The air hung heavy with fog, blanketing the environment like a mourning veil. The silence was broken only by the chill of a drifting wind as Rander stood, solemn, over Haruto Whitlock's grave.
"Are you certain he was shot by a Lunaris soldier, sir?" Elvina asked, her voice careful.
Rander didn't answer right away. His expression was stoic, but his eyes screamed vengeance—a contrast to his ideals of peace.
"All my life, I've tried to stop the war looming between our two nations," he finally said. "But some things are beyond control—especially when the other side has no interest in peace. And when even your own people disagree... you start to realize, you can't change someone who doesn't want to change—never mind a whole kingdom."
Elvina nodded, quietly moved, as she placed a bouquet of flowers at the grave. "A fair point... just like the saying: keep your friends close, but your enemies closer."
They stood in silence a moment longer before Rander turned. "Any updates on Lunaris activity?"
"I gathered the scouts. The borders are tightening by the minute," Elvina reported as they walked down the stone path, the graveyard retreating behind them. "There was also a reported attack."
Rander's brow lifted. "Explain."
"As you know, Ren is still on the run. Officially labeled a refugee. But the attackers in this incident didn't match his description."
"You're suggesting someone else took out an entire Lunaris squad?"
"Precisely. Unfortunately, the assailants were disguised. No viable leads."
Elvina lit a cigarette, passing it to Rander.
"I have a request," he said, voice low. "More like an order. I want you to investigate the warehouse Ren was rescued from. That's where Haruto was shot."
Elvina gave a sharp nod. "Understood. I'll get it done."
And just like that—she was gone.
"You did what?!" Jun screamed, nearly dropping the bottle of wine in his hand. He'd just been filled in on the "side quest" the others had embarked on—and the two mysterious men they'd brought back with them.
"It was an accident!" Kenji blurted. "Besides, we've got bigger problems now."
Ren's voice cut through, serious and steady. "He's right. We need to deal with these two first."
Two Lunaris soldiers sat restrained, one trembling, the other silent and defiant.
"Alright, you two idiots," Ace snapped, grabbing one by the collar. "What do you know about this Moonris Serum—whatever the hell it's called."
"You already know enough," the trembling one stammered. "Why do you need us to confirm it?"
"You're the ones being questioned, not us," Chester said with a manic grin. The soldier swallowed hard.
"Evander Zane… he's the one manufacturing the serum. Under Commander Aragon's orders."
At his words, Ren's hands sparked with heat, one inching toward the soldier's face—close enough to singe his lashes.
"What is he planning?" Ren asked, voice dark.
"They're trying to uncover the origin of our magic. If they can understand where it came from, they believe they can expand it. Control it."
Chester flipped the mysterious key in his hand, thinking.
"They spoke of needing a key and… a diary," the second soldier added reluctantly. "I remember them mentioning a fire mutation too…"
The group exchanged tense glances.
Suddenly, the door swung open.
"Elara?" Ren stepped forward, fists clenched.
The blonde woman strolled in, cigarette in hand. "Relax. I'm not here to fight. I worked under Quinn Rome, but not anymore."
Everyone eased slightly, though their guards remained up.
"What about the diary?" Akito asked.
"The Rebellion has it," the soldier answered. "Aragon, Evander… and the rest of them."
Akito pulled a ring of keys from his coat. "Then let's wrap this up and drop these two off."
Chester gave the order, and Ace hauled the soldiers into the truck.
Meanwhile, at the warehouse, Elvina combed through debris and scattered crates. Then something caught the sunlight—a gleam of metal. She knelt and picked up a bullet.
Her eyes narrowed. "A full metal jacket… there's only one person who still collects these."
Her expression darkened.
"Jun Takara."
The office doors burst open.
Rander looked up from his paperwork as Elvina marched in and dropped the bullet onto his desk. It rolled slowly until it stopped right in front of him.
"Jun Takara, sir," Elvina said quietly.
Rander stood, jaw clenched as he eyed the bullet.
"Gather the soldiers," he ordered.