In the Arcadia headquarters,

  Roderick: Calmly, his eyes fixed on everyone "Lina! What’s the situation there?"

  Lina: Nervously glancing at the paper in her hand "Same as before. Nothing has changed. They aren’t moving, not doing anything."

  Roderick: Seemingly puzzled but calm "Very strange!"

  Ivan: Thoughtfully, "It’s not strange. Since they signed a peace treaty, they seem committed to it."

  Zarius: staring at everyone without concern "I hope they stick to it. We don’t want to lose our trade due to their problems. We’re here for our interests only, nothing more."

  Neris: Cutting in "Away from this topic, there are rumors that Vanor has taken another state and now controls six states."

  Adrian: Calmly "It’s not a rumor, Estiria has fallen under Vanor’s rule. It’s a fact!"

  Ray: "Just like that? No resistance?"

  Zarius: Laughs dismissively, crossing his arms "What resistance are you talking about? Estiria is one of the weakest countries on the continent. They have nothing but money."

  Noel: CuRyously "Do we have any involvement in its fall?"

  kain: Calmly watching them "What a foolish question."

  Noel: "I’m just looking into everything. I have men in different countries who provide me with information. What I know is that the attackers were two. One attacked Evren using lightning magic, and the other attacked Falconir with fire or magma. Someone’s name just came to mind."

  Roderick: "Who is this person?"

  Noel: "I suspect it’s kain, and the description matches."

  Ivan: Shocked, looking at Kain with cuRyosity "What? Why did kain attack Falconir?"

  Roderick: Staring seRyously at kain "kain, were you the one who attacked them?"

  kain: "Oh, no use denying it. Yes, I attacked them and killed them."

  Roderick: "Why?"

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  kain: Looking around briefly, then answering "I had a friend who attacked them, so I helped him. That’s it."

  Ray: "The one using lightning magic?"

  Ivan: Focusing on Kain "Who is this friend?"

  kain: "The one present during the money handover."

  Ivan: Suddenly remembering "Oh, I remember now!"

  Zarius: Smiling sarcastically, shaking his head "What’s this, kain? You found something interesting. I think what you did was actually very good."

  Lina: With a knowing smile "Of course! For someone like you who loves fighting, it’s very exciting. But... if they find out that kain was the one who attacked them, what will we do?"

  Ray: Frowning, speaking sharply "What kind of question is that? If they try to retaliate, both he and his empire will perish!"

  Lina: Angrily interrupting Ray "We’re talking about an empire, not a small country. Ray, don’t speak before thinking!!"

  Roderick: "Well, let me tell you something new about Vanor. Normally, the head of state or the emperor is the strongest. But the emperor of Vanor is very weak. There’s someone behind him, and he’s the strongest. Let’s wait and see what happens."

  Zarius: "I don’t like these unclear things."

  Lina: With a hint of caution "And don’t forget, we might be working with them soon. Most of our trade partners have already started working with Vanor."

  Noel: Thinking carefully "It’s fine, we’ll work with them if necessary."

  Roderick: "We’ve received 800 million Phoenix. Has the money been distributed to you?"

  Everyone: In unison "Yes."

  Early in the morning in the village, Raven stepped out of his house, only to find the village official standing in his path, as if he had been waiting for him.

  The official spoke with a curious tone:

  "Where are you heading this early, Raven?"

  Raven answered calmly while locking his door:

  "I'm going to visit Esteria."

  The official raised an eyebrow, cautioning him:

  "Don't forget, it's now under the rule of Vanor."

  Raven gave a faint smile and replied:

  "I know... but I'm going to see my friends."

  He got into his car and drove toward Esteria.

  As he approached, his eyes widened in surprise at the sight of a massive wall stretching endlessly to the right and left.

  He muttered to himself:

  "It looks like this wall surrounds all of Esteria... and there are checkpoints at every gate.

  I wonder how they inspect aircraft?"

  He arrived at one of the gates, where both his car and himself were thoroughly searched.

  After passing through, he headed straight for his old home in Esteria.

  But the moment he stepped inside, he froze.

  "What a mess... The prison cell I was in was cleaner than this..."

  Before he could process it, he heard the sound of police cars racing toward him.

  In moments, his house was completely surrounded.

  Raven stepped outside, hands raised, and called out:

  "What's happening?!"

  One of the officers shouted back:

  "You need to come with us to the police station. Immediately!"

  Raven froze for a second before responding:

  "Why? What's going on?"

  The officer said sharply:

  "You'll find out there."

  They took him to an interrogation room, where an investigator awaited him with a piercing gaze.

  Sitting across from him, the investigator began:

  "Welcome back... Where have you been all this time?"

  Raven looked at him, puzzled:

  "What kind of question is that? Do you interrogate everyone who takes a vacation?"

  The officer's expression hardened:

  "You were assigned by the Everin family to deliver the funds imposed on Esteria by the Arcadia Organization.

  You completed the task, but then the port incident occurred, and you disappeared.

  Shortly after, two leaders of the royal families were killed — all while you were missing.

  And now you suddenly return. What's your explanation?"

  Raven answered confidently:

  "I took a vacation and left Esteria.

  How could I possibly know about everything that happened while I was away?

  I only came back because of some university matters."

  The officer smirked slightly and said:

  "You’ve been expelled from the university due to accumulated absences."

  Raven sighed internally:

  "Looks like I forgot to submit a leave request before I left... I'll have to deal with that later."

  Then the officer leaned forward:

  "Outside of Esteria... where exactly were you?"

  Raven remained silent for a moment, then replied firmly:

  "Since there’s no valid accusation against me, I refuse to answer any more questions.

  I demand to be released immediately.

  If you detain me without evidence, I will file a complaint against you for unlawful arrest."

  The officer looked at Raven for a few seconds, then said coldly:

  "You may leave."

  Raven stood up and walked out of the police station.

  As he stepped outside, he let out a long breath of relief:

  "Oh, good... I actually managed to get out.

  I thought they were going to lock me up because of what I said at the end..."

  Suddenly, Raven froze.

  "!!! I forgot about the university!

  I completely forgot I got expelled... How am I supposed to return now?

  If I tell them the real reason for my absence, they won't believe me.

  Still... I have to try."