Zaber walked forward and reached the edge of the hilltop. Small stones slipped beneath his feet. He looked down.
Burned huts. Puddles left from the rain. Between them, the green forest stood silently—as though nothing had happened.
Zaber stared at the village for a long time. For a moment, memories flashed before his eyes.
"I think… there were seven human women," he said in a low voice. "What happened to them…?"
X tilted his head, responding indifferently.
"They were awaiting death anyway. Not worth remembering."
Zaber turned back. There was neither pity nor regret in his eyes.
"True. Just corpses that could walk. Not worth remembering."
He walked toward the tent. Each step was resolute and quiet.
Approaching Luna, he ordered in a cold tone:
"Luna. We are going to the city."
Luna looked at Zaber. Caution still lingered in her eyes, but there was no resistance.
"Yes, Master. It will take several days on foot. When do we set out?"
Zaber did not hesitate for a moment.
"Gather the things. We leave now."
Luna bowed her head.
"Yes, Master."
She began packing the tent with unhurried but precise movements.
Zaber turned and walked toward Gobuto. Gobuto sat on the ground, Kargal standing silently beside him.
Zaber stopped in front of him.
"Gobuto. Follow me."
The voice was cold. The command left no room for doubt.
Gobuto glanced at Kargal for a moment, then stood and followed Zaber.
They reached the other side of the hilltop, near the rocks. No one else was around. Only the wind and the distant rustle of the forest.
Zaber stopped.
"Gobuto… you know my name, don't you?"
Gobuto flinched suddenly.
"No, Master… I don't…"
In that instant, Zaber thrust his hand forward like a spear.
The air sliced open.
A black blade appeared and pierced Gobuto's chest in a flash, then vanished.
Blood sprayed from Gobuto's mouth. His body slowed, legs giving way.
Drops of blood fell to the ground.
His eyes were wide, pupils contracted in terror. One hand braced against the earth, the other clutched his chest as he backed away. His body shook.
Zaber approached. There was no haste in his steps.
"I don't like being lied to, Gobuto," he said calmly. "The next strike takes your head."
Gobuto's voice emerged trembling, eyes filling with tears.
"Yes… yes… I know, Master… your name is Noa…"
He reached out a hand, as if pleading "don't come closer."
Zaber's voice was emotionless yet deep.
"You lied to me. You deserve death."
Gobuto burst into sobs. He clung to Zaber's leg.
"Forgive me, Master! It was my fault! But don't kill me! I'll do anything you say!"
Zaber straightened, looking down from above.
"You remind me of someone… Aren't you Sara's son?"
Gobuto lifted his head.
"Yes… my mother's name was Sara…"
Zaber kicked him away.
"I killed your mother too. And I did something to Rion. Don't you want revenge?"
Gobuto froze for a moment.
Then he shook his head.
"No… My mother never cared about me. She only gave birth to me. She always looked at me with disgust. And Rion-sama… he… he was my previous master."
He breathed rapidly, continuing:
"You are my new master. I will serve you with loyalty."
Zaber leaned forward slightly, bringing his face closer to Gobuto's.
"Is that so? Interesting. Listen carefully."
His gaze was like ice.
"For now, I'll let you live. But if you say my name again—you die. You will no longer remember Rion. If you make any unnecessary move, you die too. Understood?"
Gobuto slammed his forehead against the ground repeatedly in affirmation.
"Understood, Master! Thank you! I will never forget this! And your name… I will forget it!"
Zaber extended the hand behind his back forward. In his palm was an elixir.
He handed it to Gobuto.
"Drink. The pain will stop."
Then he stroked Gobuto's head once.
Zaber said nothing more and walked back toward the tent.
Behind him, Gobuto remained in shock. His hands still trembled, but he uncorked the elixir and began drinking.
In his eyes, alongside fear… a newly born loyalty.
Zaber sat on a rock near the tent, gazing at the sky.
He did not move, as though everything around him had detached. A gentle breeze played with his smooth, snow-white hair that fell to his waist.
In the sky were the sun and a few clouds.
The clouds drifted slowly, as if the wind were carrying them far, far away.
"The sky is as beautiful as ever, even in daylight," he said in a calm voice.
There was no joy in these words. Only observation.
A short while later, Gobuto returned.
He could not meet Zaber's eyes, passing by while staring at the ground. Caution marked every step.
He went to Kargal and sat beside him.
Kargal noticed Gobuto's trembling hands.
"Did Master do something to you?" he asked in a low voice.
Gobuto looked at Kargal.
"There is no mercy in him. One mistake and death. How can you speak to him so casually?"
Kargal sighed.
"To be honest, I'm a little afraid too. Because I can't predict his actions. But one thing I can say for certain—"
He placed a hand on Gobuto's shoulder.
"If you show him loyalty, he will value you."
Gobuto looked at Kargal hopelessly.
"How do you know?"
Kargal said proudly.
"My instincts tell me so. And Master didn't tell me his name. Apparently, he found me unworthy. One day, when I'm worthy, he'll tell me—that shows he values loyalty."
Gobuto's eyes dropped to the ground. His voice barely emerged.
"Am I worthy of that…?"
At that moment, Luna finished packing the tent and belongings, stowing herself in the large bag as well.
She paused for a moment, looking around.
Her gaze fell on Zaber's figure sitting on the rock, staring at the sky.
Luna began walking toward him. Reaching him:
"Master, I'm finished. We're ready to leave."
Zaber glanced at Luna with his eyes, face still turned skyward.
"Then we set out," he said.
After a brief silence, he descended from the rock.
"Which way is the city?"
Luna pointed with her hand.
"This way," she indicated toward the sunrise direction.
Zaber looked that way.
"Then let's go," he said, and began walking.
Luna slung the large bag over her shoulder and followed.
Kargal and Gobuto rose from their places and joined them.
They descended the hill and walked in a straight line without stopping until sunset.
Their steps were steady; the silence was heavy.
When night fell, Zaber looked around.
"We'll rest here. Erect the tent and light a fire," he ordered.
He leaned against a tree and gazed at the sky once more.
Stars had begun to appear.
Ruya was half-visible. Siamon was almost invisible.
The others carried out Zaber's orders.
Luna set up the tent, Gobuto helped her, and Kargal gathered firewood.
Zaber noticed a bee caught in a spiderweb on the tree branches.
It barely moved, as though drained of strength, resigned to its fate.
Zaber stood, grasped the bee trapped in the web, and pulled it free.
Half the spider's home was destroyed.
In Zaber's hand, the bee struggled weakly to fly.
"Vzzzz… vzzzz…" Its wings fluttered feebly.
Zaber observed it closely.
In the next moment, the bee stung Zaber's hand.
Zaber showed no reaction. It was as if it had no effect on him.
Zaber sat again and watched the bee.
The bee thrashed for a while, then grew still once more, as if losing hope.
A black glow appeared at Zaber's fingertips.
He began slowly transferring dark mana into the bee.
With curiosity, he thought:
"If I infuse it with black mana, I wonder what will happen? Will it accept it, or die?"
The bee writhed in agony for a moment, then fell silent.
Zaber pondered.
"Did it die? So quickly…"
He dissected the bee's body and casually tossed the pieces away.
What do you think? Leave your thoughts in the comments. Don't forget to save it to your power stone and library. 100ps 1 bonus chapter
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