On the northernmost frontier of Vespera, where towering mountains swallowed the horizon and the sea relentlessly battered jagged black cliffs, stood a prison that officially did not exist.It wasn't marked on civilian maps. Commercial aircraft were forbidden from flying over it, and even satellites captured little more than endless forests buried beneath layers of permanent clouds.The people of Vespera knew it simply as Blackstone Military Penitentiary. The government called it Facility Zero.For decades, Blackstone had been the final destination for the most dangerous men in the country—serial killers, terrorists, assassins, former warlords, military traitors, and other criminals whose names were so notorious that the government had eventually stopped allowing the public to hear them.Some were sentenced to life imprisonment. Others arrived with execution dates already stamped on their files. Very few ever walked through Blackstone's gates again.Among the people of Vespera, there w

Alessia turned away from the prison gates after handing the fruit basket to the guard and exchanging a few words with him. When she lifted her face, a small smile appeared on her lips.Jordan couldn't help but stare for a moment. There was something incredibly gentle about her smile. After spending six years surrounded by hardened criminals and cold prison walls, even such a simple smile seemed strangely beautiful to him.Yet the moment was fleeting. For some reason, her smile reminded him of someone else.Alana.His gaze softened. It had been so long since he had last seen her. She must have grown older by now. Perhaps she had become even more beautiful than he remembered.A faint ache settled in his chest. He couldn't help but feel sorry for her. Six years was a long time. He couldn't imagine how difficult those years must have been for her."Brother Jordan." Alessia's gentle voice pulled him out of his thoughts. "Let's go."He blinked and looked at her before giving a short nod. "H

Alessia lowered her gaze, clearly intimidated by the stern elderly woman. She nodded slowly. "Yes, Grandma."Grandmother Rhodes' wrinkled face reddened with fury. "Do you not know how important today is for our family? Why did you bring him here?""Grandma..." Alessia glanced timidly at Jordan before speaking in a small voice. "Brother Jordan was imprisoned because of what happened to my cousin. They're still officially engaged, and he's practically a member of our family.""Shut up!" Alana snapped at her cousin, her beautiful face filled with cold fury. "I'm the daughter of one of the prominent families in the Republic of Vespera."She pointed toward Jordan without even looking at him. "He's an ex-convict and our country's traitor. How is he worthy of me?"Jordan's hazel-gray eyes flickered with a cold light. His fingers clenched tighter, digging into his palms. The air around him suddenly grew colder.Yet Alana remained oblivious to the change. Her eyes were fixed on Alessia as she

A young man in his late twenties or early thirties stepped out of the car. He was tall and well-built, dressed in a perfectly tailored charcoal suit. A crisp white shirt showed beneath his jacket, paired with a dark silk tie and polished leather shoes.His dark hair was neatly styled, not a single strand out of place. His sharp features and deep brown eyes gave him an air of maturity and authority, while the expensive watch around his wrist subtly hinted at his immense wealth.The moment his gaze landed on Alana, his lips curved into a faint smile. He looked every bit like the distinguished man the Rhodes family had been eagerly waiting for."You are finally here." Alana's cold expression from moments ago disappeared completely. She hurried toward him and affectionately wrapped both arms around his."Sorry for keeping you waiting," the young man said with a smile."It's fine. You're here now."The couple turned toward the hotel entrance. But after taking only a few steps, the young m

Alana's eyes shook with excitement as her voice rose slightly. "This... This is the Great Vespera Medal!"Nestled inside the lacquered box was a finely crafted gold medal. Three smooth pieces of translucent, icy-white jade were set into its center, surrounded by delicate gold filigree. Tiny engraved flowers adorned its edges, adding to its exquisite appearance."What?""The Great Vespera Medal?!"Shocked gasps rang out. The Rhodes family exchanged stunned glances, almost certain they had heard Alana incorrectly.The Great Vespera Medal was the highest military honor in the entire country. Since the country's founding, only ten people had ever been awarded one.The Rhodes family immediately crowded around Alana, eager to catch a closer look. Their eyes widened one after another."It's really the Great Vespera Medal!""My goodness! It's beautiful!""I can die peacefully now that I've seen one with my own eyes!""Young Master Hallow, you are far too generous!""Alana is truly lucky to ha