The next morning, Prince John sat alone inside his room.
The half-destroyed scroll rested on the table before him.
His eyes remained fixed on the broken seal.
Even after studying it countless times, he still couldn’t identify it.
Finally, he called one of his servants.
“Make copies of this seal.”
The servant bowed.
“At once, Your Highness.”
John continued.
“Send trusted royal guards across the kingdom. I want information on where this seal came from.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
After the servant left, John looked out the window.
Only seven days remained before Princess Elena’s birthday celebration in Britannia.
And if his memories were correct—
That celebration would become a disaster.
This time, he intended to prevent it.
Day One
While the royal guards began searching for information about the seal, John started preparing for his journey.
Most people believed he was simply attending a royal birthday celebration.
But John knew better.
Every detail mattered.
Every decision mattered.
Because unlike everyone else—
He already knew what would happen.
Day Two
No information arrived.
The royal guards returned empty-handed.
“We found nothing, Your Highness.”
John wasn’t surprised.
The seal was incomplete.
Finding its origin would never be easy.
“Expand the search.”
The guards looked at him.
John’s expression remained serious.
“Search beyond the capital.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
After they left, John returned to planning.
Again and again, he reviewed his memories of Britannia.
The guests.
The nobles.
The events.
And most importantly—
How to save everyone when the disaster began.
Day Three
Still nothing.
The search continued.
Meanwhile, John spent nearly the entire day preparing.
Every possibility.
Every risk.
Every mistake.
He considered them all.
Because failure was not an option.
Day Four
John decided to visit Nick.
When he entered the room, Nick was sitting upright on his bed.
His condition had improved considerably.
Though the bandages covering his body were impossible to ignore.
“You look less dead today,” John said.
Nick laughed.
“I’ll take that as a compliment.”
John pulled a chair closer.
“How are you feeling?”
“Better.”
Nick stretched slightly before immediately regretting it.
Pain flashed across his face.
John shook his head.
“Still not ready.”
Nick sighed.
“I know.”
For some time, they simply talked.
But before leaving, John gave him a serious look.
“Don’t push yourself.”
Nick rolled his eyes.
“Yes, Mother.”
John laughed and left the room.
Day Five
The palace doors suddenly opened.
Several royal guards hurried inside.
Unlike previous days—
They looked excited.
John immediately stood.
“What did you find?”
One of the guards stepped forward.
“We found the origin of the seal, Your Highness.”
John’s eyes sharpened.
“Where?”
“The Eastern Kingdom.”
Britannia.
The room became silent.
The guard continued.
“A village called Three Brother Mountains.”
John slowly repeated the name.
“Three Brother Mountains…”
At last.
A lead.
Not a complete answer.
But enough.
Now he knew where to start searching once he arrived in Britannia.
Day Six
John visited Nick one final time before his departure.
Nick was standing near the window when John entered.
“You look better.”
“I feel better.”
John nodded.
Then he spoke.
Nick immediately understood.
“Britannia?”
“Yes.”
Nick frowned.
“What about me?”
John smiled slightly.
“You stay here.”
Nick looked annoyed.
“You can’t seriously be planning to go without me.”
“I am.”
Nick opened his mouth to argue.
John interrupted him.
“You were nearly killed.”
Nick remained silent.
“You need recovery.”
John crossed his arms.
“I’ll only be gone for a week.”
Nick still looked dissatisfied.
“What if something happens?”
John shrugged.
“Sir Carol is coming with me.”
That answer finally eased Nick’s concerns slightly.
“Fine.”
John smiled.
“Focus on healing.”
Nick nodded.
Then after a brief silence, he spoke.
“Come back alive.”
John chuckled.
“I should be telling you that.”
Day Seven
The morning finally arrived.
The royal carriage waited outside the palace gates.
Several knights stood ready for the journey.
Sir Carol was already mounted on horseback.
The servants loaded the final supplies.
John took one last look at Aerith Palace.
Then stepped into the carriage.
The journey to Britannia had begun.
High above the palace grounds—
Nick stood beside his room window.
His injuries prevented him from joining the expedition.
So all he could do was watch.
Silently.
As the carriage slowly moved away from the palace.
Further and further into the distance.
Nick crossed his arms.
“Don’t cause too much trouble, Your Highness.”
The carriage disappeared beyond the gates.
And with it—
Prince John’s next journey began.
Toward the Eastern Kingdom.
Toward Britannia.
And toward the event that had once changed history.
To be continued…