"Dmitri of Liptinskov, was it?" A young man he rested on his throne with a chalice of mead. He creased down his lips and leaned his arm on the side, resting his chin on the top of his hand.

"Yes, Emperor Sviato," Casimir said while kneeling down before the elegantly-dressed man.

Sviato stood before Casimir and his party, then paced himself back and forth. His disappointment couldn't be naturally vented out in an instant. Sviato never let mistakes get unfixed, and everything to him must be timely and orderly. To leave a cambion uncaptured, was especially a bigger problem. Calmly thinking for a softer response, Sviato stopped and faced towards Casimir, keeping his childish pout.

"A little cambion boy can easily trick a group of grown men. I learn something every day, perhaps I should get someone else to do this little hare hunt next time."

Casimir quickly jumped to his feet, "my lord, we will capture him. We won't fail you this time. Please, allow us to be given another chance—"

Sviato shook his head with a chuckle, waving his index finger, "no, no, that won't do."

He returned back to his seat, his expression relaxed and even dreaded.

"You chased the cambion away from Kiva, and your party raided a small Taigan village. You've caused enough damage already by going there. Let's not wage any more wars with peaceful countries, alright?"

Casimir became silent.

"You have to understand this clearly, Casimir. Cambions are the children of demons. There is nothing pure about them, not even your brother. The One has sent me a message by his valkyries and angels, and that is, to eradicate them from this world before calamity and life destroy itself. Unfortunately, I do not have all the powers that The One has given, therefore, I will be needing help. Time is important, and I rather you not waste mine."

"I understand, my lord," Casimir bowed. "But in the meantime, what shall we do with Dmitri?"

Sviato turned to his throne, "don't worry, we'll come up as many plans as we can. I may have some ideas on how we can start this off."

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Rin had never felt a summer breeze since forever. The warmth became so foreign to him, but the sensation brought him to the days of his childhood innocence. He remembered the days he would play outside with his young brother out near the rice fields and nearby forests. Now that the sun did not favor him, it still didn't stop him from savoring this moment. The warmth was too attractive, it brought him back to the warmth of humanity. He kept his eyes closed for a moment until he heard moaning from behind.

Dmitri slumped, heavily dragging his feet on the road. He hated the fact that he could feel the haze of summer and the burning pain under his feet at the same time. It was as if his legs were slowly being roasted in an open fire. He wasn't tired, he was simply in pain.

"I wish we had asked for a horse," Dmitri moaned, "I'm dying, it's so hot here!"

Vlad peered out his face out of Dmitri's bag.

"Lucky you," Dmitri mumbled.

Who wouldn't feel jealous at this moment? Vlad was perfectly hidden inside the bag, away from the sources of the deadly, hellish heat. Not to mention, he didn't have to walk, he was being carried by his owner himself.

Rin paused and turned around to look after Dmitri, who was far away behind. Dmitri was about to praise him for acknowledging that they should walk together side by side. However, Dmitri started to panic. Rin lifted him up to the shoulders with an arm wrapped around boy's calves. Dmitri couldn't help but feel like a sack of potatoes.

"Wait, Rin! put me-"

Realizing how cool and refreshing Rin's back was, Dmitri relaxed, lowering his head and embracing himself and Rin. It was quite a perk to have a snow spirit for a friend on a hot day like this.

"Actually, I'm just going to sleep, uh... if you don't mind."