Luis stared at Kotei with wide, frozen eyes, cold sweat sliding down his back as he slowly glanced at his daughter sleeping beside him. The soldiers knelt the instant the baron stepped forward. Something about him felt different—stronger. A chill crawled up one soldier's spine as his hands trembled uncontrollably.
Kotei's blue hair and cold eyes contrasted sharply with the relaxed, almost carefree laugh he released. The ground beneath him was stained with soot from recent fires, the air thick with the smell of burned wood. Luis couldn't look away; the baron stood like a king—no, like an emperor—granting mercy to those before him.
A golden aura flared around Kotei, beautiful yet suffocating. Nearly every human bowed instinctively, their bodies trembling as cold sweat ran down their spines. Luis and Noa stared at him as he smiled gently, as if amused by something only he could perceive. He walked toward the boat, each step making the soldiers tense, their vision blurring under the pressure.
Entering the boat, he lifted his hand calmly.
"Hello," the baron said.
"H-hello…" Luis replied, forcing a smile as sweat poured down his face.
Kotei's gaze shifted to the child beside him. "Hello, human child. You look sad. Tell me why."
Noa remained silent, staring lifelessly ahead, as though nothing in the world could reach him anymore.
"Your silence already answered me," Kotei said, turning toward the soldiers. "Bring the relatives of these two to my mansion."
"Yes, sir!"
The soldiers drew their sword hilts—no blades exposed—as elemental mana instantly formed full weapons. They placed Mary onto a stretcher. Luis carried Kyrai in his arms while Noa followed Kotei, his empty gaze unchanged.
At the mansion, the soldiers carried Mary to the doctor. Luis tried to follow, but Kotei's hand on his shoulder stopped him.
"No. You come with me."
Luis obeyed, though worry tightened his chest. An elven servant carefully took Kyrai and hurried toward the infirmary.
Inside the training hall, Kotei faced the two humans. "From today onward, you two are… my disciples."
Noa's expression brightened slightly. Luis blinked in disbelief.
"H-how am I, a human, supposed to use magic? I can't even cast basic healing spells." His voice trembled with frustration.
Kotei laughed. "When did I say I only use magic?" He scratched the back of his neck, still smiling. "I'll teach you swordsmanship, human."
Luis's eyes widened, hope flickering back to life. He clenched his fists and dropped to one knee.
"Yes, my master!"
I just need to endure this hatred. If he trains me… if he trusts me… he'll send me back to that hell. Then my revenge can finally begin.
Kotei turned to Noa, who now showed faint signs of life. "And you, human child. Do you accept becoming my disciple?"
"If… if you can make me strong enough to protect the ones—" Images of his parents' sacrifice struck him. Tears spilled down his face. "—the ones I love."
Kotei's smile softened. "I can."
He placed a hand on the boy's head. "From today on, you are my disciple… and my son. What is your name?"
"Noa… my name is Noa."
"Then from now on, you will be Hikari Noa."
Noa hugged his new father tightly.
"Well then," Kotei said, "let us begin your training."
The massive training hall glowed under natural sunlight, its walls infused with condensed mana. There, the three began their new path.
Far away, in the dead forest, the Nameless King awoke with branches impaled through his arms, legs, and back. Pain surged through his body as his blurred vision slowly stabilized. He forced himself upright, the branches sliding free as blood dripped down his limbs. Leaning heavily on his sword, he tried to stand straight—and failed.
He wanted to move toward the King of Death, but his body and mind trembled uncontrollably. He stared at his shaking hand, then at the gray, lifeless forest ahead.
Why… why?My peace was right there. Why am I afraid of the very thing I wanted most?
Rain suddenly poured, soaking his wounds and clothes. His body collapsed into the mud, defeated by exhaustion. He sat there, drenched, isolated within his frustration.
When the rain weakened, he forced himself forward—only for his legs to give out again. Darkness closed in as his thoughts spiraled.
I was victorious against everyone… even stronger enemies… but now? I lost. Not gloriously. Not dramatically. Just humiliated.
He fell once more into the mud, water splashing around him. His breathing grew heavy, the taste of earth filling his mouth and nose.
Is this where I find my peace? Pathetic…
Rain drummed against leaves and puddles. Then—footsteps. Not giants. Two people.
His eyes widened in panic. He tried to rise, but his body refused. His breath came in harsh gasps, muscles locked in place. A light shone over his face, blinding him before he could see the man and woman standing there.
Darkness claimed him.
The forest later vibrated with gentle birdsong after the rain. Poul sat on a fallen tree, watching droplets slide from the leaves, breathing in the damp scent of earth. Days had passed since they left for the wall.
We killed every giant we encountered… yet why do we stain such a beautiful world with blood?
He examined his clean hand.
This hand is soaked in blood… driven by hatred and revenge. I have no regrets—except one…
The clouds parted, sunlight illuminating the fading rain. Poul stared, mesmerized.
I will spill more blood in this beautiful world…
When the rain finally stopped, birds emerged in search of food. Poul returned to camp, where soldiers were packing up. Nature's sounds filled the air as his captain approached.
"Captain Poul!" the soldier called while folding a tent.
"Yes?" Poul replied.
"What motivates you to train so hard every day? The discipline, the diet… everything?"
Poul raised an eyebrow, surprised. He's really curious… damn it. The soldier waited expectantly. Poul sighed.
"Fine. You win."
The soldier smiled proudly.
"My reason is to save humanity from these monsters. I don't want any of you dying because of my goal."
"What an honor! You're like a hero from the books!" the soldier said, eyes shining.
Of course I'm lying.
They resumed marching. Memories of Poul's hometown flooded his mind, nostalgia mixing with grief. His heart ached knowing the place he loved had become a battlefield. The memory of his wife dying there tore at him.
By dusk, they camped again. Days passed in repetition. During the march, Poul grew increasingly fascinated by the world's beauty.
One night, they camped beneath a small hill. Firelight warmed the soldiers as they ate and rested. Above them, on the hill, a man sat beneath a tree, eyes closed, listening to the wind.
In the moonlit silence, Poul whispered:
Something is calling me…
The moonlight deepened. Our destiny must be close.
He chuckled, scratching his head. I must be going crazy.
He fell asleep peacefully—until a voice echoed in his mind.
Poul! Please don't go… don't go to—
He jolted awake, trembling, drenched in cold sweat.
A new day had begun.