"So… they failed, huh?" Nel murmured, his eyes fixed on the parchment laid out before him. The detailed report of the ambush was written across it in neat ink strokes.

He didn't look disappointed.

The Acolyte kneeling before him, however, was drenched in sweat, his forehead nearly touching the floor. Another failed mission. Again, *that man* was involved. Skulth had lost more men, and their plan to erase the Vermillion family had crumbled to dust.

'Please, my lord… spare me…' the Acolyte prayed silently, trembling under the weight of Nel's quiet presence.

But contrary to his fears, Nel didn't seem angry. Not even a little.

The green-haired man gave a calm hum and said, "Go and inform Commander Bakah to gather every Red-wing in the strategy room. I want a full meeting."

The Acolyte quickly bowed, stammering a faint, "Ha!" before vanishing through the door.

Nel sighed softly and leaned back in his chair.

From the corner of the room, the shadows rippled—and a woman emerged. Her slender hand brushed down his shoulder, her touch light as silk.

Nel reached up and placed his hand over hers. "Your visions never fail to amaze me, Kora."

"But we failed," she replied sharply, her tone laced with frustration. Her long light-blue hair shimmered faintly in the dim light, and her black eyes narrowed.

Nel chuckled and pulled her closer until she landed on his lap.

"Ah!" she gasped but didn't resist, settling comfortably against him.

Nel picked up the parchment and handed it to her.

Kora scanned through the report, her brows knitting tighter with each line. "It's the same as that man described," she said finally. "So what exactly are you smiling about?"

Nel's grin widened. "You still don't see it?" He tapped his finger right above a single word on the parchment — *Died.*

Kora's eyes flicked up to him. "You mean… you're happy that he died, just as I foresaw?"

Nel nodded. "Exactly. Now we finally understand what kind of being Adrian truly is. He is anything but human."

Kora hummed thoughtfully. "And how do you plan to use that knowledge?"

Nel's smile turned sharper. "We're going to expose him." He snapped his fingers.

The door creaked open.

A woman stepped into the room, her heels clicking softly against the stone floor.

Kora's eyes narrowed in disbelief. "Mary Vermillion… what is she doing here?"

Nel chuckled darkly. "She's the witness, my love. Through her, we'll save the Twilight Vault… and destroy Adrian."

Kora's lips parted as realization dawned on her. She turned toward Mary, who was standing there with a grin stretching from ear to ear.

Nel leaned back, eyes drifting toward the ceiling as a quiet laugh escaped him.

"There's no saving you this time, Mister Lockwood," he murmured. "You're finished."

Adrian had managed to silence the rumors about his ability to wield independent magic before—but this time, there would be no escape.

When a member of the Vermillion family—someone who was actually present at the scene—spoke to the reporters, public opinion would surely shift.

No one would doubt the words of a Vermillion. And the previous rumors would only make the story sound more believable.

That was exactly what Nel was aiming for: to corner Adrian, to make people question him, resent him, and eventually turn against him.

He wanted to strip Adrian of everything—his trust, his name, and the people he loved—until he was left alone, broken, and helpless.

Only then would Nel appear before him… to deliver death himself.

"Leader!"

A spy burst into the chamber, his sudden entrance startling Mary.

Kora's black eyes flared with anger. "Do you understand the consequences of barging in without permission?" she hissed.

Nel placed a hand on her thigh, calming her. "It's fine, babe. He wouldn't interrupt unless it was important."

Turning toward the trembling man, Nel asked evenly, "What is it, soldier?"

The spy, panting heavily, forced out the words. "T-The Warden… Annabelle… s-she… ambushed—"

Kora's eyes widened in alarm, while Nel stayed eerily composed. "So, they finally attacked the Tower, huh? Well, if they survive—"

"No, sir!" the soldier shouted, shaking his head.

And then—

**BOOOOOOOM!**

The entire base trembled violently as an explosion tore through the walls, cutting his words short.

"The Warden has attacked our base!"

…..

[An hour ago]

Ariana and Adrian had gone to the common hall to bring some food for everyone, while Annabelle and Ruby stayed behind to prepare the bed in Adrian's room—the place they'd all be staying for the night.

Adrian had asked Ruby earlier if she wanted to return to her family, but Annabelle insisted she stay here for a while.

Ruby, torn between choices, had let Annabelle decide for her.

Now, the two girls were spreading the bedsheet together, chatting softly as they worked.

"I've barely ever seen you cry like that," Annabelle teased lightly. "Your eyes are still so puffy."

Ruby puffed her cheeks. "Even Mom said that."

Annabelle laughed, glancing over at her friend with a warm smile.

It was rare to see Ruby cry. She was a strong woman—one who made her own decisions and faced the consequences with her head held high.

"But it's understandable," Annabelle said, her tone softening. "After what you went through."

Ruby's shoulders drooped. "Yeah… it was the first time I almost lost two people close to me on the same—"

She froze. Her eyes widened.

The movement of the bedsheet stopped on Annabelle's side.

'Shit.' Ruby cursed silently, realizing what she'd just slipped.

Before she could think of a way to change the subject, Annabelle was already standing in front of her. Her sharp blue eyes searched Ruby's face.

"Ruby," she said quietly. "Who was the other person—besides your brother—that you nearly lost?"

Ruby bit her lower lip.

Adrian had told her not to mention what had really happened that day—especially the truth behind his awakening.

Annabelle had been told it was the Acolyte's witchcraft that triggered it. That was the story they agreed on.

But now…

"Ruby," Annabelle pressed, her voice colder, eyes narrowing like a gathering storm. "I need the truth."

The redhead heaved a long sigh, "You really don't want to hear this."

"I need to hear what happened, Ruby. And you are the only person who won't lie to me. So please, tell me what actually happened."

Ruby lowered her eyes…she has a strong feeling that she would regret this. However, was there any escape from this situation now?

Exhaling a long sigh, Ruby first made the girl sit down and started to tell her everything that happened,

"I didn't expect…"

…not knowing how things would turn out once she hears that Adrian actually died for a few seconds

°°°°°°°°°

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