The scent of pine wood filled the small room.The Count and Karen sat across from each other at a table, their gazes locked.
Henry tried to maintain his composure as Karen made her silver coin levitate in the air, controlling it with her finger while keeping a small flame lit at its tip.
At the sight of it, the Count immediately understood:"Even without formal training, Karen is undoubtedly a mage by pure instinct."
Without further delay, Henry stated his intention:
—"Become my slave again."
Karen didn't flinch, though her tone remained respectful:
—"Lord Valentine, I haven't forgotten what you did to me… It would be best if you left."
The Count took a deep breath. His expression shifted.
—"My eldest son… was punished by the goddess who healed that Raymond brat. Since recovering from his fractures, he hasn't left his room."
Karen remembered Sam—and smiled.Even so, she stood her ground:
—"That's not my problem, Count. I have nothing to do with it."
Henry's gaze sharpened.
—"I regret what I did to you… but in my defense, you were a slave under my service. Your duty was to obey every one of my orders."
Karen extinguished the flame at her fingertip and turned her coin into a silver needle. Her gaze was firm, though her voice trembled.
—"I-I'm not going back to that estate… I'll take your life if you keep insisting."
Henry burst into laughter, full of cynicism—a clear sign he intended to force her into submission.
—"Listen carefully, girl: do you really think you'll get away with killing me just because you're hiding in this miserable village?"
Karen swallowed hard at his words.Henry continued, his tone calculating:
—"The royal Stein family won't sit idle if I die. And if you don't kill me, I can order the 'Dark Sun' knights who came with me to slaughter everyone in this village. You might take down a few… but to them, you'll be nothing more than a murderer."
Karen clenched her fists beneath the table, helpless fury building inside her. Her trembling voice returned:
—"I-if I go back with you… will you promise not to hurt me again?"
The Count smiled with smug satisfaction.
—"I swear it, on my honor as a noble."
Karen exhaled, resigned—but still demanded:
—"Do you promise I'll stay in the Raymonds' cabin… and only work with the Raymonds?"
Henry was annoyed by the condition, but he knew he had her if he agreed.
—"I promise."
Karen closed her eyes, holding back the pain tearing through her soul.Henry grabbed the silver needle, pricked his finger, and with the blood that flowed, began tracing the Stigma representing his family while chanting in the magical language to activate it:
—"Céh çal rats hus leh Stigma hxitéltu… Lutxot hur Pfa xih fohrut Set Vaitçeltaf, to cés Pfot Lat Laretus."
Tears slid down Karen Olws' face as the Stigma began to glow.The Count, satisfied, sealed the act with his words:
—"Oh, Karen… there's so much you don't know about the Hecatesis language. I may be a swordsman, but I know it better than anyone. What I just said was: 'As long as this Stigma exists, your body will surrender its will to my words.'"
***
Two hours earlier…
Kingdom of Lichstein — City of Atris
I am Noelle Fei Fandvalen, seventeenth daughter of Tribal Chief Naoth Fandvalen, of the White Fang Clan of the northern beastmen.
I had finally said goodbye to every member of my group—including my best friend, Debora Aragón.
Then I boarded one of the two massive ships Raymond entrusted to me. Its structure resembled the transport vessels used by nobles, though slightly different.
Its design was elegant, but past the deck, the impression changed—it felt… more comfortable.
I still couldn't stop wondering:
"How did Sam even get these ships… and where is the crew for this one—and the other?"
As I moved through the ship, taking everything in, I froze when I came across strange humanoid machines.They resembled the training dummies I'd seen at a military facility in the Kingdom of Enath.
I approached one of the metallic figures.The moment I got close enough, a strange voice came from it:
[Key crew member onboard… initiating departure sequence.]
The instant I heard that, my senses sharpened—I could feel the ship beginning to lift.
I looked back at the machines. Instinctively, I struck one and shouted at the voice:
Noelle: —"WHAT ARE YOU, WHAT'S GOING ON, AND WHO'S STEALING THE SHIP?!"
[Miss Fandvalen, I am a secondary AI. My identification number is RJ55. I have been assigned to escort you to your destination. Please do not worry or panic… I am fully capable of controlling both ships.]
After hearing that… I went silent.Confused.
I had never heard of a ship that could move on its own—without a crew.
And yet… for some reason, I chose to believe it.
I sighed.
Noelle: —"Good grief… I guess I'm getting used to it… If Raymond's involved… things are always strange."
[Miss Fandvalen, if you'd like… I can guide you to one of the rooms.]
Noelle: —"No thanks. I want to stay in the command cabin. I want to pilot the ship myself."
[Understood. Please follow the REEA G21 model unit to the command cabin.]
I followed the strange machine, filled with anticipation.
I've studied enough for a moment like this… I should be able to handle this ship.
That's what I thought.
My expression completely changed the moment I saw the controls.
"What… what is this?… This is… completely different from what I studied in that flight manual I stole back in Kemet."
Fortunately, the strange voice spoke again, noticing my confusion:
[Miss Fandvalen, if you'd like… I can maintain the ship's course while you simply enjoy the sensation of control.]
I felt slightly offended at being underestimated.
But every time I looked at those controls—and failed to understand them—I thought:
"I'm not going to lose my composure over this thing. I'll stay calm and enjoy this… traveling on a ship for the first time without being a prisoner or a fugitive… and finally, after so long, returning to my tribe."
Once I had calmed down, I spoke:
Noelle: —"Set course north."
[Acknowledged.]
I took a deep breath and closed my eyes.
Finally… after years, I thought:
"Brothers… Nyon… Father… Grandmother… I'm coming home."