Once the deal was sealed, the mercenaries, satisfied with their payment, exchanged one last knowing glance. Aven, though a flicker of reluctance gleamed in his eyes, nodded toward his scarred comrade. Their mission was complete, and it was time for them to vanish, as agreed.

"Well, this is where we part ways," the scarred mercenary declared lightly, tucking the pouch of gold into his jacket. "We'll take our leave now, no need to raise suspicion. You know how it goes."

The effeminate man gave a graceful nod, placing a hand on his hip. "Yes, yes, go ahead. You've done an excellent job, as always. I do appreciate discretion."

Seun-mi Ho watched the mercenaries disappear into the forest, his eyes narrowed. Their wicked laughter soon faded among the dense trees. He knew they wouldn't return. They had fulfilled their part and wanted no involvement in what was about to unfold.

"Finally alone," the man commented with a charming smile, turning toward Seun-mi. He approached with deliberate steps, his polished leather boots crunching softly on the forest floor. His eyes glimmered with satisfaction as he gazed at his new "prisoner."

"Allow me to introduce myself properly," he said, placing an elegant hand on his chest. "I am Lysander, lord of the Castle of Naraheim, which you'll soon have the pleasure of visiting." He blinked theatrically, his thick lashes fluttering like a butterfly's wings. "But I suppose you've already heard of me, haven't you?"

Seun-mi remained silent, staring at Lysander with a mix of indifference and irritation. He had no clue who this man was, nor did he care.

"Oh, don't be so taciturn," Lysander chuckled, seemingly amused by Seun-mi's passive resistance. "You'll see, I make a delightful host. I didn't build my reputation by being cruel, you know." He gestured for them to move. "Let's walk. The castle isn't far from here."

Still shackled, Seun-mi had no choice but to follow Lysander. The magical cuffs around his wrists pulsed softly, blocking any attempt to use his abilities or access his system. He felt the barrier like a constant weight, stifling his inner strength. Each step seemed to draw him deeper into impending trouble.

---

They walked in silence for a while, with Seun-mi observing his surroundings carefully. The path wound through a dense yet meticulously maintained forest, as if the trees had been carefully pruned to allow sunlight to filter through. The serene atmosphere felt oddly out of place given his predicament.

Lysander, unable to bear the silence, spoke again. "You know, Naraheim wasn't always what it is today. Oh no. There was a time when the region was plagued by hatred, intolerance. Men and women who didn't understand… well, the joys of diversity, let's say." He made a dramatic gesture, as if narrating a grand epic.

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"When I inherited these lands," he continued, "things were… let's call them primitive. The people of Naraheim, mostly peasants, were ruled by their prejudices. They scorned anyone different, anyone who didn't fit their narrow little boxes." He paused, casting an intense look at Seun-mi, as if expecting a reaction.

Seun-mi remained impassive, his gaze fixed ahead. He wasn't interested in Lysander's story, but he knew better than to dismiss it. Every detail, no matter how insignificant, could be crucial.

Lysander shrugged at Seun-mi's silence. "Well, that's all behind us now. Because I changed things. Yes, me."

His tone became more dramatic, as if recounting the climax of a legend. "I built my castle on the ruins of the old regime—a true sanctuary of freedom and tolerance. But it took time... and sacrifices."

Seun-mi raised an eyebrow at that. Sacrifices? he thought.

"Ah, you want to hear the best part, don't you?" Lysander exclaimed, snapping his fingers, his face lighting up like a child about to tell a fascinating tale. "Well, you see, once I seized control, I decided it was time to… purify the region."

Seun-mi felt his heart tighten. He had heard speeches like this before, and he knew where they usually led.

"All those who mocked me, who called me…"—he grimaced theatrically—"well, let's not repeat their vulgar words. But all those homophobes, those bigots—I made them disappear."_

"Disappear?" Seun-mi murmured, his voice cold.

"Yes, disappear," Lysander replied with a satisfied grin. "Some fled, others were… let's say, re-educated. But the most obstinate ones, those who refused to embrace my reign of tolerance..." He paused dramatically. "Well, they were exterminated."

Seun-mi rolled his eyes. Lysander's tale, though macabre, struck him as absurd as the man himself. A tyrant hiding behind a façade of tolerance. It wasn't new. History was full of such figures—men who preached inclusivity while imposing their vision through violence and terror.

"You think it's ridiculous, don't you?" Lysander asked, noticing Seun-mi's expression. "But it wasn't easy. I had to fight for what I built. My castle, standing now like a jewel in the heart of Naraheim, symbolizes this new era. An era where I and those who understand me can live in peace, free from hatred."

As they continued walking, the castle slowly came into view, perched on a hill. Its slender towers and gleaming white walls sparkled under the morning sun. From a distance, it looked majestic, almost like a dream come true. But Seun-mi knew that, like any dream too good to be true, the castle likely hid horrors behind its flawless façade.

Lysander stopped briefly to admire his domain. "Magnificent, isn't it?" he said proudly. "Here, you'll be safe. Far from the world's cruelty. Far from hasty judgments and prejudice. Here, you will be… mine."

Seun-mi clenched his teeth, resisting the urge to respond. He knew he had to remain calm. For now, he was trapped—his abilities blocked, his strength limited. But he wouldn't be a captive forever. He was just waiting for the right moment.

"Don't worry, my dear," Lysander continued softly. "You'll come to love this place. You'll come to love me. Just like all the others before you." He smiled—a smile that might have seemed kind to someone else but felt deeply unsettling to Seun-mi.

They resumed their march toward the castle. Seun-mi knew the time for action was approaching. He couldn't stay passive any longer. He had to find a way to break free—from the cuffs, from the cage, and from the man—before it was too late.

End of Chapter 16.