They haven't visited me for days, Shinre thought, a sense of unease creeping in. It felt strange not having Senna and Serena around. Had they been caught sneaking out of the palace? Impossible—they always used the secret tunnels. Yet, the longer he dwelled on it, the more his anxiety grew. What could have gone wrong?

Previously, Alba forbade him from visiting the towers. However, lately, Alba oddly permitted him to go. He had been assigned the task of spying on the swordsmen. He sensed something terrible was about to happen. The last time he visited the East Tower, he saw that a Level 1 army had been assembled. Their numbers were only about a thousand, but they were as skilled as the guardians. They weren't just practicing duels but also engaging in battle and strategic training. So… was a war imminent? Paradoxically, the palace and the Runes settlement were being vacated at the same time. Tens of thousands of magic swordsmen and their Runes families had already left. They had flown westward to other provinces, the border regions, and the boundless sea. The capital and the Iron Palace were left behind with only minimal defense forces.

Recently, the Marines had visited Alba. They, too, sensed the changes and were filled with anxiety at the sight of a large force of magic swordsmen being mobilized. They suspected that such power might be used to strike against Autozam again, but Alba did not think so and countered with the opposite: Peace would be maintained. The agreement would always be upheld by Runes. They guessed that this movement must be related to Cephiro. Alba couldn't let them think of the worst-case scenario and take any opportunistic moves from there.

"What does that mean?" Shinre asked after Alba's long story. He and Alba were on the rooftop, discussing the situation. The night sky was filled with stars, but the temperature was colder than before. Autumn was approaching.

"If a war against Cephiro breaks out, they might use that opportunity to stage a rebellion. They could attack the palace while most of the magic swordsmen are away," Alba whispered.

"Where do all of them go, leaving just a thousand elite in the palace and a few hundred regular guards?"

"I heard that Lord Nair is establishing new settlements for Runes in the west land. Maybe they are tasked with the development of that new territory?"

"All of them?!"

"Another pressing matter…" He kept his voice low, as the topic was extremely secret. "I've been observing the Marines' workshop. Lord Nair forbids combat robots, but I have evidence they secretly produce them… If war breaks out here, it will be disastrous. Stability will be hard to restore. Peace will vanish from Runes. The worst part is if the Marines' family takes over. They were my father's loyal followers in the past… They must still have grudges."

"Let's set NX-2 aside for a moment. Let's develop sentinels to counter the Marines," Shinre suggested, surprising Alba. "That will greatly help Lord Nair and prevent the Marines from causing trouble. I can recreate them. It won't take too long. Our supplies are enough to produce about a hundred sentinels."

"You're thinking of protecting Runes?"

"Yeah, of course." Because that will mean protecting someone… "Because it means protecting the Runes who have been protecting us, doesn't it?"

"But… NX-2 is nearly complete. I don't want to stop it."

"We can work on both projects simultaneously, though it might strain the factory…"

"Besides, we still need to think about strategies for you crossing the border and when to do it. You should focus on–"

"No. We have new priorities here. I should help you deal with the impending crisis," Shinre emphasized.

"No way…"

"Shinre!" someone called from below. It was Gannet. "Your friends are here!"

"Friends?" Alba asked, puzzled. "You never mentioned having friends..."

Shine felt a mix of joy and anxiety; he had never mentioned to Alba that his friends were the twins of the noble Nair! He could only manage a sheepish smile of apology.

"How could these two become your friends?!" That reaction was predictable. Alba was taken aback. "What should I do if they're discovered here?!"

"I'm sorry I didn't tell you about them," Shinre pleaded with Alba. "I promised to keep them safe while they're here. We've even come to think of each other as family."

"What?!"

"Come on, Alba..." It was Senna this time. "Don't make us go back to the palace. We want to stay here, at least for now..."

Alba half shouted, "After Maestra Nova, why these two now?!"

"Brother... we just train together. Nothing more, nothing less. Look on the bright side. The four of us can be friends and discuss many things," Shinre calmed him.

Alba understood Shinre's point. "Fine..."

Shinre turned to Senna and Serena, relieved that Alba was no longer making a fuss about them. "What happened to you? It's been so long since you last came... I was so worried..."

"I am sorry," Serena replied. "I don't know if you should hear this or not..."

"Have you been discovered?"

Serena shook her head. "No. We couldn't leave the palace." Her heart ached. "Our mother is ill. We can't leave her." Shinre and Alba were stunned by the news. "I'm sorry to tell you this news. It seems this will be our last visit."

"Is it that serious?" Shinre was at a loss for words.

"This is our farewell," Senna added. "I'm grateful for what you've taught us. It was invaluable."

Shinre nodded reluctantly. It was hard for him to accept.

For Alba, this was the only opportunity to confirm his predictions. "Before you leave, may I ask you something?" Senna looked at him. "What is the situation at the palace now?"

"The situation at the palace?" Senna was puzzled, trying to articulate something. Then he realized, "The palace... has changed..." He sensed the atmosphere was tightening and that meeting was becoming more frequent at the Moon Tower. And their father... They no longer saw him.

"Do you know that a large force of magic swordsmen has been gradually mobilized away from the capital?" Alba asked. Senna shook his head. "You don't know?"

"We live in the inner palace, and we've been occupied with caring for our mother. We weren't aware of what happened outside," Serena said, biting her lip as she thought. "If it concerns troops, we have a new batch of elites…"

"Why are you asking? Is something bad about to happen?" Senna was sorry; how little he knew about Runes.

"It's just my guess. A war is coming."

Senna and Serena jolted. Senna staggered and sat down heavily in a nearby chair. It was already hard enough to know their parents were unwell; hearing that a war might be imminent was unbearable.

"Shinre has observed that activity in the towers has increased for some time now. They're preparing many elite magic swordsmen. I'm sorry to be the bearer of this news. I understand if you don't know anything about it because you were preoccupied with other things. But we need to be cautious..."

"Cautious of what?" Senna asked.

"There will be tests for the peace in Runes. Some of the people of Autozam are already acting suspiciously." Alba lowered his gaze. "I don't know what to do with my people. I don't want the peace we've worked for to be torn apart. I want to protect Runes. I've always wanted to warn you, the magic swordsmen, but I don't know who to talk to."

"Are they going to rebel?" Serena gasped.

"I fear that possibility, though it's not yet confirmed and is merely a hypothesis."

Serena thought hard. After the war, now rebellion. Indeed. Who could they inform about this? There was no one left for them at the palace. No father. No tower guardians, except Elva who was taking care of their mother. And Maestra Nova... She was secluding herself in the Northwest Tower!

"There's someone who can help us," Serena lifted her head, speaking with determination. "Maestra Nova."

"In that case, you should return to the palace immediately. I'll record a message for you to deliver to her. Wait here a moment." Alba turned and left the room.

During the conversation, Shinre had listened in silence, his heart pounding. He couldn't hide his anxiety, knowing that that woman was in poor condition.

"Shinre..." Serena reached out and took Shinre's hand. "Are you worried about our mother?"

Shinre nodded. "Is there... any way for me to see her?"

Serena shook her head. "You can't meet her. Our Mother is always in the highest part of the Star Tower. She can't go outside now, and outsiders have no access or permission to enter. I'm sorry. I can't help you with that."

"Can you tell me about your mission? As a return for your kindness to us, maybe we can help you achieve it?" Senna asked.

Shinre looked down, thinking quickly. Should I tell them? "Formerly, I... want to go... to Cephiro."

"Why? You know, no one from Runes is allowed to go there. Runes and Cephiro are enemies, and the borders are always closed." Senna disliked that idea.

"I know. I plan to infiltrate. I have to meet a person..."

"Who?"

"Maestra Nova said my clan has been wiped out. But perhaps out there, in Cephiro, someone might still be alive..." Shinre took a deep breath. "A Cail. Cail Lantis. He might be my last family—"

"You're wrong." Serena suddenly and boldly cut him off. "For long, I keep this fact from you, but I would feel guilty if I lie to you. You need to know that your existence can't actually be explained."

"What do you mean?"

"I don't believe you are a Cail. And you shouldn't be a Cail. To us, magic swordsmen, the last Cail is a traitor. He was executed years ago…"

"Executed?" Shinre's mind was filled with the image of that man, Cail Lantis. Was he already dead?

"Are you really a Cail?" Serena asked sharply. "You can't be a Cail. You mustn't be a Cail. You'd be killed if the magic swordsmen knew! They all despise Cail…"

"Maestra Nova told me that… Was she wrong? Or did she lie to me? Serena, tell me that acquiring power through inherited genes is wrong…"

"Damn it. It's true!" Serena hugged Shinre tightly. "Why is it true? Why must it be true? I don't want it to be true! I don't want you to get hurt!"

Shinre looked at Senna, who was frozen behind Serena. "It's true…"

"Then, who am I supposed to be?" Shinre asked helplessly.

Shinre felt as though he was losing his footing. The world seemed to spin and threaten to throw him off balance. He once again searched for someone that didn't exist. But suddenly, the worst reality hit him. Somehow, he now understood the meaning of the betrayal Nexus had mentioned before.

"Isn't he Young Master Eagle's friend? ...Unfortunately, they are no longer here. ...They chose to stay in Cephiro and protect that land."

Was his fate the same as Eagle Vision? Because of his choice to protect Cephiro, was he executed? Why must he protect Cephiro? Shinre was shocked by the subsequent realization. That woman might know everything… Shinre felt a surge of heat in his chest. He clenched his fists tightly, feeling anger. The only person from Cephiro in Runes… Does this mean she is... a captive?

Brother… "You speak the name of someone who has been dead for a long time. … She's dead. She died protecting me... The statue of Shinre is her likeness."

Lady Frieden, who are you? Your existence is shrouded in secrecy... The tears you shed back then... You lost a child you deeply loved because of the war... What have these Runes people done to you? You, who were so happy with that Cail... Did they separate you from the land and the man you loved? Now, Cail is dead, and I am still here. Doesn't that mean I have to continue his mission to protect Cephiro and protect you from… your enemies?

"Shinre..." Serena called softly. Shinre looked at her with... a hateful gaze? Serena released her hold, worried. "Shinre?" He seemed lost in his thoughts, his eyes not entirely focusing on her...

"Stop, Serena. You don't need to worry about me. I am truly a Cail…"

For the first time, Serena saw a side of Shinre that was frightening.

"…and I am not afraid of being a Cail."