Chapter 116:Eyes of the Watcher
The sun dipped low across the horizon, casting a molten-orange glow over the snow-laced cliffs of Payer Peak mountain . High above the clouds, a lonely silence rested atop the mountain—broken only by the soft crunch of leather boots on stone.
Knight Óðr stood at the edge, his slender form silhouetted against the setting sun, mask glowing faintly in the light. The teal strands of his hair swayed gently in the wind, while beside him, Cain, the towering regent with six arms and bound limbs, watched in unwavering silence.
Óðr tilted his head slightly, his tone as calm as it was cold.
"It's been a long time… since I've left this mountain. Since I've spilled blood or engaged In any battle aside sparring with you, Must be a burden been a Knight Hunter for SUHA directly"
Cain nodded slowly. The silence between them was not awkward—rather, it was sacred. A bond built through years of service and war.
Knight Óðr reached into the sealed envelope that Sovereign Ivar had tossed to him earlier. With deliberate grace, he pulled out a photograph—a face captured mid-motion, vivid with life and potential.
A boy. Young. Sharp features. Calm yet troubled expression.
Óðr's fingers lingered on the image.
"That's him? Hah… a pretty boy."
He let out a soft chuckle before pressing the photo to his chest and closing his eyes.
He formed a seal with his hands, fingers weaving into an intricate pattern, glowing softly with teal energy.
And then it happened.
Óðr's mind opened—and the world shifted.
One by one, birds in the sky turned their heads, eyes flashing faint X-shaped glimmers mimicking the eye pattern of Knight Oor. First, a raven in Russia. Then a falcon above the Indian Ocean. Then a sparrow on a wire in Seoul. Then a crow in Japan. Then ten, fifty, a hundred—a thousand birds across the globe connected their vision to him, forming a seamless network of living satellites.
Óðr exhaled as his mind synchronized.
"Father Sight Technique."
Somewhere across the world, a train moved steadily through open countryside, its rhythmic chugging blending into the quiet.
Inside one of the compartments, Sakamoto rested, arms crossed, head tilted to the side as he dozed lightly. Across from him sat Rajesh, ever-watchful, while Jayesh sat by the window, gently rotating his pen in one hand.
Suddenly, a small bird landed on the edge of the train window, staring intently.
Its glowing red X-shaped eyes focused on Sakamoto, scanning his face, memorizing every detail.
Rajesh blinked.
"…That's weird," he muttered. "Birds don't usually stare like that."
Before Jayesh could respond, the bird flapped its wings and took off.
Back on Payer Peak, Knight Óðr opened his eyes and laughed softly under his breath.
"I've found him.l,He's traveling with two others…" That was fast, that means he's got a team Cain said and Oor responded. "Yes, and one of them… is Rajesh."
Cain's head jerked slightly.
"The Legendary Phoenix himself?"
Óðr nodded, his voice thoughtful.
"They're not just wandering. They're heading somewhere… meaningful."
He turned to the horizon as the last rays of sun dipped behind the mountains.
"We move at midnight. My birds will keep eyes on them until then."
He paused, lifting a hand to his temple briefly.
"The Father Sight Technique takes its toll. A thousand visions… all at once. My mind needs rest."
Cain remained silent, simply watching his master. Knight Óðr lowered himself onto a nearby rock, meditating as the world turned.
Meanwhile: A Quiet Train Station, Outskirts of Cathedral City
The platform was nearly empty, bathed in the warm amber light of hanging lanterns.
A train hissed as it slowed to a halt, steam rolling across the floor. The iron doors clanged open with a hollow bang.
From the fog emerged a robed figure.
The Black Pope stepped onto the train, his long black cloak swaying behind him like a shadow refusing to let go. He moved without urgency, as though time itself yielded to his presence.
Finding a seat by the window, he settled in and unfolded a crisp newspaper, lifting it slowly. Behind it, his fingers once again played with his black prayer beads, silent and unwavering.
No one dared speak to him. Even the conductor gave him a wide berth as the train began its slow departure—heading towards the sprawling and holy metropolis known only as Cathedral.
Elsewhere: Ringsted Airport
The air was cooler here—cleaner. The skies above Ringsted were painted with grey-blue hues as the last flight of the day descended.
From the terminal stepped Madagascar, Tito, and Chiro, each dressed casually, but their presence unmistakably dangerous.
Madagascar's eyes scanned the crowd.
"Stay alert. Rokky's not someone to underestimate."
Tito stretched his arms.
"So, who are we meeting again?"
Madagascar turned slightly.
"FBI Ben. He's the source who leaked the info to Mujin. He's been tracking Rokky. We're working with him on this."
As if on cue, a man with bright yellow hair waved enthusiastically from across the lot.
Tito squinted.
"That him? Looks like a side character from a B-movie."
"That's Ben the FBI guy?, alright."
They made their way toward him. Ben greeted them quickly, voice hushed.
"We don't have much time. Come with me—before anyone notices."
Later: A Horse Stable Turned Safehouse
Inside a dimly lit horse stable, hay scattered around old wooden walls, a long table had been placed in the center. Over it, a large map was unrolled, dotted with red circles, photos, and scribbled notes.
Ben stood over it, pointing to various landmarks.
"We've been tracking Rokky for weeks. He's been living like a king—buying cars, clothes, women, whatever he wants. Recently, he purchased a mansion at the edge of the Old Water Park District. That's where he's holed up now."
Tito leaned over the table, tracing the map.
"So what's the plan?"
Ben nodded.
"He's a night owl. Always at the clubs. My team has eyes on him every night. Tonight's no different. You arrived just in time."
Chiro crossed his arms.
"Any reinforcements?"
Ben grinned.
"Yes Five FBI officers are in on this. Discreet, loyal. We'll strike at midnight."
Madagascar narrowed his eyes at the map, tapping the mansion's location.
"Let's make this clean. No casualties. We bring him in alive. That's our only job."
Ben nodded, eyes serious now.
"Understood."
The candlelight flickered as the group stared down at the map. The quiet before the storm hung heavy in the room.
Outside, the wind howled through the silent town of Ringsted.
End of Chapter 117
Next: Shadows at Midnight