“Riner let out a dry cough, his demeanor sheepish as he spoke. ‘I’ve had a few missteps, I admit, but…’ His momentary detion swiftly gave way to a renewed confidence. ‘But it was unavoidable. Ever since I firstid eyes onrks, my instinct has been to strike first.’


    The three kings, including Kasser, regarded Riner with disapproval, their expressions stern. Yet, Riner met their reproach with a sense of injustice. ‘Was I the only one chasingrks? The Fourth King, King Pyeon, the Dark King—all of you set traps to capturerks. Why single me out?’


    As he pointed usingly at each king, their ire remained contained. They had recentlye to terms with the fact that Fire King Riner was woefully short onmon sense.


    Richard’s concerns were valid. The kings had indeed huntedrks but never sought to capture them. And during therks’ active periods, swiftness was paramount. The quicker therks were hunted, the less damage they inflicted. Hence, extinguishing therks’ core upon sighting was deemed the optimal strategy.


    Thanks to Riner’s swift actions,rks that emerged with the first seed crack vanished in an instant. “Oh, st it. My hand moved of its own ord.”


    At that moment, understanding dawned upon everyone. Yet, when Riner persisted in huntingrks even after subsequent appearances, Kasser issued a stern warning: “Fire King, step back ten paces. If you persist, I will bind you.”


    And whenrks emerged from the fourth cracked seed, King Pyeon took charge. In the ensuing chaos, Akil instinctively destroyed therks’ cores.


    Even Kasser couldn’t deny such primal urges. The same held true for Pered. Yet, unlike the other kings who struggled to restrain themselves, Riner leaped into action each time.


    ording to the three kings, there were numerous instances where, had it not been for Riner’s impulsive actions, they might have seeded.“I can’t remain here. If I’m to catchrks and I’m stuck in this ce, that’s simply not feasible,” Riner grumbled, his frustration palpable.


    Kasser felt an intense urge to punch Riner square in the face. It was the first time he had ever genuinely desired to strike someone.


    “If the Fire King is determined to go,” Pered’s usually reserved voice cut through the tension, drawing everyone’s attention, “then I will stay. I cannot undertake this mission alongside the Fire King.”


    “Then, if the Dark King remains here, we can proceed together.”


    Nichs attempted to force an awkward smile, but his troubled expression betrayed his difort.


    Kasser felt as though he was experiencing migraine symptoms for the first time in his life. Suddenly, he found himself missing Eugene. With a longing to see something of hers, he retrieved his spellbook from his hip pocket and flipped it open. His expression shifted as he stumbled upon a sentence he hadn’t noticed before.


    “We should postpone therk-catching for now,” Kasser announced, carefully tucking the book back into his pocket. “New information regarding the spell has surfaced.”


    The note contained details about the Holy City’s spell barrier that Eugene had gleaned from Alber, as well as Mara’s plea for assistance via Aldrit.


    Ironically, this was information linked to the kings’ curiosity about whetherrks could breach the barrier. Sang-je likely had spies stationed around the walls to monitor the kings’ activities. Approaching the walls with capturedrks would undoubtedly attract Sang-je’s attention. There was no need to provide unnecessary intelligence to someone who believed the Holy City to be an imprable fortress.


    ***


    [If Mara refuses to go to the Holy City, we’re left with only one option: we need the spell that controls therks.]


    [But using that spell… it’s dangerous, Your Highness. Especially now, when you’re in a vulnerable position.]


    [I cannot wield that spell. Ick the qualifications. The King’s Praz has interfered with its use.]


    Aldrit hesitated to directly broach the idea of entrusting Flora with such a significant task. Instead, he pondered her suitability silently. His initial hostility towards Flora had softened over time, but whether she was truly trustworthy remained uncertain.


    As if responding to his internal musings, words materialized in the notebook before him.


    [Surely you wouldn’t readily agree to send Flora to the Holy City. Exposing the tribe’s hideout to that monster is a risk we can’t ignore. I believe I should meet Flora and discuss this with her… Perhaps I should venture there myself. Nothing is set in stone yet. I must confer with the tribe’s elders to determine the feasibility of this n.]


    [Yes, Your Highness,] Aldrit replied, covering the notebook with a solemn expression.


    The notion of Eugene visiting their humble hideout weighed heavily on Aldrit’s mind. It seemed far more significant than the uncertainties surrounding Flora’s potential journey to the Holy City.


    <i>There’s no ce for her in this humble ce</i>, Aldrit mused silently.


    Moreover, the realization dawned on Aldrit that Eugene’s due date was fast approaching. Even if she managed to utilize teleportation magic from the warehouse to reach their hideout, the return journey would be unbearable for a body as pregnant as hers. The thought of Eugene enduring such difort, followed by the necessity of resting in their modest hideout, sent a chill down Aldrit’s spine. He couldn’t fathom allowing such a dreadful scenario, especially after receiving unexpected kindness from their benefactor.