As Kaiser galloped through the forest, he kept one arm firmly around Ayumu, adjusting his grip with every movement. He made sure the horse's strides were controlled—no sudden jolts, no harsh impact that might worsen her condition.
Yet even with that restraint, he pushed the speed to its limit.
Something felt wrong. He felt this wet and warm feeling on his hand that was holding on to Ayumu.
Kaiser glanced down and saw his palm was stained red.
Blood.
Ayumu's blood had seeped through his robe, soaking into his hand.
For a moment, his grip tightened, his blood-covered fingers curling into a fist.
His jaw clenched. The anger inside him surged violently but he forced it down.
He needed to be faster.
By the time he reached the Volance School, dawn had begun to break.
The cool morning air brushed against him, his sleeveless attire doing nothing to shield him—but he did not feel it and he did not care.
He dismounted immediately and rushed into the hospital wing, carrying Ayumu in his arms.
His footsteps echoed sharply through the halls.
Two Brown Magis doctors walking nearby turned in shock at the sight of him.
"Help her," Kaiser said, his voice tight but urgent. "She's bleeding."
The moment they saw Ayumu, panic set in.
They quickly guided him to a nearby bed.
As they moved, another figure rushed forward—Rhea.
She had been there by chance and she recognized Ayumu instantly.
The pale feet. The white robes. Even without seeing her face, she knew.
Kaiser laid Ayumu down as gently as he could.
Then he pulled back the robe that had been covering her.
A collective gasp filled the room.
Her condition was far worse than expected.
Bruises marked her body.
Her robes were torn in places.
Blood had soaked through the once-pristine white fabric.
Even unconscious, her expression showed pain.
Rhea's eyes hardened with anger.
"Who did this to her?"
Kaiser stepped back, saying nothing.
There was no time for answers.
Rhea immediately took control.
"Prepare the healing station—now. I need stabilizers, bandages, mana infusion ready. Move!"
The room erupted into motion.
The doctors rushed to their stations, gathering tools and brewing medicines, working with urgency and precision.
The chaos was loud—but purposeful. Everything now focused on saving Ayumu.
Kaiser turned away leaving Ayumu to the care of the doctors.
Now, the emperor needed to know of the matter urgently.
He stepped outside and raised his hand.
"Azhdar."
A low, ancient voice responded.
"Yes… master."
Dark smoke began to seep from Kaiser's body, swirling and gathering before him.
It twisted and expanded, forming into a massive wyvern of shadow and smoke. Its eyes glowed faintly as it let out a low, rumbling growl.
Without hesitation, Kaiser leapt onto its neck.
The creature spread its enormous wings.
And with a powerful beat—it took to the skies.
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The Emperor's bedchambers were connected directly to his private office.
That morning, Visil had already risen. A cup of tea rested in his hand as he moved slowly across the room, scanning through documents, his expression calm, composed.
He was unaware of what had happened the night before.
But not for long.
A sudden, thunderous impact shook the air outside.
The ground beneath the chamber trembled.
Visil froze.
"…What in the world?"
The teacup slipped from his hand, shattering softly against the floor.
He turned sharply and strode toward the veranda, pulling aside the curtain—
And there he saw him.
Kaiser.
Landing heavily onto the veranda as a massive wyvern of black smoke dissolved behind him, fading into the morning air.
Visil's expression darkened instantly.
"Is he mad?" he muttered under his breath. "So early in the morning—with that thing—at my chambers?!"
He stormed toward the door, irritation flaring.
The veranda doors swung open with force as he stepped out, ready to reprimand him—
But he stopped.
Kaiser did not look like his usual perfect self.
His hair was disheveled, far from his usual composed state.
His clothing—light, unfit for the cold morning.
And his face. Even still controlled and restrained, there was something else beneath it.
Anger..and something close to regret.
Visil's voice lowered.
"…What happened?"
Kaiser's answer came, steady—but heavy.
"Your Majesty… Ayumu…"
Everything changed.
After hearing what had occurred, Visil wasted no time.
He changed immediately and issued orders without hesitation.
All meetings—postponed.
All duties—delayed.
Judges were summoned at once, called from wherever they were without exception. A trial was to be prepared for that very day—no delays, no excuses, no room for postponement. Everything would proceed immediately, and justice would be carried out without hesitation.
Knights were immediately dispatched to the cottage, ordered to move without delay and aid Drobar to bring back the perpetrators alive.
There would be no room for them to escape judgment, not after what they had done.
And the horse… the horse was to be retrieved as well, its body brought back with care, so that Visil could see it with his own eyes and bear witness to what had been taken from his sister.
The horse he had so carefully chosen for Ayumu was no ordinary steed.
I was taken from her so cruelly. To have it killed… and worse, to have it done before her very eyes… the thought alone made Visil's blood boil uncontrollably.
There was no justification, no forgiveness for such an act. In his mind, the judgment was already clear—they deserved execution, without question!
An empire such as his had no place for people capable of such cruelty.
Bang!
The hospital doors burst open as Visil arrived.
He strode through the corridors with urgency, the staff caught completely unprepared for his sudden presence.
They bowed hastily as he passed—but he did not acknowledge a single one of them.
Kaiser followed behind, now more properly dressed, his expression once again composed—but tense.
They were led to Ayumu's room.
Visil stopped at the door.
For a moment he had hesitated. But then he entered.
Ayumu lay on the bed, asleep.
She had been cleaned, her clothes changed, her body treated.
But it did not hide the damage.
Bruises marked her face and hands, stark against her pale skin, while her head was carefully wrapped in bandages.
The faint scent of medicine lingered heavily in the air, replacing the gentle floral fragrance he had come to associate with her.
Something in him twisted at the sight. Visil's hands clenched at his sides—tight, far too tight—as anger and helplessness coiled within him.
"Kaiser."
Kaiser stepped forward, silent.
"I want those responsible tried today."
Visil's voice was low—but firm.
"And I want no leniency."
His gaze remained fixed on Ayumu.
"The evidence is as clear as the morning light."
Kaiser said nothing.
"No mercy," Visil continued. "No bribery. No interference from nobles."
His tone hardened.
"And if anyone dares attempt it…"
A pause.
"I will throw their entire family into prison."
Another beat.
"Or worse."
Silence.
Kaiser nodded once and bowed slightly.
He took one last glance at Ayumu—
Then turned and left the room.
There was much to prepare.