He wants to win the war—he doesn't want compromise or even negotiations. They won't bring back those he lost. They won't return his mother, his land, or his friends. They won't restore the laughter or breath of his brothers.
'I came here to find out who Nanarin is. There are three energy auras ahead, indicating she might be one of them. She would be an incredible asset if she joined the armies of the Reebka Kingdom. Maybe it's Eliza—she's a healer. It's been a long time since I saw her. Damn my superior, always sending me on dangerous missions.'
Claud sighed as he took another bite of the date Michael had given him, still staring at Lady Eliza—until Black's loud voice snapped him out of his thoughts.
"Damn it, they won't let us through unless some of their men guard the truck."
Black slammed his leg as he jumped off the truck, eavesdropping on Sultan Dido's aide talking with one of the Lako gate officials.
"I didn't hear a word of their conversation. Could it be… he has an enhanced auditory skill, even with the magic restrictions on us?"
Refta touched the numbered collar around his neck—like a choking necklace—triggering a memory: one of his father's men, bleeding from the head, hands trembling, gasping as he tried to complete the spell to seal his magic.
"My little master the seal will break under the crimson moon,"
Those were his words. Thanks to him, Refta now lives as a mere civilian with no detectable magical power—his aura almost impossible to trace.
"Don't worry guys," Claud said, trying to ease the tension Black had stirred. "If Sultan agrees to let a convoy of armed Lako soldiers escort us, we won't be ambushed or killed—at least not by them."
It wouldn't benefit anyone if the truth about one of them was exposed. That would mean the end for all. They needed to stick together if they hoped to survive this journey, they needed to study calm.
Suddenly, they felt it—that surge of energy that made every cell in their bodies shiver. A quick drop, then acceleration in their heartbeats. It was the forbidden energy of the black Shouza Crystals.
Damn those men. They knew using these crystals cost them their lives—but their obsession with power had devoured their minds.
"Hello."
That was all the first and last Lako man said. No one saw his face—the fabric covering the top of the truck blocked their line of sight.
"Will he come down here and interrogate us?"
Kee wondered as she closed her eyes, clutching her mother's arm. Her mother remained deep in concentration, chanting her protective spells, oblivious to anyone else in the truck.
Refta's eyes lit up as he noticed a garden of white flowers blooming inside the truck. The scent of rain drops, smooth wet grass, and a breeze that purified the air.
"It's her magical domain. She's extraordinary. No healer or protector could use barrier spells like this."
Excitement surged in Refta's chest. No one else in the truck had noticed the change in the aura—only he did. The truck began moving again as Dido climbed aboard.
Michael's mother's domain had neutralized the dark influence of the black Shouza Crystals.
"I really want to know more about this woman—and these people,"
Refta thought, overcome by the calm and serenity of the magic. It was so soothing, he drifted into a deep sleep.
"Don't worry—we'll be fine. Trust me."
Michael's mother took a notebook from her bag and began reading incantations silently. The wind tugged at the fabric covering the truck.
'Guys, can you hear me?'
Refta heard Michael's voice and slowly opened his eyes.
'Okay, I've brought Refta and Claude into our telepathic link. If you're uncomfortable, just raise a finger,'
Michael added.
Claude smiled.
"Hmm, finally one of the silent eight speaks. You're a mind-control type, I like your style. But can you guarantee our conversation won't leak to that Lako guy up there?"
He was right. If the magic control level wasn't strong enough, any error could expose them.
"Why not bet your life on it? You're from the test squads—you probably know everything about each of us here. Still, don't worry. Michael has never failed in his life."
That was the voice of the masked girl.
"Michael, is everyone here?"
Refta recognized the voice of Michael's mother. He turned toward her. She was still focused on her book, chanting spells without pause. He was awestruck by her concentration.
"No, Mom. Lady Eliza, her two daughters, and the boy with them, plus Black—they haven't eaten the food I gave them yet, so I can't bring them into the link,"
Michael said confidently.
Refta had expected something like this. But why had Michael's mother drawn them into her son's telepathic field like this? What was she planning to tell them? And why all of them?
"That's fine. I am Nanarin Beshor, a Holy Shield Knight of the Drebex Kingdom, bearing the Shield of Honor. I hold a legendary rank in protection magic. I've served as a top-class healer across many kingdoms. I'm proficient in all forms of magic up to seventy percent. I'll share some spells—if you keep chanting them during this trip, the Lako soldiers won't detect us."
Damn. It was really Nanarin. But she looked completely different from when Claud last saw her—back when he was eighteen and she healed him once.
He hadn't known this woman was Nanarin. He thought she was Eliza. His mission was to confirm which of the two was Nanarin.
"I didn't expect my mission to be this easy."
He thought—only to hear another voice reply, "What mission are you talking about?"
Kee asked.
He had forgotten he was still connected to Michael's mind field.
Damn, he almost exposed himself. He raised one finger, smirking slyly.
Should he stay and learn the protection spells from her?
Of course not—maintaining the secrecy of his mission was his top priority.
Unfortunately, Michael hadn't removed him.