Midnight.

The darkest hour before dawn.

The sky drowned in utter blackness.

The aide-de-camp galloped away from camp, clutching a freshly penned letter from the Knight-Captain.

Hooves thundered toward the imperial capital.

Halfway there, a figure stood silhouetted on the road ahead.

The air near Melam always hung thick and muggy.

The stranger tugged at his collar, coaxing a faint breeze for relief.

*Clip-clop… clip-clop…*

Horse hooves snapped his attention toward the sound.

"Who goes there? Clear the path!" the aide barked at the shadowy shape.

"Oh? Finally here." The figure turned, golden hair swept back with a lazy flick of his wrist. A youthful face emerged, glancing up nonchalantly at the charging rider. "You won’t move? Then I’ll run you down!" the aide roared.

"Hah? All bark, no bite—just like a worthless mutt," the youth scoffed, scratching his ear piercing. He stood tall in flowing Eastern Pearl Empire robes: deep black fabric embroidered with a golden, serpentine beast across the back, loose trousers, and a black sash threaded with gold.

A cool night wind tousled his golden strands. He inhaled deeply, a smirk curling his lips as he faced the oncoming knight.

Ten paces away—

"Tch! Blocking an imperial messenger? You’re an enemy of the Eastern Pearl Empire. Die!" The aide spurred his horse straight at him.

*Neigh—!*

A bloodcurdling shriek tore through the air.

The warhorse detonated without warning.

Blood mist and shredded flesh sprayed the darkness.

Where a stallion once stood, only a crimson haze remained.

*Thud!*

The aide crashed to the ground, drenched in gore.

"What trickery is this?!" he snarled. But he wasn’t defenseless.

A Command Token flared on his arm—earth-brown light blazing bright.

"Earth Token: Quaking Pillars!" he barked.

Stone spikes erupted beneath him. He flipped midair, landing squarely atop one pillar’s flat peak. His eyes swept the battlefield below.

His pupils shrank.

—The golden-haired youth had vanished.

*Underestimated him.*

The aide scanned frantically, muscles coiled.

"Hey! Up here!"

The voice came from a higher pillar opposite him.

"You little bastard!" Rage burned in the aide’s eyes as he glared up at the youth perched above him.

"Your stiff tone makes me want to punch you. Lighten up, geezer," Ansal drawled, grinning down. The aide’s furious expression only deepened his amusement. *Perfect.*

"I serve the Imperial Knights! Do you know what you’re meddling with?!" the aide thundered, invoking the Empire’s might.

"Hah? Asking my name?" Ansal’s grin turned icy. "Are you brain-dead? Real enemies don’t announce themselves—only clueless villains do. Seriously, are you stupid or just *extra* stupid?" He flipped him off with a sneer.

The aide choked on retort. *He’s right… Why would an assassin introduce himself?*

While he hesitated, Ansal spread his hands with theatrical sigh.

"Fine. Since I’m *generous*—call me Ansal. Just a nobody. But my strength?" He flicked his pinky toward the aide. "Enough to crush you like an ant."

The playful glint in his eyes vanished.

Killing intent flooded his gaze—dark, absolute, like Death stepping from shadow.

*Ansal.*

If Verlith saw him now—in Eastern robes, radiating lethal grace—she’d be stunned. The lazy charm he wore like armor had shattered. What remained was untouchable, drifting beyond mortal concerns.

He smirked at the aide, a speck of dust beneath his notice.

Two seconds of stunned silence.

Then fury consumed the knight. *How dare this nobody scorn me?* He’d grind the boy to paste and swallow the pieces.

But caution cut through his rage. *This boy… he’s unnatural.*

"Arrogant whelp!" the aide roared. "Earth Token: Mudslide Torrent!"

His Command Token blazed. The earth heaved.

Stone and soil ripped skyward as a tidal wave of mud surged toward Ansal—nature’s fury made manifest.

Ansal danced backward like a leaf on storm waves.

"‘Mudslide Torrent’? An Eastern Pearl technique!" His voice cut through the roar. "Traitor—serving Voltus after your homeland trained you? How *disgusting*."