I departed for the Karlua Empire later than Ascan.

Though I hurried as much as possible, I inevitably set off later than Ascan, whose ship from the Adel Trading Company had already been prepared.

“Haa, barely finished it.”

I lifted up the magical engineering weapon I had crafted during the voyage.

It wasn’t an entirely new weapon—I lacked both time and machinery, so I upgraded existing weapons instead.

The small self-defense weapons I’d previously made were useless in full-scale combat, so I focused on refining weapons with greater destructive power.

I combined all the large bombs I owned into one, amplifying their explosive force, and reassembled the pistol-style K39 to fire continuously when the trigger was pulled.

The original K39 was compact and lightweight, easy to carry—but this version was long and heavy like a rifle, requiring both hands to wield.

Its advantage was that a single trigger pull unleashed explosive power incomparably stronger than before.

I named it, as usual, by incrementing the number: K40.

I took out all the weapons I’d kept packed in my luggage and armed myself—strapping multiple bombs to my back and slinging the K40 diagonally across my chest with a strap.

Just as I finished preparing, Zen entered the cabin.

He looked at me with a disapproving expression and reported:

“…We’ll soon arrive at the Karlua Empire.”

“Okay.”

I nodded firmly, eyes gleaming with resolve.

I wished I could’ve brought every weapon from the Arwen Empire’s research lab, but time didn’t allow it—this was the best I could prepare.

Stepping outside the cabin with Zen, I found Dekain waiting.

I’d told him there was no need to follow me here, but Dekain ignored me. As the ship’s owner, I couldn’t forcibly remove him, so I reluctantly accepted his company.

“Wow—impressive.”

Dekain marveled at my heavily armed appearance.

Behind him stood rows of Cain Trading Company’s private soldiers.

“Dekain, are you sure this is okay?”

If the Karlua Empire ever discovered Dekain had aided me, he’d surely be in trouble.

I voiced my concern, but Dekain replied with an utterly unconcerned expression.

“Of course. Did you think I’d let you go alone into danger? I’m not that disloyal.”

His playful remark made me smile unintentionally.

“Thank you. I’ll repay your kindness someday.”

“Remember the letter you sent to the Brellof family last time? Add this favor on top—I’ll collect it back from you several times over, so be prepared.”

I nodded.

If it meant Ascan returned safely, I’d pay any price.

Just before reaching the harbor, I donned a cloak to conceal my weapons, then turned seriously to Dekain.

“Since you’re helping me already, I have one more request.”

I handed him a map I’d pre-marked—locations where Ascan was likely to be.

Had I arrived first, I’d have tailed him—but arriving late, pinpointing his location was difficult.

“If I search each location myself, it’ll take too long. With your help, we can save time.”

Dekain took the map with a slightly surprised expression, then smiled faintly.

“And if he’s not at any of these locations?”

If Ascan wasn’t where I guessed, it’d be disastrous—I couldn’t possibly scour the vast Karlua Empire like hunting for lice.

But I looked at Dekain with absolute confidence.

“Don’t worry. If Ascan were free to roam Karlua at will, maybe—but right now, his movements are restricted. He’ll definitely be at one of these spots.”

“If you’re that certain, you’re probably right.”

Dekain chuckled wryly and handed the map to a soldier.

“Everyone heard? Split up and check the marked locations.”

At Dekain’s command, the soldiers bowed in unison.

“Yes, Master of the Trading Company!”

Thus, we began secretly searching for Ascan in the Karlua Empire, unseen by others.

Moving covertly to avoid attention cost us extra time.

After a long search, we finally found traces of him—at one of the marked locations: Ascan’s mansion.

By the time I rushed to the mansion upon hearing the news, the battle between Ascan and the second-generation children had already ended.

‘That’s…’

Even from afar, I could tell.

Dozens of flames visible through the mansion’s windows weren’t ordinary.

They were unextinguishable flames only usable by those who’d undergone human weapon experiments.

‘This can’t be.’

Was this in the original novel?

My head spun—but this wasn’t the time to dwell on it.

Hurrying to rescue Ascan, I quickened my steps—when suddenly, Zen, standing behind me, stepped forward and blocked my path.

I looked at him, puzzled.

“What are you doing?”

“Miss, no matter how I think about it, this is far too dangerous. Dozens inside that mansion wield fire abilities. You won’t just fail to rescue the Captain of the Royal Guard—you’ll endanger your own life.”

I had many rebuttals, but no time to argue with Zen.

I brushed past him.

“Move.”

But Zen blocked me again. With a dark expression, he murmured reluctantly:

“…I’m sorry.”

I instantly understood.

Zen was obeying Orland’s order—to protect me.

As if confirming my suspicion, Zen vanished like a ghost. Disappearing was his specialty, thanks to his shadow-element ability.

Unlike Ascan, whose heightened senses could detect Zen’s position, I couldn’t—but instinct warned me of danger, so I swiftly drew one of my weapons.

It was a bead.

Originally designed as a self-defense weapon worn like a pearl necklace.

Each small bead was a miniature bomb; during my recent arming, I’d removed the necklace string and carried only the beads.

Chalalalalak—

Without hesitation, I scattered the beads across the floor.

Unable to visually track Zen, I’d laid them as traps—stepping on one would trigger an explosion, revealing his position.

A moment of quick thinking.

Kwaaaaang!

As expected, Zen stepped on a bead—the explosion erupted. He dodged swiftly, avoiding injury, but his ghostly invisibility was broken.

I immediately raised my K40 and aimed at Zen.

He looked inwardly flustered—clearly hadn’t expected I’d pinpoint him this way.

I stared straight at him, voice low and stern.

“I warned you clearly: if you interfere, I won’t keep you by my side anymore. I won’t forgive you a second time. Block my path again, and I’ll shoot.”

I wasn’t bluffing.

Zen seemed to realize my hardened stance left him no choice to stop me.

I glanced sideways at Dekain—he watched our standoff with a rigid expression.

A woman’s intuition: though Zen acted first, had he not, Dekain might’ve intervened to stop me too.

Uncharacteristically scowling, Zen muttered discontentedly.

“Damn it… Fine. If you’re this resolute, I have no choice.”

He turned on his heel, then walked ahead, adding over his shoulder:

“Follow behind me—it’s dangerous.”

I sensed Zen had changed his mind. Since he couldn’t stop me, he’d chosen to assist my mission to save Ascan.

I immediately followed Zen, then called to Dekain, who stood frozen.

“Consider this a warning—you’d better not entertain any foolish ideas.”

Dekain responded with a crooked smile—as if caught hiding his true thoughts.

“…Tanashia, you’re truly impossible to restrain.”

With a displeased expression, Dekain signaled his soldiers. They moved in perfect unison toward the mansion.

Though we hadn’t exchanged many words, he’d clearly abandoned useless thoughts and resolved to help me.

Together, we all ran toward Ascan’s mansion. Despite my urgency, my lack of stamina slowed my pace.

For the first time, I regretted not training my body.

Faster, faster…

Every second counted. I had to rescue Ascan from danger.

I wouldn’t watch him fall into peril again, like ten years ago.

This time, I’d save him with my own hands.

Then—

Kugugugugung!

The intact mansion suddenly shook violently as if struck by an earthquake, collapsing with a tremendous roar.

It happened so fast—even seeing it, I could hardly believe it.

“Miss!”

Zen, running at the front, twisted his body—apparently trying to shield me from falling debris.

“Tanashia!”

Not just Zen—I also heard Dekain’s shout from behind.

But unlike everyone’s wishes, I didn’t halt my sprint toward the mansion.

Ascan was inside the collapsing building—meaning he might be injured, or worse, dead.

“Ascaaan!”

Unconsciously, I cried out his name desperately.

By the time I frantically reached the mansion’s front, it had completely collapsed.

Seeing the massive rubble, my vision momentarily blacked out—but I had no time to freeze in shock.

I began digging through the debris with bare hands, thinking only of rescuing Ascan buried within.

Soon, my hands were cut and bleeding—but I felt no pain.

Digging like a madwoman, tears streamed down my cheeks.

Ten years ago, I’d feared he might have died.

I’d prayed and prayed—any form, any state, just let him be alive.

After finally reuniting, I couldn’t let him slip away so meaninglessly.

I was terrified—this time, I might truly lose Ascan forever.

“Ascan! Ascaaan!”

I screamed until my throat hurt, frantically searching for him in the rubble.

Zen and Dekain could only stare rigidly, unable to stop me as I wailed and dug like a lunatic.

Zen was the first to snap out of it—he began clearing debris to help me.

“Captain of the Royal Guard!”

Zen joined me in searching for Ascan.

Dekain, who’d stood motionless, hoarsely ordered his soldiers.

“…Find the body, even if it’s just remains.”

“Understood!”

With Dekain’s soldiers clearing debris, progress was faster than when I worked alone—but all we uncovered were unconscious children.

From afar, I hadn’t realized the attackers were minors.

There were many things to investigate—how they wielded unextinguishable flames—but right now, I could think of nothing.

My mind held only one question: Was Ascan alive or dead?

“Huek!”

A sob escaped my tightly pressed lips.

Tears wouldn’t stop. My vision blurred entirely, yet I couldn’t pause for even a second in searching for Ascan.

My heart clenched—if I was just a little late, I might lose him forever.

“You promised nothing would worry me, that you’d return soon. Hic, Ascan, come out quickly—I’m so scared.”

As I trembled, frantically clearing debris with shaking hands—

Through tear-blurred vision, a hand suddenly emerged from the ground.

Just seeing that hand made my heart plummet.

I sensed it instinctively.

It was Ascan. That was his hand.

Like someone possessed, I moved toward it—but before I could clear the debris, the collapsed wall beside it was pushed aside.

And…

Ascan rose, breathing heavily as if exhausted.

His jet-black hair and torn, filthy clothes were thick with white dust; red blood—whose, I didn’t know—streaked him, but he was alive.

Unbelievably, Ascan fixed his abyss-like eyes straight on me.

“Huep!”

I couldn’t speak. I rushed to him, hugged him tightly, and cried endlessly.

Thank you for staying alive.

I thanked every god in the world for safely returning him to me.

As I sobbed, Ascan slowly lifted my face.

Though not long separated, this crisis made him gaze at me as if after years apart—eyes brimming with longing.

He wiped my tears streaming down my cheeks and murmured softly.

“…Miss.”

Wha—what?

That was how he’d addressed me during his time as a slave.

Confused, I looked up at him with tear-filled eyes. He caressed my face and continued.

“I missed you.”