Leaving Vestria
The entourage departed before dawn.
So early that the stars still shone faintly in the sky, reluctant to yield to the sun.
There was no farewell ceremony. No final pleasantries with other kingdoms.
Only pure urgency.
Kaito had given the order the night before: "We leave at dawn. Forced march. We return home as fast as possible."
Now he rode at the front with an expression he hadn't shown during the entire Council—naked concern, without any diplomatic mask.
Adelheid's message had been clear in its brevity: Spy crisis. Resolved. Neudämmerung safe.
But something about the words troubled him.
"Resolved" implied there had been a serious problem. "Safe" implied it had been in danger.
And he hadn't been there.
Naporia rode beside him, watching him with growing concern.
"Kaito."
"Hmm?"
"You need to eat something."
Kaito looked at the ration she offered him—hard bread, cheese, jerky.
"I'm not hungry."
"It doesn't matter. Eat anyway."
