A gust of wind blew through, and Buer raised her hand to shield her eyes. When the wind died down, she lowered her hand, and Yu Xie's figure appeared on the windowsill.

She froze for a moment.

"Yu... Yu Xie?" Her slightly surprised expression indicated that this was completely unexpected. "What are you doing here?"

"Because you haven't gone to the cabin for so long, I kept feeling like something had happened," Yu Xie said.

"Well, it's not a big deal. But how did you get in? There should be many people guarding the place by now."

"Those guards, they're related to what's been happening recently, right?"

"That... Well, anyway, you weren't discovered, were you? I'm worried you might be mistaken for an assassin."

"I wasn't discovered, but... do I have to stay on the windowsill to talk?"

"Ah... Come in quickly!" Buer stepped back a few paces.

Yu Xie stepped into the room.

It appeared to be the study of the Greater Lord Rukkhadevata.

On the exquisite bookshelf, various books were neatly arranged. The overall decor of the room wasn't lavish, but it exuded an elegant, refined quality.

"Sorry for showing up unexpectedly, but something must have happened to keep you from going out, right?" Yu Xie said, his gaze slightly serious as he looked at Buer. "Is there anything I can help with?"

Buer hesitated. Yu Xie's gaze reminded her of the night she had seen him standing up from the bathtub.

More than a month had passed, but that scene still lingered in her mind, unable to be forgotten.

This was a bit strange, wasn't it...?

"What's going on?" Seeing Buer remain silent, Yu Xie asked again.

"N-Nothing!" Buer turned her head to the other side.

"You don't seem like there's nothing going on."

"Do you want some tea? I'll pour you a cup," Buer said as she walked to the desk and poured tea for Yu Xie.

Then she realized she was holding her own cup and quickly swapped it for another, refilling it before handing it to Yu Xie.

"This tea is really good, you should try it."

Yu Xie took the cup with some hesitation and took a sip. The tea tasted good, leaving a pleasant aftertaste on his lips, but this had nothing to do with the reason he had come here today—he hadn't come just to drink tea.

"Buer, you seem a bit strange."

"Do I?" Buer smiled, though there was a hint of awkwardness in her smile. She looked out the window. "You're probably overthinking things."

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A certain image once again flashed through her mind.

Yu Xie narrowed his eyes and walked up to Buer, closing the distance between them. He gazed directly into her beautiful eyes.

"Miss Buer, you're lying."

"What lie am I telling?" Seeing Yu Xie's face up close, a certain image in Buer's mind became even clearer.

"Aren't we friends? When friends are in trouble, they should naturally lend a hand. So, are you really not going to tell me what's been happening recently?"

"...Oh, so that's what you're talking about."

"Hm? What did you think I was talking about?"

"Fine, fine." Buer turned around and walked to the desk, sitting down. "Last time Al-Ahmar came to see me, he told me something. He said that someone in the desert is planning to assassinate me."

"Assassinate?" Yu Xie frowned slightly.

Assassinating the Greater Lord Rukkhadevata wasn't a small matter.

No wonder there were so many more guards outside than usual.

"Mm, Al-Ahmar said he's already investigating it. I've been looking into it as well, but it seems the people planning the assassination have caught wind of the situation and have been keeping a low profile. We haven't been able to find any trace of them yet," Buer said.

"People from the desert, they should be Al-Ahmar's people, right? And didn't you and Al-Ahmar form an alliance recently? If someone in the desert wants to do this, could it be that they're dissatisfied with this alliance?" Yu Xie said.

Buer shook her head. "That's something only they would know."

"...So, during this time, your subjects are worried about you being harmed and have pleaded with you not to leave here, right?"

"Mm, as a Archon, I can't be too willful. Staying here is the best way to stabilize the situation."

"You really are a kind-hearted Archon," Yu Xie said slowly. "Alright, if that's the case, then as long as we find out who's behind the assassination attempt, the problem will be solved, right?"

"Yu Xie, you don't intend to go look for them, do you? No, what if you end up in danger because of this? I'd feel responsible for it."

"I'm not your subject," Yu Xie replied. "Didn't I already say? When a friend is in trouble, you naturally extend a helping hand."

"But…"

"Don't worry, I might be a little stronger than you think. How else could I sneak in here without a sound, under the noses of all the guards who can't even let a fly in?"

"Even so, it's still not okay. I can't let you do something so dangerous because of me. I still need you to help me watch over that cabin."

"...Are you worried about me?" Yu Xie asked, without thinking. The question slipped out.

"Aren't you the one who said we're friends? What's wrong with worrying about a friend?" Buer said seriously.

"...Don't worry, I'll make sure to stay safe. I won't overdo it." Yu Xie paused for a moment, then smiled and reassured her.

....

Dungeon.

The light was dim, and the torches on the walls flickered.

Al-Ahmar and two armed guards were walking down the corridor of the dungeon, their footsteps echoing through the space.

They walked all the way to the end of the corridor, turned a corner, and stopped in front of a cell.

This cell was relatively well-lit, and inside it was a man with copper-colored skin. He sat at a table in the cell, reading a book.

"King Deshret, you've arrived."

Noticing the arrival of the King Deshret, the man put down the book and stood up, speaking in a deep voice.

Al-Ahmar raised his hand in a gesture, and one of the armed guards immediately opened the cell door.

Al-Ahmar walked inside.

"Justin, it's been more than a month. Do you plan to stay here for the rest of your life?"

"King Deshret." The prisoner, who was called Justin by Al-Ahmar, respectfully bowed. "To this day, I still do not believe I've done anything wrong. My loyalty to you is as clear as day."

Upon hearing these words, a hint of helplessness appeared in Al-Ahmar's eyes.

He didn't doubt this man's loyalty, but this man was trying to undermine the alliance between King Deshret and Greater Lord Rukkhadevata and was involved in plotting the assassination of the Greater Lord Rukkhadevata.

"Justin, my alliance with the Lord Rukkhadevata is for the sake of all the people of Sumeru. You should understand that war is never a good thing."

"King Deshret, of course I understand. But sometimes, war is unavoidable. Between you and Lord Rukkhadevata, one must be the victor, and I firmly believe that victor will be you. The things you don't wish to do, I will do them for you."

The firelight cast a glow on Justin's resolute face.

"Please forgive me, King Deshret, for not being able to tell you who else is conspiring with me. They are as loyal to you as I am. They will continue on, even if you do not approve of their actions."