersing to find a place to recover.
"Father, please rest as well," Leyra urged.
"Yes, shortly."
"At least take a seat for now, father."
Roy sighed. "Very well."
As her father finally sat down, Leyra remained standing, her gaze shifting toward her guard. "Rhax... do you think the city where your father lives was affected by this earthquake too?"
Rhax adjusted his black gloves. "I hope not..." His eyes swept over the surrounding destruction before looking up at the sky. Though... it is highly likely that it was. Father...
Leyra fell quiet, pulling out her mobile phone. "Still no signal..."
"Lady Leyra, forgive me for asking," Rhax began.
Leyra took a few slow steps away from her father. "About what?"
"What happened at the hotel this morning," Rhax said, keeping a respectful distance behind her.
"It is nothing."
Rhax straightened the collar of his black suit. "Why were you paying so much attention to that man named Nox?"
Leyra paused in her tracks. "I wonder why?"
Rhax offered a subtle, knowing smile. "Never mind, Lady Leyra."
The long-haired girl folded her arms and turned to face her guard. "What are your thoughts on Ron Eosvile?"
Rhax clenched his fist tightly. "Ron... I honestly do not understand how we could look so similar at a glance..."
"Rhax, is it possible that Ron—"
Before she could finish, a flurry of golden light particles suddenly burst into the air. Rhax instantly stepped in front of her, shielding her with his body. "Lady Leyra, return to Mr. Estogazt immediately!"
A man with brown hair and striking brown-garnet eyes materialized from the gathering light. "Calm yourselves. I am merely here to say hello."
Leyra suddenly clutched her chest, gasping. "Why...? It hurts so much..."
"Lady Leyra!" Rhax caught her as she staggered, holding her up before she collapsed.
"Oh dear, it seems she is still not ready," the intruder remarked.
Rhax glared fiercely at the brown-haired man. "Who are you?! What did you do to Lady Leyra?!"
So her name is Leyra in this place, Honest noted inwardly.
Leyra's eyes squeezed shut, her breathing rapidly growing shallow and ragged.
Why is her body burning up so fast?! Rhax thought.
Honest took a step closer. "I am Honest Peaceraft. A pleasure to meet you both."
Rhax tightened his grip on Leyra, his stance defensive. "Stay back!"
"Do you really want to let her suffer?" Honest asked.
Rhax's hands trembled. "You... you definitely did something to her!"
"Of course I intend to do something. I have no desire to watch the girl in your arms in pain."
"Don't play games with me! She became like this the moment you showed up!"
Honest placed a forefinger against his chin. "Hmm... how troublesome. If you keep acting this way, the girl named Leyra will only suffer more."
Rhax glanced down at his master's face. How could her condition worsen this fast...?
"Look, I can help," Honest offered.
The sharp, lethal glare from Rhax did nothing to crack the pleasant smile on Honest's face.
"Lady Leyra..." Rhax gritted his teeth, finally lowering his guard. "Fine."
Honest produced another golden feather and tossed it directly at Rhax.
"What are you—"
Rhax's body dissolved instantly into shimmering particles. Before Leyra could hit the ground, Honest caught her softly in his arms, lifting her into a bridal carry.
"I am sorry... it has been so long," Honest whispered, gazing down at her. "You truly look just like her."
The sound of rushed footsteps echoed through the ruined courtyard as Roy sprinted toward them.
"Unhand my daughter!"
Honest smiled, watching the sweat-drenched old man approach. Instead of retreating, Honest stepped closer.
Roy's eyes widened. His legs trembled, but he suddenly found himself unable to move a single muscle. "What... what did you do to my hands and legs?!"
"Thank you for taking care of her," Honest said.
"You kidnapper! Where is Rhax?!"
"How harsh. That young man has simply returned to where he truly belongs."
"W-What do you mean...?"
"Who knows? Ah, but I do have a gift for you."
"Arghhh!" Roy screamed as tears trickled down his cheeks. One by one, every memory he possessed of Leyra was methodically erased from his mind.
"Stop it! Please, no!"
"This is for your own good," Honest remarked.
As the magic took hold, the deep wrinkles on Roy's face began to smooth out. The gray in his hair shifted back to a rich black, and his stooped posture straightened.
"Please... stop..." Roy whimpered.
In the reflection of Honest's garnet eyes, the elderly man's form rapidly reversed until only a youth remained.
"Why..." Roy whispered weakly before collapsing onto the ground.
Honest turned away without a second glance. "At least now you have a chance to start over."
His gaze fell back onto the unconscious girl in his arms. This time, I will be the one to protect you.
Suddenly, a deafening howl resonated from the skies of Echo. Everyone who had been resting or sitting down scrambled to their feet, staring upward in collective terror.
"What is it this time?!"
"Is this the end of the world?!"
"Mother... I'm scared..." a young boy sobbed, clinging tightly to his mother.
With trembling hands, the mother stroked her son's head. "It's alright, sweetheart. Stay calm."
Honest chuckled softly to himself. "It has begun. Grandfather, I apologize, but please handle the rest."
A veil of golden light wrapped around Honest, and within seconds, he vanished into thin air, leaving behind only specks of glowing dust to be carried away by the wind.
Far away, beneath the cold moonlight illuminating the crumbling ruins of Edelweiss Estate, Nyx's garnet eyes flashed with a crimson light—slowly turning the bluish-white moon into a deep, blood-red crimson.
To Be Continued