"The Spirit Who Feared Him"
Julian lowered his head slowly.
"I promised Suire I would protect her..."
"But I left her there... and ran away with Jeigan."
"I don't know how she is now... or where she might be..."
Suddenly, panic spread across his face.
"What if those two did something to her...?"
Hanaume immediately grabbed his shoulder.
"Don't worry. Nothing will happen to her."
At that moment—
Walmiliya and Walminiya stepped out of the Mother Tree Room.
Their expressions were calm.
Cold.
Unreadable.
They walked toward the table.
The Lamia guards straightened beside them.
Takemishi, Hanaume, Jeigan, and Julian all stood up and looked at them.
Hanaume asked quickly,
"You two... what happened inside?"
Suddenly—
The sisters returned to their usual smiles.
Walminiya laughed lightly.
"Nothing happened. The Mother Tree just watched a horror movie and got scared."
A strange smile hid something deeper.
Walmiliya added,
"You may all enter now. She has given permission."
Hanaume, Julian, and Takemishi started toward the room.
Walmiliya noticed Jeigan still standing behind.
"What's wrong? Why are you still standing there? Aren't you coming?"
Jeigan hesitated.
"Is it really okay...? She got scared because of me."
Walminiya placed a hand on his shoulder—
then suddenly pulled it back, as if she sensed something.
"It's fine. Come with us."
Jeigan silently followed them.
—
They entered the Mother Tree Room.
Before them stood a massive glowing tree—
beautiful, ancient, breathtaking.
Takemishi looked at his hands and body in surprise.
"What is this feeling...?"
The glow of the Mother Tree reflected in their eyes.
Walminiya explained,
"Don't worry. When you come near the Mother Tree, your DLMANA begins to rise... and your body feels warm."
Jeigan stared at the tree without blinking.
"It's so huge... and beautiful..."
Suddenly—
From the center of the branches, a figure slowly descended.
The Mother Tree Spirit.
She had sharp eyes, green hair, and wore an elegant green dress like a queen.
A band of white flowers rested in her hair.
She was stunning.
But the moment she saw them—
she quickly hid behind Walminiya, peeking nervously from her side.
Walminiya spoke gently,
"My Lady... there's no need to be afraid. These people are good."
Julian, Takemishi, Hanaume, and Jeigan stared in shock.
Walmiliya said proudly,
"This is the spirit of the Mother Tree."
The spirit slowly stepped out.
"M-My name is Mother Tree Alexia..."
At once—
Jeigan, Julian, Takemishi, and Hanaume raised one arm across the face, forming a triangle while leaving one eye visible—
The Treyengle Left Pose.
A sacred gesture of highest respect in their world.
Jeigan bowed first.
"Mother Alexia, my name is Jeigan. It is an honor to meet you."
Julian followed.
"Mother Alexia, my name is Julian. It's a pleasure to meet you."
Takemishi bowed calmly.
"Mother Alexia, my name is Takemishi. I'm honored to meet you."
Hanaume smiled brightly.
"Mother Alexia, my name is Hanaume. I never thought I would ever see a Mother Tree Spirit this closely."
Alexia smiled softly.
Then she returned a mirrored gesture—
The Treyengle Right Pose.
The sign that their respect had been accepted and blessed.
The four straightened again.
Alexia looked nervously at Jeigan—
then looked away.
"I'm happy to meet all of you as well..."
"And... please forgive me for how I behaved earlier."
All four quickly waved their hands in denial.
Takemishi spoke first,
"No, no... please don't apologize to us. We didn't mind at all."
Alexia smiled shyly.
"Please... come with me."
—
They moved beneath the Mother Tree, where a table and chairs had been prepared.
Everyone sat down.
Walminiya and Walmiliya joined them.
They began talking together—
even laughing a little.
—
Scene Shift — Police Station
Yorvin had just finished explaining everything about Lamia Castle to Jeigan's parents.
Sumie covered her mouth with trembling hands.
"So much happened to my son..."
Tears formed in her eyes.
Ruden looked serious.
"The girl you mentioned... Jinha."
"The one controlling her—do you know that girl's name?"
Yorvin was about to answer—
but another voice spoke first.
"Her name is Walinsiya."
Everyone turned.
Suire had entered the office with Mr. Waylv.
Ruden's face turned pale the moment he heard the name.
Sumie began crying harder.
Yorvin narrowed his eyes.
"This is the same girl from the castle, correct, Mr. Waylv?"
Mr. Waylv nodded.
"Yes, Sir. It's her."
Yorvin looked at Suire.
"You're certain her name is Walinsiya?"
Suire nodded firmly.
"Yes. She told us herself."
"At first, she lied and said her name was Marry."
"But after trapping us in her web..."
—
Scene Shift — Memory
Julian shouted,
"Walinsiya?! Who is that?!"
Walinsiya smiled coldly.
"You fools..."
"My real name is Walinsiya."
"Marry was only the fake name I gave you."
—
Scene Shift — Present
Suire continued,
"That's how I learned her real name."
Ruden turned toward her urgently.
"Do you know where Jeigan is right now?"
Suire lowered her head, guilt in her eyes.
"No... I don't know."
"I only know he was locked inside the storage room of Lamia Castle."
Sumie stood suddenly.
"Then we should go there and find him!"
Ruden stood with her.
"She's right."
Mr. Waylv quickly raised a hand.
"Wait. He isn't there anymore."
"When I was spying near the castle and overheard their plan... I saw the storage room wall completely broken."
Suire's eyes widened.
"Oh... I forgot to mention something."
"Julian broke free from Walinsiya's power and entered the storage room to save Jeigan."
Yorvin folded his arms.
"Then that means they escaped... and are hiding somewhere else."
Suddenly—
The police station door opened.
A tall man and woman entered.
Both wore black suits.
Their faces were hidden behind masks and sunglasses.
The man spoke calmly.
"May we come in?"
Everyone turned toward them.