“Before that, I haven’t agreed to the physical distance between His Majesty and me, not to His Majesty completely disappearing from this world. Stop talking nonsense and tell me your destination.”

Trying to ignore it wouldn’t work. Melphius firmly pointed it out, but Ru did not respond.

“We don’t have time. In a little while, His Majesty might have already noticed that I’ve disappeared.”

“I’ll handle the aftermath.”

“Really?”

Ru looked at Dragonlord. His expression changed rapidly.
“……Well, does His Majesty intend to kill me?”

“Your face has turned pale.”

“I can’t believe that. Anyway, even if I entertain extreme thoughts, I can’t just let it go. What about the family that remains here? How long has it been since they reunited after so many years? Did you even tell your parents?”

Seeing the cracks on Ru’s face, Melphius guessed. She wouldn’t have said anything. This intelligent sage, accustomed to bearing everything alone, was trying to speak only to Melphius and then disappear.

Dragonlord, who had become the sole witness, recalled Hayden’s appearance when he first appeared in the Perseta Empire.

‘I don’t want to see that appearance again.’

Even Dragonlord, who was sharp enough to be sharp because Hayden was so harsh when he started smiling softly at Ru, showed a human-like face only then. Until then, it was unthinkable.

“You shouldn’t say anything.”

Ru awkwardly smiled. Within her, a deep sadness had already filled. However, she would never reveal it until she was convinced that she was left alone. She was truly a perfectly refined knight.

“Then let’s make one promise.”

“Lord Melphius.”

“No, we must not. How many times have I said that the young sage should be protected by other sages? For now, go to a safe place. I won’t ask where. But, you know the principles, right?”

Ru nodded her head.

“You’ll go where Carlos’s power can’t reach.”

“Yes. That’s the most important. If that guy catches you…”

“I don’t want to be a burden to His Majesty, and I don’t want to hurt him. I’m leaving for those reasons. You have to avoid being caught by that guy first.”

Ru knew exactly what to do if it came to that.

“All right. Then let’s make one last promise.”

Frankly, Ru didn’t even want to make that promise, but if she didn’t, Melphius would be too much to send her away. The young sage couldn’t overpower Dragonlord alone.

“Wherever you go, every morning at ten o’clock, knock on my power. Do you know that you can find me wherever you are?”

“Yes.”

“It means just report that you’re alive. I’ll try to resolve this matter in the meantime, and I’ll do my best to bring Lady Genesis back to Shalea quickly.”

Even without doing that. Ru smiled bitterly and nodded her head.

“I’ll do that.”

“It’s a promise. Every day at ten.”

“Yes. At ten.”

“As quickly as possible to resolve it, for now…”

Melphius, feeling awkward to say such words, said it with a tone that didn’t suit him.

“Hide without anyone knowing.”

The current Rustica Genesis was too dangerous. It was a threat to the Perseta sages and the most mouthwatering prey for Emperor Caletta. In the end, she had to avoid everyone.
“The Emperor will resolve this matter as quickly as possible.”

Instead of answering, Ru smiled bitterly. Melphius seemed to be about to say something, but he furrowed his brow for a moment and bit his lips.

“Really, is there no way other than really leaving?”

“From what I’ve experienced.”

Ru replied weakly with a pale face.

“I tried to find such a way, but in the end, I lost everything. And regret not leaving earlier. If you leave first, you can seek forgiveness and return later, but if you delay…, then it becomes irreversible, and nothing is left.”

Even the dragon, who had lived in the world for a long time, nodded in agreement.

“I see. Then, I hope you return early.”

“Thank you.”

Without asking more or adding long-winded farewells, Ru had to leave. The Dragonlord took Ru to Souldenstain, located in the northeast.

“See you again soon.”

“Thank you.”

In an instant, crossing the giant Hermoa Sea, Ru, flipping her hat, parted ways with the Dragonlord.

Now she was alone again. Familiar helplessness and loneliness returned, but there was no time to feel it now. After confirming that Melphius had disappeared, Ru immediately moved again. She had no intention of staying in Souldenstain.

She crossed the sea again, this time to the western end of the Perseta Empire. It was a place she had never visited, but it was a point she had checked on the map in Hayden’s office.

The wind roared across the barren wasteland. Here was a wasteland, and there was no sign of human shadows. Only an endless horizon.

Ru moved again. She left her traces here and there so that those who were tracking her would be confused and give up. On the horizon in front of her, dense forests of momentum and high sand dunes in the vast desert unfolded.

“Heuk, heug…!”