As Kajin leaped from tree to tree, he suddenly descended to the ground, landing with a soft thud. Seeing Kajin stop, Ruya followed suit, jumping down beside him. Cracknut, perched on Ruya’s shoulder, continued munching on a nut.

"We’re almost there," Kajin said, taking deep breaths as the white flames around his legs flickered and faded.

"Then why did we stop here?" Ruya asked, his brow furrowed in confusion.

"Because if we get too close to the city, we’ll be easily detected by the mages," Kajin explained, his voice low and cautious. "More specifically, the Special Mage Force is likely stationed there." He began walking forward, his eyes scanning the surroundings.

Ruya followed closely, catching up to Kajin. "What’s this Special Mage Force?" he asked, curiosity evident in his tone.

"The Special Mage Force is one of the ten special forces of the Darkvill Kingdom," Kajin replied, his voice steady. "These forces are different from the regular army or patrol units. That’s why they’re called «special»." He paused for a moment, then continued. "Each force is made up of five or more young individuals, exceptionally talented, powerful, and intelligent. They’re sent to the darkest and most dangerous place in the empire: the border between Darkvill and the Disaster Lands."

Ruya’s eyes widened slightly at the mention of the Disaster Lands. Kajin went on, "They train and live there. While it’s not officially stated, their primary role is to defend against any unexpected monster waves that emerge from the Disaster Lands. When a member of a Special Force proves themselves through exceptional achievements, the king may offer them the position of general. That’s how most generals are chosen. Agnus, for example, was a member of the Special Swordsman Force. He’s been offered the role of general countless times but has always refused, preferring to stay with his force."

Ruya absorbed this information, then asked, "If the Special Forces are stationed near the Disaster Lands, why would the Special Mage Force be in Slavara?"

Kajin thought for a moment before answering. "The Special Forces are only called in during emergencies. I don’t know the exact reason for this one, but my guess is it’s related to the Holy Resistance."

Ruya’s eyes lit up with realization. "If that’s true, we might have a chance to cross paths with them. They could really help us," he said, a hint of hope in his voice.

Kajin’s expression grew thoughtful. "The Holy Resistance..." he murmured. "Honestly, I don’t expect much from them in terms of combat, but their information could be invaluable. Meeting them might prove useful."

He turned to Ruya, his gaze steady. "You’re right. They could be very helpful," Kajin said with a nod.

As they continued walking, the forest gradually thinned, eventually opening up to a cliff. Kajin and Ruya approached the edge, their eyes widening as they took in the sight of Slavara. The city was surrounded by towering, thick walls, bathed in the warm glow of the setting sun. In front of the city gates, a long line of carriages, ranging from small to massive stretched out, waiting to enter. Inside most of the carriages were humans, their clothes tattered, their faces etched with sadness, fear, and despair.

Ruya’s expression hardened, his fists clenching at his sides. "These monsters... How dare they treat people like this?" he said, his voice trembling with anger. Cracknut, sensing Ruya’s emotions, stopped eating and looked at the carriages with a somber expression.

Kajin stood silently for a moment, his jaw tightening as he took in the scene. Finally, he clenched his fist and muttered, "Just wait... I’ll come and free you all. I promise."

"Ruya," Kajin called, his voice firm and serious.

"Yes?" Ruya replied, turning to him.

"We’ve got no time to waste," Kajin said, his tone leaving no room for argument.

Ruya nodded, his expression resolute. Without another word, Kajin rushed to the edge of the cliff and leaped off, his figure cutting through the air. Ruya followed without hesitation, Cracknut clinging tightly to his shoulder.

As they descended, Kajin’s thoughts turned to Vanessa. His expression hardened, his determination unwavering. "Vanessa... Hold on. I’m coming to save you!"

~~~

"How can the king just kick me out of here?!" Rhyver roared, his voice echoing through the office as he slammed his fist onto the table. The wood splintered with a loud crack, splitting in half and sending papers scattering into the air. "This is unfair!!! Outrageous!!!" he shouted, his hands clenched so tightly that his knuckles turned white.

This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

A soft knock at the door interrupted his outburst. Rhyver’s head snapped toward the sound, his eyes blazing with fury. "Who is it?!" he demanded, his voice sharp and biting.

The door creaked open slowly, and Gorl stepped inside, his expression calm and composed. "General Rhyver," he greeted, his tone respectful but firm. "I see you’ve already been informed of the king’s orders."

Rhyver let out a frustrated sigh, his shoulders tense. "Yes. I’ve been informed," he growled, his eyebrows furrowing as his face darkened with anger and resentment.

Gorl nodded slightly, his hands clasped behind his back. "I’m sorry about this. The order must have been... disappointing," he said carefully. "Your work here has been exemplary. You’ve been a great help to us. If you’d like to continue your duties, I can arrange to have the necessary papers sent to you."

Rhyver’s body stiffened at the offer, his jaw tightening. "Th-There’s no need for that," he said, his voice low and strained. "I’d rather be tortured alive than waste my time on this meaningless paperwork" he thought bitterly. "Why the hell did they stick me with this useless task in the first place?"

As Rhyver stewed in his thoughts, Gorl spoke again. "I understand," he said, his tone neutral. "The maids will escort you to the exit, where the dragons are waiting to take you back to the capital."

He turned to leave but paused at the door, glancing back at Rhyver. "Oh, and one last thing, General," Gorl added, slipping his hands into his pockets. "Most of your troops will remain here in the city. The king has ordered me to place Slavara on high alert. They’ll return to you once the situation has calmed down."

Rhyver stood frozen, his expression darkening as Gorl’s words sank in. The room felt heavier, the air thick with tension. Gorl gave a slight nod. "Goodbye, General Rhyver. I hope you have a... relaxing journey back to the capital." With that, he stepped out and closed the door behind him.

For a moment, Rhyver remained motionless, his head bowed slightly, his breathing uneven. The silence in the room was deafening, broken only by the faint rustle of papers on the floor. Slowly, his hands clenched into fists, his nails digging into his palms.

"I... cannot stand this," Rhyver muttered, his voice trembling with barely contained rage. His fur bristled slightly, a visible sign of his growing fury. "First, they dump me in this godforsaken city, then they saddle me with pointless paperwork and leave me here to rot. Just when things were finally getting interesting... they yank me away from it all. They take me away from the fight I’ve been craving... and now they’re taking my troops too?!"

His voice grew louder, each word dripping with venom. "And now..." he continued, his fists shaking, "they expect me to just walk away like nothing happened?! Like I’m some obedient dog they can push around?!"

Rhyver’s eyes burned with a fierce, crimson glow, his wolf gaze piercing through the dim light of the room. "I... Rhyver... will NEVER accept this disrespect!!!" he roared, his voice echoing through the office, a promise of defiance and retribution.

~~~

The dark castle loomed in the heart of the Dryia Mountains, its towering spires cutting sharply against the evening sky. On the horizon, the sun was setting, its golden beams casting a warm glow over the rugged landscape and highlighting the castle’s imposing silhouette. On the balcony, Anastasia stood, her gaze fixed on the distant mountains. Her expression was calm, almost serene, as the soft breeze played with the hem of her black dress and the long, dark waves of her hair.

"Kajin..." she murmured, her voice barely audible over the gentle wind. "I may know you well, but you are... strange. On one hand, you go out of your way to avoid trouble, yet on the other, you throw yourself into situations where you could easily get yourself killed." Her brow furrowed slightly as she pondered. "Do you really care about that girl so much that you’d risk your newly regained freedom just to save her?"

Anastasia’s hand drifted to her wrist, her fingers wrapping around it gently but firmly, as if grounding herself. "Kajin, I hope you know what you’re doing... and you too, Ruya," she whispered, her voice tinged with both concern and resolve. She sighed softly, the sound carried away by the wind.

Suddenly, footsteps echoed from behind her, steady and deliberate. Anastasia didn’t turn, her calm demeanor unshaken as the steps grew closer. They stopped just a few paces away, and for a moment, the only sound was the rustling of the wind.

Anastasia sighed again, a faint smile tugging at her lips as she crossed her arms. "It’s been such a long time, hasn’t it...?" she said, her tone light but carrying a hint of nostalgia. Slowly, she turned to face the figure standing behind her.

"What brings you here... Agnus?"