Before the sun had risen…
and before the night was willing to leave…
That strange hour when darkness and dawn wrestle for the sky.
At that time, deep within the forest, a horse carriage moved steadily along the narrow trail. The wheels cut through the damp earth while cold mist drifted between the trees.
The carriage was driven by Seth Varkhal, his eyes sharp even in the dim light.
Beside the moving carriage, Zeckie Varkhal guarded it, riding alongside with visible irritation, still recovering from his earlier wounds.
Inside the carriage, silence ruled.
On one side sat Michael Varkhal and Lexus.
Both appeared asleep.
Across from them sat Yelena and Olivia Varkhal.
Olivia slept peacefully. But Yelena did not.
Her eyes were open.Wide.
Burning with revenge.
Revenge for her father and her people who was slaughtered.
She stared at Michael's face.
Calm. Almost peaceful.
As if he were dreaming something pleasant.
Her fingers slowly tightened.
Of course ,Who wouldn't?
The man who slaughtered her father.
The man who destroyed her people.
At first she feared him.
Now fear had slowly turned into rage… pain… and suffocating frustration.
Her breathing grew sharper.
Quietly, she reached into Olivia's hair and pulled out the assassin needle Olivia had hidden there.
Thin and deadly.
Her body moved slowly.
Carefully.
She stood up with trembling steps, trying not to make a sound.Each step felt clumsy.
Amateur.
But her mind was too consumed by hatred to care.
She reached Michael.
Her hand slowly raised the needle.
Inside her mind only one thought echoed again and again.
Die.
Die.
Die.
Die.
The needle trembled above his throat.
Then—
Michael spoke.
"I have been waiting for a long time."
Yelena's eyes widened.
"What the—"
Suddenly—
KRRRIIIICCCCK
The carriage violently jolted as it ran over a hidden rock.
"AAAHHH!"
Yelena lost her balance and fell forward.
Straight onto Michael.
His arm instantly wrapped around her, holding her firmly as the carriage rocked.
The sudden scream woke Lexus.
Outside the carriage Zeckie shouted immediately.
"What's going on inside?!"
Lexus rubbed his eyes and responded calmly.
"Nothing serious. Just guard outside properly."
"Yeah, yeah…" Zeckie replied irritably.
Outside, Seth Varkhal did not even bother reacting.
Inside the carriage—
Yelena struggled violently.
"You barbaric beast! Let me go!"
Michael still held her firmly.
"Why are you in such a hurry to kill me?"
His voice remained calm.
"I already told you… my life is yours."
He looked directly into her furious eyes.
"Wait for the right opportunity."
"When that moment comes… whatever weapon you hold…"
"Place it at my neck. Slice it up."
Before she could respond—
Another voice spoke.
"Yes, my lady." Olivia exclaimed. "Our liege's life is yours."
Yelena froze. Her eyes slowly shifted.
Olivia was awake.Lexus was watching.
Michael… had never been asleep.
Inside her mind, a realization struck.
When did they wake up…?
Her teeth clenched.
So they were playing with me…
Tears began forming in her eyes, but her voice was filled with hatred.
"Fine."
Her hands trembled with fury.
"One day…"
"I will kill all of you with my own hands."
The carriage continued moving through the dark forest.
And inside it—
Hatred, loyalty, and madness traveled together toward an uncertain dawn.
The carriage suddenly stopped.
The abrupt jolt made everyone inside realize it at once.
Michael's face showed no surprise.
Only a quiet expression that clearly said—
The time has come.
He looked at Yelena, who was still sitting on him, and spoke casually.
"Well, my love… sorry to ruin your lovely moment with me," he said with a faint smirk.
"But I have some business outside."
He slightly tilted his head.
"So… would you kindly return to your seat instead of sitting on me?"
Yelena's eyes burned with anger.
Without hesitation she punched his chest.
But the moment she hit him, the carriage shifted slightly again and she lost her balance.
With trembling movements she quickly moved away and dropped back into her seat roughly.
Michael simply looked at her.
"Be careful, my love."
Then he opened the carriage door and stepped outside.
The moment he left—
The tears she had been holding back finally overflowed.
Lexus, who was sitting across from her, watched silently for a moment.
Then he spoke slowly.
"I don't know what to say…"
He looked toward the door where Michael had exited.
"From the outside he may look like a barbarian." "But inside…"
He paused.
"…he is just a kid longing for care and affection."
Yelena immediately snapped back.
"Don't make me laugh."
Her voice was cold.
"Comparing that monster to a child?"
Lexus opened his mouth, wanting to defend Michael.,But no words came out.
So he stayed silent.
He simply turned his head and looked outside through the carriage window.
Outside the carriage—
Michael had already walked forward.
Seth Varkhal and Zeckie Varkhal stood beside the halted carriage.
Michael stopped before them.
"Wait here."
His voice was calm but firm.
"Guard Yelena from any danger."
Then he continued while walking ahead into the forest path.
"I will go meet him."
Michael walked deeper along the forest path.
Soon the narrow trail disappeared, swallowed by thick trees and tangled roots. Yet he kept walking, pushing through the silent wilderness as if he knew every step already.
Minutes passed.
Then he stopped.
Without turning, he spoke calmly.
"Well… you can come out now."
A soft voice answered from the shadows.
"For a barbarian… your senses are impressively sharp."
A figure stepped out from behind the trees.
Tall. Elegant. Pale silver hair catching the faint light between the leaves.
It was Elrin Slyvar, a High Elf.
Michael glanced at him without surprise.
"Did you do what I asked?"
Elrin smiled faintly.
"Of course."
"Everything is prepared. All you need to do is reach Valtherra. The arrangements are already waiting for you there."
Michael nodded slightly.
"Good."
Then he looked at the elf with a quiet confidence.
"And don't worry about your side of the deal."
"I never forget my promises."
His voice lowered, carrying a dangerous certainty.
"Soon… I will help you with your problem."
"And you will obtain what you've always dreamed of."
For a moment, Elrin's calm composure cracked into genuine satisfaction.
"It's good to hear that from you."
He folded his arms.
"Also, don't worry about the money. I have connections across the entire continent."
He paused, then added with a slightly serious tone.
"But there is something you should know."
"The kingdom has already issued a decree."
Michael raised an eyebrow.
"To capture you and your companions."
Elrin smirked lightly.
"And the bounty?"
"Five hundred million gold coins."
Michael let out a short breath.
"That's… quite a price."
Elrin shrugged casually.
"For me?"
"That's about the annual maintenance cost of my estate."
Then his expression hardened.
"Still… you should be careful."
"Even though Duke Valcourt is not aligned with Archduke Cassian Valmere, he is still a powerful figure in the kingdom."
Michael simply turned away, unconcerned.
"Let them try their best."