Ryle slumped onto a wooden bench inside a small tavern, rubbing his temples in frustration.
No matter how much happened, I still can't publish anything about Dragon Mountain.
It didn't matter that he had fought for hours, that he had defeated two vampires and an immortal Archmage. It didn't matter that he had risked his life. Dragon Mountain was sacred. Anything that happened there—no matter how groundbreaking—was forbidden from being documented.
And if his boss found out he'd wasted time on something he couldn't write about…
Ryle shuddered. That woman was terrifying.
"We should hide for a bit," he muttered. "Before she finds me."
Thea raised an eyebrow. "You're the 'World's Strongest Journalist,' but you're scared of your editor?"
"Damn right I am." Ryle exhaled. "She's worse than a dragon."
Thea laughed. "Alright. Where do we go?"
Ryle leaned back, deep in thought. He needed a place that was both safe and full of potential stories. Somewhere that would buy him time before his boss inevitably hunted him down.
Then it hit him.
"Elden."
Thea blinked. "Huh?"
"Now that Elden is one of the 12 noble houses, there's bound to be chaos," Ryle explained. "Corruption, hidden scandals, political conflicts—perfect article material."
She frowned. "But Seraphina's in charge now, right?"
"That's what makes it interesting," Ryle smirked. "A young Duchess with no blood ties to the family, ruling over a house full of people who hate her?" He leaned forward, grinning. "Sounds like a story worth investigating."
Thea crossed her arms. "You just want to hide from your boss."
"…That too."
A few days later, Ryle and Thea arrived at the Elden region.
Since Marquis Elden's death, the entire region had changed. The streets were cleaner, the military presence stronger, and the overall atmosphere more controlled. Security had been significantly strengthened.
Approaching the grand castle gates, Ryle sighed. "It used to be easier to break in."
Thea nudged him. "We're not breaking in."
The guards stood firm, their armor polished to perfection. One of them stepped forward. "Outsiders are not permitted without proper documentation—"
"Seraphina invited us."
The moment Ryle mentioned her name, the guards exchanged glances. Annoyance, disapproval.
But they had their orders.
"…Very well. You may enter."
As they walked through the gates, Ryle noticed something immediately.
The Elden family members—every noble, every servant—glared at Seraphina with pure hatred.
She kept her posture straight, her expression unreadable, but Ryle could tell she felt it.
Whispers spread through the halls.
"She doesn't deserve that title."
"She's not even an Elden!"
"That brat stole our legacy."
Ryle sighed. People are predictable.
Seraphina didn't react. She simply turned to them and smiled. "Let's go to the graveyard."
The Elden family graveyard was built on a hill, overlooking the vast lands the noble house had ruled for generations. Each gravestone bore the names of past leaders—figures of power, pride, and ruthlessness.
Seraphina led them to the newest grave.
A grand, intricately designed tombstone. Gold letters engraved into the stone.
Darius Elden.
Ryle stared at the name for a second before muttering—
"Eh. I don't really care."
Seraphina nearly choked. "Excuse me?!"
Thea stifled a laugh. "Ryle, you can't just say that in front of his grave!"
"What? It's not like he was a good person." Ryle crossed his arms. "He was a murderer, a criminal, and a hypocrite. And now he's dead."
Seraphina looked at him in disbelief. "Then why did you insist on me inheriting the Elden name?"
Ryle's gaze darkened. "Because I don't trust the original Elden bloodline."
He stepped forward, placing a hand on the tombstone. "This family killed Ignilth. They slaughtered dragons for sport. They hunted the strongest creatures in existence, thinking it made them powerful."
Seraphina hesitated. "But not all of them were—"
"Yeah, yeah. I know." Ryle sighed. "Darius's fiancée was a great woman. I met her once. She was the only good thing about this family."
Seraphina fell silent.
Ryle turned to her, crossing his arms. "That's why I picked you."
She looked up.
"You're not an Elden by blood. That's precisely why I trust you to lead this house." His expression softened slightly. "I just have one issue."
Seraphina tilted her head. "What?"
"You're still seventeen."
She rolled her eyes. "I'll be eighteen in a few months."
"That's still not great."
Seraphina smirked. "Are you worried about me?"
"No," Ryle said flatly. "I'm worried for the Elden family. If you become their leader and actually improve things, they might die from shock."
Thea snorted. "He has a point."
After leaving the graveyard, Seraphina led them to the castle gardens.
As they walked, Ryle noticed something bizarre.
Thea and Seraphina… were bonding. Instantly.
It was ridiculous.
"Your sword techniques are incredible!" Seraphina gushed. "Can you teach me?"
Thea grinned. "Of course! But I'm warning you—it's going to be intense."
"I don't mind! I want to get stronger!"
Ryle sighed, watching them chat like best friends who had known each other for years.
"You two just met," he muttered.
Seraphina smiled. "What can I say? I like Thea."
Thea smirked. "I like her too. She's got guts."
Ryle shook his head. "Great. Now there are two of you."
As Seraphina and Thea continued talking, Ryle leaned back against a tree, watching the two girls laugh and train together.
For the first time in a long time, Elden felt… peaceful.
But Ryle knew better than to let his guard down.
Elden's problems weren't over.
And as a journalist, he was going to uncover every last secret.