Celestine departed, her footsteps fading away into silence, leaving Kaiser and Zilean alone amid the uneasy stillness of the village. Kaiser watched her go, noting with a mild sense of surprise that Zilean barely acknowledged her exit, his massive form unmoving and seemingly indifferent to her departure. That faint spark of confusion quickly gave way, however, as Kaiser's thoughts turned sharply toward what Zilean truly needed to accomplish here.

Kaiser's attention flickered to the quiet movements of the villagers nearby, their subdued conversations forming a gentle, anxious hum. He calculated silently—it would take Celestine approximately forty-five minutes to retrieve Aria and Ivan, and until then, his only real responsibility was to remain here and protect these stubborn, prideful people who had so thoroughly rejected common sense. A tedious job, perhaps, but a necessary one. The villagers, despite their bluster, could not hope to withstand another coordinated assault from those monstrous creatures on their own.

Suddenly, Kaiser caught a subtle shift in Zilean's demeanor. The Soulless royal's rigid posture relaxed slightly, his armor shifting as if a great tension had finally eased from his massive shoulders. Kaiser narrowed his eyes, instantly alert, following Zilean's gaze into the small crowd.

A tall man stood at the edge of the gathered villagers, his short black hair tousled slightly by the evening breeze, his eyes scanning the surroundings cautiously. Upon seeing him, a faint yet unmistakable relief flickered within Zilean's armored frame. A low, metallic rumble emerged from Zilean, a sound of unmistakable satisfaction.

"Thank the Ten Hopes," Zilean murmured, so softly it was almost inaudible. Kaiser raised an eyebrow, intrigued, carefully observing the sudden shift in Zilean's normally inscrutable behavior.

Without further hesitation, Zilean strode decisively toward the man, his enormous armored form cutting effortlessly through the quiet crowd. Villagers hastily stepped aside, casting anxious, curious glances as the imposing figure moved past them. Kaiser followed silently, careful not to draw unnecessary attention but watching intently.

The man who was clearly bewildered by the approaching figure froze momentarily, eyes widening in shock. Zilean stopped directly before him and, to Kaiser's surprise, slowly bowed his head. It was not a mocking gesture, nor intimidating, despite Zilean towering a full meter above the man. Instead, the gesture was earnest and respectful.

"Ramino Bili," Zilean intoned solemnly, the deep voice carrying clearly. "I am Zilean, head of the War-Dens. It is my honor and privilege to finally meet you."

Ramino's initial confusion quickly turned into awe, his posture straightening visibly as recognition dawned on him. His face broke into a wide, genuine smile, eyes brightening with anticipation. "Lord Zilean," he breathed, voice trembling with suppressed excitement. "I—I've dreamed of this moment for years. Is it truly time? Am I finally to join the War-Den?"

Zilean inclined his head slowly, armor creaking softly as he moved. "Indeed, Ramino. I have been informed of your unique situation, and the War-Den is prepared to welcome you now."

The joy and relief on Ramino's face was immediate, overwhelming, and entirely genuine. "You have no idea how long I've waited for this," he said fervently, his voice rich with sincere gratitude. "I am ready, my Lord. Completely ready to accompany you back."

Kaiser watched the interaction closely, intrigued by the earnestness between the two men. Ramino's enthusiasm seemed entirely genuine, his reaction natural, honest—exactly what Kaiser expected from someone offered such an invitation by someone as important as Zilean. Yet, just as Ramino opened his mouth to further affirm his willingness to go, something strange happened.

The vibrant, eager light in Ramino's eyes abruptly faded, replaced in an instant by a dull emptiness—a vacancy that reminded Kaiser unsettlingly of a lifeless doll. Ramino's previously animated expression collapsed into something disturbingly blank, and when he spoke again, his voice had become a hollow monotone, devoid of emotion.

"I cannot do that at this time… I must stay." Ramino stated mechanically, his words clipped and rigid.

Kaiser's eyes narrowed instantly, suspicion prickling sharply along his spine. He glanced toward Zilean, catching a brief flicker of confusion even through the expressionless steel helmet. Zilean's posture shifted subtly, wary caution evident in every carefully controlled movement.

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Then, faster than any ordinary human could perceive, a faint blue glow briefly illuminated the interior of Zilean's visor. A nearly imperceptible sigh escaped from behind the mask, heavy with disappointment and resignation.

Before Kaiser could fully register what was happening, Ramino's body went completely limp, collapsing silently forward. To anyone else observing, it would have appeared as though Ramino had simply lost consciousness, perhaps overcome by excitement or fatigue. But Kaiser saw clearly—he caught the rapid, almost invisible blur of movement as Zilean struck with surgical precision, expertly knocking Ramino unconscious without causing lasting harm.

In the very next heartbeat, Zilean effortlessly hoisted Ramino's limp form over his armored shoulder, handling the unconscious man as easily as if he were a mere sack of flour. Without hesitation or explanation, Zilean turned and began to move toward Kaiser.

Villagers around them murmured softly, their voices laced with confusion and mild alarm, though none dared approach or question Zilean directly.

Zilean approached steadily, his heavy footsteps quiet, each step resonating gently through the ground. Kaiser stood calmly, waiting patiently as the armored figure drew nearer, expression composed but filled with questions.

Finally reaching Kaiser, Zilean paused, his massive form looming close, and regarded him in silence for a long moment. Kaiser met the hidden gaze behind the metal visor evenly, understanding passing unspoken between them. Something deeper, darker, and far more complicated than Kaiser had initially imagined was clearly at play.

"You know, Kaiser, I am well aware of your circumstances here." He spoke plainly, yet there was a gravity in his words that gave them weight. "If things were different, I would wait and see this to the end with you. But my further involvement would not only compromise the standing of the War-Den in the eyes of the Liberatorium, but it might even lessen the rewards or honors you and your team could claim for this Tale. The more I intervene, the less your own deeds will matter to the record keepers. This must be yours to finish."

Kaiser nodded, unsurprised, his lips quirking in a wry, knowing smile. "I expected nothing less, Lord Zilean. Still, you have my gratitude for your assistance, especially with Elsie earlier. That was no small favor."

He glanced at Ramino, still unconscious, and then back to Zilean. "The hardest part is done, in any case. Information gathering, all of it in the dark, with no way to properly communicate… That's what drained me. What's left is the cleanup. Messy work, but straightforward."

Zilean inclined his head, but did not immediately reply. Instead, he stepped in closer, lowering his voice even further. His words were for Kaiser's ears alone. "Do not be so sure it will be so simple, young Kaiser. There is something else here. I have seen it before, but never on this scale."

Kaiser's eyes narrowed, suspicion flaring across his features for just a heartbeat before he forced composure back into place. "You're saying there's another layer to this mess? I swear, if there is one more curse in this village—"

Zilean's lips twisted in what might have been a sardonic smile behind the battered steel. "Curses, indeed. All of them, in one way or another, are afflicted by something strange. A spell, a hex, a taint… Call it what you will. It is not natural, and you must be wary. The obvious is rarely the only danger."

Kaiser absorbed this in silence, frustration burning quietly in his chest. The world always seemed eager to throw new complications at his feet. And the village, with its unnatural calm and unblinking villagers, was beginning to feel more and more like a trap.

Zilean straightened again, resuming his imposing, impassive demeanor. He looked out over the camp, the cluster of fires, the knots of villagers murmuring in the half-light, none of whom seemed to have taken real notice of either the unconscious Ramino or Zilean's looming presence. Even now, with so much at stake, they existed in a dreamlike torpor, as if the events around them were occurring in some other world entirely.

"I'll leave the rest to you," Zilean said, his voice carrying an edge of finality. "For the honor of the princess, and for your own sake, finish this Tale, Kaiser. There are eyes upon you, even if you cannot see them. Make sure they see your strength."

Kaiser watched him, a glimmer of amusement breaking through the fatigue on his face. "You know, they call me a monster," he said, the words soft and almost playful. "But somehow, I don't think that title suits me while people like you exist."

A rare, faint chuckle rumbled from within Zilean's helmet. For a fleeting moment, Kaiser glimpsed something almost human behind the iron shell.

Then, without warning, Zilean crouched and exploded upward with impossible speed. The ground beneath his feet shattered, a small crater marking where he had stood just an instant before. In the time it took Kaiser to blink, Zilean vanished into the sky.

The villagers, if they noticed at all, gave only the barest flicker of curiosity. A few glanced up, then turned back to their conversations or silent meals, their expressions unchanged.

He had work to do, and very little time to do it.

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