Meanwhile, at the cave's main entrance, the liberation of women, children, and elderly captives held by the cult had begun. Six hundred and eighteen people were rescued. The air filled with sobs and lamentations—some cried with joy at their freedom, others mourned those who had been turned into undead.

  Shortly afterward, Albert, Leonidas, and Jaiden approached Charles, seeking news about their lord.

  "Where is my lord?" Albert asked with concern.

  "He's with the fallen knights," Charles replied in a somber voice.

  Leonidas frowned."Was he affected by the deaths of his men?"

  Charles gave no answer. He simply pointed toward where his lord stood.

  The three approached and saw him among the bodies of the fallen. Lusian remained seated, his face hardened by grief and determination. His distant gaze reflected the weight of the decision he had made.

  As torchlight illuminated the faces of the freed villagers, a bitter sensation pierced his chest: none of them would have given their lives for him. His knights, however, would have done so without hesitation. And yet… he had saved them. A harsh question settled in his mind: Are all lives worth the same?

  Albert approached cautiously."Are you well, my lord?"

  Lusian exhaled slowly."I don't know. Sometimes I think I made the wrong decision."

  Albert looked at him seriously."Whether it was right or wrong depends on who you ask. Sacrificing twenty-nine lives under your command to free those people may be morally correct, but politically, it's a mistake that could weigh heavily on you. As a noble, you'll be judged by the outcome, not your intentions."

  Lusian understood the lesson. If this were a game, his men would revive… but it wasn't. He had to carry their loss.

  "Are you speaking as my teacher or as my friend?" he asked bitterly.

  Albert allowed himself a faint smile."As your teacher, I want you to learn to bear the consequences of your decisions and never fear choosing what is right, even when it hurts. But as your friend… you can be proud. You saved many lives and prevented a greater tragedy."

  He gave Lusian a firm pat on the shoulder before walking away. Lusian remained silent, lost in his thoughts and guilt.

  Not far away, Emily healed the villagers with her light magic. Every scream and every tear she heard deepened her sense of guilt. When she finished, she approached him hesitantly.

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  "May I sit with you?" she asked softly.

  "Of course," Lusian replied without taking his eyes off the horizon.

  Emily, her voice trembling, confessed her sorrow over the lives lost. Lusian shook his head."Don't blame yourself. It was my decision. You did what you had to do… and you did it well. You learned the spell on your own, and that honors you."

  Emily looked at him with gratitude, then embraced him gently. Lusian, slightly uncomfortable at first, returned the gesture, realizing he needed it more than he had thought.

  "Thank you," he murmured.

  She stepped back, blushing under the curious stares of the knights.

  At that moment, Jaiden discreetly approached Lusian. The young duke listened carefully as Jaiden informed him about Keitaro's affinity for spatial magic. The revelation immediately caught his attention. It was not a common power, and only one family in the Empire was renowned for mastering it: the Macallisters.

  Lusian narrowed his eyes thoughtfully."Spatial magic…" he murmured to himself. "Interesting."

  Without wasting time, he ordered Keitaro to be brought before him.

  The young adventurer felt a chill run down his spine when he heard his name. He knew his ability was temporarily sealed, and if Lusian decided to hand him over to the Empire, he would have no way to escape. With every step toward the duke's tent, his breathing grew heavier. In the worst-case scenario, he was prepared to kneel and beg for his wife's life.

  When he finally entered, Lusian was waiting for him, seated, his expression calm yet his gaze sharp enough to seem as though it pierced straight through him.

  "Macallister, correct?" Lusian asked calmly, never taking his eyes off him.

  Keitaro stiffened instantly."No, my lord… I don't know what you mean," he replied hastily.

  Lusian gave a slight smile, though his gaze remained probing."Some time ago, I heard an interesting story," he began. "It spoke of the heir of a prestigious imperial family, betrothed to a princess, who fell in love with a lesser noblewoman living near his lands. Using teleportation magic, he fled with her one night and vanished from the Empire." He paused, studying the young man's reaction. "Does that story sound familiar to you?"

  Keitaro swallowed."Are you going to turn me in… and claim the reward?" he asked in a faint voice.

  "No," Lusian replied, gently shaking his head. "My family possesses enough wealth to rival the great houses of the Empire. I don't need your bounty."

  He leaned slightly forward and added in a more serious tone,"However, you owe me a favor. And when the time comes, you will repay that debt."

  Keitaro stared at him, confused, unsure whether he should feel relieved or even more afraid.

  Lusian continued, this time with an almost paternal tone:"Let me give you some advice, Keitaro. Stop risking your wife's life. In this kingdom, there is a family that fled the Empire years ago… and they also bear the Macallister name."

  Keitaro nodded slowly."Yes, I know. They're a secondary branch of my family. I escaped before they did. But…" He sighed. "My former house has sent multiple requests to the king demanding their extradition. If I approach them, I'll only put everyone in danger."

  Lusian considered this for a moment before speaking in a calm but firm voice:"In that case, I'll find another path. When we return, I'll introduce you to someone I trust. Andrew may be an arrogant fool, but he knows how to recognize talent when he sees it."

  Keitaro looked at him in surprise."You would really do that for me?"

  "Consider it part of the debt you owe me," Lusian replied with a faint smile. "But don't forget, Keitaro: in this world, magic isn't everything. Loyalty and prudence are worth far more."

  Keitaro felt the weight of those words more than any threat. He had broken his silence to save lives… and now his future rested in the hands of a duke whose judgment was as unpredictable as fate itself.