Ben and his group arrived back at the orphanage.
The air felt lighter as if the weight of the Veldric merchant family's influence had finally lifted.
The children, who had been anxiously waiting, gathered near the entrance as soon as they spotted Ben.
Their eyes held a mix of curiosity and hope.
"It's over,"
Ben announced, stepping forward.
"The Veldric family won't be bothering you anymore. You're safe now."
A murmur spread through the group.
Some of the younger kids clutched at each other, while the older ones exchanged glances, trying to process the news.
"But just in case,"
Ben continued, gesturing to his guards,
"I'm leaving a few men here. They'll keep an eye on things, so if anything happens, let them know."
The guards assigned to the orphanage stepped forward, giving reassuring nods.
A few of the braver children studied them with cautious curiosity, while others simply nodded in understanding.
Nebra, standing beside Ben with her arms crossed, smirked.
Smirk~
"You're really making a habit of this, huh?"
Ben exhaled.
Sigh~
"They needed help. That's all there is to it."
With that, he gave the kids one last glance before turning away.
His job here was done.
Now, he and the rest of his group made their way back to the inn at Centergate Village.
The warm glow of lanterns welcomed them as they stepped inside.
They each went to their respective rooms.
Ben barely shrugged off his coat before collapsing onto the bed, letting out a deep sigh.
Sigh~
His body was exhausted, but his mind was at peace.
Next day...
As the first light of dawn crept over Centergate Village, three figures cloaked in dark green mantles rode into town.
They moved swiftly, their presence almost unnoticed by the still-slumbering villagers.
The emblem of the Green Mantis squad gleamed on their robes, marking them as elite Magic Knights.
Ben stood at the edge of the village, arms crossed, waiting alongside Nebra and his guards.
The Green Mantis knights dismounted, their gazes sharp as they scanned the surroundings.
The moment their eyes landed on Ben, they straightened and gave a respectful salute.
"Your Majesty,"
One of them spoke firmly.
"We have come as soon as we received your orders."
Ben gave a curt nod.
Nod~
"Good. The prisoners are secured. Take them back to the capital. Ensure they stay alive until the judgment day."
Without hesitation, the knights moved toward the makeshift holding area where the captives—including the Veldric family head—were bound and awaiting their fate.
The prisoners, some barely conscious from the rough night they had endured, flinched at the sight of the Magic Knights.
Chains clinked as the knights secured them, ensuring no chance of escape.
The Veldric family head lifted his head slightly, his once-arrogant demeanour replaced by a hollow silence.
He knew there was no way out.
After securing the prisoners, the knights returned to Ben.
"The transfer is complete, Your Majesty. We'll deliver them straight to the prison."
Ben gave a final glance at the captives, then waved his hand.
"Go."
With another respectful salute, the Green Mantis knights turned, leading the prisoners out of the village under the cover of dawn.
The streets remained quiet—
no one in Centergate Village knew what had transpired in the shadows.
It would only be when the newspapers reached them that they would learn of the Veldric family's downfall.
With that matter handled, Ben and his group finally turned their attention to rest.
Since his task here was complete.
There was no reason to linger any longer.
Turning to his guards, Ben gave a simple order:
"We're leaving."
Without hesitation, they summoned their brooms, the smooth hum of magic filling the air as they took flight.
Below them, the village remained peaceful, unaware of the events that had unfolded in the shadows.
Only when the newspapers arrived would they learn of the downfall of the Veldric family.
Flying in formation, Ben and his guards soared through the sky toward the capital.
The wind rushed past them, carrying away any traces of their presence.
After traveling for a few hours,
Ben and his guards finally neared the capital.
On the way, Nebra parted ways with them, returning to the Silva house, leaving only Ben and his royal guards to continue toward the castle.
The towering structure stood as imposing as ever, its grand spires piercing the sky.
As Ben descended onto the castle grounds, his broom slowing to a halt,
Henry was already waiting for him at the entrance.
"Welcome back, Your Majesty,"
Henry greeted with a respectful bow.
Ben gave a small nod in acknowledgement before stepping past him, moving with purpose.
The events in Centergate Village were behind him now, and there were new matters to attend to.
Without wasting time, he strode through the familiar halls of his castle, the grand corridors echoing with his steady footsteps.
Upon reaching the throne room, he ascended the steps and seated himself on the grand throne of the Clover Kingdom.
His mind was already shifting to the next task.
"Henry,"
he said his voice firm.
"Summon the captain of the Black Bulls. I have something to discuss."
With a swift bow, Henry turned and exited the room, leaving Ben alone in the vast chamber.
Silva Family Estate...
As Nebra descended gracefully onto the Silva family estate, the well-manicured garden stretched before her, its pristine hedges and elegant fountains untouched by time.
The familiar scent of roses mixed with the crisp evening air as she stepped forward, her boots barely making a sound against the stone pathway.
Just as she began walking toward the entrance, a familiar voice called out.
"Big sister, Nebra."
She turned her head to see Solid Silva standing a few feet away, arms crossed, his usual smugness laced with something more serious.
His sharp eyes scanned her before he finally spoke again.
"Elder Brother Nozel has summoned you."
Nebra arched an eyebrow, her smirk barely faltering.
Nozel? Summoning her?
That was unusual.
He wasn't one for unnecessary conversations unless it was important.
Straightening her posture, she gave a simple nod before making her way toward the main hall, her mind already running through the possibilities of what this meeting could be about.
Nebra strode through the grand halls of the Silva estate.
She stopped in front of a familiar door—
her elder brother Nozel Silva's office chamber.
This was where he handled most of his work when he was at home, away from the duties of a Magic Knight captain.
Taking a deep breath, she knocked once before pushing the door open.
Inside, Nozel sat behind an ornate wooden desk, quill in hand, calmly writing on a parchment.
Scratch~ Scratch~
His silver hair gleamed under the soft candlelight, and his sharp, unwavering gaze briefly flickered up as she entered.
"Nebra,"
he greeted, his voice composed but firm.
"How was your mission guarding the king?"
Without waiting for a response, he returned his attention to the parchment, his quill scratching against the paper in smooth, precise strokes.
It was clear he was handling some work-related matter, yet he still expected a full report from her.
"And why the delay in your return?"
he added, his tone carrying the weight of authority.
Nebra crossed her arms, leaning slightly against the desk as she began her explanation.
"After the mission, the king invited me and the other guards to the Chillbound Wildwood. I accepted, but the others left—there was a battle at the prison that day with the Liberators, and several captains got involved."
She glanced at Nozel, noting how his quill never stopped moving despite his attentiveness.
She continued,
"During my stay, I got the chance to accompany the king to Centergate Village, on the outskirts of the kingdom. He had received a lead about some orphanage money launderers, so we investigated. A night raid took care of the problem."
Nozel gave a small nod, absorbing the details without interrupting.
Before he could speak, a scoffing voice cut through the room.
Tch~
"Tch. Why does the king even care about commoner peasants?"
Solid sneered, leaning against the doorway with his usual arrogance.
"____"
Nebra's expression darkened instantly.
Without hesitation, she turned, her voice carrying an edge.
"Because a real ruler protects all his people,"
she said firmly.
Her sharp gaze pinned Solid in place.
"Unlike some people, he doesn't think nobility is a free pass to look down on others."
Solid tensed, his posture stiffening as a familiar chill ran down his spine.
Memories of his sister beating him in the past flashed through his mind, and he unconsciously stepped back.
Nebra smirked, satisfied with his reaction.
Smirk~
"It was a useful experience,"
she added, turning back to Nozel.
"It broadened my views."
Nozel, still writing, finally set his quill down and looked up, his expression unreadable.
A brief silence settled in the room.
"____"
"____"
Nozel's quill remained frozen above the parchment, and for the first time in a long while, he looked genuinely taken aback.
Even Solid, who had been cowering moments ago, now stared at Nebra in shock.
"You... what?"
Solid muttered, disbelief clear in his voice.
Nozel leaned back slightly in his chair, studying his sister with narrowed eyes.
He had never expected such words to leave her mouth.
She had always been one of the most dismissive toward commoners, often calling them peasants without a second thought.
And yet, here she was, speaking as if she had gained some newfound respect for them.
His silence spoke volumes.
Nebra, noticing their reactions, simply shrugged.
"What? Did you think I'd never change?"
She smirked slightly.
"It's like I said—broadening my views."
Solid clenched his fists but said nothing, while Nozel, after a long pause, finally spoke.
"...Hm. It seems your time guarding the king has affected you more than I expected."
His voice was calm, but there was a hint of something else—
perhaps intrigue or curiosity.
Nebra simply smiled and crossed her arms, even though it did not seem like it was a compliment.
Solid hesitated for a moment, his expression conflicted, before following behind her without another word.
As the door closed behind them, Nozel remained seated, unmoving.
His eyes drifted toward the large portrait of their mother, Acier Silva, hanging on the wall.
A quiet sigh left his lips.
Sigh~
His gaze lingered on the painting for a moment longer before he returned to his work, a faint, almost imperceptible smile gracing his lips.
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(Author's POV)
(A/N):Thanks for reading the chapter!
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