There was a brief pause on the other side.

"...So since you contacted me... Is it somewhere here, Your Majesty?" Galahad asked.

"Yes. The portal leads to the Grave of the Celestial Tree. But I don't know his exact location, or if he is even close to your side," Celestia said. Her voice remained composed, but the gravity of the words was unmistakable.

Silence followed.

Even through the crystal, Isabel could feel it. The shift in atmosphere.

"…I understand," Galahad finally spoke. His tone was serious now.

"Since you and your forces are currently stationed there," Celestia continued, "begin searching immediately. Focus on the areas near your base camp first. He was in a fight, so he must be wounded. If he is alive, he won't have gone far."

"Yes, Your Majesty," Galahad answered firmly. "We will expand our search radius from the base outward."

Celestia's crimson eyes hardened slightly.

"Do not underestimate the situation. That boy's survival is… uncertain. But if there is even a chance—find him."

Galahad's voice rang with resolve.

"Yes, Your Majesty. If he is on our side, in the area where we are currently stationed, then I will do everything in my power to locate Amon Vale."

Celestia gave a short nod.

"That will be all."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

The crystal dimmed, its red glow fading as the connection was cut.

Beep.

Silence returned to the forest.

Isabel let out a slow breath.

"At least now… he has a chance," she said quietly.

Celestia stared ahead, her gaze fixed on the twisted space where the portal had once been.

"…A very slim one," Celestia replied.

"Yes... if he's near them, he has a chance. But if he's somewhere far, we can't do anything about that. The demons are also there. If he's near them... he won't survive. Or even if he didn't meet demons... the monsters there are no ordinary ones. One way or another... his chances are very slim," Celestia couldn't help but feel bad for that boy.

Isabel agreed with her. She had a worried expression.

"Still, it's amazing how you are trying so hard to find him, despite him being a commoner," Isabel said with a little amusement. Though she knew this woman. Isabel would have done the same for any student of hers.

"So what? He's my student. He's my responsibility. It doesn't matter if he's from a commoner background."

Celestia chuckled. "I know. This is one of the reasons I respect you so much."

Isabel responded with a raised brow. "I can say the same thing to you. You came with me here immediately when I asked for help."

"I told you, didn't I? My daughter is close to him. Before you came here, I got a call from her. So I simply accompanied you."

This time Isabel chuckled. "I guess I should take it back. Rather Amon sure is lucky. Despite being a commoner with no background an orphan. All his friends are from prestigious families. One of them is your daughter."

Celestia didn't deny it. "Yeah. He sure is lucky. But at the same time, he's very unlucky. Luck works that way. If you gain something, you need to pay for it."

Celestia still remembered the time how that boy barely survived a wyvern. Rather, she was the one who saved him.

Then he had to suffer in Mistvale Town with her daughter. Then fighting as an invader in the Academy during dungeon practice.

"Hmm... guess so. I pray he will be safe," Isabel said. She couldn't do anything other than pray.

The morning wind swept through the Greenveil Forest once more, carrying with it a faint, uneasy stillness. As if the world itself was waiting to see whether a miracle would occur.

---

Meanwhile, on the side of the same boy they were trying to save.

In an old, broken room, there was a bed.

Lying on it....No– not just lying but sleeping was a young man with dark, messy hair.

He was sprawled across it.

Snor~ Snor~

Not just sleeping. He was snoring.

He was sleeping peacefully even in this fucked-up situation.

On an old bed that smelled. The room's stone floor had black blood spread across it.

The blood of a monster's hand.

Yet Amon was not bothered by it.

"Mmh... mhh..." Slowly, Amon's eyes opened.

Yawn~

He stretched his arms while still lying there.

Then he started to rub his eyes.

"...Man... I was so tired that I slept like a log. But it was a good one..."

He blinked for a while and then got up.

He walked through the corridor toward the balcony.

It was bright outside. But not like a normal morning.

Amon frowned.

"What? It's still clouded."

The sky was no different from yesterday.

It was covered with dark grey clouds, like it would rain at any time.

Cold wind blew, swaying his black hair.

"Tch! Can't even have a normal beautiful morning. All I get is creepy sights."

His mood turned sour instantly.

Unlike yesterday night... this time, Amon didn't feel any fear.

"What was that yesterday... it scared the shit out of me."

He leaned against the railing.

Thinking about his next move.

He couldn't stay here forever. If he wanted to survive... first he needed to find a habitat.

A place where people were living.

But everywhere he looked, all he could see was a dark forest.

Which side he should go. It was really hard to decide.

And he also didn't want to stay here.

'I should explore this place again. I wasn't able to find any source of water. I need to find one today. If it's a river... then it will be a jackpot for me. Since following a river's trail might lead me to a small village... any tribal people here.'

This was the most sensible thing to do in his current situation.

"Alright, let's go. No need to waste time."

. . .

Amon was now standing outside the building, ready to go inside the forest again.

But then his gaze landed on the other buildings there.

There were a total of six structures.

He had checked out four of them yesterday. He didn't find anything.

Two still remained.

'Hm... let's check them out first. Before going inside the forest. I still might find something useful there. Some information.'

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