Under the sewers of the nation ruled by Kibo’s father, a stark contrast to the vibrant village above, the air was thick with the stench of decay. Villagers, shaken but resilient, worked together to handle the aftermath of the explosion. The knights, clad in gleaming armor, moved among them, offering assistance and reassurance. Children were gathered and comforted, wounds were tended to, and the remains of the destroyed shop were cleared away. The knights' presence instilled a sense of order and safety, their disciplined movements a testament to their training and dedication.

Beneath this scene of recovery and resilience, the sewers painted a much darker picture. Rats scurried along the damp, grimy floors, and strange, otherworldly creatures skittered in the shadows, their eyes glowing ominously in the dim light. The air was filled with the sounds of dripping water and the faint, eerie echoes of unseen inhabitants.

From the ground, the strange lady emerged, her body mangled and only half-intact. Her vibrant green hair was matted with blood, and her once-bright yellow eyes were filled with pain and rage. Her body was slowly regenerating, but the process was agonizingly slow. "Damn that maid," she cursed, her voice echoing off the stone walls. "I'll kill her when we meet again."

From the shadows, a massive orc stepped forward. His skin was a deep brown, and his body was covered in scars that told tales of countless battles. He carried a huge axe strapped to his back, its blade gleaming menacingly in the dim light. His presence was imposing, each step he took resonating through the sewers.

As he walked toward the strange lady, he called out, "Lilith." His voice was a deep, rumbling growl.

Lilith looked up at him and frowned, "What do you want, you big damn orc?" She was still in pain, her body wracked with the slow process of regeneration.

The orc approached her, his heavy footsteps echoing through the sewer. He bent down, a mocking smile on his face. "My, my," he said, his tone dripping with sarcasm. "I thought you were strong."

Lilith's frown deepened, her anger flaring. "If you came to mock me, then leave me alone. I'm really angry right now."

The orc laughed, a deep, rumbling sound that filled the air. He stood up and roughly lifted her with one hand, ignoring her protests. As he hoisted her onto his shoulder, Lilith cursed, "You damn orc, I can get up myself!"

The orc ignored her, securing her on his shoulder. Lilith, now facing the back of the orc, seethed with fury. "Is that how you treat a lady?" she demanded, her voice a mix of anger and pain.

The orc responded with a chuckle. "Yes," he said, his tone dismissive. "A lady who can't fight and whose regeneration speed is slow." He continued walking, his laughter echoing through the sewers as Lilith fumed on his shoulder.

Back in his room, Kibo sat on his bed, looking at his hands. His room, always neat and filled with various toys and books, felt strangely suffocating. The events of the day replayed in his mind—the explosion, his mother shielding him, and the strange lady with the overwhelming aura. He looked at his hands and whispered, "Healing magic..."

He was surprised that he could use healing magic at such a young age. He had overheard the maids talking about it in hushed tones, marveling at his rare ability. Determined to test it again, Kibo climbed down from his bed and tried to open the door, but his small body couldn't reach the handle.

Frustrated, he returned to his bed, lying flat on his back. "It's stressful climbing up with this baby body," he muttered. He sat up and gazed out the window, lost in thought. "Who was that strange lady?" he wondered, touching his chest. "Her aura was overwhelming. Why couldn't Mother sense it, but Sylvie could?"

Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website.

He looked at his palm, trying to summon the healing light again, but nothing happened. "I need to get stronger," he resolved. "I can't let anyone hurt my new mother for what she did for me." He tried to remember his old mother's face but couldn't. "I need to get strong," he repeated to himself.

Lord Ryuu Satoru rushed through the halls of his mansion, his mind racing with worry. He wore simple yet elegant noble attire, his footsteps echoing through the grand corridors. His butler, Tanaka, followed closely behind, equally concerned about the well-being of Lady Luna and the young master.

As Ryuu reached his and his wife's bedroom, he hesitated for a moment before opening the door. The room was spacious and elegantly decorated, with large windows letting in the soft afternoon light. He saw Lady Luna on the bed, smiling and laughing with Sylvie and another maid.

Lady Luna wore a flowing white gown, while Sylvie and the other maid wore their usual maid uniforms. The maids bowed to greet their lord, and without saying anything, Ryuu sighed in relief, seeing his wife safe and happy. Lady Luna noticed his worried face and smiled at him. "My, my, my darling husband misses me so much," she teased, touching her cheeks and smiling.

Ryuu, with love and affection, stood upright and suddenly coughed. Tanaka signaled the maids to leave their lord and lady be, which they understood. As they were leaving, Ryuu said nervously, "It isn't like that," but his wife sarcastically responded, pretending to feel sad.

Once the maids had left and Tanaka closed the door behind them, Lady Luna continued, "My husband doesn't love me anymore." She closed her eyes dramatically but opened them again when she didn't hear him protest. She saw the worried expression on his face, filled with love and affection. Smiling softly, she hugged him back while stroking his back. "You shouldn't worry. I am strong," she reassured him.

Ryuu laughed, pulling back slightly. "Yes, yes," he said.

Lady Luna's cheeks puffed up in mock annoyance. "Why the laugh?"

He stopped chuckling and touched her cheek gently. She closed her eyes, feeling his touch. "Yes, my loving wife is a strong woman," he said softly.

"And our son is strong too," she added proudly.

Ryuu was momentarily confused. "Our son?"

The scene shifts to the grand imperial kingdom, with towering spires and bustling streets. The imperial castle stood at the heart of the kingdom, an imposing structure with high walls and grand gates. Inside, the castle was adorned with luxurious tapestries and intricate carvings, showcasing the wealth and power of the realm.

In the grand hall, where the king's throne was situated, ten guards stood at attention, their armor gleaming and the lion's head logo of the kingdom emblazoned on their chests. The king, with red hair and a muscular build, sat on his throne, his yellow eyes stern and focused. He wore royal robes of deep crimson and gold, with a majestic cape draped over his shoulders. His beard was neatly trimmed, adding to his regal appearance.

The king listened intently to his advisor, Cedric, who was bowing before him, updating him on the latest matters of the kingdom. "The northern border remains secure, and trade negotiations with the neighboring realms are proceeding smoothly," Cedric reported.

The king nodded, his stern gaze never wavering. "And what of the unrest in the eastern provinces?" he inquired.

Cedric continued, "The situation is stabilizing, Your Majesty. We have deployed additional troops to maintain order."

The king looked pleased with the update, but Cedric then mentioned, "There was an incident in the Satoru nation, my lord."

The king's interest was piqued. "Go on," he ordered.

Cedric detailed the events accurately, describing the attack on Lady Luna and the theft of Aurum Fortuna from the secret warehouse. The king's expression grew more serious as he listened.

"What is Duke Ryuu doing about the situation?" the king asked.

"The Duke is handling the situation very well, Your Majesty," Cedric replied.

A smile played on the king's lips. "Things are becoming more interesting," he mused.

After finishing his conversation with his wife, Ryuu Satoru stepped out of the bedroom. Sylvie and the other maid bowed, and he smiled, saying, "Thank you for protecting the lady, Sylvie."

"There is no need to thank me, my lord. It is my duty," Sylvie replied.

Ryuu sighed. "Okay then." He took his leave, with Tanaka following closely. The maids re-entered the room to tend to Lady Luna.

As Ryuu walked through the halls of his mansion, he asked Tanaka, "What news have you received?"

Tanaka, respectful as always, began to report on the latest incidents. "Regarding the recent events, my lord, it appears that the young master used healing magic."

Ryuu already knew but was lost in thought as Tanaka spoke. He remembered his wife's proud smile when he mentioned their son. "I see," he said, wondering when his son had acquired such an ability. It was unusual for Kibo to use healing magic without any noticeable mana.

"It's good that he got it from me," Ryuu had said in the flashback.

Lady Luna, with puffed cheeks, had retorted, "You can't even use healing magic. He got it from me!" She jokingly hit him as he laughed.

The flashback ended and then with Ryuu saying, "Since my son can use healing magic, make sure that information does not spread."

Tanaka nodded. "I will ensure it remains confidential, my lord."

Ryuu continued walking. "What about the spies they caught stealing Aurum Fortuna from the secret warehouse?"

Tanaka replied, "Five were killed, one escaped, but we managed to capture one."

"Where is the criminal now?" Ryuu asked.

"In the dungeon, my lord," Tanaka responded respectfully.

Ryuu nodded. "Let's go there." As they made their way to the dungeon, Ryuu's mind raced. This can't be a coincidence, he thought. The attack on his wife and child, and the theft of Aurum Fortuna—they must be connected.