For a month, Arthur, Elyssia, and other adventurers from various kingdoms had been tracking Kaelzar. News had spread that the continental prison was destroyed, and its most notorious criminals had been recruited by him. In response, the main branch of the Adventurer’s Guild issued a series of urgent quests to hunt down the escaped criminals. It was a full-scale bounty hunt.

Kaelzar, once classified as an S-rank criminal, had now been elevated to SSS-rank—placing him on the same level as demon lords, dark lords, and dragon-class threats. Though he wasn’t as physically powerful as those threats, his speed, cunning, and ruthless leadership made him just as dangerous.

"Holy shit, this guy just keeps getting stronger the longer we track him," Arthur muttered to a Ruby-rank adventurer.

Meanwhile, Elyssia remained silent, lost in thought. As the princess of Naeva, she still vividly remembered the day her personal knight, Mikaela, saved her from the Dark Lord’s army. Mikaela had sacrificed herself, holding the line so that Elyssia could escape. They had been more than knight and princess—they were like sisters.

Now, years later, Kaelzar’s betrayal weighed heavily on Elyssia. She couldn’t shake the feeling that, in some way, this was her responsibility.

The Ruby-rank adventurer, a burly half-orc named Grimbold, grunted in agreement as he scanned the dense jungle surrounding their campsite. The humid air clung to their sweat-drenched bodies, adding to the tension of their mission.

"Kaelzar’s got an army of hardened criminals now," Grimbold said grimly. "If we underestimate him, it'll be a massacre. His men don’t take prisoners."

Arthur nodded, his expression serious. "We’ll have to be cautious. Kaelzar’s reputation speaks for itself, but this is our chance to prove we’re worthy of our ranks."

He glanced up at the canopy, squinting as sunlight filtered through the thick leaves. "We should reach their reported camp by tomorrow evening. Let’s gather our gear, reinforce our defenses, and be ready for anything."

The next day, Arthur and Grimbold arrived at Kaelzar’s camp, only to be met with a gruesome sight—lifeless, naked women and tortured men littered the ground. There was no trace of Kaelzar or his army of criminals.

"This can’t be…" Arthur muttered, turning to Grimbold with a grave expression. Grimbold clenched his fists. "Damn it… What the hell happened here?"

Arthur took a deep breath, pushing aside his emotions. "We need to get back to the others. I think I know Kaelzar’s next move. As much as I want to bury the dead, we don’t have time."

They quickly left the scene, their minds racing with grim possibilities. Arthur's gut told him this was part of something bigger—another one of Kaelzar’s ruthless strategies. 

When they returned to their temporary base, Arthur wasted no time sharing their findings with Elyssia and the other adventurers.

Grimbold shook his head. "Looks like he tricked us."

Elyssia’s sharp blue eyes darkened with realization. "We’ve been tracking him for months, but it’s clear he’s been tracking us too. Whatever he’s planning… it’s already in motion."

"From what we know, Kaelzar plans to attack Naeva’s capital," Arthur said, his mind racing through possible scenarios. "But he won’t launch a full-scale assault. That means he’s likely already infiltrated the city and plans to start the war from within."

He glanced around the group, his expression serious. "We need to get to Naeva—quietly. No informing the Adventurer’s Guild there; for all we know, Kaelzar’s men have already infiltrated it." Elyssia’s sharp blue eyes scanned the map laid out before them. "A covert approach, then. We blend in, gather intelligence, and track Kaelzar’s movements without drawing attention."

She met Arthur’s gaze, a glimmer of respect in her expression. "Your strategy is solid. If we move carefully, we might be able to stop him before he makes his next move."

Arthur nodded, his rough fingers tracing the map. "I’ll scout the city, see if I can sniff out any of his operatives. You and Grimbold check the gates, ports, trade routes and nearby towns for suspicious activity."

He smirked slightly. "Just try not to get yourself into trouble, Elyssia."

Elyssia nodded, her resolve unwavering. Arthur knew this mission was more than duty to her—it was personal. As a princess, she sought justice for her kingdom, but as a woman shaped by loss, she carried a deeper burden.

Mikaela’s sacrifice was forever etched in her heart, a painful reminder of the cost of loyalty and the weight of expectations. Her knight had given everything to protect her, and now, Elyssia would honor that sacrifice by bringing Kaelzar to justice.

Her once-bright eyes now carried the weight of sorrow and determination. She had witnessed cruelty, the destruction caused by ambition, and the consequences of blind obedience. Stopping Kaelzar wasn’t just about duty—it was about redemption, for herself and for those who had suffered.