“Apologies, sir and madam,” Rain and Rave both bowed deeply to everyone.

The people waved their hands and reassured them, “It’s alright. Misunderstandings happen to everyone. Just make amends. Friendship is valuable.”

“Thank you, sir,” they both bowed even deeper and expressed their gratitude.

They retreated to a corner of the building and sat down, not engaging in any conversation.

The people looked at them awkwardly. Now, they had two weird individuals in the refugee group, Pretty Raccoon and Primal Jurassic Men.

The children imitated their deep bows and pretended to be grown-ups. Some people burst into laughter.

“It’s your fault,” Rain remarked.

“No, it’s your fault,” Rave countered.

“Aria’s soup was so delicious.”

“Sorry, for that.”

“Are you hungry?”

“A little.”

Rain tore a piece of bread in half and asked, “It fell on the ground. Do you mind?”

“Thank you,” Rave said.

Munch, Munch, Munch. They both ate the bread.

“Delicious.” Rain said.

“Um, too sweet as usual.” Rave added.

Kuru! Kuru! Rain emptied rocks from his bag and carefully arranged them, creating a tower, one rock at a time.

“Play, with Rarity?” Rave asked.

“Yep, she has already mastered it, you know. She even helped me build a big tower,” Rain replied as slowly pressed another rock on top.

Rave helped, handed another rock. “Um, is she still talkative or… has she returned to her silence?”

“Keep your mouth close Cookidoo; She said that.” Rain said as he received the rock and pressed on top it.

Rave smiled.

Rain also do beamed.

“By the way, how did you find me?” Rain asked.

“I followed the trail of flowers. Everywhere you went, more plants and flowers would bloom. I simply walked in that direction,” Rave explained as he handed more rocks.

“Oh, that’s easy,” Rain said.

Rave gazed at Rain. “Are you kidding, Rockman? That’s crazy hard! What the hell were you thinking, climbing mountains, jumping down, and driving through underwater caves? I’ve thought I was crazy many times, but you take it to a whole new level.”

“Hehe, sorry,” Rain replied with a wry smile.

“Huh, and when the smell is richer, I’m sure you’re here,” Rave said.

“Smell?” Rain sniffed his coat. “Is it that bad?”

“Quite the opposite, it’s sweet. It’s like the fragrance of coastal flowers,” Rave explained.

Rain nodded then said. “That look, good?”

Rave shook his head. “No, it is not good. Initially, I thought your scent was unique, but it’s the same as your saint’s. Perhaps she uses it to locate and trace your whereabouts. Have you checked any of your belongings? Maybe the flowers that you kept in a bag. You have to conceal it. If someone knew. This will make you are in danger.” Rave said.

Aria stood behind Rave, her mouth slightly smiling as she observed Red Rave’s impressive analytical skills. “Here’s your food, Rain’s friend.” She said as handed food plate.

Rave’s body hair stood on end. When did she arrive? He quickly composed himself, reached out to grabbed bowl and cup. “Thank you, Miss…”

“Aria, you can call me that,” Aria said, handing Rain a fresh bread and milk-cup. “Don’t worry, it’s just the fragrance from the shampoo I gave him.”

“Thank you, Miss Aria. I’m Ravie Gold-Feather, but please call me Rave or Red.” Rave introduced himself. He then bowed a little.

Aria nodded. “Nice to meet you, Rave.”

Rain looked at his bread and looked at Rave’s soup bowl. “Aria, why do I only have bread, where are my sweet beef soup? What am I do wrong?” Rain’s ears and tail drooped.

“You spilled it all. We only have one portion for everyone,” Aria said.

“Waaahh, it’s so… delicious,” Rain said. his head lowered.

Rave passed his bowl to Rain.

Rain reached hand out. “Thank—”

Aria held hand up. “Rave, please keep your bowl. I’ll share mine with him. His taste is a bit unique.”

Rave nodded in understanding.

Aria looked at Rain that now eyes have light shimmered. “Alright, alright, wait a moment. I’ll be back soon,” She said. She then walked back into the kitchen area.

Rave waited for a moment, then asked, “Rockman, does she always make food for you?”

Rain took a bite of his bread and spoke, “Yep, every meal. I manage to find the ingredients, and she cooks. I want to help, but she chased me out, every time. I don’t understand why everyone banned me from the kitchen.”

Rave stirred his food with his spoon. “Be careful, Rockman, she dan— smart than you think. The food might have some un-vital herbs.”

“Yep, I know, she poisoned everyone. In fact, we poisoned everyone.” Rain said.

Rave’s eyes widened. “Why?”

Rain smiled. “Our reasons are different. Aria doesn’t trust anyone on this continent, so she does it for safety. For me, it’s just a minor inconvenience. Rave, we don’t have much time left.”

“Time?” Rave asked.

“The End-Wall is already breaking. Winter will come soon, maybe on the same day as Fall Sun. We need a nerve depressant poison to help them. Little poison can be a medicine too, if you use a right time.” Rain explained.

Rave was taken aback. “Real hell?”

“Yep, real hell, Oh, I almost forgot to give you something back,” Rain said, reaching into his bag. He took out a comb and handed it to Rave.

“Thank you,” Rave said, examining the comb. It still looked shiny and new. “Aren’t you going to help the people here?”

“No, they don’t need my help. Three saints are already here. Ella and Rexton’s team are enough to handle it. I have another task to do,” Rain said.

“Ok.” Rave waited a moment then said, “and about that golden head saint…”

“No, we can’t fight him at all. He’s at the top of the predator chain. Even if we had ten lives, he would deplete them all in ten seconds,” Rain said, taking a sip of milk and smiling.

Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

“He’s that strong.”

“Yes.”

“So, we only have one option left, right?” Rave clenched his fist tightly.

“Nah, are you sure? You could go to the center continent and search for a legendary teacher. Practice your skills and learn special magic, then come back with superpowers and seek revenge. Doesn’t that sound cooler?”

“What is that? I’m not a kid, Rockman. I also need to find the truth behind this white veil too,” Rave said.

“Wow, you’re so cool,” Rain said, and nodded swiftly.

“Just tell me, how to be a Follower,” Rave said.

“I don’t know, brother. I just sat with my knees and spoke random words that I remember from a priest I knew,” Rain said.

“Are you kidding?” Rave looked at him with half-closed eyes.

“Haha, I’m kidding, but the process is real,” Rain said as he turned his head slightly to the left. “Aria, can you please receive him as a follower?”

There, Aria was already sitting with her knees, hands filled with soup bowls.

Once again, Rave was taken aback. “When did she get here?” he thought out loud.

“Ah, sorry. I just arrived a moment ago when you asked about the Follower. Next time, I’ll make some noise to let you know, alright?” Aria said as handed Rain the soup

Rave froze briefly, then slowly nodded.

Rain received the bowl. “Aria, can you?” He asked her again.

Aria shook her head. “I can’t, Rain. The Saint can only have one direct follower. Another follower can be received after you pass the cleansing ceremony, and they must have also been a holy knight or undergone the holy abbreviation of their name.”

Aria sat with her legs placed to the side as she continued talking. “I also don’t want to update any status on the holy tower. I apologize for not being able to fulfill your expectations, Rave.”

Rave swayed his head, “Miss Aria, that’s okay.”

“What about Ella?” Rain said.

“That sounds dangerous, Rain,” Aria said.

“Just told her directly, with a little persuasion from you, and she will definitely accept it,” Rain said.

“But I don’t think so. She doesn’t want to accept any followers or even a knight. She doesn’t like anyone interfering in her life,” Aria said.

Rain nodded. “Ah, I understand.”

“Miss Aria, I have an offer,” Rave said.

Aria and Rain tilted their heads simultaneously.

Rave waited for a moment before continuing, “I have some information to offer, Miss Aria. Did you know that Mr. Rain suffers from insomnia?”

Rain felt a shiver down his spine. He reached hand out want to stop Rave, huff, But Aria swiftly hugged him and closed his mouth.

“R-ave, d-onnt.” Rain tried to say.

Aria swiftly flicked her hand and water floated blocked his mouth.

“Brrr. bree, blurree.” Rain mumbled.

Aria turned to Rave and said, “Yes, I do know that he has insomnia, Mr. Rave.”

Rave looked at the pitiful Raccoon. “Sorry, big brother Rockman, I have to do it. She is also your saint, so it’s right that she should know everything about you.”

Rain shook his head swiftly.

Aria nodded, saying, “Yes, that’s right.”

“blurreed.” Rain pleaded with his eyes.

Rave turned his head away. Didn’t want to look his eye. “When he can’t sleep, he often takes out a flower from his bag. It’s a unique blue one from the east coast. I don’t know its name, maybe Esta-”

“Astaria, it’s Astaria flower.” Aria said with sweet tone.

“Yes, that’s the one. He also often hums a tune. I’m not good with music, maybe it’s an old folk river song. I can hum it if you want,” Rave said.

“It’s okay. I know the song,” Aria said.

Rave said, “He frequently visited the river at night. He played with the water, splashed, kicked, and rearranged the rocks. Sometimes, he simply stood and gazed at the moon reflected on the river’s surface. hummed that song and danced alone. But that is not a simple present, it ballroom dancing.” Rave spread his arms to demonstrate.

Aria’s eyes widened, but slowly turned to normal, and the corner of her mouth lifted a little.“Thank you… that’s enough, Mr. Rave.” Aria said.

“But, Miss Aria, this is just the beginning. The story when he slept is even more valuable,” Rave said.

“I appreciate your valuable information, Mr. Rave, but that’s all I need. I’m also afraid my own self. Please keep it and don’t sell it to anyone again. Especially to the Red-Haired Magician Woman. Can you agree to this condition?”

Aria reached her hand out.

Rave nodded and shook hand with her.

“Blurree. Brrr. Bree,” Rain said.

—§—

The sun bid farewell to the horizon as the night’s glow illuminated the white snow once more. People returned to their homes, including the exhausted golden saint.

One room in the castle area. light form mana stone cascaded out of little window. But there also have little candle lit up on the table, It emitted a light fragrance of flower.

Seated on a plain chair, Ella wore a long silk sleep robe in pure white. She wore circular glasses and had her hair tied up in a simple ponytail. With a dip pen in hand, she diligently wrote on the papers.

“Finally, I have some free time. Today has been so draining,” Ella said, grabbing another piece of paper and continuing her writing.

“Raccoon! You make my work even more difficult. See! Even during my free time, I still have to write a report about your incident. Ugh, I hate paperwork. Why am I the only one doing this?” Ella complained, glancing at Rocky, whose eyes and smile were painted on.

Poke, She lightly tapped it. “Don’t smile at me. It’s all your fault. How was I supposed to know that you could use archery skills, and what was that light arrow? Restoration? Hmph! If Aria comes back, I’ll tell her everything.”

Scratch, scribble, scratch, scratch, Dot! “It’s done.” Ella moved the paper to the pile on the side.

Flop, Resting her arms and head on the table, Ella gazed at the stone once more. “Are you alright? Why did you seem so pained when you saw that monster die?”

Guru, Guru, She touched Rocky and rolled it on the table. “Don’t be sad, okay? I brought a cookie for you, alright?”

“I also saw your tear stains too… water can’t wash it you know, If you have something in you mind, you can told me. ok? I will prey the moon to protect you, ok, Rain.”

Candle light flickered. light in her eye dancing, and the wind careered her hair softly.

Ard, chair moved a little, Ella lifted body up. her hair brushed her shoulder. “Let’s find some clue, about the his experiment.”

Elle retrieved her holy book from the desk and opened it. As she did, her body began to glow.

“I am Elmyra Rinaca Lestria, unit code X70153, Sky Piecer Unit. I request access to the codex,” Ella said.

“Access granted,” the book responded, light periodic waving gently.

“I need access to line 1123, specifically the log file of End-Land prison,” Ella requested.

“Access granted,” a monotonous voice confirmed.

Suddenly, numerous light panels illuminated over the book.

Ella swiftly typed on the panel, wink, wink, wink, the cryptic text reflecting on her glasses.

“Access granted to End-Land Experimental… Experiment code xerx:0178, the karma evaluation experiment in the prison. Codex subline number one: Karma will deplete over time in the detonation zone. Codex subline number two: Karma will increase based on actions. Codex subline number three: Complete removal of karma for the main subject, if the prisoner successfully completes the experiment, karma will reset to zero.”

Wink, wink, wink, “That’s not the information I want. I need information about the cursed child,” Ella said, tapping on the panel. Encrypted text appeared on the screen.

“The cursed child in the experimental section: access denied.” a monotonous voice out.

“Hmmm? Who do you think I am?” Wink, wink, wink, Ella continued to rumble on the panel. Many encrypted texts appeared on the screen.

“Ella Holy Princess of Lestria, the writer of the codex. Connect to the grand holy line. Processing…” the holy book blinked periodically, its rim emitting a pulsating light.

Tock, tock, Ella knocked her finger on the table. A halo of light began to shine above her head.

“Processing… access granted.”

“Good. Let’s see how are you hidden,” Ella continued typing on the panel.

The monotonous voice said, “The cursed child in the experimental section: The curse affects every child born into End-land Prison, except for those who are part of the experiment. The experimenter will conduct the experiment without being affected by karma.”

Ella tapped on the control panel, her curiosity piqued.

The voice from the book continued. “Subject 01: Experimenter R001. Injected with devil blood, causing limbs to transform into a monstrous state. Mana gathering efficiency increased, while sensory and cognitive functions decreased, eventually regressing to an animal-like state. Lifespan: 18 hours. End result: The experimenter terminated themselves by stabbing and cutting their own throat, uttering the word ‘Life’ throughout the process.”

The light revealed a scene where a child’s limbs change into monster claw arms and legs, child started struck himself, but his body remained unharmed nor wound.

Confused, Ella muttered, “What is all of this?” as she continued tapping on the panel.

The voice continued “Subject 02: Experimenter R002. Transplanted with monster veins, no physical changes. Mana gathering efficiency increased, and all senses were altered. Communication abilities were enhanced. No further negative effects observed. Lifespan: 3 years. End result: The experimenter terminated themselves by cutting their own throat, leaving the word ‘Life’ written all over the experimental room. The language used varied, including languages that the experimenter had never learned.”

The light showed a scene of a child starting to write the word “life” in different languages, a wide smile spreading across his face with each word he wrote.

Ella’s face darkened as she tapped on the panel.

“Subject 03: Experimenter R003. Access denied.”

Surprised, Ella exclaimed, “Huh?” She rolled her hands on the control panel. “At least give me some information about you.”

“Experimenter R003: Access denied.”

Thud! Ella stood up, frustrated. “What’s going on? I can’t even access basic information.”

Rocky on the table swayed its head from side to side, while the flame on the candle flickered, forming a smiley face.

Ella said, “Rain… What had happened to you?” She adjusted her glasses and typing slowly.

Thik thik thik.“Tell me, who holds the key?”

The monotonous voice replied, “Subject 03: Experimenter R003: Key Holder, Fakrana derlude Lestria.”

Words reflected on Ella’s glasses as her hand lowered onto the table. “Cardinal? Are you kidding me? He shouldn’t be involved. He has always been kind, bringing happiness to children, even creating a codex-line that excludes karma evaluation on children…”

“This is not right… something is wrong,” Ella said, glancing at Rocky. “Don’t laugh at me, Raccoon. It’s all your fault for not telling me anything. You’re always busy acting crazy.”

Rocky swayed.

Ella raised her hand. “If you don’t stop, I will ban you from sweets.”

Suddenly, it stopped.

“Good. Be a good boy like that,” Ella said, reaching out her hand to tap Rocky’s head.

Knock! knock! “Ella, are you there?” a sweet voice called from the other side.

“Awawawaaa, Aria.” Ella swiftly lifted herself up, closed the book, Halo ring on her head depleted. she then walked towards the door. “I’m coming.”

“Yes, it’s me, but…” Aria began.

Arrd! With a quick movement, Ella opened the door. “Why did you come back so late? I have so many…”

“But, Rain and his friend are also here…”

All eyes met, and silence fell upon the room. The candle flickered, casting shadows moving as the hem of Ella’s robe fluttered. Slowly, blood rushed to her face.

Bam! The door swiftly closed. “Ahhhhhhhhh, you filthy raccoon!”