"I'm here to tell you the way," said Elder Suryong.
"A way?" Lior Ashen echoed.
"Yes," Elder Suryong confirmed.
"Then tell me," Ashen pressed.
"To defeat the organization," Elder Suryong began, "you must first locate and defeat the Six Elders. Only then will you be able to face the Seven Heavenly Supremes and ultimately the Superior Supreme—the King of Mysteries and Knowledge."
"Is that a requirement?" Ashen asked.
"It's not just a requirement, it's the system. The very structure of the organization depends on it."
"I don't understand," Ashen said.
"You see," Elder Suryong explained, "to even find the elders, you must first locate their scrolls. These Elder Scrolls contain vital details about each elder and offer a cryptic clue to their location. But they are incredibly difficult to find—and even harder to open."
"Why's that?" Ashen asked.
"Because they only open for the truly capable," Suryong said gravely. "To this day, no ordinary person has managed to open one. In fact, if an unworthy person tries, their body is immediately reduced to ashes without leaving a trace."
Ashen's eyes narrowed. "Judging by what you're telling me, you must know the location of at least one scroll."
Suryong smiled faintly. "Smart. Yes, I know the location of one. But only one. The others remain a mystery even to me."
"Where is it?"
"In Copenhagen, the capital of Denmark," Suryong said. "More specifically, it lies hidden within Atherwyn Royal Academy—the most prestigious academy in the world. Only the children of nobles or royalty are typically admitted. For commoners, the acceptance rate is a mere 10%."
Ashen frowned. "So I'll need to infiltrate the academy."
Suryong's eyes sharpened. "You say you're not high-profiled. But I remember everything. Ten years ago, in Denmark… during the war. I investigated the tragedy myself."
---
Flashback: Ten Years Ago – Capital of Denmark
The Gravemire estate was glowing with light, nobles gathering to celebrate the birthday of Duke Atherion Gravemire.
"Happy birthday, my love," said Lady Virella Gravemire, his wife.
"Thank you, Virella," the Duke replied, smiling.
Suddenly—BOOM! The hall exploded in chaos.
"Terrorists have attacked!" shouted a knight.
"Evacuate immediately!" Atherion ordered. "Virella, take Ashen and go!"
"But our son—"
"I'll find him! Go now!"
In the chaos, a voice called out.
"Dad! Mom!" cried a young Ashenwald Gravemire, only five years old.
"We're here!" Virella screamed.
As they rushed to escape, a shadow stepped from the smoke.
Lucas Wiles. First-class criminal. Internationally wanted.
"You again," Atherion growled.
"Still breathing, Duke? Let me fix that," Lucas smirked, drawing a blade.
But as he moved to strike Ashen, Lady Virella stepped in.
Blood spilled.
"No!!" Atherion yelled.
Lucas grinned. "How touching. A mother's sacrifice."
He revealed a bomb strapped to his chest. "Two minutes. Say your goodbyes."
Wounded but resolute, Virella whispered, "Run, Atherion. Take Ashen. Save him."
Atherion obeyed, clutching his son and vanishing into the night—just before the estate was engulfed in flames.
---
"You jumped into the ocean to escape, didn't you?" Elder Suryong asked.
Ashen nodded. "I was lucky to survive. I washed up in Japan and was taken in by Akira Kurosawa, chief secretary of Japan's intelligence agency. I slept for weeks. Two months later, my father found me—but left me in Japan for my safety. He funded my new life. I graduated at 16 and became a detective. Since then, I've completed 402 high-profile missions."
"And you changed your name to hide your identity," Suryong said.
Ashen nodded. "Lior Ashen… was just a name."
"Tomorrow," Suryong continued, "you will go to Denmark. Give this letter to Akira Kurosawa and prepare to leave."
"Won't you come with me?" Ashen asked.
"No," Suryong said. "If I help you, I'll be considered a traitor. And remember—if you find the scroll, it won't open unless you do it alone."
"Then… farewell."
"Farewell, Ashenwald Gravemire."
---
2:00 AM – Noah's Apartment
A knock echoed.
"It's Ashen?" Noah opened the door. "You're here at this hour?"
"I came to say goodbye," Ashen said.
He explained everything—his true identity, his royal bloodline.
Noah stood in silence, stunned. "So it's true… I always had a feeling you were someone special."
"Thanks, Noah—for everything," Ashen said, eyes soft.
"And the job at Hitachi?"
"I emailed Professor Satoshi Nakamoto. I'll work remotely from Denmark."
They shared a final handshake.
"I'll never forget you," Ashen said.
---
8:00 AM – Residence of Akira Kurosawa
"Your father's here," Kurosawa said.
Ashen stepped forward.
"It's been a while," said Duke Atherion Gravemire. "My son."
"Thank you for raising him," the Duke said to Kurosawa.
"You honor me, Duke," Kurosawa replied.
"Now go, Ashenwald Gravemire," the Duke said. "This is no longer just a personal journey. It's an official high-profile mission."
Ashen turned to his father. "From this day forward… I am no longer Lior Ashen. I am Ashenwald Gravemire, son of Duke Atherion Gravemire."
---
To be continued _