In Eunosia, inside the magnificent White House with its marble pillars and glittering crystal chandeliers, the President of Eunosia sat at his desk with a troubled expression.The dark circles beneath his eyes revealed countless sleepless nights. In front of him, stacks of economic reports and letters of protest from the people lay scattered like neglected trash.Since Thom Haye had been driven out of the state, Eunosia had not prospered. Investments had dried up. Public trust had collapsed. Crime had skyrocketed. The Golden Circle, which he had supported, was instead devouring his nation from within, taking over major businesses and making ordinary people suffer even more.The President stared blankly out the window.Below, the city of Eunosia, once dazzling and vibrant, now appeared dim. Many of the streetlights were out. The towering buildings stood like concrete corpses devoid of life."Any news from Thom?" he asked quietly to the aide standing beside him.The aide shook his head

The morning sun bathed Valemoor in its warm golden light.On top of a small hill overlooking the village, Thom stood with his hands on his hips. Behind him, Eclad, Divo, and the remaining soldiers of the Nameless Army waited solemnly.Below them, Valemoor still looked like an open wound. Burned houses. Ground stained with dried blood.But today, something felt different in the air.There was hope."Bring everyone to the central square," Thom ordered Eclad. "I want all the villagers gathered."Eclad nodded and ran down the hill.A few minutes later, all the surviving residents of Valemoor—around one hundred and fifty people from two hundred households—gathered in the same square where they had celebrated good news just a few days earlier.Now the square was empty, nothing but barren ground and the lingering footprints of mercenaries. But at the center of the square, Thom stood on a makeshift stage built from old wooden planks.Thom looked at the faces before him. Tired faces. Grieving

The night in Valemoor felt quieter than usual. The construction of the new houses had been completed—at least for the first phase. The lamps glowed behind the windows, casting a warm light that brought comfort to their inhabitants. In one of the new houses at the edge of the village, Thom stood by his bedroom window. His eyes gazed out toward the dark forest in the distance. His thoughts drifted far away—to the past, to his mother, to everything that had been lost and everything he could still save. Behind him, Jasmine sat on the edge of the bed. She clasped her hands together, watching the strong back of her fiancé. There was something weighing on her heart—something she knew she had to say. "Thom," she called softly. Thom did not turn around, but he listened. Jasmine stood up and walked closer. She stopped beside Thom, looking at his calm yet burdened face. "I know something," she said quietly, "ever since Amay Lug came to Valemoor." Thom turned slightly. His eyes met Jasmin

In Valemoor...Thom stood in front of his house, sipping black coffee while staring at the forest in the distance. His eyes were restless.Red Dragon came rushing over. His face was filled with anxiety, and his breathing was heavy—not from running, but from something that had been troubling his mind since dawn."King," he said, "Benny didn't come home last night."Thom lowered his coffee cup. "What?""I've searched the forests around Valemoor. All night long. I couldn't find him," Red Dragon continued in a frustrated tone. "Some people assume he was eaten by a wild animal. But the village elders say that's impossible. If a wild beast had killed him, we would have found the body. Or at least some remains of his clothing."Thom fell silent. His eyes narrowed toward the forest. A bad feeling settled in his heart—something he couldn't explain. Benny was not the kind of boy who would run away. He was quiet, obedient, and always willing to help without being asked. It made no sense for him

Back in Valemoor…Thom looked at his mother with a sharp gaze. “Tell me where Benny is,” Thom said firmly.Amay was taken aback. She stared at Thom, eyes wide. “How do you know Benny is with me?”Thom gave a faint smile—not one of pride, but one that showed he was always a step ahead. “Because only Jasmine and Benny knew that I am your son. Jasmine is here. And we lost Benny. It didn’t take long for me to conclude that he was the one who told you.”Amay fell silent for a moment, then nodded slowly, a hint of pride reflected in her eyes. “You’re smart,” she said. “I’m proud of you.”Thom didn’t smile. “Where is he?”Amay took a long breath. “He is safe. In Eunosia, under my protection. No one will touch him as long as I am alive.”Thom let out a relieved breath—just a small one, but Amay noticed it.“However,” Amay continued, her tone turning serious, “you are not smart enough to protect him from your two siblings who want to kill him because he is Lena’s son.”Thom went silent. He