CHAPTER 302: 302

Kael paused, his body stiffening at her expression. He knew that look—calm on the outside, brewing storm within. He turned slowly, trying to muster a calm smile. "I don’t have any hand in it, Mother."

"Oh please," Jess muttered with an edge in her voice, stepping beside Emilia. "I can tell from your guilty face that you definitely had a hand in it."

Kael’s jaw tightened as he shot a glare at her. ’What’s wrong with this woman? Always fanning flames like it’s her life’s mission. One day, Jess... just wait. I’ll straighten you out myself.’

Before Emilia could say more, Lyria approached silently, holding little Elfie in her arms. The child’s bright eyes flicked up as she wriggled free and tugged at Kael’s sleeve. "Papa, I want to go too! I want to go!"

Emilia shifted her focus to the girl, then looked back at Kael, her expression demanding an explanation. "And what is this all about, exactly?"

With a tired sigh, Kael quickly narrated the events—skipping the sharper edges, smoothing over details, but keeping the key facts intact. Emilia listened quietly, her eyes never leaving him.

When he finished, she didn’t speak right away. Then, calmly but firmly, she said, "Isn’t this too much of a coincidence? The whole city is in a panic, and somehow, you just happen to be involved again. Everyone will be pointing fingers at us."

"Let them," Kael said with a shrug, defiance in his tone. "We don’t need to care. Let the dogs bark if they want to."

Emilia stared at him long, unreadable. Lyria, standing off to the side, bit her lower lip. Her eyes met Kael’s for a second, and in that silence, he could see it—she knew. If she had doubts before, they were gone now.

"Does this mean we can’t leave?" Emilia asked after a moment. "Are we going to be late for the Crown Games?"

Kael glanced at her, then Elfie, then back. "Don’t worry, Mom. I’ll take care of everything. Personally. I’ll finish this job and make sure none of them come back."

"Papa, I want to go too!" Elfie tugged harder at his hand, her tail curling slightly in protest.

Kael’s shoulders tensed. He bent down, brushing her hair back. "Elfie, listen. You can’t go with me this time. It’s dangerous. There are bad people out there, and if they saw you... they might try to take you away."

Elfie’s lips trembled, but she nodded after a long moment, burying her face in Lyria’s dress.

Turning back, Kael addressed Emilia again. "Mother, I don’t think you should come out either. There are eyes everywhere now. And if something happens to you, the old man might just show up and slice my neck clean off."

"Hmph. As if he even cares." Jess rolled her eyes and crossed her arms tighter.

Emilia didn’t reply immediately, only looking at Kael with a complex expression with half worry, half resignation.

Kael gave a short bow and turned to leave. "I’ll be back soon. Just keep the doors locked and don’t trust anyone outside."

Without waiting for a response, he walked off, the weight of responsibility and danger settling heavier on his shoulders with every step.

......

As Kael stepped out of the chamber, the heavy oak door closing behind him with a final thud, his mind returned to the eerie stillness of the underground tunnels.

The scent of rot, the sound of muffled whispers, the warped symbols etched into stone—none of it had faded. If anything, the images had grown sharper in his memory, burning themselves into his thoughts like branding iron on flesh.

He made his way down the stone corridor, greeting a few passing soldiers with silent nods. They knew him now—not just as an outsider, but as someone James trusted. That, in itself, carried weight.

By the time he reached the lower garrison, the first search unit was already being briefed. Captain Rhys stood near a long wooden bench, her voice clear and clipped as she gave orders. Beside her, several men and women adjusted their weapons and lanterns, preparing for the descent.

Kael waited until Rhys noticed him. Her eyes narrowed slightly, not unkindly, but with the caution of a veteran who didn’t like unexpected variables.

"You’re the one Lord James vouched for," she said after a moment.

"Kael. I’ll keep out of the way—unless things go bad," he replied evenly.

Rhys studied him a beat longer, then gave a short nod. "Fine. You’ll be with me. And don’t worry—we’ll make sure no rats nibble your feet."

As they moved out, Kael took his place near the rear flank, scanning his surroundings. The soldiers moved swiftly, efficiently. No wasted motion. They carried ropes, metal hooks, oil packs, and reinforced crossbows—clearly prepared for more than just a nest of vagrants.

When they finally descended into the sewer tunnels through a hidden hatch near the merchant plaza, Kael felt the temperature drop instantly. Dampness clung to every surface. The torchlight wavered, casting flickering shadows across the slimy walls and old archways.

About ten meters in, the group halted. One of the soldiers had found markings on a broken drainage plate.

Kael crouched near the symbol, tracing it lightly with a gloved finger. "Same as before. Crimson Choir. They were here recently."

Rhys peered over his shoulder. "That matches the report Miss Ariana filed. Which means they might still be nearby."

The team tightened formation and pressed forward. It didn’t take long before the silence shattered.

A sudden roar echoed through the tunnels deep, guttural, followed by the thunderous stampede of boots and iron.

Figures emerged from the side corridor.

It was the masked zealots of the Crimson Choir, dressed in ceremonial robes streaked with filth and dried blood. Their leader—a tall man with a jagged scar across his nose—held a rusted war mace.

"By the blood and hymn, you trespass on sacred ground!" the man bellowed.

Kael didn’t wait for orders. He pivoted to the flank, shouting over his shoulder. "Don’t engage—fall back and guide them toward the choke point!"

But before they could pull back, the zealots charged, brandishing maces, hooked blades, and even burning incense that filled the air with choking fumes.