The eastern road widened as the forest thinned, allowing the royal column to remount before its final descent into the valley.
Hajin rode near the formation's center with both hands close to the saddle horn, though his attention stayed behind them.
The Knight Captain had inspected both travelers at the forest checkpoint, verified their guild badges, then released them without finding one broken detail.
Hajin had seen different information through the system, where both harmless faces carried high-threat demonic classifications.
He watched the column's rear guard disappear around the last forest curve.
'Every trained knight missed them, while their badges survived a Captain's inspection without one false mark.'
His thumb moved over the Spirit Ring beneath his riding glove as the road sloped between lower trees.
Demonic mana had felt thick inside Maren, carrying enough corruption to burn moss whenever it escaped his body.
