The moment she finished speaking, Enmie kept walking while glancing back at Ersak.
Ersak looked up at Enmie, and Hawen watched Ersak at the same time.
Ersak saw Enmie looking at him, a clueless expression forming on his face as he thought, “Why is she looking at me like that?” Enmie turned her head back to the front and kept walking.
The air fell into silence, the sound of footsteps and rustling grass growing distinct.
Ersak lowered his head slightly, his empty eyes closing as he let out a sigh.
His closed eyelids revealed tired creases, showing his deep exhaustion.
Suddenly, everything seemed to slow down.
Ersak’s eyes snapped open.
The world around him slowed to a crawl, his hair shifting so gently it seemed almost still.
Ersak turned his head slightly, looking back toward the distant training camp…
Hawen glanced over and noticed Ersak looking behind.
Confused, Hawen turned his head back to check, looking at Ersak, then back at the spot Ersak was staring at…
Ersak turned his head back, his face still holding a trace of confusion.
In his mind, Ersak wondered, “What did I just feel…” Hawen watched Ersak, taking a few steps closer to ask in a low voice, “Did you feel something back there?” Ersak glanced up at Hawen, then looked straight ahead, walking as if nothing had happened.
Hawen stared at Ersak, his eyes frozen in surprise.
He glanced back once more, staring intently toward the training camp with its high, enclosing walls and darkened watchtowers.
Hawen turned around and walked away…
Back at the training camp, the view gradually sharpened, pulling closer and closer, until a silhouette emerged behind the wall.
Stepping clear of the stone wall, the figure watched Ersak’s group as they walked off with the others, fixing a sharp, unblinking gaze directly on Ersak.
Everything went black.
The world fell dead silent as a low voice suddenly drifted through the air, “…
Ersak?…” The noise vanished, and the entire space plunged into total silence…
…
The bustling sounds of footsteps echoed out.
The world gradually brightened as sunlight spilled over flower petals and the river water, reflecting the blinding glare of the sun.
Chattering voices and the constant movement of a dense crowd rang out without pause.
Then, a footstep thumped against wood.
Ersak slowly climbed into the carriage and sat down on the bench inside.
Hawen and Enmie sat on either side of him.
Ersak glanced over at Hawen.
Hawen held a book, his face completely locked onto the pages in his hands, his other hand adjusting the frame of his glasses.
Ersak glanced toward Enmie.
Her arms were crossed, her eyes closed, sitting there completely frozen and silent.
Ersak closed his eyes, lowering his head to let out a sigh.
Hawen suddenly spoke up, causing Ersak to flinch, “Huh, where’d Lusia go?” Ersak snapped his head to look at Hawen.
Enmie let out a long yawn, tears welling in her eyes as she stretched her body, speaking mid-yawn, “G-oodness, w-ho knows…hm…” She brought her hand up to wipe the stray tear from her eye.
Ersak narrowed his eyes, glancing at Enmie as she continued, “She probably bumped into an acquaintance or something.” Hawen pondered, resting his chin on his hand.
“Mmm…” He closed his eyes, speaking in a tired tone, “It feels like ever since we met her, she’s always been right here, hasn’t she?” Ersak watched Hawen and Enmie discuss the matter, lost in his own thoughts.
Suddenly, Enmie spoke up, causing Ersak to look over, “I think she lives here.
When we first met her, she wasn’t even a field agent yet.” Hawen crossed his arms and leaned his back against the seat, chiming in, “True.” Ersak stared at the pair, thinking to himself, “What are you two even talking about?…” The palace doors were slowly pushed open.
The massive inner doors of the palace gradually parted, revealing Lusia’s silhouette.
With the doors open, Lusia stepped inside.
Each of her footsteps echoed loudly through the entire palace as she slowly advanced toward the throne.
The king, sitting upon his throne, slowly stood up.
He descended the steps, drawing closer to Lusia.
Lusia’s pace slowed down until she came to a complete halt right before the king.
The two faced each other.
The surrounding air seemed to freeze over, with not a single sound breaking the suffocating space.
Lusia lowered her head and dropped down to one knee, placing her hand on her opposite shoulder to salute.
The king looked down at Lusia, without saying a single word.
Lusia slowly opened her mouth, her voice echoing through the massive room, “Sir, I’ve served in the military for so long.
I want to ask for your permission to leave the palace, so I can learn more new things outside.” The king listened intently, his eyes closing as he looked at Lusia, “Rise.” Lusia stood up as the king continued, “There’s someone else training the soldiers now anyway.
So, if you want to leave, you may go.
Just make sure you return on designated days.” The king turned around, walking back up to his throne as he called back, “I don’t have the right to dictate whether you stay or leave, but go ahead.
Just return when the day comes.” Lusia bowed her head, “Thank you for your approval, Sir.
I will return frequently.” She lifted her head, looking at the king.
The king looked at Lusia, then turned to walk through the rear door, leaving the room.
Lusia turned around, marching out through the massive doors and leaving the palace.
The bustling noises of the citizens and shopkeepers calling out to sell their goods filled the air as Lusia’s footsteps carried her past the crowd.
Lusia kept her gaze fixed ahead, leaving the city walls behind to walk on the dirt road.
Right in front of her, Hawen sat on the steps of the carriage, intently reading his book.
Lusia stopped beside him.
Hawen paused, looking up.
Lusia crossed her arms, “Let’s go.” Hawen stood up and walked inside the carriage, “Yeah.” Lusia climbed in after him.
The wooden wheels slowly turned, bits of dirt falling from the spokes as the carriage began to move.
Gradually drifting further from the kingdom, the four figures sat inside the carriage in total silence.
Ersak looked up at the three people sitting across from him.
Hawen suddenly spoke up, shattering the silence, “Hey, so are we heading back to the headquarters in the central kingdom now?” Enmie crossed her arms, rolling her eyes as she replied, “I think heading back there first to have her teach Ersak is our best bet.” Ersak stared at Enmie.
Hawen crossed his arms, his eyes closing as he sighed, “I guess if we start right now, the progress should be on track.
She’ll probably agree to it too.” Hawen opened his eyes and continued, “We’ll probably have to explain things to her a bit, though.” Ersak opened his mouth, taking a deep breath before his voice rang out, causing all three to look his way, “What are you guys planning?
Go where?
Meet who?…” The air instantly went silent.
Enmie looked at Ersak, their eyes locking.
Enmie flashed a bright smile, looking right at Ersak as she answered, “To a place that’s gonna make you better!” Ersak went blank, his eyes widening, “Huh?…”