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William knew he couldn't keep hiding the truth from Victoria any longer. It was time to share what he knew.

"Remember when I told you about the demon trapped in a noble's mansion?" he began.

"That mansion belongs to the Black Pine family. The demon contacted me and described some strange things he'd seen there—things that sounded a lot like what we just witnessed with this cult. I put two and two together and took a gamble."

Victoria nodded, her trust in William unwavering. Everything that had happened so far had proven that he was someone she could rely on.

"I see," she said. "That makes sense. But if what you're saying is true, then this cult is spread all over the continent? Who are they? How have I never heard of them before?"

"I don't know," William admitted. "That's what worries me."

The same question gnawed at him. This cult was far more extensive and organized than he had imagined. What if they had been operating in the shadows for years, growing their influence without anyone noticing?

William's mind raced with questions. Who was this deity they worshipped? He had seen it with his own eyes—the cult had restored Lady Olsen's youth. How was that even possible? Was their god granting its followers eternal life?

'If they can live indefinitely,' William thought, 'it's no wonder the cult has grown so powerful.'

There was so much he wanted to uncover, but his immediate priority was rescuing the demon. To do that, Victoria needed to find the slave traders.

"We need the blood of someone," William explained. "This person is the one who placed the seal on our demon friend."

"Is this person strong?" Victoria asked.

The slave trader was indeed powerful. William wasn't sure Victoria could defeat them on her own, but she had one advantage: money. Her father, a wealthy merchant from their village, had funded her education at the battle academy. That, combined with her natural talent, had secured her spot.

"Yes, they're strong," William said. "But you still have some money, right? We can hire someone to help you."

Victoria frowned. She hated the idea of spending her hard-earned savings, especially after leaving the academy because of William. Now he wanted her to use her own money too?

"You'd better teach me some good stuff and make me strong," she warned, half-joking, "or I'll punch you in the face."

William laughed. "How are you going to punch me if I'm a sword?"

"I'll… I'll find a way, damn it," Victoria retorted, laughing despite herself.

Becoming a student at the prestigious battle academy had never been her dream. Her true goal was to grow strong and explore the world. If William could help her achieve that, she was willing to follow his lead—for now.

They continued their journey. The hidden church wasn't far from the academy, and by morning, the school would realize Victoria was gone.

Would they come after her? Possibly, but William doubted they'd spare many resources to track her down—unless they found evidence linking her to the ritual.

"Where should we go first?" Victoria asked. "I have no idea where these slave traders are."

"Do you know of a city nearby? Somewhere they won't think to look for you?"

"I think so," Victoria said.

Between the two of them, Victoria had a better understanding of the continent's geography. William had to trust her judgment on this.

"Look for a city in the direction of the danger zone I told you about," William reminded her.

Victoria nodded and made her way through the forest until she reached the main road. It was the safest route, though the darkness made navigation tricky. Thankfully, the road signs guided her, and she soon figured out where to go.

She walked for hours through the night, passing a few farmhouses along the way. The road was eerily quiet, with only one merchant carriage speeding past. It didn't stop, leaving Victoria no choice but to keep walking.

By the time the sun rose, its rays warming her pale face, Victoria was exhausted. She had pushed through the night, determined to reach the city as quickly as possible. There, she could buy a mount or hire a carriage—anything to avoid walking another mile.

The city wasn't particularly large, but it was bustling with activity. Fortunately, it lay just outside the desert, so the climate was bearable—hot, but not unbearable. Still, William knew that if they wanted to reach their destination quickly, they'd have to cross the desert eventually. That was a problem for later, though.

"I need to rest," Victoria said, her mental voice heavy with exhaustion. "Unlike you, I actually need sleep."

William didn't argue. He still had about a month before his time ran out, and pushing Victoria too hard would only backfire. "That's fine. Get some rest. After you've recovered, we'll look for a flying mount and someone to hire. Though, I suspect we'll need to go to a bigger city to find someone strong enough to help us."

Victoria nodded weakly. She was so tired she could barely think straight. Pulling her black cloak tighter around her, she entered the city and began searching for a tavern.

Despite having enough money to afford the most luxurious inns in the city, Victoria opted for something more modest. She wanted to save her funds for the journey ahead and, more importantly, avoid drawing attention to herself. A flashy stay at a high-end inn would only make her stand out.

She avoided the seediest taverns—those were havens for bandits and troublemakers—and settled on a middle-of-the-road establishment. It wasn't glamorous, but it would do.

The tavern was a rickety wooden building, its ground floor packed with rowdy patrons drinking and shouting over one another. The air was thick with the smell of ale and sweat, and the only available water was cold and tasted faintly of iron. Still, it was cheap, and the bed in her rented room was surprisingly decent. For Victoria, that was enough.

She collapsed onto the bed, her body aching from hours of walking. The noise from downstairs was muffled but still audible, though it didn't stop her from drifting off almost immediately.

If she woke up now, it would be in the middle of the night—a time when finding a place to buy a mount or hire help would be nearly impossible. Better to sleep through the night and start fresh in the morning.

*

Meanwhile, in his main body, William was carrying out his duties as a guard at the Black Pine mansion. Most days were uneventful, but tonight, something caught his attention.

Lights flickered in the secluded cabin at the far end of the estate—the same cabin where he had discovered those strange, unsettling artifacts.

William's curiosity burned, but he knew better than to investigate recklessly. He continued his patrol, keeping a safe distance from the cabin.

As he passed by, however, the door suddenly swung open. Standing there was none other than Jonas himself.

Jonas spotted William and called out, "04, there you are. I was hoping to speak with you. Walk with me for a moment, will you?"

"Of course," William replied, his tone neutral.

Refusing wasn't an option. Jonas was his master, the one who controlled the seal that suppressed his mana and bound him to this place.

The two began walking through the mansion grounds, the night air cool and still. Jonas's voice broke the silence.

"A friend of mine will be visiting in a few days. He's traveling from a distant city, and I plan to meet him on the road and bring him here in my carriage. I'd like you to accompany me for added protection. What do you say?"
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William's mind raced, but he kept his expression calm. "May I ask who this friend is?"

"Of course," Jonas said with a faint smile. "He's a priest—an old family friend."

William's suspicions were confirmed. It had to be Father Malakai. The pieces were falling into place, and William couldn't help but wonder what this meeting would mean for him—and for Victoria.