Ian was sitting in a carriage, scribbling something on a piece of paper.
The operation they were originally supposed to carry out had effectively been stopped. So, he had to come up with a different plan and was jotting down those ideas on the paper, pondering over them.
Suddenly, space warped in front of him, and Rudy appeared.
"...Rudy Astria?"
"Ah, I got here in one piece."
"Why are you here all of a sudden? Weren't you supposed to stay back there?"
"What am I supposed to do in an empty lab?"
"Didn't I tell you the plan?"
"The plan isn't going as expected."
Ian had thought that this plan needed to be concluded within a day at the least. It involved capturing a high-ranking talent who was even being tortured. How could their leader remain idle?
Aryandor exceeded Ian's expectations. It wasn't so much that Aryandor surpassed him; it felt more like Aryandor was an unfathomable being. It wasn't about the depth of thought but rather that Aryandor had a completely different mindset.
This plan was based on Ian's common sense. It couldn't possibly apply to Aryandor, who existed beyond that common sense.
"Since the plan has already collapsed, it was pointless to stay there. It doesn't look like things will proceed normally even after this much time has passed."
Rudy was right. They already knew Aryandor was not acting normally. There was no reason for Rudy to remain there.
"Yeah, you're right."
Ian readily admitted it. Thinking he understood Aryandor was a mistake. Ian had received a lot of information and analyzed Aryandor's actions, thinking he had a good understanding of him. However, that was arrogance.
Ian looked at Rudy in front of him. He had known Rudy as family for a long time. If he couldn't even understand Rudy, how could he understand Aryandor, whom he had barely met?
"So, what will you do now?"
"I'm still thinking about it."
That said, his mistake wasn't anything big.
Instead, this small mistake allowed him to learn more about Aryandor in detail.
Ian thought about these mistakes as he tried to devise a new plan. Rudy nonchalantly nodded and opened the window.
"Where are we, by the way?"
"You came here without even knowing where it is?"
"I thought it might be around here and searched the area."
window.pubfuturetag = window.pubfuturetag || [];window.pubfuturetag.push({unit: "64ce79d606107d003c23ea27", id: "pf-5140-1"})"You came without a plan."
Rudy shrugged nonchalantly. Ian sighed and spoke up.
"We're on the road from the eastern Per Mountains to the capital. We should see the Fenden Plains soon."
As Ian said, the carriage moved a bit, and a vast plain appeared.
"So, are you planning to go straight to the capital?"
"For now, yes. There's no need to delay."
There was no need to stop and interrogate further. Ian's goal was to draw in Aryandor.
The plains continued all the way to the capital, making it impossible for anyone to launch a surprise attack. If they couldn't lure Aryandor, there was no need to proceed with the interrogation.
"Still, it's not like we're returning with nothing, so there's no problem, right?"
From the empire's perspective, they had already achieved a significant victory by capturing a high-ranking member of the rebels without a single wound.
However, Ian's worries stemmed from his desire to maximize the benefits from this situation.
While they were carrying out the empire's mission to capture rebels, Rudy and Ian were also competing for the position of family head. Without a fierce battle with the rebel leadership, this smooth operation didn't allow for showcasing their differences.
Ian wanted to achieve greater results with his plan to prove he was superior to Rudy.
More capable.
That's what Ian wanted to say, but...
'I can't twist the situation to my advantage.'
If he really wanted to make a name for himself here, he could delay his travel to the capital and continue with the interrogation or even choose not to go to the capital at all. Yet, he did not take such actions. He was merely considering the best course of action.
"Well, if nothing happens, we'll just have to be satisfied with how things are."
Ian nodded lightly.
Rudy looked puzzled at Ian's attitude.
Ian narrowed his eyes and asked Rudy, "Is there something wrong?"
"...No."
Rudy didn't say much more and continued,
"Then, I'll be returning to the capital. Since I'm just escorting, there shouldn't be any problems."
"Did you come here just to say that?"
window.pubfuturetag = window.pubfuturetag || [];window.pubfuturetag.push({unit: "64cc9e79c7059f003e4ad4b0", id: "pf-5109-1"})"I just thought it was the best thing to do after seeing the situation."
Rudy was right. There was no need to keep Rudy here unnecessarily.
"Yeah, that's probably for the best. Contact me if anything happens."
"Understood. Then I'll be..."
There was a small click.
Yet, Rudy and Ian heard it clearly. They instinctively sensed danger.
Ian shouted quickly, "Get down!!"
BOOOOM!!!
A massive explosion sounded right behind the carriage where Ian and Rudy were.
The carriage they were in was caught in the explosion.
"Ian, sir!!"
Soldiers a bit away from the carriage were shocked by the explosion. Although they couldn't see through the flames, it was clear the carriage was swept up in the blast.
The soldiers ran towards the explosion, trying to get inside.
"Huh?"
The soldiers, getting closer to the site of the explosion, stopped in their tracks when they saw someone inside.
Raven stood in the midst of the flames, unharmed despite being surrounded by fire.
The soldiers stared blankly at Raven before snapping back to reality, spurred by the sight of the destroyed carriage in front of him.
"Save the commander!"
The soldiers rushed towards Raven.
Raven turned his head.
The soldier in front froze as soon as their eyes met.
A sense of terror enveloped him.
Despite only making eye contact, he felt chills all over his body.
As the soldier attempted to step back in fear, Raven moved towards the soldiers.
It happened in an instant.
window.pubfuturetag = window.pubfuturetag || [];window.pubfuturetag.push({unit: "663633fa8ebf7442f0652b33", id: "pf-8817-1"})Raven reached the soldiers at an incredible speed, leaving them unable to react or resist. He grabbed the neck of the closest soldier.
The soldier screamed, but Raven hadn't grabbed his neck tightly.
Not tightly doesn't mean he was gentle; it just means he didn't break the soldier's neck.
The soldier, caught in Raven's grip, screamed in pain and glared at him.
"You... bastard..."
Raven looked at the soldier with a faint smile.
"Feel the same pain I did."
The soldier gasped for air, his face turning red. Despite struggling as much as he could, it was futile. He couldn't resist, only flailing his limbs.
Raven watched the suffering soldier with a smile.
Then, a low voice echoed, "Spatial Severance."
A small gap appeared near Raven's arm.
"Hmm?"
A gap formed on the hand and shoulder holding the soldier, and Raven's arm was cleanly severed.
The soldier fell to the ground thanks to the arm being cut off.
Raven, stunned, looked at his severed arm before turning towards the source of the voice. Ian was there.
"What, you're fine?"
It seemed like Ian had completely avoided damage.
There were slight traces of soot on his clothes and some burns on his arm, but nothing serious.
"What's the point of resisting now?"
"Do I really need to answer that?"
Ian narrowed his eyes.
Raven's demeanor had changed.
When they first met in the lab, he had the aura of a researcher—businesslike, with a bit of enthusiasm in his field, a typical researcher vibe.
Now, that aura was gone. Even with his arm severed, he was indifferent, speaking in a languid tone.
"Why didn't you just die quietly?"
"You were the one who was so loud when you tried to kill me."
"Don't you think struggling would only make it more painful?"
Ian laughed incredulously.
"If you had the ability, you wouldn't have been caught, right?"
"Is that so? I don't think that's the case."
"Arrogant, even without an arm."
"Arm?"
Raven looked towards his severed right arm.
Stones and dirt from the ground began to gather towards his arm, shaping into the form of an arm.
"Now I have it."
"Is that so? Then I'll just have to remove it again."
Ian extended his arm. Raven didn't just watch.
"Try then."
"Sure."
Suddenly, a voice came from behind.
From behind, space twisted.
Rudy appeared behind Raven.
"Ah?"
"But, I wasn't planning on stopping with just an arm."
Raven's eyes widened.
He hadn't seen Rudy at all for a day.
Yet, suddenly, Rudy appeared here.
Before Raven could react, Rudy aimed for Raven's heart without hesitation.
Rudy's arm pierced right through Raven's heart.
"You shouldn't let your guard down."
Raven, with his body pierced, looked at the arm through him and then raised his head.
He stared straight at Rudy and said, "Looks like that's my line."
Raven lifted the corners of his mouth.
