Kael followed Eya down from the towering bamboo tree.
"Move," she said. "If we stay here much longer, another patrol will come."
She dropped first.
Not climbed.
Dropped.
One moment she stood on a branch hundreds of feet above the forest floor, moonlight silvering her pale face. The next she stepped into empty air like gravity had forgotten her name.
Kael swore and leapt after her.
Wind tore at his robes as he plunged through layers of bamboo leaves. He hit one thick branch, rebounded, twisted, caught another, then landed hard in a crouch beside her.
She was already running.
Of course she was.
Kael gritted his teeth and chased after her through the endless sea of towering bamboo.
Several more patrol squads crossed their path.
Construct spearmen marched in precise formations through the forest—green armored figures built from lacquered wood and metal joints, carrying long spears that gleamed under the moonlight. Their movements were unnervingly smooth. Too smooth. Like soldiers whose souls had been ripped out and replaced with clockwork obedience.
Each time, Eya spotted them first.
Each time, she dragged Kael into hiding before they noticed.
And each time they moved farther from the Ancient Reed.
Farther from Selene.
Kael's anxiety kept tightening like a wire around his chest.
Selene was still asleep in that giant nest.
Still alone.
Still vulnerable.
He finally snapped.
"You said it wasn't far," he hissed. "How much farther?"
"Almost there."
Eya never slowed.
"It's ahead."
"That's what you said before."
"And I was correct then too."
Kael glared at the back of her head.
Infuriating woman.
Beautiful.
Brilliant.
Infuriating.
Then his irritation vanished.
He suddenly noticed the bamboo around them had changed.
These stalks looked nothing like the ordinary bamboo they had passed earlier.
Each segment bulged outward in smooth curves, like countless green glass bottles stacked atop one another. Moonlight reflected across their strange surfaces.
Kael's eyes widened.
"No way…" he breathed. "These are Warding-Vase Bamboo?"
Eya glanced back.
"You really hadn't seen them before?"
Kael stared at the endless forest stretching into darkness.
"You mean to tell me there's this much?"
The bamboo forest rolled toward the horizon like a green ocean.
"I've heard people speak of this stuff like it was rarer than dragon bones."
"It is rare."
She suddenly stopped.
Kael nearly crashed into her.
"This forest may be vast," she said quietly, "but it's the only place in existence where this bamboo grows."
Then she raised a hand.
Silence.
Kael immediately lowered his voice.
"Patrol?"
She narrowed her eyes at the darkness ahead.
"No."
Kael followed her gaze.
At first, he saw nothing.
Then one of the massive bamboo stalks in the distance tilted.
Slowly.
Then sharply.
Then it crashed into the sea of bamboo with a deep groaning crack.
Kael blinked.
"What the hell?"
Another metallic noise followed.
Grinding.
Sawing.
Eya frowned.
"Someone is harvesting bamboo."
Her confusion deepened.
"That makes no sense. This area isn't approved for cutting."
Kael stared at her.
"Approved?"
She looked offended by his ignorance.
"You think people can just cut these whenever they want?"
"Yes?"
She exhaled sharply.
"Every single stalk is cataloged. Recorded. Tracked."
Kael stared.
"That sounds insane."
"It's necessary."
She motioned him forward.
"Come. Let's see."
They moved silently through the bamboo.
The sawing sounds grew louder.
Metal screeched against impossibly durable wood.
Then voices.
Human voices.
Eya immediately pressed herself against a thick bamboo stalk and peeked around it.
Kael mirrored her.
She clicked her tongue.
"Thieves."
"How do you know?"
Kael leaned out—
—and froze.
Four giant creatures stood in a clearing.
Each was over ten feet tall.
Their bodies resembled monstrous praying mantises made from polished green wood and bronze joints. Their forearms ended in massive serrated saw blades several feet long.
They worked in pairs.
Pulling the blades back and forth across the bamboo with terrifying speed.
Sparks flew.
Wood groaned.
Yet even after all that effort, one nearly severed bamboo stalk still refused to fall.
Kael stared in fascination.
"What are those things?"
"Mantis Craftsmen."
Her voice held casual familiarity.
"They're harvesting constructs. They cut, carry, transport, and repair. Very efficient."
The giant saw-arms moved like lightning.
Kael watched with open greed.
"I need one."
"You absolutely do not."
"I definitely do."
"They would dismember you."
"That sounds like jealousy."
Eya ignored him.
"In emergencies, they can also fight."
Kael's eyes brightened further.
"I need two."
Eya sighed.
Kael kept watching, enthralled.
"You know an awful lot about this place."
No answer.
He turned.
And immediately felt alarm crawl up his spine.
Eya's face had gone cold.
Her jaw was tight.
Her lips pressed together.
Her eyes looked sharp enough to cut flesh.
"What happened?"
"Nothing."
That answer convinced him it was definitely not nothing.
Before he could press further, someone shouted from the clearing.
"This is useless!"
Kael's body stiffened.
That voice—
He knew that voice.
He peeked again.
Two men walked into view.
One was instantly recognizable.
Hadrian Corvel.
Kael's expression darkened.
"That bastard."
Standing beside Hadrian was another young man dressed in expensive silk robes. His face was pale and weak-looking. He moved like someone perpetually recovering from illness.
The silk-clad man groaned.
"There's nothing I can do. Things have been tense lately. The Vale has been forced to hand over huge quantities of raw materials and finished goods. Inspectors keep coming from outside."
He lowered his voice.
"My father's become extremely strict."
Hadrian frowned.
"This bamboo is harder than steel. Can't you bring more Mantis Craftsmen?"
The young noble shook his head frantically.
"No chance. Before Father left, he ordered that no one use these constructs without permission."
He pointed at the four already working.
"I nearly got caught sneaking these out."
Kael frowned.
What kind of lord's son was this?
He looked half-dead and terrified of his own servants.
Hadrian stepped closer.
"I already bragged publicly that I'd bring back enough bamboo."
His smile vanished.
"If I fail, I'll be humiliated."
The nobleman wrung his hands.
Still refusing.
Hadrian's face hardened.
"Your father is gone. Why are you afraid?"
The man looked miserable.
"Steward Mordwin is still here."
He shuddered.
"That old bastard is worse."
"He doesn't listen to me at all."
Hadrian's voice rose.
"You're the young lord of this valley."
"He's a servant."
"What can he possibly do to you?"
Kael blinked.
So this trembling coward was Lord Verdling?
That explained disappointingly little.
Lord Verdling gave a miserable laugh.
"Steward Mordwin isn't an ordinary servant. Father brought him from outside."
"He's dangerous."
Hadrian stared at him.
Then his voice dropped.
Cold.
Threatening.
"Verdling."
Kael felt the shift instantly.
Predator scent.
"You wouldn't happen to be playing games with me… would you?"
Verdling visibly trembled.
"What do you mean?"
Hadrian smiled.
Pure poison.
"That night."
"At my estate."
"When you got drunk."
His voice became softer.
"You thought I didn't know you snuck into my chambers and slept with one of my women?"
Verdling's face went white.
He nearly collapsed.
"I deserve death!"
He bowed repeatedly.
"I was drunk! Completely drunk!"
"I would never have dared otherwise!"
Kael's eyes widened.
Then fury flared in his chest.
This bastard already had women.
And he still tried to pursue Selene?
Hadrian's smile remained.
But his eyes were dead.
"You said interesting things to her."
Verdling staggered backward.
"I—I was speaking nonsense—"
"You told her that if she belonged to you—"
"I was drunk!"
Verdling looked ready to piss himself.
Hadrian stared at him for several long seconds.
Then suddenly smiled warmly.
"As men, we understand these things."
Verdling looked stunned.
Hadrian draped an arm over his shoulders.
"You help me get what I need…"
His voice softened seductively.
"And next time you leave the Vale, I'll find you even prettier women."
Verdling swallowed hard.
"If bringing them here is inconvenient…"
Hadrian leaned closer.
"I'll buy you a private estate outside."
"A hidden paradise."
Verdling's breathing quickened.
Kael looked sick.
Then Hadrian delivered the final blow.
"If you truly like her…"
He chuckled.
"I could even gift you that woman."
Kael nearly shouted.
What kind of animal offered his own concubine like livestock?
Verdling's eyes lit up with disgusting excitement.
"Truly?"
"Of course."
Hadrian laughed.
"A woman is clothing."
"You wear one until you grow bored."
He squeezed Verdling's shoulder.
"But brotherhood?"
"That matters."
He leaned close.
"All I ask is that you sell more of the Vale's goods to Dawnbreaker Hold."
Verdling practically glowed.
"Done!"
He slapped his chest.
"You've shown me great kindness!"
Hadrian grinned wider.
"That girl really was delicious."
"The waist…"
"The way she moved…"
He laughed crudely.
Verdling joined in.
"The things she did that night…"
The two men burst into vulgar laughter.
Kael's ears burned red.
Even he felt filthy listening to this.
Then a quiet voice whispered beside him.
"So."
He jumped.
He had almost forgotten Eya was pressed against the same bamboo stalk.
Her face was inches away.
"That man came with you?"
Kael nearly choked.
"No!"
He whispered so hard his throat hurt.
"Absolutely not."
"We are not friends."
"Not even remotely."
Eya slowly looked at his bright red ears.
Then smiled faintly.
Suspiciously.
Kael panicked.
"He claimed he could get Warding-Vase Bamboo."
"That's why we followed him."
"We?"
Her eyes gleamed.
"Who else?"
Kael immediately regretted being alive.
"...Selene."
He coughed.
"My Elder Soror."
"Oh?"
Her smile deepened.
"And where is this Elder Soror now?"
Kael's face became scorching hot.
"She's…"
He froze.
How exactly was he supposed to explain that Selene was currently asleep in a giant nest after nearly draining him dry through sex?
He stared helplessly.
"She's… resting."
Eya's eyes sparkled with dangerous curiosity.
"Resting where?"
Kael opened his mouth—
A thunderous roar exploded through the forest.
"WHO DARES STEAL BAMBOO?"
The entire clearing shook.
A violent gust blasted through the trees.
Something massive burst from deep within the bamboo forest.
Kael's jaw dropped.
It looked like a spider the size of a carriage.
Its body bore striped tiger patterns.
Its hooked legs stabbed into the earth like spears.
Metal blades gleamed from its limbs.
A man rode atop it.
Broad-faced.
White-bearded.
Eyes sharp as lightning.
He wore bamboo armor, a spear strapped to his back.
At his waist hung a shimmering green rattle that radiated strange power.
Lord Verdling and Hadrian both turned pale.
Then an entire squad of construct spearmen rushed from the forest and surrounded them.
The Mantis Craftsmen halted immediately.
Lord Verdling shouted desperately.
"Steward Mordwin! It's me!"
The old steward scanned the scene from atop his monstrous mount.
He did not dismount.
"Ah."
His voice was flat.
"Young lord."
He looked at the fallen bamboo.
"At what exactly are you doing?"
Verdling forced a laugh.
"This is Young Warden Corvel of Dawnbreaker Hold."
"He urgently needs bamboo to resist demonic forces."
"So I took the initiative to help him."
He coughed awkwardly.
"I was just about to inform you."
Steward Mordwin's expression did not move.
"Before leaving, your father explicitly forbade unauthorized harvesting."
"Did you forget?"
Verdling's face twitched.
"This matter is urgent."
"My father isn't here."
"I'll explain it myself later."
"No."
The single word hit like a hammer.
Verdling's face drained of blood.
"Please—"
"No."
Mordwin's voice remained calm.
"Your father entrusted this Vale to me."
"I would die before violating his orders."
Even while calling himself a servant, the old man sounded like the true master here.
Hadrian's eyes flashed with murderous intent.
For a brief second, Kael thought he might attack.
Then Hadrian looked at the giant spider mount—
—and wisely buried that thought.
Kael, meanwhile, could barely hear any of them anymore.
His full attention was locked onto the monstrous spider construct.
He whispered excitedly to Eya.
"That thing…"
"Is that a Tiger-Spider War Chariot?"
Eya nodded.
"Yes."
"But not the same model once supplied to Lord Voss."
Kael's eyes widened.
"There are different models?"
He looked like a starving man discovering an endless banquet.
"What was the one supplied to Lord Voss like?"
"There are four known variants," Eya said as they watched the massive spider construct shift beneath Steward Mordwin's command. "The one once built for Lord Voss was custom-made for war. Much larger than this one. It could carry four to six riders and mounted far more weapons."
Kael stared like a drunk man discovering a hidden treasury.
Different models.
Different weapon systems.
Different designs.
His heart nearly burst through his ribs.
The Great Verdant Vale truly was a craftsman's holy land.
Before he could bombard Eya with more questions, Steward Mordwin's cold voice cracked across the bamboo grove.
"Men!"
Armed retainers rushed forward.
"Count every stalk already harvested. Record it. Then seal all of it where it stands."
His gaze swept across Lord Verdling and Hadrian like a blade.
"What happened today will be judged when the Vale Master returns."
His voice lowered.
"But if either of you tries this again…"
Even the wind seemed to stop.
"Do not blame me for what follows."
Workers scrambled in panic, chaining bundles of harvested Warding-Vase Bamboo and stamping wax seals over every stack.
Not a single stalk left the grove.
Steward Mordwin turned his spider construct.
"This servant takes his leave."
He gave Lord Verdling the barest nod.
Then he reached to his waist and removed a shimmering green rattle.
Kael leaned forward.
Mordwin shook it three times.
Clink.
Clink.
Clink.
The sound was strangely soft.
Yet moments later, four towering constructs emerged from the bamboo forest.
They looked like giant praying mantises forged from polished green timber and bronze joints. Their blade-like forearms clicked violently as they approached.
Mantis Craftsmen.
They formed an orderly line behind Mordwin like obedient soldiers before marching after him into the forest.
Kael's jaw nearly hit the ground.
"What in the hells was that?"
Eya smiled faintly.
"That was the Wood-Warden Token."
"One of the Three Vale Treasures."
"It was crafted from a sacred branch of the Ancient Reed itself. No matter what restrictions or commands are placed on any wood construct in this valley…"
Her dark eyes gleamed.
"That token overrides all of them."
Kael inhaled sharply.
The entire valley's construct army...
controlled by one artifact.
He wanted it.
Very badly.
Not to steal.
Just—
well—
mostly not to steal.
Soon Mordwin and his forces vanished into the bamboo sea.
Silence returned.
Then Hadrian exploded.
"That old bastard thinks he can speak to us like that?!"
His face was twisted with rage.
"Does he even remember you're the heir here?"
Lord Verdling's face twitched violently.
"One day…"
His teeth ground together.
"One day I'll make sure that old dog dies without a corpse left to bury."
Hadrian's expression remained ugly.
"What now?"
Verdling spread his hands helplessly.
"What can I do?"
"If he reports this to my father, I'll suffer for it too."
Hadrian stared at him with naked contempt.
Verdling forced a laugh.
"You saw what happened."
"It's not that I didn't try to help you."
He lowered his voice.
"Go back for now. Let this settle down."
"Later, I'll find another way to get your bamboo."
Hadrian clearly wanted to kill him.
But he knew there was no immediate solution.
With a cold snort, he stormed away.
Kael watched him disappear and immediately thought of Selene.
His blood went cold.
Hadrian had been trying very hard to separate him from Selene.
And Selene—
Selene was still asleep.
Completely naked.
Inside the nest atop the Ancient Reed.
Kael's face went white.
Lord Verdling watched Hadrian leave.
The fake smile vanished from his face.
His expression turned venomous.
"That bastard dares bark at me?"
"When I become master of this valley…"
His eyes filled with murder.
"Dawnbreaker Hold will be the first thing I destroy."
He raged to himself for several breaths before storming off in the opposite direction.
Kael released a long breath.
"What a pair."
He spat into the dirt.
"Calling them brothers is generous. They're more like two snakes fighting over the same corpse."
Eya laughed softly.
"Can't stand people like that?"
"There are many of them."
Kael barely heard her.
His thoughts had already returned to Selene.
His expression changed.
"Oh no."
Eya blinked.
"What?"
"I need to go back."
He turned immediately.
After hearing Hadrian's conversation, there was no chance he was leaving Selene alone.
Eya's eyes widened.
Her lips parted in disbelief.
"That's it?"
"You saw everything you wanted to see and now you're leaving?"
Kael looked grim.
"That bastard is probably heading toward my Elder Soror right now."
"She could be in danger."
Eya folded her arms.
"Your Elder Soror is a child?"
"She needs that much protection?"
Kael shook his head.
"She's strong."
"Very strong."
"But that man is vile."
He started walking.
"I'm going."
"Wait."
Eya grabbed his sleeve.
Kael turned.
"What?"
She opened her mouth.
Nothing came out.
But she didn't let go.
Her small hands tightened around his sleeve.
Kael frowned.
"What is it?"
Her eyes moved quickly.
Then she blurted—
"Do you want Warding-Vase Bamboo?"
Kael froze.
"What?"
"You came here for it, didn't you?"
"That man failed."
She leaned closer.
"Are you really willing to leave empty-handed?"
Kael frowned.
"If Hadrian couldn't get any, what exactly am I supposed to do?"
Eya lifted her chin.
"Come somewhere with me."
"I'll help you."
Kael stared.
"You have a way?"
"Yes."
She answered instantly.
With complete confidence.
Kael narrowed his eyes.
"What way?"
"You'll find out later."
She gave him a crooked smile.
"If I'm lying, I'm a dog."
Kael folded his arms.
"Where are we going?"
"And why do you need me?"
Eya hesitated.
Then muttered quietly—
"The road is boring."
"It's nice having someone to talk to."
A faint blush rose across her pale cheeks.
Kael stared flatly.
"You expect me to believe that?"
Her face reddened further.
Then she muttered even softer—
"Fine."
"The truth is…"
She looked away.
"It's dangerous."
"I don't want to go alone."
Kael snorted internally.
There it is.
He pointed at her.
"So all that talk about showing me more Tiger-Spider War Chariots was bait?"
"You just wanted free muscle?"
Eya immediately panicked.
"No!"
Then her voice softened.
Her posture melted.
She suddenly looked heartbreakingly vulnerable.
"I really don't have another choice…"
Her voice turned small.
"Will you help me?"
Kael immediately felt his resolve collapsing.
Damn it.
He hated when beautiful women looked at him like that.
"Where are we going?"
"And why is it dangerous?"
Eya stared toward the distant horizon.
"I need to reclaim something."
"Something that belongs to my family."
Her voice carried old pain.
Kael studied her.
She clearly wasn't willing to explain more.
He let it go.
"Fine."
"Where?"
Her face exploded with joy.
"You'll help me?"
Kael sighed.
"Next time, skip the manipulation."
He fully expected her promise about the bamboo to be nonsense.
And yet...
he still couldn't refuse her.
Eya beamed.
"So you'll help me again in the future too?"
Kael ignored that entirely.
"First, I need to retrieve my Elder Soror."
His voice hardened.
"I am not leaving her alone with that bastard."
Eya's smile disappeared.
Kael continued obliviously.
"And Selene's strong."
"She can help us too."
Eya stared at him.
Her expression flattened.
"…Fine."
"Let's go."
Kael immediately broke into a sprint.
He remembered Selene sleeping naked inside that giant nest.
His soul nearly left his body.
If Hadrian found her—
No.
Absolutely not.
Eya followed behind him silently.
Her mood had clearly darkened.
Kael raced through the forest at full speed.
He constantly looked around.
Everything looked the same.
Bamboo.
Fog.
Roots.
More bamboo.
After nearly half an hour—
Eya finally shouted from behind him.
"Where exactly are you going?"
Kael stopped.
"What do you mean?"
She pointed around them.
"We've already been here."
Kael slowly turned.
His expression became deeply uncomfortable.
He had absolutely no idea where he was.
He had gotten lost.
Again.
Eya burst into laughter.
"You really are hopeless."
Kael rubbed his face.
"…Do you know where the Ancient Reed is?"
"Yes."
Kael nearly grabbed her shoulders.
"Then lead!"
Eya clicked her tongue.
"So demanding."
She slowly turned and began walking.
Slowly.
Very slowly.
Kael twitched.
"Can you move faster?"
She didn't even look back.
"If I trip, will you catch me?"
She intentionally slowed down even more.
Kael nearly screamed.
"You were running much faster earlier!"
Eya remained silent.
Then suddenly—
she accelerated like an arrow.
Kael's eyes widened.
"What the—"
He immediately chased her.
Within moments she had created a huge gap.
Kael cursed and poured Vitae into his legs just to keep up.
She was absurdly fast.
Then—
Eya suddenly stumbled.
"Ah!"
She pitched forward.
Kael's heart jumped.
He lunged forward and caught her before she slammed into the ground.
"Are you hurt?"
Eya sat up with a miserable expression.
She clutched one ankle.
"It hurts…"
"What hurts?"
"My foot!"
"How bad?"
"It hurts so much I might die."
Kael paled.
"Don't say things like that."
"Which foot?"
"This one."
Kael crouched.
Years of survival training inside the Runeward Chapter meant he knew basic medical treatment.
He carefully lifted the edge of her dress.
Then reached for her boot.
The instant his fingers touched her stocking—
Eya shrieked.
"Ah!"
Kael nearly jumped out of his skin.
"What?!"
"What are you doing?!"
"Taking off your boot!"
"How am I supposed to examine your foot otherwise?"
Without waiting for permission, he removed her delicate boot and gently lifted her foot into his hands.
Then he slowly rolled down her white stocking.
Eya froze.
Her breathing grew uneven.
She stared at him.
Kael looked completely focused.
Completely serious.
Completely unaware of what this looked like.
The stocking slid away.
And revealed a foot so absurdly beautiful that Kael's brain stopped working.
Smooth.
Pale.
Soft.
Almost translucent.
He could faintly see delicate blue veins beneath the skin.
Her toes curled instinctively in his palm.
Her skin was warm.
Too warm.
Too soft.
Kael's hands tingled.
His heart began hammering wildly.
For several dangerous seconds—
he forgot what he was doing.
Then he violently remembered.
Right.
Medical emergency.
He gently pressed different areas.
"Where does it hurt?"
Eya's voice trembled.
"Th-there…"
Kael touched the top of her foot.
He frowned.
There was no swelling.
No bruising.
Nothing looked wrong.
He blinked.
Then stared.
And accidentally kept staring.
Eya's face turned scarlet.
"What are you looking at?!"
Kael snapped upright.
"I—I mean—"
"It looks fine?"
Eya glared at him.
"Fine?"
"I'm dying here!"
"Do you even know medicine?"
Kael began sweating.
If his Second Soror were here, she could fix this instantly.
He was completely out of his depth.
Meanwhile—
Eya's entire body felt strange.
The warmth of his hands lingered on her skin like fire.
A trembling numbness spread through her body.
Panic flashed through her eyes.
She yanked her foot back.
Then quickly hid it beneath her dress.
"What happened?"
Kael looked confused.
"I don't want your treatment anymore."
She huffed.
"You don't look trustworthy."
Kael nearly cried.
"I have healing medicine."
"Broken bones, torn flesh—it works on all of it."
"I can apply it now."
"No."
She quickly pulled her stocking and boot back on beneath her dress.
Kael nearly tore his hair out.
Selene.
Selene.
Selene.
Every passing second made him more anxious.
"What do we do now?"
"Why were you running like a maniac anyway?!"
Eya's eyes widened in fake outrage.
"What a cruel thing to say!"
"I was rushing to help you!"
"That's why I wasn't watching where I stepped!"
"And now you blame me?"
Her eyes instantly reddened.
Tears trembled at the corners.
Kael panicked.
"No—no—I didn't mean that."
"I'm not blaming you."
"This is my fault."
"All my fault."
He waved his hands frantically.
Eya looked at him through watery eyes.
And the faintest smile almost appeared.
Kael's mind raced.
"Alright."
"You rest here."
"I'll get Selene and come back."
Eya immediately rejected that.
"No."
Kael blinked.
"What?"
"You're leaving me here alone?"
"I can't walk."
"What if monsters come?"
Kael opened his mouth.
Then closed it.
That was a very valid concern in this cursed valley.
Eya struck again.
"And without me…"
She leaned forward.
"…how exactly will you avoid getting lost again?"
Kael froze.
That hit directly where it hurt.
He clawed at his hair in frustration.
Eya's eyes glittered.
Then she smiled slowly.
"I just thought of something."
Her voice turned sweet.
"Want to hear it?"