As Nyx approached the three maids, Renlo approached Malakai with an inquisitive look.
"By the way, where are we heading to?"
Malakai gave Renlo a long look. "We were given five days to prepare for our journey, and you decided to wait until the day we depart before you even ask where we were going?"
If not for his usual calm and cold mask, Malakai's expression would've twisted into disbelief. The absurdity was insane.
Renlo scratched his head with a sheepish smile, an action that had become second nature given his oblivious personality.
"I was just happy I get to follow you. It didn't matter where haha," Renlo said, looking away, embarrassed.
Malakai shook his head. "It doesn't matter. You need to cultivate the habit of always planning your next steps. I might be taking you to the pits of a volcano for all you know. Your nonchalance is a terrible habit, and it's going to get you killed."
Renlo looked like a child being scolded by his parents. His head was lowered, his expression remorseful.
Malakai could only shake his head. He decided to fill in the oblivious boy.
"In case you didn't know this too, we joined the Sovereign's faction."
Malakai studied him, and there it was, the slight flicker of shock.
'Of course he had no idea.'
Malakai was still trying to understand what sort of person Renlo was. He was unprepared, nonchalant, and hopelessly optimistic. Three behaviors that got one killed in a world like theirs.
He shook his head again and continued speaking. "The captain we're under is called Rhett. He's the captain of one of the squads under the Sovereign's faction in Sylvastein."
"The city of beasts and flora," Renlo muttered.
"At least you know that much. I would've been worried if you didn't know about the existence of an entire western stronghold."
"Haha…" Renlo scratched his cheek. He probably deserved that. He listened carefully as Malakai continued.
"His base is on the outer parts of the Kaerthorn district. And from my findings, there are only four in their squad."
"Including us makes it six. But it's possible they took in other apprentices aside from us."
Renlo nodded fervently, absorbing the information.
'He's really amazing.'
He couldn't help but be awed by Malakai's resourcefulness. They had spent the past five days in the manor together, and it was like they'd been in different worlds.
'He's always focused on the future and what he's going to do next.'
Malakai's thoughts were always on the way forward, planning it one step at a time.
'I have to learn,' Renlo clenched his fist.
He wasn't too proud to admit when he saw someone better. Malakai felt like someone who lived on a higher plane. Their mindsets were utterly different.
The way he thought, the way he approached problems, it was hard to believe they were the same age.
'I won't hold him back,' Renlo resolved.
If he didn't want to be a liability, it was important that he broke past his naive shell and learned to move the same way.
As Renlo made that silent vow, Nyx finished giving the servants instructions.
Malakai saw Karla hugging her sister tightly, wiping away the tears from her eyes. She whispered something into her sister's ear before reluctantly separating.
Her sister fared no better, tears streamed down her face as she wiped them, nodding resolutely at Karla.
After a few seconds, Karla and Unoa turned to face Malakai and bowed deeply. As Malakai nodded, they both turned and left the manor grounds.
Kiana approached Malakai and offered him a shaky bow. "I-I'm ready, Ninth Vein."
Malakai gave her a long look. He had asked Nyx to look into her before bringing her to the manor. She was sixteen, two years older than him, but he towered above her.
She was barely a node formation evolver, having only formed one node. Her body had been sickly thin when she first arrived.
It had been clear she hadn't been getting the best nutrition. She was just beginning to regain her vigor thanks to the good meals and peaceful environment of the manor in the last few days after the hunt.
Malakai nodded to her. "Let's go."
They each left the manor and entered the forest. Inside, Renlo had slowed down his speed to match Kiana's as he tried to make conversation.
"Do you like pancakes?"
"What about creamy pudding?"
Somehow, every topic Renlo thought of had to do with food. Still, he sighed.
'Why is she shaking so much?' He expected a reply each time he asked, but she would always lower her head to the ground, shivering.
'Was this how I was before?' he thought. Before he met Malakai, it wasn't an exaggeration to say his own shadow frightened him. He had countless screams in the forest to prove that fact.
Still, Renlo couldn't help but feel even more grateful to Malakai. And at the same time, he felt for the shaky maid more than anyone else could.
'I understand.' He had been there before. He knew how terrible it was to feel this way.
'I'll try and help her,' Renlo thought, turning his gaze towards the front where Malakai walked with a steady gait alongside Nyx.
The two were discussing something quietly. The reason he had chosen to walk with Kiana was because he'd seen Malakai wanted to talk with Nyx.
Renlo sent another glance toward Kiana once more.
"Do you want to learn the best way to make bread?"
"You told them everything they needed to do?"
Malakai frowned. "I excused it earlier because we were in public, but when we converse together, call me Malakai."
Nyx hid a smile. "…Yes, Malakai."
"Good." Malakai nodded approvingly. "You emphasized the need to change their appearance and maintain stealth?"
"Good. Before we leave, make sure they're not being followed, and that they reach their planned destination safely."
At his words, Nyx nodded and vanished from his side, just as they came out of the forest and into the main area.
Malakai's gaze landed on the figure of a broad man. He paused.