The dust was just beginning to settle from the chaotic battle. The body of the mutant beast lay motionless at Kazuki’s feet, its severed head still twitching from the final blow. The trio stood tall—wounded, weary, but victorious.

  Nearby, the injured knights bowed deeply in gratitude, murmuring thanks through ragged breaths.

  Kazuki, his expression blank but eyes sharp, turned his attention to the far side of the wrecked caravan. A butler, kneeling beside two young figures, looked up as the trio approached.

  The boy Kazuki had healed earlier was now sitting up, his breathing steady. He was around their age, dressed in elegant but torn noble garments. His short black hair and sharp green eyes shimmered with clarity.

  “My name is Drake Valenhart,” the boy said, placing a fist over his chest. “Heir to the House of Valenhart, Dukedom of the Astrid Empire.”

  The little girl beside him clung to his arm. She had soft silver hair, blue eyes, and wore a frilled white-and-gold dress. Despite the chaos, she appeared composed and curious.

  This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

  “I’m Arin Valenhart,” she said shyly. “Thank you… for saving my brother.”

  Kazuki nodded coolly. “I’m Kazuki. These are my teammates—Garron and Elara.”

  Garron stepped forward with a slightly bashful grin. “Happy to help. You folks looked like you were in real danger.”

  Elara gave a quiet bow, her face still pale but determined. “We’re just glad we made it in time…”

  Drake stood up with the help of the butler and walked forward. “Your strength… was unbelievable. That beast had the strength of a siege weapon, and yet you crushed it. I owe you my life—and the lives of everyone here.”

  The butler, an older man with white hair and a noble demeanor, added with a bow, “The Duke must hear of this. Please… allow us to escort you to House Valenhart’s estate. It would be an honor to host you and extend our gratitude.”

  Kazuki raised a brow. “Is it in this city?”

  Drake shook his head. “No, our territory lies across the eastern river, near the mountains. But we have a residence nearby. We were visiting to purchase goods and meet an old friend of my father… but were ambushed on our way out of the town walls.”

  Garron glanced at Elara, then Kazuki. “What do you think?”

  Kazuki didn’t answer immediately. He looked at Arin, who still clung to her brother, and at the broken knights mourning their dead.

  “…We’ll go,” he said finally. “If nothing else, I’d like to know why a noble carriage was attacked so close to a major city.”

  Drake smiled. “Then allow us to arrange your transport. You’ll be treated with the respect you deserve.”

  As the remaining knights prepared the road, the butler handed Kazuki a small seal—a symbol of House Valenhart.

  “With this, you may enter the Duke’s estate freely.”

  Elara’s eyes widened at the crest. “That’s… a high-ranking noble family. We’ll be meeting a Duke?”

  Kazuki remained calm. “Let’s see what kind of man he is.”

  As the sun began to set, casting a golden hue over the wreckage, the group departed. The trio had saved a noble heir, but unknowingly stepped into deeper waters—where politics, power, and secrets awaited.