The loud scream wakes both Benette and Ilze up, who meet each other immediately after opening their doors. When Cenric starts shouting, they both exchange nods. Ilze runs ahead, while Benette, resigned to her inability to run, follows Ilze to Cenric’s room. Although there is no more loud sound when Ilze arrives at Cenric's door, Ilze bangs on it a few times before shouting, “Hey, you okay?!”

Cenric, still in shock, does not answer Ilze’s question. He stares at the cane as if it would move and devour him if he moves by an inch. 

“Whoever your name is, answer me please!”

Ilze bangs on his door again, and when she still receives no answer from Cenric, she opens the door by force. All she sees is a man sitting on the floor with a pale face, and a familiar cane that has been in the room for years. Ilze only knows that the cane belongs to Erhard – or at least that is what she has assumed, as it is always in the room Erhard uses when he visits the tower. However, never once has she seen the cane shine, which makes her shiver.

“What’s happening?” asks Ilze, her widening eyes fixated on the cane.

Cenric finally turns to Ilze, shaking his head. Upon seeing Cenric’s pale face once again, she kneels down and begins to stroke his back, calming him down until Benette arrives in the room with a glass of water. Ilze almost wants to yell when she sees Benette still be able to go to the kitchen while she was in panic.

While Cenric drinks his water, Benette stares at his face in glum, knowing she purposefully assigns the room to Cenric. She understands that whatever happens in the room will be shocking and confusing, yet, she has to do so. 

“No fear, you’re opening your own seal,” explains Benette after Cenric has finished his water.

“What seal?”

“One that keeps you away from Our Land Lord.”

Cenric frowns. He knows whom Benette is referring to. Valria’s Land Lord, Vrakh, depicted as a white dragon with blue shining eyes, has been worshiped in Valria for ages. It is believed that independence was achieved with Vrakh’s help through the trio heroes’ feat, specifically Erhard who counts the stars. But, a seal? Cenric is not a religious man. He does not worship any dragon who never shows itself in his life.

“What did Erhard say to you, again, young lad?” asks Benette.

“A messenger from Erhard,” Cenric replies, reciting whatever Erhard asked him to yesterday, even though he understands nothing about it.

“Do you know what a messenger is?”

Cenric shakes his head. Based on his knowledge, a messenger is someone who delivers a message. Sure, royalty has one – the one who announces the official news, the one who announces a clarification. Basically, it is like an announcer in Valria. Or, someone who is sent to another country as a diplomat – also counts as a messenger in a way. So, will he become someone who goes to places to announce or deliver messages?

Benette sighs at Cenric’s silence, while he still contemplates what a messenger is. 

“Ilze, count the stars. Can we start what we agreed upon?” asks Benette.

There are two things from Benette’s words that grab Cenric’s attention. Firstly, Cenric – and almost everyone – knows that only Erhard can count stars, so he never expects to meet another person who can do the same. Secondly, Ilze’s name. He just remembered about the name in his dream.

As Ilze approaches the window and gazes upon the red sky, which fortunately still displays the stars, Cenric stares at her. He notices the change in her eyes – they are shining like a gemstone. Then she starts pointing in a few directions which he does not understand the significance of, mumbling quietly. 

While waiting for Ilze, still bugged by the name, Cenric asks Benette, “Her name is… really Ilze?”

“If so, why?” Ilze responds brusquely without shifting her focus.

“Were you… born in the castle?” asks Cenric, hesitating for a moment before deciding to ask anyway.

Ilze snorts, almost laughing at Cenric’s question, before answering, “So you’re crazy now? No way I was.”

‘Right,’ Cenric quietly states to himself, but it raises another question for him: ‘Then, who are they? Both the babies and the parents.’

Before Cenric begins to contemplate again, Ilze turns around and says, “We can do it in an hour."