The Flower Is Finished

I walked through the forest even though I didn't know the way, but the village elder had already told me the direction before I left the village. This village seemed rarely traversed by people, so there were not many footprints, and the path was only meant for walking. It appeared they preferred carrying goods on their backs rather than using horses or donkeys to transport items to the city.

I had already arrived in front of the castle gate, and immediately the soldiers saluted me.

"Sir… our respect," said one of them, bowing his head politely.

"No need to be too formal," I said. But they only stood silently again, looking straight ahead.

"That bastard Arvan," I muttered quietly.

When the gate was opened, several soldiers had lined up. Farrel, Arvan, and George were standing in front of the door.

Farrel immediately hugged me tightly, even crying uncontrollably. "What happened to you?" he asked. But I ignored him and looked at Arvan.

"How is it? Was there an attack from the demons?" I asked Arvan. He shook his head.

"Nothing happened while you were gone, but there were some rebels trying to enter our territory." I nodded after hearing his explanation.

We all headed into the castle.

"What happened to you?" Farrel asked once we were already inside the chamber. His expression was hard to interpret, but there was a deep concern clearly reflected on his face.

"I just lost control a little," I replied, but he kept staring at me, as if he didn't believe what I said.

"Did you find the culprit I told you about? The one related to the old man?" he asked, stepping closer.

"I've looked into it. Most likely, he was poisoned, and there's also a chance the person didn't want to reveal something to you, so they destroyed the evidence right before our eyes," Farrel explained. I understood what he meant.

"Do you still want to keep going? How will we investigate the culprit's whereabouts?" he asked. I simply cleared my throat, as I was currently stuck, while I needed to search for the remaining ruins, like the old man's house.

"Alright, I'll go to his house tomorrow. There may still be a little hope left," I said, then lay down even though the sun had not yet set.

"Are you going to sleep?" Farrel asked. I threw the clothes that were on my bed.

"If you don't want to be here, then get out." But Farrel only laughed loudly. I closed my eyes and tried to sleep for a while.

---

Time passed. It felt like I had been asleep for quite long. This time, Farrel was the one who woke me.

"Are you sleeping or cosplaying as a dead man?" Farrel joked. I still looked at him with sleepy eyes. I didn't know why I was so tired, and I couldn't hear anything from outside—as if my ears were sealed.

"Is it morning already?"

"Ckckck… get up. Lord Arvan is already outside," he said. I immediately got up and opened my eyes wide, as if I had just realized I was neglecting my duty.

"What—" I quickly changed my clothes. Farrel murmured something, but I couldn't hear it.

"You're awake?" Arvan asked after I opened the door. He looked at me indifferently.

"I want to speak with you in the back pavilion." After that, he walked away. I cleaned myself first, remembering I hadn't done so since yesterday.

---

After getting ready and heading toward the back pavilion, suddenly I crossed paths with the Princess—Princess Luvina.

"You are Xanders?" she asked, slightly bowing. I only looked at her flatly. I felt uncomfortable being near her, as if she was hiding something significant.

"What is it, Princess Luvina?" I asked lazily, though still responding politely. She clicked her tongue in annoyance.

"This is how King Albert educates his subordinates?" she shook her head dismissively.

"My attitude has nothing to do with being under King Albert," I replied, but she kept pressing with a stare full of resentment, as if I was someone she despised.

"If there is no business, allow me to leave," I said. But she blocked my path.

"Did you manage to get past it?" I raised an eyebrow, not understanding her question, but I chose not to answer and walked away, leaving her behind.

I realized something was going on between us, even though it was the first time we met. I simply disliked her because she looked at others with condescension. I sensed she held a grudge against me, but I didn't know the reason she seemed to hate me.

---

I arrived at the pavilion. Arvan and several guards were already there. He sat, and several dishes were served on the table. He told me to sit, and I nodded. A maid poured tea for me.

"Can we still relax at times like this?" I asked, watching Arvan sip his tea. He only gave a faint smile.

"Just think of it as relaxing before we get slaughtered," he said casually. I muttered, too lazy to respond to his joke.

"How did you get out of the forbidden forest without waiting for the king's seal?" he asked seriously. I shrugged without answering.

"Alright, if you don't want to answer," he replied, exhaling harshly.

"How is the kingdom's current condition?" My head ached, remembering the war was right around the corner. Arvan let out another rough sigh.

"I can only rely on you now. Can you find out who the traitor among us is?" he asked quietly while scanning around, ensuring no one was listening.

"You're asking me to track a traitor?" I asked. He nodded.

"I'm serious, Xanders. It seems there's a traitor very close to us… without us realizing, they know our movements." His words made me furrow my brows.

"So they're right in front of us?" I asked for clarity. Arvan nodded.

"You know, when the King tried to break the seal of the forbidden forest yesterday, he was suddenly attacked. We managed to capture him, but that night he unexpectedly died." He paused. "He had seizures and lost consciousness. The healer said there was poison inside his body." Arvan's face was deeply troubled.

"Keep an eye on everyone around. Perhaps someone is betraying us behind the scenes." After saying that, he left.

I stared at the lake before me—the greatest lake owned by the King. There were several pavilions there, even more magnificent than this one.

As I was lost in thought, suddenly the owl from the forbidden forest appeared, landing on a piece of wood not far from me.

"You…?" I was surprised, and the owl landed right on my shoulder.

"How did you escape the forbidden forest?" I asked. The owl remained silent.

"Is this not the owl I met before?" I quietly asked. The owl hooted.

"I am the owl from back then." My eyes widened immediately when I heard it speak.

"How did you get out of that forest?" I asked. The owl seemed overjoyed, yet I felt something was off.

"The condition of the forbidden forest is chaotic. There is something I need to tell you—someone entered the forbidden forest," it said fluently. I was confused, as according to what Arvan said yesterday, the seal could only be opened and closed by someone of royal blood.

"Are you joking?" I asked. The owl clicked in annoyance.

"I'm serious. That person entered as if there was no seal at all. When there was an opening, I slipped out to meet you." I nodded, understanding its meaning.

"Did you see his face?" I asked. It shoo

k its head.

"I don't know, but it seemed to be a man." I fell silent. Who could enter the forbidden forest so easily?