Chapter 20: The mysterious werewolf

In the middle of a dark night in Darkova State, Akira, the werewolf, stepped out of Terrakula's castle, walking slowly through one of the villages. In his right hand, he held a rope—one meant to restrain his target.

Taking a deep breath, he gazed into the darkness. The village around him was silent, all windows tightly shut, and doors locked with chains. Every human in Darkova feared the Scarlet Duchess, and no one would dare leave a child alone outside past midnight.

Akira stopped in front of an old wooden house, where a faint light glowed from inside. Through the window, he saw a small black-haired child sleeping on a simple bed, wrapped in a worn-out blanket.

For a moment, Akira just watched the child breathe peacefully—completely unaware of the monster standing behind the wall.

He tightened his grip on the rope in his hand. This wasn't the first time he had been assigned such a task, but he hated it more than anything.

And this time, it was obvious that he was hesitating.

Akira stood still, his eyes closed, fingers trembling slightly as he clenched the leather rope.

He could turn back.

He could return to the castle and tell Terrakula that he failed.

He could lie.

He could make up an excuse.

But… he feared her more than anything.

Akira's eyes opened again, locking onto the sleeping child in front of him.

The boy looked small and fragile, completely innocent.

He had done nothing wrong… except being born in the wrong place, under the wrong ruler.

Akira (thinking, furiously): "Damn it… Damn it, damn it, damn it!!!"

No more hesitation.

Akira stepped back, then jumped high with his werewolf agility, lifting his arm and smashing through the window with full force.

The shattering glass echoed through the village, sending shards flying across the room.

The child jolted awake, his golden eyes wide with terror as he stared at the dark shadow looming over him.

There was no time to understand what was happening.

Before he could react, a large hand with sharp claws reached out at lightning speed!

Akira grabbed the child in an instant.

Child (trembling voice): "No… No! Mom…!"

There was no time to listen to his pleas.

Akira wrapped the rope around the child's small body, refusing to look into his tear-filled eyes.

The boy squirmed, trying to escape, but Akira tightened his grip, muttering coldly:

Akira (quietly): "Don't struggle…"

The child tried to scream, but Akira placed tape over his mouth, silencing him completely.

The Next Morning – At the Border of Darkova

The carriage carrying Akio and his companions approached the iron gates of Darkova, guarded by Makia's soldiers.

Inside the carriage, Ann was holding a forbidden ninja scroll, reading it carefully.

Ann (thinking): "I've tried using these techniques so many times, but I've never succeeded… Maybe it will work when I face a real battle."

The black-and-white flag of Valoria waved above the gate, beside the eerie, gothic flag of Darkova.

A group of armed guards wearing traditional green uniforms stood at the entrance, watching everyone with stern expressions.

The carriage stopped at the checkpoint, and a high-ranking officer stepped forward to inspect the travel documents.

Officer (dry voice): "What is the purpose of your visit to Darkova?"

Akio (laughing excitedly): "We're here to crush that old hag Terra—"

WHACK!

Ann smacked Akio on the head before he could finish his stupid sentence, glaring at him in comedic anger.

Ann: "You idiot! Do you want to get us kicked out before we even enter?!!"

Carriage driver (calmly): "These travelers are here for sightseeing."

One of the soldiers carefully inspected the carriage, opening the bags and crates, searching for anything suspicious.

At first, everything seemed fine, but then—one of the guards noticed Akio's sword hanging on his waist.

Guard 1: "Sir, we have a problem here."

Another soldier checked Ken's bag, his eyes narrowing as he found another sword inside.

Guard 2 (coldly, looking at Ken and Akio): "Didn't anyone tell you about the laws here? Carrying swords is forbidden in all of Valoria's states."

Akio (shocked): "What?! Why?!"

Guard 1 (strictly): "This law was issued when Makia took over. Anyone carrying a sword inside Makia's territory will have their weapon confiscated immediately."

Ken said nothing, but his hand tightened around the handle of his sword inside the bag. A slight tension appeared in his expression.

Akio: "But we just came from Fawila, and we had our swords the whole time! Isn't Fawila part of Makia's rule too?!"

Guard 1: "What?! How did no one notice?!"

Ann (worried): "But their swords are part of their fighting style… Can't you make an exception?"

Guard 2 (mocking smile): "You think we allow exceptions? Everyone enters Darkova without a sword—or they don't enter at all."

Akio (gripping his sword): "I won't give up my sword that easily!"

The guards placed their hands on their weapons, their gazes sharp and serious.

The tension rose, but before it could escalate—Ken suddenly raised his hand, then slowly pulled out his sword from his bag and handed it over without a word.

Ken (cold voice): "No point in arguing. We can manage without swords, but only this time."

Akio (wide-eyed): "Ken…?"

He gritted his teeth, then sighed in frustration and reluctantly handed over his sword.

The guards placed the swords in a locked metal chest, then the officer gave them a final warning.

Guard 2: "Alright, you can go in now… But here's a tip—don't cause trouble. Otherwise… you'll regret it."

The iron gates slowly opened, allowing the carriage to enter.

Akio glared behind him, watching the Makia soldiers take his sword and Ken's sword away.

Akio (grumbling, then excitedly): "This is stupid… How are we supposed to fight now?! Next time, I'll have two swords! I always wanted to use dual-sword style, and soon I'll have Sanguinis alongside Rinka!"

Ann: "This is weird… They ban swords, but their duchess owns one?"

Ken: "The nobles and soldiers get all the privileges in this world. Meanwhile, the citizens only get injustice."

As soon as the group stepped out of the carriage, they felt the atmosphere change immediately.

The air was thick with fog and moisture. The narrow streets, dim lanterns, and unnatural silence filled the city.

As they walked through Darkova's marketplace, Akio jumped excitedly, scanning the area with curiosity—completely ignoring the strange looks from the locals.

Akio: "Wooooow! This village looks like a fantasy story!"

Ann (facepalming, muttering): "Oh no… We're in trouble."

Meanwhile – In the Dungeon of Darkova Castle

In the dark underground dungeon, the kidnapped child sat on the cold floor, his eyes filled with tears, hugging himself in fear.

The sound of dripping water from the ceiling was the only thing breaking the silence.

He felt cold, hungry, and terrified… he didn't know why he was here. But he knew one thing… he wanted to go home.

The metal door of the dungeon creaked open with an unpleasant sound as Terrakula stepped in gracefully, followed by Akira, Nyoro, and Steve. She stopped in front of the small child, holding a glass filled with human blood, taking a small sip as her glowing red eyes studied him.

Terrakula (smirking coldly): "Oh, look at this little one… how adorable."

Child (trembling in fear): "P-please… let me go back to my mother…"

Terrakula (mocking laugh, turning to Akira): "Oh, Akira dear, why did you choose such a cowardly child? I expected someone… stronger."

Akira said nothing. He just stood there in silence, his eyes staring at the floor, refusing to look at the child.

Terrakula slowly turned toward Akira, her gaze lingering on him before she spoke again—her voice was calm, yet carried a tone of undeniable command.

Terrakula: "Akira… I want you to kill him."

A Heavy Silence Filled the Room.

Akira (frozen in place): "…What?"

Terrakula (calmly smiling): "You brought him here… so finish the job yourself."

Akira's entire body tensed. The weight of those words sank deep into his chest.

His eyes slowly shifted toward the child, who was now crying uncontrollably.

Child (sobbing, pleading): "Please! Don't do this!"

Terrakula stepped closer to Akira, whispering near his ear.

Terrakula (soft but sinister): "Are you getting soft on me, dear? I saved you from death, I gave you a new life… and now you hesitate to do something so simple?"

She gently lifted his chin with her cold fingers, sending a chilling sensation through his body.

Akira (hesitant): "B-but, Terrakula-sama… I've killed before… but never a child."

Terrakula (low voice, sharp as a knife): "If you can't follow orders, then maybe… I don't need you anymore."

Akira's hand slowly lifted… He gripped his dagger, stepping toward the child.

The Child Screamed, Trying to Back Away.

Child (crying out): "Mom… where are you… MOM!!"

Akira stood over him… He raised his dagger.

Terrakula watched with quiet amusement, her red eyes shining in anticipation.

But then…

Akira's hand stopped mid-air.

Akira (low voice, firm): "I… don't kill children."

Terrakula smiled, unfazed. She took another slow sip from her glass before speaking in a playful tone:

"Remember, Akira… you are not human. You're not even fully wolf. You are a monster. So you should act like one."

She turned her back to him, walking toward the exit.

Just before stepping out, she paused and spoke in a quiet yet dangerous tone:

"Take the child to the upper prison… I'll decide what to do with him later."

With that, she exited the room, leaving Akira standing there… while the child continued to cry quietly.

Nyoro (mocking laugh): "Oh, how kind of you, Akira."

Steve remained silent, but his eyes watched Akira carefully.

Akira didn't look at them. Without a word, he grabbed the child's hand and led him up the stairs to the upper prison, walking without hesitation.

A Silent Walk to the Upper Prison The child shivered, his tiny cold fingers wrapped around Akira's hand as they walked slowly.

Akira said nothing. He didn't look down at the boy. The child, barely able to walk from fear, stumbled several times, but Akira kept moving forward, dragging him gently but firmly.

Finally, they reached the cell door. And that's when the child couldn't take it anymore.

Child (trembling voice): "P-please… please don't leave me here… I don't want to die…"

Akira's steps paused for a second, but he didn't turn. Then suddenly— The child pulled his hand away with all his strength and ran!His tiny feet pounded against the cold stone floor as he sprinted down the hallway, searching desperately for an exit!

But Akira… did not chase after him immediately. He simply let out a slow sigh…Then vanished in an instant. Before the child could reach the end of the hallway— A strong grip caught him from behind, lifting him off the ground.

The child screamed, kicking and thrashing wildly, but Akira's grip was too strong. The boy pounded his tiny fists against Akira's arm— But Akira barely felt it.

Child (sobbing, voice breaking): "Please! My mom is waiting for me… don't leave me here!!"

And Then… Something Unexpected Happened. As the child screamed and cried…Tears silently fell from Akira's own eyes. He didn't sob. His voice never broke. But the child could hear it— A faint, quiet sound. A shaky breath. A desperate attempt to hide the pain. The boy froze in shock. He stopped crying. His golden eyes widened as he stared at his captor.

He had never expected to see his kidnapper cry. Akira quickly wiped his face, trying to pull himself together. With a blank, tired expression, he picked up the child again and carried him to the prison cell. His face pale, his mind heavy, he moved forward quietly.

The metal door creaked as Akira opened it. He paused, giving the child one last glance. The boy, though still afraid, did not scream this time. He just stared at Akira's tear-filled eyes. Akira said nothing, without a word, he gently placed the child inside the cell— and slowly shut the door. The child did not cry, he just sat in the corner, watching Akira in silence. As if… something had changed between them.

To be continued…