Leonidas’ concern was evident as he blinked in disbelief. “Your Majesty… you’re serious? I’m sorry, it’s just… we wouldn’t want to put you at risk by leaving now.”

Asher responded with a determined shake of his head, “I understand your concerns, but to protect our kingdom, I need to get back. It could be too late if Drakar is ready to launch an attack. Also, I believe the Moonbinder Clan is desperately after me for some damn reason. They wouldn’t want me killed by the Draconians.”

“You mean…” Caelum’s expression grew tense as he mumbled with a confused look.

Asher nodded, turning his attention to Silvan, “When we entered that hall, Silvan noticed how the blood of some of the draconian guards outside didn’t just smell right when he observed them closely. And the strange thing is they quickly masked it, making it seem like he imagined it or something. Still, he let me know about it, and I had a feeling that some of these guards were probably in disguise. I just wasn’t sure it was the Rustblood Clan until later. But since they showed up with enough preparations to pull off an ambush, it could only mean they did it with the help of the Moonbinder Clan and probably someone within the draconians as well. Otherwise, they alone would never have pulled it off, including possessing a Portal Disc.”

The seriousness of the revelation weighed heavily on everyone while Leonidas sighed, “If only we had at least one more of those discs, it would be easier to escape this place. Is there any way to get one here?”

Naida shook her head, “Only the Draconians and the Moonbinder Clan have them, and they strictly monopolize it, making sure their enemies would never have it. Not even all draconian nobles possess it. Only the ones Drakar trusts would have them. You won’t find them in any market here because of how dangerously useful they can be. My House had tried so many ways to procure them but in vain.”

Asher also shook his head inwardly as this was one of the times he wished he was a Hunter on Earth where getting a Portal Disc was easier as long as one had enough resources to get it. But even if he had one, it would be useless in this world since anything made with Radiant mana was useless for demons.

Leonidas clicked his tongue in frustration, “If only we had experts specializing in Space pathways, we could have made some ourselves, despite the cost.”

With the obstacles mounting, Silvan voiced the critical question on everyone’s mind, “With all these difficulties before us, how are we going to get past the guards at the border? We can’t even escape if we get caught.”

“I can help with that if you all are in a hurry to leave,” An old woman’s voice echoed through the chamber as everyone turned their heads to see her coming down the steps.

The sudden appearance of Myrza with a tray of food in her hands brought a brief pause to their intense strategizing.

Asher’s gaze narrowed, “Do you know a safe passage out of here?” he asked directly.

Myrza nodded, setting the tray on the table before the, “I do, but the moment you leave the border, Drakar will know, and he will come after you. You may not have realized it, but the moment you entered our lands, you were marked by our very air. Drakar does that to those he wants to keep an eye on his guests. It is nothing harmful and is a genius creation known to very few, so you wouldn’t know, but he will know when you cross the borders and the mark loses its effect.”

“Unbelievable…How cunning of him…” Leonidas mumbled while Asher and Naida’s expression grew even more serious, with Naida pressing her lips together. ᴛʜs ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛʀ s ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛ ʙʏ ovelꜰre.et

“You won’t get far before he catches up to you. So, I wouldn’t advise leaving right now until I have some time to make preparations for a safer exit,” Myrza stated.

However, without any further hesitation, Asher stepped closer, his voice firm and resolute, “No. I don’t have time for that. We will risk it all rather than let Drakar destroy my kingdom.”

Myrza sighed, but she nodded in understanding. “If that’s what you wish, then I can’t stop you.”

–

Drakar stood imposingly atop the roof of his palace, his presence heavy and his demeanor one of barely contained fury. Dozens of guards, rigid and alert, surrounded him, creating an atmosphere of tension and urgency.

Beside him stood a middle-aged man clad in heavy, decorated armor, the insignia of his rank as a commander prominently displayed.

“You still cannot find an alien in our lands… the king of the bloodburners? How hard can it be to find someone who would stand out like a sore thumb in our lands? Or are you just that useless, Lorvo, despite being a commander of so many men?” Drakar’s voice was icy, laced with restrained anger, as he fixed his gaze on Lorvo.

Lorvo’s expression was taut with stress and fear. He bowed deeply, his voice respectful yet filled with apology, “Please forgive me, Your Majesty. My men have scoured every inch of our kingdom, broken down every door we could, and searched every hole. But there’s no sign of him. What if… he already made his escape?” Lorvo cautiously raised his gaze, his eyes reflecting apprehension.

Drakar’s eyes sharpened, his stare piercing Lorvo, “Why do you think I am standing here? If he had left the borders of my kingdom, I would have known. He is still here, hiding like a rat. So, you haven’t done your job right. I don’t care if you have to break down every house or dig up every inch of our land… flush him out now. Or I will let someone else replace you.”

Lorvo visibly trembled, the threat of being replaced hanging heavily in the air. He bowed deeply again, clasping his hands. “Please… this servant will definitely find him,” he vowed, his voice a mixture of determination and desperation.

A few feet away, Lysandra stood, observing the interaction between Drakar and Lorvo with furrowed brows, her mind undoubtedly racing as she hoped Lorvo wouldn’t find Asher.

But she also knew there was a chance he might and that she should think of something to get Asher out of this kingdom before Lorvo could find him.

“Mother!”

Hearing that boorish voice, Lysandra briefly closed her eyes with a hardened expression before turning around to see Rhygar standing behind her, panting as if he had rushed here to meet her.

Her tone was icy as she spoke with crossed arms, “Why are you here?” she asked, her voice tinged with disdain.

Rhygar, standing before her with an apologetic expression, tried to explain, “I personally set out to search for that alien rat. I’ve even tried squeezing out answers from those who might be harboring him in secret, but to no avail,” he explained, his frustration evident.

He then made a bold request, seeking her influence, “Could you ask Father to give me permission to use more men? I have my own methods that I’m confident will help flush out that alien rat from wherever he’s hiding, but I don’t have the manpower to execute it in time.”

Lysandra’s gaze turned even colder and full of disappointment, “Why bother trying so hard when you’re not even capable of managing simple matters or even speaking to your father? You’ve only been a disappointment, even before your empty promises of avenging your brother. Don’t show your face before me until I tell you to.”

Her sharp and dismissive response made Rhygar’s eyes widen in shock and hurt, his face reddening. He watched helplessly as his mother turned and walked away from him. He raised his hand as if to reach out to her but stopped, not daring to go further as he watched her retreating majestic yet graceful figure.

But then his expression of shock began to twist, his fists clenched in frustration and anger as he grappled with a mix of emotions.

He couldn’t understand why his mother continued to fail to recognize or appreciate his efforts. She had always been cold to him, especially whenever Agonon was around, but this outright rejection, her refusal to even see him, cut deeper than anything before.

Just what did he do wrong to warrant such a strong reaction after trying to do everything to satisfy her?

Nothing has changed, even if the son she loved so much was no longer here.

Why…why?!

However, his heavy thoughts were abruptly shattered by his father’s commanding shout, “That rat has left the border. Follow me!” His voice was a clarion call to action, immediately mobilizing his forces.

Lorvo and the armored guards, their movements swift and disciplined, quickly fell into formation behind their king. They prepared to embark on what was likely to be a high-speed pursuit, their expressions a mix of determination and urgency.

Lysandra, who was just about to exit the rooftop, halted abruptly. Her eyes widened in surprise, and she swiftly turned to see Drakar unfurling his wings and taking off.

Rhygar, caught up in the moment, was about to join his father in the chase. However, Lysandra’s authoritative voice stopped him in his tracks, “Stand down, Rhygar. Hold your position here. We need to ensure this isn’t a ruse and that Asher isn’t still hiding within our lands,” she commanded with a sharp tone that brooked no argument.

Rhygar, torn between his desire to join the pursuit and obey his mother’s order, hesitated. He wanted to prove himself, to catch Asher and perhaps redeem his earlier failures in his mother’s eyes. Yet, her directive was clear and firm.

Reluctantly folding his wings, Rhygar watched as his mother took to the skies, following his father.