Liam and Erika in Isak Castle ..
Liam and Erika walked through the garden in silence. After a while, Erika finally looked at him.
"What just happened?"
Liam let out a small sigh.
"Some sort of magic. But don't worry… you're safe here."
Erika smiled gently.
"I trust you."
Liam studied her for a moment before nodding. Together, they walked toward the castle.
The enormous doors opened as they stepped inside. A vast royal hall stretched before them. Towering white pillars supported the high ceiling, while grand chandeliers illuminated the polished marble floor. Magnificent paintings, golden decorations, and ancient royal banners adorned the walls.
Just then, an elderly butler approached Liam and bowed respectfully.
"You are late, Sir Liam."
Erika stood a few steps away in the corner, quietly wondering if she was truly safe.
Liam frowned slightly.
"Late? What do you mean?"
The butler straightened.
"His Highness left the castle this morning and has not yet returned."
Liam glanced toward Erika before looking back at the butler.
"We'll discuss this matter later."
The butler nodded.
"Of course, Sir."
Liam continued, "Please send some evening snacks to the rooftop garden. We'll be there."
"Right away," the butler replied.
Liam then turned toward Erika.
"This is Erika… a friend."
Erika smiled politely and said with grace, "Hello."
The butler chuckled softly.
"Hello."
Liam simply looked at him without a word. The butler smiled knowingly but asked no further questions.
"Very well."
Liam gestured toward the staircase.
"Come on."
Erika followed him upstairs. Soon, they arrived at the rooftop garden.
The cool breeze welcomed them as they stepped outside. White royal chairs surrounded an elegant marble table beneath a beautifully carved pavilion. Fresh flowers lined the edges of the rooftop, and from there, the entire kingdom could be seen beneath the evening sky.
Liam pulled out a chair for Erika.
"Please… have a seat."
Erika smiled softly and sat down as servants quietly began preparing the table.
Liam looked at her before taking his seat.
"I have some work to do," he said calmly. "I also need to find out where Isra is so we can find a solution."
Erika nodded in understanding.
"Of course."
Liam gave her a reassuring smile.
.
.
"Isak Raven Returns to His Kingdom After Meeting His Sister"
The doors of Raven Mansion opened with a deep echo as Isak stepped inside . While his servants lowered their heads in silent respect. Without slowing his pace, he walked straight to the enormous royal library.
His elderly butler bowed respectfully.
"Welcome home, Your Highness. Shall I have your meal prepared?"
"Bring it to the library."
The library was quiet, illuminated by warm chandeliers . Endless shelves filled with ancient books stretched toward the ceiling, while old maps and scrolls rested across a massive oak table.
Isak moved through the shelves, pulling out dusty volumes one after another. After quickly scanning their pages, he tossed several onto the floor, frustration building as he failed to find what he sought.
A few minutes later, the butler entered carrying a silver tray.
"Your meal, Your Highness. This letter also arrived during your absence."
Isak accepted the sealed letter and broke the wax seal. As his eyes moved across the page, his calm expression slowly disappeared.
"…Not again."
His jaw tightened.
The butler looked concerned.
"Has something happened, Your Highness?"
Isak folded the letter carefully.
"Nothing. You may leave."
The old man bowed and quietly left the library. Silence settled over the room.
Isak changed into his royal attire—a perfectly tailored black coat richly embroidered with deep crimson patterns flowing across the collar, chest, cuffs, and hem. The striking red embroidery contrasted beautifully against the dark fabric, giving him an appearance both regal and intimidating. His sword, adorned with a crimson gemstone in its hilt, rested securely at his waist.
Outside, his magnificent black stallion waited patiently. Several royal guards stepped forward.
"We'll accompany you, Your Highness."
"I'll go alone."
One cold glance from Isak was enough. The guards lowered their heads.
"We'll await your return."
After riding a short distance, Isak placed a hand over his chest. Crimson light surrounded him, and within a heartbeat, he vanished.
Isak raven in an unknown kingdom
The golden morning sun shone over the distant kingdom as Isak appeared before its towering palace. The guards at the entrance froze the instant they recognized him.
"Open the gates."
His calm voice carried undeniable authority.
Without hesitation, the massive gates swung open. Isak walked inside with steady, measured steps. Soldiers instinctively moved to block his path, their hands reaching for their swords.
Before anyone could react—
Shing!
His blade flashed from its sheath, stopping only inches from the captain's throat.
The guards immediately stepped aside.
Without another word, Isak continued toward the council chamber. He stopped before the massive doors.
BOOM!
With one powerful kick, the doors burst open, the crash echoing throughout the palace. The six kings seated around the long council table immediately rose to their feet.
"Your Highness…"
Isak's cold crimson eyes settled on Adam.
"So… you're here after all."
He walked to the empty chair, pulled it out, and sat down. Resting one hand on the hilt of his sword, he calmly looked around the room.
"So… what are all of you discussing?"
He walked to the empty chair, pulled it out, and sat down. Resting one hand on the hilt of his sword, he calmly looked around the room.
"So… what are all of you discussing?"
One of the neighboring kings answered cautiously.
"We're discussing a trade agreement, Your Highness."
Isak raised an eyebrow.
"A trade agreement?"
"Yes," another king replied quickly. "Trade between our kingdoms. Nothing more."
A faint chuckle escaped Isak's lips. Adam glanced at the others and sighed.
"He already knows."
The smile faded from Isak's face.
"I warned every one of you. Slavery will not exist in any kingdom. Yet here you are… gathered in secret."
The first king spoke firmly.
"I knew nothing of their intentions. I had already refused their proposal."
Isak looked directly at him.
"Then make sure slavery no longer exists in your kingdom. Abolish it completely."
The king slowly rose from his chair, his voice echoing with anger.
"My kingdom lies far beyond your borders. You have no authority over me. I will not!"
Isak rose to his feet, his presence filling the chamber.
"So… this is your answer?"
The king let out a mocking laugh.
"There are six kings in this chamber, each with an army at his command. And you believe you can stand against all of us… alone?"
A smile appeared on Isak's face.
"Then all of you shall pay the price."
The Battle
Steel rang throughout the chamber as the kings launched their attack. Isak fought effortlessly with one hand, his movements graceful yet deadly. His sword danced through the room with unmatched precision, leaving cuts across every king who dared challenge him. None could match his speed.
Finally, Adam stepped forward, raising his own sword.
"For my kingdom!"
Isak blocked the strike with ease.
"Slavery is never the answer, Adam."
Their swords clashed once more.
Suddenly, the first king charged from behind, his blade aimed at Isak's back. At the final instant, Isak stepped aside.
The sword missed him—
—and plunged straight into Adam's stomach.
Blood burst across the marble floor, splattering onto Isak's face.
The chamber fell silent.
Before anyone could react, Isak's sword flashed once again. Fury blazed in his crimson eyes.
"What a foolish king."
With a powerful kick, he sent the first king crashing across the floor. In one swift motion, he slashed the man's leg, carved a deep wound across his chest, and pressed the tip of his sword against the king's throat.
The king trembled violently.
"Forgive me, Your Highness… Please forgive me."
The remaining five kings immediately fell to their knees, pleading for mercy.
Isak stared at them in silence for a brief moment before lowering his sword. He kicked the wounded king aside and walked out of the chamber without another word.
The moment Isak left, they rushed toward Adam.
But he had already taken his final breath.
Fear spread across every face.
The first king collapsed to his knees, his hands trembling.
"I… I killed Adam."
"It was an accident," the fifth king said hurriedly.
The fourth king looked around in panic.
"What are we supposed to do now?"
Silence filled the chamber.
Finally, the second king spoke in a hushed voice.
"We'll tell every kingdom that Isak Raven murdered King Adam."
The third king hesitated.
"But… what if Isak Raven does something?"
The fifth king shook his head.
"Isak Raven has never cared about rumors. He'll never bother defending himself."
The kings exchanged uneasy glances.
One by one… they nodded in agreement.
And so, the first lie against the Raven King was born.
Isak's Return to Raven Mansion
An instant later, Isak appeared before the gates of Raven Mansion. His royal guards, who had been waiting for his return, immediately noticed him. Their eyes fell upon the blood staining his face, soaking his royal clothes, and marking the sword at his waist. Though concern flickered across their faces, not one of them dared ask what had happened.
Just then, the butler hurried toward him, his expression filled with concern.
"Your Highness, I must inform you—"
"Not now," Isak interrupted without slowing his pace. "I have other matters to attend to."
The butler immediately fell silent and stepped aside.
Isak Raven walked through the long stone corridor, completely lost in his thoughts. His expression remained cold, but his mind was far from calm.
Suddenly—
Thud.
Someone bumped into him.
Liam stepped back, staring at Isak in shock.
"What the hell happened to you, Isak?"
Isak looked at him without emotion.
"What are you doing here?"
Liam frowned.
"You killed someone? Look at yourself. There's blood all over your face."
Isak ignored the question.
"I told you to take care of Sky and Erika. Why are you here?"
Liam folded his arms.
"Everything was fine there. Erika is here."
Isak's expression changed instantly.
"Erika is here? Why? What exactly happened?"
Liam looked directly into his eyes.
"First tell me... who did you kill, Isak?"
Instead of answering immediately, Isak placed a hand on Liam's shoulder.
"Come with me. We'll discuss everything on the way."
Without wasting another moment, the two walked through the castle toward Isak's private chamber.
As soon as they entered, Isak removed his bloodstained coat while explaining everything that had happened in the neighboring kingdom—the confrontation, the battle, and finally... Adam's death.
Liam listened in silence.
A few minutes later, Isak washed the blood from his face and hands. After changing into clean royal clothes, he turned back to Liam.
"Now," Isak said calmly, "tell me what happened."
Liam took a deep breath and explained everything from the beginning.
"How he reached the harbor... how that man begged for his life and why Erika... she chose to let him go."
Isak listened silently, his expression unreadable.
Liam continued.
"Then, in the middle of the crowd... Sky disappeared."
Isak's eyes narrowed instantly.
"Sky disappeared?"
"I searched everywhere," Liam replied. "But she was gone. I couldn't find a single trace of her. So I brought Erika here."
A heavy silence settled over the room.
Then Isak spoke in a quiet, dangerous voice.
"And you're telling me this only now?"
Liam sighed.
"I was confused. You told me that whenever Sky disappeared, she simply returned to the place she came from."
"Yes," Isak replied.
Liam nodded.
"But every time before disappearing, she informed you . didn't she?"
"She always did."
"That's exactly what Erika said. That's why I became worried."
The moment those words left Liam's mouth, Isak grabbed him by the collar.
"I told you to take care of her!" His voice echoed with restrained anger. "You know how important she is."
Liam met his gaze without resisting.
"I know."
After a long moment, Isak released him and turned toward the door.
"I'm going to find her."
"We'll find her together," Liam said firmly.
"I can handle it alone."
"No," Liam replied. "We'll do this together. Erika is willing to help as well."
Isak stood in silence for a moment before giving a reluctant nod.
"…Fine. Let's go."
The two headed toward the door, but Liam suddenly stopped.
"Isak."
"What?"
"You can't wear those royal clothes in front of Erika."
Isak glanced down at his attire.
"…You're right."
Without another word, he turned back, changed into a simple set of ordinary clothes, and returned a few moments later.
Liam gave an approving nod.
Without further delay, the two left the chamber together and headed toward the rooftop garden, where Erika was waiting.