Under the red moon, a boy wandered among dense trees and twisted roots; darkness enveloped everything, and the silence was broken only by his breath.
His cold, red eyes scanned the shadows around him, finding nothing but the lifeless bodies of elves.
After observing the fallen bodies, he slowly shifted his gaze toward the moon, barely visible through the clouds.
Leaves crunched under footsteps, and without turning, he said coldly, "What's the situation to the west?"
A man with a confident aura and evident experience among the armed ranks bowed to the boy before them.
His face was marked with numerous bleeding cuts and bruises, yet his posture remained firm and resolute. "Sir, we were at a disadvantage due to strange magic, but we managed to make them retreat. Some soldiers sacrificed their bodies to thin their ranks."
Hearing this, the boy finally turned. With a cold, expressionless face, he murmured, "I will return to the capital tomorrow."
Without another word, he walked toward the military camp, silently followed by the armed men.
Upon reaching his residence within the military camp, he removed his armor, took a quick bath, and immediately lay down, surrendering to sleep.
At dawn, the boy woke and decided to leave at once, planning to have breakfast once he arrived in the city. Mounting his horse, he set off toward the capital.
The journey was neither short nor long; after two hours, he found himself at the gates of the capital. A line of caravans waited their turn, but ignoring the queue, he headed straight for the entrance.
Seeing the boy approach, the guards immediately bowed and, with voices full of respect, said, "We are honored by your return, young master."
The boy entered the city without a word and reached a villa. He dismounted, entrusted his horse to the guards, and walked through the garden.
At the doors, Rebecca, a young woman, awaited him. "Where is my mother?" he asked coldly. "She's sleeping, young master," she replied.
Entering together, Rebecca added, "Shall we prepare dinner while you change?"
"Yes," the boy responded. Rebecca bowed and headed to the kitchen.
In his room, the boy removed the uncomfortable armor and changed into simpler clothes.
He went downstairs to have breakfast, and while he ate, Rebecca suddenly said, "Young master, the matriarch had her favorite desserts prepared by the cooks yesterday, knowing you would return today."
The boy continued eating, ignoring Rebecca's comment. At one point, the door to the dining room opened.