Lars ran.
He didn't stop. His legs pushed against the dirt path with every ounce of strength left in him, but it wasn't just fear propelling him forward.
It was confusion.
Why… Why am I running? Why am I afraid of him? He could be just a sorcerer. A trickster. A demon dressed in illusion. That wasn't Sir Alex… it couldn't be. Sir Alex never killed innocents… right?
But the image of golden hair and divine presence haunted him. That smile. That voice.
It felt real.
Too real.
The night wind howled across the blood-soaked ground.
Freya stood frozen. Her knees trembled, her hands soaked red to the wrist. The knife remained buried in the old man's chest—still, unmoving.
Her breathing was sharp. Shallow.
Alex watched her in silence, arms crossed. His long golden hair shimmered faintly beneath the moonlight, his expression unreadable—calm, cold… calculating.
"Feel it now?" he asked softly.
Freya said nothing.
"That weight in your chest…" He took a step closer. "It's called freedom. Doesn't taste sweet, does it?"
She shook her head slowly, as if rejecting the words, the truth, and the world around her.
Alex spoke again. "You've done well, girl. As promised… you're free."
Tears fell down Freya's cheeks, but a faint, broken smile lingered.
"I'm grateful to you… Master," she whispered, crawling closer. "Truly…"
Alex turned his back to her, eyes scanning the silent horizon.
"Orochi," he murmured. "Track the knight. I want to know where he runs, who he speaks to… and what plans they make."
"Yes, Master," came the whisper, as Orochi slithered into the shadows, vanishing without a trace.
Alex's gaze remained fixed ahead.
"What you choose now is up to you, Freya. I helped you for one reason—and it wasn't mercy."
She looked up at him, puzzled.
"I need information," Alex continued. "Inside the Dragon Kingdom… is there a large, crowded area? A place easy to disappear into, but hard to ignore?"
Freya nodded. "There is… only one place I know."
"Speak."
"The slave market… in a city called Lumbaris. That's where that bastard bought me."
Alex nodded. "That will do."
He glanced at the broken hut.
"You want to stay here? Or go somewhere else?"
Freya lowered her head. "You've shown me kindness I didn't deserve. I know I'm shameless, but… please, Master. Let me stay with you. Just until I find my place in this world."
Alex turned, expression cold once again.
"Let me correct you. I am not your master," he said, leaning slightly closer. "You're free. Didn't I tell you that?"
Freya looked away, disappointment shadowing her face. "As you wish… Master. I won't hinder your path."
He stared at her a moment longer, then turned to leave.
"If you insist," he said quietly, "you can be my guide. Just show me the route to Lumbaris."
A smile sparked on Freya's face—a small one, but real. "I will… I swear, I will."
Alex gave her a final glance.
"Good. But don't take it as kindness."
He stepped into the darkness.
"Kindness is for kind people… and I am not one of them."