Sid, whod turned back to glare at Tan, saluted Apollonia before leaping onto his horse. Tan followed him into the distance.

Even if we only rode a little closer to the mountain, itll take us half a day to get there and back here. Uriel was ready to go back. But Apollonia had something different in mind.

What are you doing?!

Im going up the mountain. Her answer was casual and nonchalant, as if she were just talking about the weather. But shed already reached the eerie patch of trees that stood just before the base of the mountain.

What about the promise you just made? Didnt you hear its dangerous? Uriel was usually expressionless. But his face darkened at hearing Apollonias plans. She ignored him.

Getting there might take all day, since the mountain is enormous. Sid will understand. Stay here while Im gone. Dont follow me.

Theres no way hell understand! Hell kill me for letting you go alone.

Uriels brows were frowned in panic. He hated to admit it, but his voice was shaking.

Uriel Biche. Listen to your master. Apollonias voice was soft, just like how shed spoken to Sid a while before.

Your ultimate duty is to listen to my orders. The same goes for Sid.

She was right, of course. But he felt a scorching heat in his heart that was hard to describe. A question arose in his mind.

Wait a second Did you only bring me to get rid of Sid? Not because you actually needed me to escort you?

Youre worth more than that. Now stop asking me. Apollonia pulled off her hood. Her familiar golden eyes glinted at him coldly.

The color of fireworks, but as cold as snow.

Uriel realized something. To him, Apollonia was a ray of hope thatd given him back his life. But to her, he was just another chess piece for her to use. Maybe Sid thought the same. He had to know the truth.

Thats why you brought me to Lishan? His voice cracked.

Apollonia was silent. Hed hoped she would deny it, but she didnt answer. She looked at him coldly before turning her horse towards the mountain. If he followed her, he knew she would decide that Uriel was unsuitable to be her escort, and punish him without hesitation.

A cold master. Indeed the successor of the previous emperor with the blood of Leifer.

In contrast to her knife-like attitude, the back of the sun-bright blond hair fluttering in the wind was more beautiful than ever. Uriel looked at her figure for a long time.

When her figure disappeared among the trees, he jumped off the horse as if he had made up his mind.

So what if its an order? So what if he didnt listen? Wasnt she the reason that he wanted to live in the first place?

Her face, voice, tone, hair, and eyes. Her insight, determination, and compassion. Her meticulousness, cold-heartedness, slyness, and even her way of thinking. The idea that none of them should disappear dominated Uriels head. His body was already instinctively directed at Mt. Calt.

***

Apollonia climbed the mountain on horseback, leaving Uriel behind. She focused around to find a hint about the previous emperors final wish, but Uriels sad eyes remained in her head.

Thats why you brought me to Lishan?

It was half true. Without Uriel, Sid would never have left her alone in danger. Nevertheless, she didnt want Uriel to think so. She admitted it was selfish on her part.

But she had no other choice. He didnt want to put the two in danger because of what she had to do alone.

On the mountain path, grotesquely curved gray trees surrounded her. She even had an illusion that the trees were changing their shape little by little. There were no living beings around, but the bones of animals that were burned were seen through the trees, causing the hair to stand on end.

Apollonia carefully drove the horse and tried to shake off her thought about Uriel.

Neigh-!

At the narrow end of the road, her horse refused to take any further steps. The road was too narrow for people to pass through. No, it would be hard to call this place where the monsters lurked in a road.

Its been an hour since she entered the mountain, but nothing happened, and she couldnt see anything except the trees.