Ancient Landel Academy

As they neared the entrance of the tent, Shun raised his hand, signaling the group to halt. It was wiser to observe the situation before barging in. However, before they could gather any useful information, the door gently swung open, and there stood Vito—alive and well.

Shun's sharp eyes scanned the room. Elysia, Kael, and Vergil Killer were all present, but Dharma Leyndra was conspicuously absent. Vergil, with a calm smile, gestured for them to enter.

No one inside appeared particularly surprised by their arrival. After all, Vito had been gone for a while, even if it was for important business.

Shun offered a silent nod to Elysia and Kael, though his polite expression hid a flicker of suspicion.

"Premier General," Emilia, Yurien, and Gideon greeted Vergil respectfully, out of habit more than formality.

Standing beside his coffin, Vergil waved a hand, smiling gently. "Is something troubling you?"

Shun's voice was flat, betraying nothing. "Just concerned about Vito—and, of course, the rest of you."

Elysia chuckled softly at his response. "How did you find us?" she asked. It wasn't as though their location, the Prime Army Base, had been obvious.

Shun shrugged as he led the group toward the centre of the room, where Vergil's coffin rested. "I have my methods. It's always good to keep a few tricks up your sleeve."

Kael Franklin narrowed his eyes slightly. "I don't appreciate your hubris and disrespect for your elders, but you're not wrong. Now, shall we get back to the conversation we were having?"

Vergil nodded with a laugh. "Perhaps we should bring our guests up to speed first, Kael. It would be awkward for them to listen without understanding the context." He turned his attention to Shun and the others. "It's nothing major, really. I'm the one who provided Kael with the information."

Vergil's gaze grew distant as he began his story. "Thirty or forty years ago, the Ancient Landel Academy—an institution that rivalled even Haven Royal Academy—was consumed by a never-ending blaze. That fire signalled the end of the academy's long and legendary history."

"The suspect? A powerful complete ethereal warrior, the 29th at the time, whose arm could create an ocean of unquenchable flames. But despite his potential, there was no evidence linking him to the event, nor any motive."

Vergil's eyes darkened, his voice lowering as he continued. "Still, in response to the enraged graduates of Landel, King Nathaniel Heaven ordered his execution, and that was the end of it."

Vergil paused, his expression unreadable. "The suspect was my father—Roy Killer."

Despite the gravity of his words, Vergil's composure remained steady. "I never tried to reincarnate him. I know the limits of my ethereal arm. But even if I can't change the past, I can clear my father's name. It's the least I can do."

Emilia's eyes widened in shock. She had never imagined such a painful story lay behind the man she admired so deeply. The rest of the group lowered their heads out of respect, except for Shun.

Shun's voice cut through the moment, devoid of sympathy. "So, what did you find? Was your father innocent?"

To Shun, there was no room for pity. He had endured far worse than Vergil's story, and he found it hard to empathize with anyone who claimed their life was wretched. However, he did respect Vergil's ability to move forward, to seek solutions instead of wallowing in grief.

Vergil's faint but confident smile returned. "I haven't found definitive proof yet, but I know he's innocent. My father was a man of peace. He wouldn't have committed such a crime."

Shun glanced back at his companions, his mind already made up. "If you'll allow it, we'd like to assist in your investigation." Shun offered his usual determined, yet carefully constructed smile, extending his hand toward Vergil.

The recent assassination of Alfreya Eldran and Sora Tiamat had taught him a crucial lesson: one person couldn't do everything alone. Earning the Premier General's gratitude would be a powerful asset.

Emilia's eyes lit up at Shun's offer, as she had been about to suggest the same. The others nodded in agreement, showing their commitment to help.

Silver, however, seemed lost in thought. She stared at Shun, a hint of confusion in her gaze. "That can't be right..." she murmured to herself. But she quickly regained her composure, nodding with the rest.

Elysia and Kael exchanged impressed glances, while Vito stepped forward, placing a hand on Shun's shoulder. He clearly believed Shun's offer was for his sake.

Vergil, perceptive as always, understood Shun's motives. He knew Shun wasn't acting out of compassion but rather to gain favour and influence. But as long as the outcome was beneficial, Vergil didn't mind the intent.

"I appreciate the offer, Mister Xshasi," Vergil said, shaking Shun's hand firmly. "Your help is most welcome."

Kael took over. "We have two suspects—one had the motive, the other the means." After all, Kael was usually the speaker, he found it slightly awkward to be listening the entire time.

"First, there's King Nathaniel Heaven himself. He's the only one who could wield another's ethereal arm. But I don't believe he's guilty. The Crusader King wouldn't stoop to such treachery, and there was no reason for him to destroy an academy that posed no threat to him."

"The second suspect," Kael continued, his tone growing darker, "is the remnant forces of Tyrant Kolgwyn."

The room grew tense as Kael's words sank in.

"As you all know, the world is divided into five distinct realms: Lordrixis in the south, Eternal Dynasty in the east, the Cult of Luca Azoria in the west, the Starless Realm at the center... but not many are aware of what lies to the north."

Kael's expression hardened. "After Kolgwyn's defeat, his remaining forces fled north to a dark, swampy region known as The Bog. These forces were rallied by a man named Antonio Valdis, once our ally before the Tyrant's fall."

"But after Kolgwyn's defeat, Valdis betrayed us, proclaiming himself the Tyrant's successor and seizing control over The Bog."

Kael's eyes narrowed as he delivered the final piece of the puzzle. "And the principal of the Ancient Landel Academy, Krystal Fritz, knew Valdis' darkest secrets—secrets that likely led to his betrayal."