The morning sun was rising over the high stone mountains as Saikyō, Hanako, and Miyamoto walked across the long suspension bridge over the Great River.
The wooden planks groaned softly beneath their boots.
Far below in the canyon, the white foam of the roaring river crashed against giant black rocks. The cold wind blew hard through the valley, making the thick ropes of the bridge sway from side to side.
Hanako gripped Saikyō's hand tightly with both of her small hands. She kept her eyes fixed on her brother's back because looking down at the deep canyon made her dizzy. Saikyō walked with steady, unhurried steps.
His face was completely calm, but his black eyes were wide open, observing every movement on the southern bank.
On the other side of the roaring river stood the great Royal Checkpoint. It was a massive fortress built from heavy grey river stones,
guarded by a thirty-foot wall and a thick iron gate. Banners bearing the golden crest of the Royal Kingdom—a hawk holding a curved blade—fluttered proudly in the mountain breeze. Ten royal guards dressed in polished steel armor stood atop the high stone battlements, holding long wooden bows and heavy iron spears. They watched the three travelers step off the swaying bridge onto the gravel road.
Two tall guards stepped forward to block the archway. The lead guard was a broad-shouldered man named Captain Gareth, who had a deep scar running down his left cheek and a thick grey mustache. He placed his right hand on the hilt of his broadsword and raised his left hand to command them to halt.
Captain Gareth looked down at Miyamoto, then at Hanako, and finally at Saikyō. He squinted his eyes when he noticed the thin layer of dust and dried blood on Saikyō's simple clothes.
He spoke in a loud, gruff voice, demanding to know who they were, where they came from, and why three northern wanderers were seeking entry into the rich central provinces of the kingdom.
Miyamoto immediately stepped forward, placing his hands together and bowing his head politely. He explained in a calm, humble tone that they were peaceful travelers from the ruined northern valley. He said that the little girl had fallen ill during the harsh winter, and they were making the long journey to the Royal Capital to find an herbal doctor and seek a peaceful life away from the wild mountain beasts.
Captain Gareth listened with a stern face. He did not move his hand away from his sword hilt. He stepped closer to Saikyō and leaned down slightly.
He was a veteran soldier who had fought in three border wars, and he possessed a keen instinct for danger. Though Saikyō looked like a quiet, slender fifteen-year-old boy, Gareth felt a strange, icy chill prickling the back of his neck. The air surrounding the boy felt unnaturally heavy, like the stillness right before a massive thunderstorm hits a forest.
Gareth reached out his leather-gloved hand and grabbed Saikyō's right wrist, turning his hand over to inspect it.
On the back of Saikyō's pale hand sat a small, faint reddish mark shaped like a broken flame—the subtle scar left behind by the raw Boron energy flowing through his veins.
Captain Gareth's eyes widened in sudden alarm. He let go of Saikyō's wrist as if he had touched hot iron and took two quick steps backward, drawing his broadsword with a loud metallic scrape.
The ten guards on the wall above instantly drew their longbows, aiming their sharp iron arrowheads straight at Saikyō's chest.
Captain Gareth shouted for his men to be ready. He yelled at Saikyō, calling him a dangerous user of forbidden Boron magic.
He said that by the direct decree of the High King, any northern warrior bearing the mark of internal aura was strictly forbidden from entering the central territory without heavy iron chains and a royal escort. He demanded that Saikyō drop to his knees and surrender his hands immediately, or he would order his archers to rain arrows down upon them.
Miyamoto's face turned pale. He quickly stepped in front of Hanako, holding out his wooden sword to protect her. Hanako buried her face in Miyamoto's coat, trembling softly.
Saikyō did not flinch. He did not raise his hands, and he did not drop to his knees. He stood on the gravel path like a mountain of solid iron. His black eyes remained completely empty, staring directly into Captain Gareth's frightened eyes.
Saikyō spoke in his low, quiet voice, saying that they only wished to walk along the public road to the capital. He told the captain that he had no desire to harm anyone today, but if the guards chose to shoot their arrows, not a single man on the wall would survive the next three seconds.
The air around the checkpoint suddenly grew bitterly cold.
The dry pebbles on the ground began to vibrate and rattle against each other.
Captain Gareth felt a heavy weight pressing down on his chest, making it difficult to breathe. Sweat trickled down his forehead.
He knew in his heart that if he ordered his archers to loose their arrows, this strange boy would tear the entire stone fortress apart with his bare hands.
Just as the tension reached its absolute breaking point, a quiet, gentle voice echoed from the shadowed archway behind the iron gate.
The voice was smooth, soft, and polite, sounding like a quiet song on a spring evening.
It asked Captain Gareth why there was so much noise and hostility on such a pleasant, sunny morning.
The guards on the wall immediately lowered their bows and bowed their heads in deep respect. Captain Gareth lowered his broadsword, letting out a long breath of relief, though his hands were still shaking. He turned toward the dark archway and bowed his head respectfully, calling out to Lord Julian.
A young man stepped out from the shadow of the stone gatehouse into the bright morning sunlight.
He was remarkably handsome, appearing to be no older than twenty-two years.
He had pale white skin, long silky silver hair tied loosely with a simple black ribbon, and soft, almond-shaped violet eyes that looked kind and gentle.
He was dressed in high-quality white silk robes trimmed with golden thread, completely unarmored, and he carried no heavy weapons on his waist. In his left hand, he held a single, fresh white rose, which he gently stroked with his thumb.
This was Lord Julian Vance, a high-ranking nobleman of the Royal Capital and a high commander within the King's Royal Army.
On the surface, Julian was famous throughout the southern provinces for his gentle heart, his deep love for poetry and flowers, and his charitable work building orphanages for poor peasant children.
However, beneath his beautiful smile and gentle manners lay a quiet, terrifying truth. Julian was a tragic, soft-hearted villain—a man who carried a deep, hidden darkness inside his soul.
He served the dark council of the capital not out of greed or cruelty, but out of a desperate, misguided desire to build a peaceful world where no child would ever have to suffer the terrible pain of losing their family, even if he had to commit unforgivable acts to achieve it.
Julian walked slowly down the gravel path, his white silk robes brushing against the dry grass. He did not look at Captain Gareth or the armed guards. His gentle violet eyes were fixed entirely on Saikyō, Hanako, and Miyamoto.
When Julian reached the three wanderers, he did not draw a weapon or raise his voice. Instead, he stopped three feet away and bowed his head gracefully, offering them a warm, polite smile.
Julian spoke in his quiet, comforting voice, apologizing for the rude behavior of the border guards.
He said that Captain Gareth was merely doing his duty to protect the realm, but it was clear to see that they were not bloodthirsty invaders or dangerous monsters. Julian leaned down slightly, bringing himself eye-level with little Hanako.
He held out his hand, gently offering the fresh white rose to the little girl. He asked her if she was hungry and if her long journey through the cold mountains had been very difficult for her small legs.
Hanako looked up at Julian's soft face. She did not feel the cold, terrifying malice she had felt from Lucifer or Zazame.
She saw only warmth and genuine kindness in Julian's violet eyes. She looked at Saikyō, who gave her a small, silent nod. Hanako reached out her small hand and took the white rose from Julian's fingers, smiling shyly and thanking the handsome nobleman.
Julian smiled softly, his eyes crinkling with genuine affection. He stood up gracefully and turned his gaze back to Saikyō.
As his eyes met Saikyō's hollow black eyes, Julian felt a sharp, subtle shiver deep inside his chest. With his exceptional perception, Julian could feel the enormous, suppressed energy sleeping inside Saikyō's young body—a power far greater than anything he had ever encountered in the Royal Capital.
Yet, Julian also saw the deep exhaustion and pain hiding behind Saikyō's calm expression. Julian recognized that look instantly. It was the look of a boy who was bearing the heavy burden of the world entirely on his own shoulders to protect the ones he loved.
Julian placed his right hand over his heart and introduced himself properly. He said he was Julian Vance, a humble servant of the realm. He asked for Saikyō's name.
Saikyō looked at Julian for a long moment. He could tell that Julian was not an ordinary nobleman.
He could sense a strange, hidden power sleeping deep inside Julian's body—a soft, fragrant, yet deadly aura that smelled like sweet winter flowers. But because Julian showed no malice or anger toward Hanako, Saikyō spoke his name quietly, telling him he was Sekai Saikyō.
Julian repeated the name softly, letting it rest on his lips. He turned to Captain Gareth and ordered him to lower the iron portcullis and open the main gates wide. He commanded the guards to provide the three travelers with fresh drinking water, warm bread, and a safe pass through the valley.
Captain Gareth looked hesitant and whispered to Julian, warning him that the boy carried the dangerous Boron aura and that the High King had explicitly forbidden such individuals from entering the territory.
Julian turned his head slowly to look at Gareth. His violet eyes remained soft, but the light inside them grew strangely dim and cold for a fraction of a second. Julian spoke in a hushed, gentle whisper, asking Gareth if he believed that a child who held his sister's hand so tightly could truly be a monster. Julian told the captain that true evil does not hide in the hearts of children, but in the hearts of men who judge others without mercy.
Captain Gareth felt an overwhelming wave of silent pressure washing over him from Julian's frail body. He bowed his head immediately, unable to meet Julian's gaze, and shouted to his men to open the gates at once.
The heavy iron chains clanked loudly as the massive wooden gates swung open, revealing the wide, sunlit green valley beyond the river.
Julian turned back to Saikyō, Miyamoto, and Hanako, gesturing gracefully toward the open road.
He invited them to enter the central lands, telling them that the road to the Royal Capital was long, but safe and peaceful. He informed them that he was also traveling south back to the capital to attend the Great Royal Council, and he offered to let them walk alongside his carriage so that no other guards or local lordlings would bother them along the way.
Miyamoto looked at Saikyō, waiting for his decision. Saikyō looked at Julian's gentle face, then looked down at Hanako, who was happily smelling the sweet white rose in her hands. Saikyō knew that traveling with an influential nobleman would prevent unnecessary fights with the king's soldiers, allowing him to save his lifespan and reach the ancient library much faster.
Saikyō nodded his head once and accepted the offer.
Julian's smile widened with sincere joy. He walked alongside them as they passed through the tall stone archway into the vibrant green province of the south.
As they walked down the smooth stone road, flanked by rolling green hills and colorful wildflowers, Julian chatted pleasantly with Miyamoto and Hanako. He spoke of the rich history of the kingdom, the great fountains of the capital city, and the wonderful bakeries that sold sweet honey cakes. Hanako listened with wide, bright eyes, chatting happily with the gentle nobleman. Miyamoto felt his worries melting away, impressed by Julian's kindness, refinement, and humble demeanor.
However, Saikyō walked in complete silence, keeping a careful eye on Julian's every move. He knew that true danger in this world did not always come from roaring monsters or bloodthirsty villains like Lucifer. Sometimes, the most dangerous people were those who truly believed they were doing good, while walking along a path paved with darkness.
As the sun reached its highest point in the blue sky, Julian looked back at the small silver ring on his finger, which contained a hidden drop of dark, concentrated poison. Deep inside his quiet heart, Julian felt a heavy sorrow.
He knew that once they reached the Royal Capital, the High Council would demand the capture of Saikyō's powerful Boron energy to fuel their grand war machines. Julian hated violence, he hated war, and he hated causing pain to sweet children like Hanako. But in his tragic mind, he believed that if sacrificing one powerful boy could bring an end to all future wars and create a permanent, peaceful paradise for all children, he would willingly play the role of the villain, even if it broke his own fragile heart into a thousand pieces.
Julian looked down at Hanako, who was skipping happily along the road holding her white rose, and then at Saikyō, who walked steadily beside her like an unbreakable shield.
Julian let out a tiny, imperceptible sigh that was swallowed by the soft mountain wind. He smiled his gentle, beautiful smile and continued leading them down the long, peaceful road toward the great Royal Capital, where their destinies would soon collide in the shadows of the royal palace.