The Galactic Castle was known for its dark legends, but the castle itself held a grand reputation. Some swore they'd witnessed it in different colors, and some even believed the castle was a living legend.

But these weren't myths Halo and his comrades could verify right away, despite living in the castle for weeks. The castle concealed its true nature from them, perhaps because they were merely its guards.

Mill, however, had believed something different for quite some time. Ever since Halo met him on his way to the castle, when Mill had generously given him a ride, he'd made it his mission to persuade them to abandon their Purpose and leave entirely. Despite this, they'd become quite close.

The gods' mercy toward those reluctant to fulfill their Purpose lasted only three months. And all Mill wanted was for them to use that time to live well before the gods inevitably turned them into Sinners.

But now, his attitude and perception had changed. While it was reassuring that he no longer believed the castle would kill them, for someone who knew so many of the castle's horrors, their words shouldn't have been enough to make him change his mind so easily.

"You left in such a hurry last time that I couldn't help but worry. So I made some time to come and see how you're doing."

Halo wasn't fazed by Mill's words. It had been more than a week since they'd last met, so why take that much time? His Purpose was to guard the Mirror Steppe, and by his own words, he barely did anything at all.

Despite his wariness, he remained quiet, sitting in his seat while Liam and Seraph engaged in a lighthearted conversation with Mill, despite Seraph's own suspicions.

Mill adjusted his white shirt elegantly, his eyes glancing between the walls of the Grand Hall.

"I never imagined I would ever find myself in this castle…"

He smiled.

"Wait, Kysa's around here? Don't tell me you actually met one of the legends! That would've been incredible!"

Liam shook his head in disapproval.

"I doubt any of us would've liked that. They're the castle's legends, and every story paints them as monsters. Facing one of them on my very first Purpose as a Knight? I can't imagine anything worse."

Mill met Liam's words with cheerful laughter.

"I didn't see you three as the ones to be afraid."

Liam, the Eyes of the Night wore an awkward look and exchanged glances with Seraph.

"Not really… but I don't think anyone would wish death upon themselves."

Halo observed Mill for quite something, and despite his belief that he was seeking something violent to leap into, he still found nothing extraordinary to tell.

Seraph had initially said Mill's Flaw was something like hers, if not the same. But considering how Flaws were unique to every individual despite the outward resemblance, he began to believe her now.

The Child of Deceit's Flaw was deception itself. While deception could manifest in many ways, Seraph's allowed her to act perfectly for any occasion, concealing her true emotions. If Mill possessed something similar, his might be more advanced than hers.

"Should you ever require assistance, send word to me. I will dispatch my Knights at once. Even if the famed Vile of Hawks remain in service, they would be honored to aid you."

Seraphim frowned.

"Vile of Hawks?"

Halo propped his elbow against a table with his chin resting on his hand.

He'd been similarly confused when he first learned of the Vile of Hawks. Apparently, they were a respected cohort in this part of the Voiceless region. He wasn't sure if their reputation reached the distant lands, but judging by how Mill had described their strength, it seemed likely.

It was said that one of them was strong enough to invade a castle and leave no one alive. It was very impressive to Halo, but this had him wondering.

The last time anyone had spoken of the hero was at Noah's estate, the duty-bound tyrant's estate, through old man Frey. Word was that the hero had assembled his army of Knights and Assassins, proof enough that he was nearing his rebellion against the gods. Halo wondered if they were a cohort.

Liam had the Asterion name, which Halo suspected was the hero's surname. Beyond that, Liam resembled the hero closely, with only a few differences.

But even if he was, and Halo doubted it after hearing about the real hero from two separate sources, Liam would need time before pursuing any rebellion. He was still adapting to this world, and Halo had seen nothing extraordinary from him.

This meant he had to pursue the actual hero first.

If the hero indeed had a cohort, then the plan was simple: join it, keep tabs on the hero, and perhaps earn his trust enough to dissuade him. It would be difficult, though, since the hero's Flaw was overconfidence.

Still, before he could even dream of that, he needed to survive this Purpose.

"I know your loyalty to your Purpose runs deep, but don't let it blind you. Should you face something beyond your strength, reach out to me."

The words left Mill with care and love as though from a parent or a guardian.

If he indeed was acting, then his Flaw had really eaten so deep into him that he couldn't tell what was real and what wasn't.

Halo barely got anything out of him. Before he knew it, Mill's little guard watch came to an end. His swagger and elegance demanded a proper send-off, and though Halo hadn't acknowledged him since his arrival, he still joined the others in the farewell.

"He's very weird… don't you think so, Halo?"

Liam asked and turned to Halo.

He shrugged.

"He's always been weird to me."

"I bet he came to rejoice in our death…"

Seraph said with a sneer.

"But why would he come here at all? I wanted to ask, but I couldn't. He always spoke with such fear of the castle… if he couldn't even tell whether we were alive, wouldn't this place be just as dangerous for him?"

The words left Liam eerily.

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