The cardinal exhaled—part disbelief, part recognition, part relief.

House Arctis did not appear in backwater border towns by coincidence, especially not one so far away from their territory.

One of the escorts bowed instinctively, almost losing his footing.

The other cleared her throat and straightened, trying to appear composed.

Ellis stood beside Ryn, hands clasped in front of her, eyes alert. She didn't speak.

Cardinal Leon took a step closer, studying Ryn with steady, thoughtful eyes.

"…Then this is no trivial greeting," he murmured. "Lord Arctis, may I ask why someone like you stands at Dunwick's gate at dawn, without escort or notice?"

Ryn didn't waste a heartbeat.

"Because your summons was forged," he said.

The cardinal's shoulders tensed, ever so slightly.

Ellis stepped in softly.

"There are no clergy stationed in Dunwick, Your Eminence. None who would have written to you."

The cardinal closed his eyes for a moment, then opened them with steady resolve.

"Explain," he said.

Ryn inclined his head.

"Last night, a group in town discussed your arrival. They intend to intercept you at the southern road shortly after you enter Dunwick."

He paused.

"They've prepared robes… to impersonate clergy."

The escorts exchanged a horrified glance.

The cardinal's expression didn't change, but something in his posture shifted.

Ryn continued.

"They plan to approach you as if they were the official clerics. From there, they'll escort you to a warehouse on the outskirts. Once inside, they'll hand you over to… someone waiting."

After a moment, he lifted his staff slightly, tapping it once against the ground.

"I see," he murmured.

One of the escorts finally found her voice. "Your Eminence, we should turn back immediately—"

"No." The cardinal raised a hand gently but firmly.

Ellis blinked. "You can't mean to go inside Dunwick."

"I do not," the cardinal said. "But I must understand who forged that letter. And why."

Ryn expected as much.

Leon was known for his integrity. He wouldn't flee blindly—he would confront injustice with calm intention.

"This is definitely not petty crime…" the cardinal finally spoke.

"No," Ryn said. "It's a controlled abduction."

The word hung in the cold air.

The cardinal lowered his gaze, thoughtful. "And their motive?"

"That's what we need to learn," Ryn replied. "Which is why…" He paused, choosing his words carefully.

"…I believe we should walk into the trap."

Both escorts nearly choked.

"Walk—into—?? Your Eminence, with respect—"

"That is absolutely out of the question—!"

Cardinal Leon raised a hand, silencing them.

He turned to Ryn. "What do you mean by this?"

Ryn stepped closer to the cardinal, looking around to check for any eavesdroppers.

"We go on our own terms. With both my attendant and I here as your escorts."

The cardinal blinked.

Ryn continued, voice calm but precise.

"The bandits won't know your face well enough to distinguish between who's actually guarding you. They only know your outfits."

"If your two escorts remain out of sight, Ellis and I can walk beside you instead and—"

"They will assume you are my bodyguards," the man finished quickly.

Ryn nodded.

"Exactly."

Ellis looked between them, heart pounding but steadying as she processed the idea.

The cardinal studied Ryn with a gaze that carried centuries of moral weight.

"Lord Arctis… you are suggesting that you put yourself in danger on my behalf."

Ryn held his stare without hesitation.

"I'm suggesting," he said quietly, "that we step into the wolf's den before they realize the shepherd brought hunters."

The cardinal exhaled, long and steady, then nodded.

"Then it is decided."

The whole party started into a small alley. Ryn made sure no one followed them before executing the plan.

Ryn and Ellis swapped cloaks with the two guards before exiting the alleyway again with the cardinal.

"You two will remain hidden here until we send word. No matter what you hear or fear, you do not break cover," the cardinal reminded.

The guards looked at each other, then bowed sharply.

Cardinal Leon then turned towards Ryn and adjusted his staff, every line of his posture calm.

"Lord Arctis. Miss Ellis. Shall we step into the trap?"

Ryn answered with a simple nod.

Ellis drew a breath.

They approached Dunwick's outer streets through a narrow service path, the cardinal walking between Ryn and Ellis.

The buildings here leaned close together, with worn stone foundations and crooked wooden beams that rattled in the wind. No one was outside. Not even the early morning vendors.

A town holding its breath.

Ellis adjusted the borrowed cloak, hood low to shadow her face. Ryn walked with just enough stiffness to mimic a protective escort. If Amelia was here to see him, she'd probably laugh until the next day.

They didn't have to wait long.

From the alley ahead, three figures emerged.

They wore the typical robes consisting of white, gold, and red, the colors of Rokhan, the god of war and justice.

Ryn didn't miss the moment when one bandit smoothed the robe self-consciously, as though hoping no one would notice the stolen garment.

The "priests" spotted them.

Immediately, their expressions brightened into fake warmth.

"Your Eminence!" the one in front called, too loudly. "Welcome to Dunwick! Praise be to your safe travel."

His voice cracked halfway through the greeting.

Ellis resisted the urge to pinch the bridge of her nose.

The cardinal offered a serene smile. "Good morning, brothers. I am grateful for your welcome."

The bandits nearly sagged in relief. They actually believed he was buying the act.

"Of course, of course," the leader said, scrambling closer. "Come, we've prepared the first humble chapel to be blessed!"

The lie was clumsy—not even a professional conman would call a nonexistent chapel "humble" before showing it.

Ryn noticed the man's eyes flick to him and Ellis, scanning their heights, builds, and hoods.

Their silhouettes matched what the bandits expected: escorts.

One of them creased their eyebrow in suspicion, but not enough to stop the plan.

When the fake priests turned and gestured for them to follow, he simply nodded and moved behind them.

And so the procession formed: three impostor priests leading, the cardinal walking with grace behind them, with Ryn and Ellis in tow.

As they walked deeper into the town, the streets grew emptier. A few villagers peeked out, saw the "priests," and quickly disappeared again.

Ryn's senses sharpened.

The bandit leader glanced back again.

"Your… guards seem vigilant," he said nervously.

Ryn said nothing.

Ellis offered only a small polite nod, letting silence do the work.

It made the bandits swallow hard.

They kept walking until the houses grew sparser, the path shifting toward a broad structure at the edge of Dunwick. A large, weather-beaten warehouse with cracked windows and a sagging roof.

The ambush site.

The leader stopped and turned with an exaggerated flourish.

"The…uhhh…first site to bless is here, Your Eminence! If you would."

The cardinal smiled quietly.

"Of course."

Ryn's hand drifted toward the inside of his cloak. Before they entered, he slipped his Dimensional Ring in his mouth, just in case they confiscated belongings.

Ellis's eyes narrowed, tracking every movement, every twitch in the impostor priests' muscles.

They were here.

The wide doors were opened. Inside, as expected, was a large warehouse filled with all types of crates.

But Ryn couldn't really pay more attention to it, as a bag was slipped over his head…covering the world black.

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