Ujwal spun around, only to find no sign of Keshab or Miralda.“Brother, they’re gone!” he shouted. “They’re not behind us!”“What are you talking about? Don’t start spouting nonsense in a situation like this—it’s really not funny!”Shambhu’s expression tightened in irritation, forced to halt because of Ujwal’s outburst. Still, he turned his head to check for himself.“That’s impossible…”The rest of his words died in his throat. His eyes confirmed what Ujwal had said—tens of meters behind them, no… almost a hundred meters back, there was no trace of the portly man or the girl he loved so deeply.A surge of dread twisted in his chest.“Damn it! Where are they? Did something happen that made them fall behind?”He refused to believe that Keshab and Miralda had deliberately taken a different path. Neither of them had ever been in this forest before—there was no way they would intentionally split off.Still, anxiety gnawed at him. Not seeing Miralda among them made his pulse quicken.“Ujwa

While deep in the forest, Shambhu and his two companions were forced to confront a strange creature made entirely of smoke, Keshab and Miralda had just arrived back at the temple’s communal kitchen to pour their final bucket of water.This was their fifth trip—marking the end of their punishment.“Miss Miralda, this feels like a dream.” Keshab grinned ear to ear as he emptied the massive wooden bucket into the reservoir. “We went to the well and back in only fifteen minutes!”Indeed, unlike their first trip to the well, each journey after that had been surprisingly quick—almost unnaturally so. It was as if the forest had suddenly drawn itself closer, the path smooth and effortless.“But I’m sure this is because you used some kind of magic during our journey, right?” Keshab looked at her with an expression full of admiration, like a student staring at their favorite teacher. “I’m so grateful I had the chance to witness your abilities firsthand.”Keshab didn’t know exactly what kind of

“Master Shrestha, we can’t simply accuse Miralda and Keshab of plotting to harm Shambhu based solely on that recording. We need more solid evidence.”Bersena’s voice was firm, though it was clear she was trying to keep her tone as respectful as possible. Inside the grand hall of the Temple of the Divine Meditation sat four senior masters and their four deputies, Bersena among them. Out of respect for her position, she had to choose her words carefully.Earlier, Prayag Shrestha, head of the security department, had listened to the recording that Flakor presented. To him, it was no trivial matter. Convinced that the situation was grave, he immediately summoned Bersena and the other senior masters to discuss it.“If I may speak honestly,” Miralda interjected, “what I once heard from Shambhu was quite the opposite. He’s the one who planned to harm Keshab and chose the forest as the perfect place to carry out his scheme.”Her words instantly drew a sharp, mocking grin from Flakor, who kept

“Senior Master,” the attendant reentered the main hall barely fifteen minutes after he had left to deliver a letter to Varom. In his hands was the very scroll Prayag had entrusted to him earlier.“The Grandmaster is here,” he announced, handing over the letter—already shown to Varom—back to Master Shrestha.What?The entire hall fell into an instant silence. Yet deep within, no one could conceal their shock.How could the Grandmaster’s reply come this quickly?That very question echoed in every mind present. Normally, whenever the council sent a letter to Varom, it would take at least three days to receive an answer—often much longer. Never before had the Grandmaster responded in writing within twenty-four hours.And now, not only had he replied in just fifteen minutes, but he had also come in person to witness the judgment.Prayag immediately rose from his seat to head toward the entrance and welcome Varom. But before he could take more than a step, the Grandmaster had already entere

What?Bersena lifted her head sharply, her eyes fixed on Prayag.“No! This can’t happen!” she screamed inside her heart. She could never allow Miralda to bear the same punishment as her.Raising her hand, Bersena was just about to speak out in protest. She had never minded receiving the harshest punishment herself. But if it was Miralda—she would never stay silent. She would fight until the very end.But then her gaze met Varom’s calm, steady face. The Grandmaster gave her only a slight nod, a silent gesture. In that instant, Bersena’s lips froze. No words came out.“Master Meksi, do you have anything you wish to say?” Prayag asked as he rolled the scroll back up.“You are free to voice an objection—or anything at all—before you leave this hall. That is your right.”Once Bersena stepped out, that right would be considered void, and the verdict irreversible.Yet instead of speaking, Bersena only shook her head.“No. I have nothing to say, Master Shrestha. I understand everything.”“Ver