The three brothers arrive at the palace, and everyone prepares for the grand dinner at the large circular table. The dishes are placed on the table, and seated around it are Zain, the King, Karl, Selena, Rose (the Queen), and Mina. There is also an empty chair. Everyone is seated, dressed in elegant, luxurious suits. The King begins speaking enthusiastically:

"Our guest is a new recruit who has proven himself by defeating Karl and pledging to be an asset to the kingdom. I hope you welcome him warmly."

Karl, Zain, and Selena smile. Ren arrives at the palace after attending to some matters. He enters through the gate, under the wary gaze of the guard (who had witnessed the duel). He walks into the palace hall. On the first floor, there is the door to the King's room and two large staircases leading to another door. Ren walks alongside a servant, ascending the stairs. They open the door to find a long, wide hallway. They walk until the servant stops at the opposite door, knocks, and Ren enters in his elegant military uniform. Everyone stands up. Ren bows and says:

"Thank you for welcoming me. It is a great honor."

Everyone sits around the table. Ren thinks, *"How embarrassing."* Rose thinks, *"He is a polite young man despite his apparent youth. He looks strong in that uniform."* Zain thinks, *"What a person."* Karl thinks with a smile, *"He seems to be able to speak eloquently."* Mina looks at him carefully and says:

"Excuse me, what was your name again?"

Ren: "Ren Kagero."

Mina is surprised upon hearing the name and says, "I saw his face on a wanted poster. Father, he is wanted. He is the one who killed the deputy."

The King smiles and says, "No, it wasn’t him. There was a misunderstanding. The real killer is in prison now."

Mina Nova: "Oh, I see. I apologize for my mistake."

Ren, cool as usual, replies, "No problem."

Zain thinks, *"Cold as usual."*

The King: "Welcome among us, Ren Kagero."

Ren: "Thank you. This means a lot to me."

The King: "Let everyone begin."

They start eating, and some begin conversing with each other. Ren speaks to Karl:

"Sorry, Commander."

Karl: "No need to apologize. I’m happy to train with you."

As everyone eats, Mina starts coughing. She takes a napkin from the table, and everyone notices she is coughing up blood. The King stands up in alarm:

"Are you okay, Mina? Has the pain returned?"

Everyone stands up, worried. Mina says:

"No need to worry. It’s just a cough. Please, continue."

They finish their meal. Zain says with slight agitation:

"Is Mina okay? Is she recovering from her illness?"

Ren notices this comment. The King says:

"We don’t know her condition. There is no one here with good medical knowledge."

Ren stands up from his chair, drawing everyone’s attention. He says coolly:

"Would you allow me, sir, to see Lady Mina?"

Everyone is surprised by his request. The King asks:

"What? Why?"

Ren: "I apologize for my boldness, but I have a suspicion."

The King agrees and asks Mina:

"Would you allow me to see your neck?"

Mina, of course, agrees. Everyone stands up, watching Ren and what he will do. Ren approaches Mina, lowers himself to her neck, and examines it carefully. He presses lightly on a specific point near the top of her neck, using a subtle pulse of energy. He says:

"Do you feel any pain? If you do, tell me to stop."

He continues pressing gradually, and she blushes in embarrassment. At a certain point, she stops him, saying:

"It hurts here."

Ren returns to his seat without a word, sits down, and says:

"I apologize again for my boldness, but Lady Mina has a rare disease. If not treated quickly, her condition will worsen irreparably. The only known cure for this disease is found in the Land of Doctors, where Zain is heading."

Everyone is stunned by what he says. Ren continues coolly, amidst the shock:

"This disease is rare and dangerous. It is known as PUCU or the Silent Blood Syndrome. It affects the blood’s ability to carry oxygen, leading to a gradual collapse of the body without any apparent cause. That’s why it’s called the 'Invisible Disease'—it starts with mild symptoms that are hardly noticeable until it reaches critical stages. It has four stages:

1. **First Stage**: General fatigue, mild dizziness, and slight bloody cough.

2. **Second Stage**: Lowered body temperature, increased episodes of fainting, and slower wound healing.

3. **Third Stage**: Blood darkens during bleeding, muscle weakness, and loss of sensation in the limbs.

4. **Final Stage**: Failure of vital organs due to lack of oxygen. If untreated, it leads to a slow and painful death.

This disease results from an internal energy imbalance, such as pulse or essence, affecting blood flow due to the reckless use of one of these energies without proper training, or it can be hereditary, affecting a family member periodically."

Ren stops speaking. Silence fills the room, filled with anxiety and fear, except for Mina, who looks at Ren with astonishment and emotion. The King asks urgently:

"What is the cure?"

Ren, coolly: "As I said, it is found in the Land of Doctors. There is a rare herb there called 'Eden’s Petal.' It cures a number of rare diseases, but I don’t know if that king sells it or not. It is rare even in the Land of Doctors, so I doubt it will be cheap."

Ren continues: "Judging by Lady Mina’s condition, she is transitioning from the first to the second stage. Therefore, we must act quickly if you want her to live."

Everyone stands up, shocked. Karl exclaims:

"Then we must take her to the Land of Doctors! I will do it. I will take her."

The King hesitates: "No, that country is difficult to enter and exit. Moreover, there is a military crisis within the country."

The King thinks, *"What is this? The situation keeps getting worse. First the military, and now Mina. What will happen next?"*

Ren suggests: "This is not my place, but since I am from the military, I propose a solution that I believe is the most appropriate, if you wish, Your Majesty."

Everyone looks at Ren in astonishment, except Rose, who smiles at him, and Mina, who looks at him with fascination. The King, anxiously: "Please!"

Ren, coolly: "I suggest that Selena and two of those ten you mentioned, along with Zain’s group, go. I and Karl will stay here to resolve the current crisis in the country. Once we finish, one of us will join them for reinforcement."

The King, calming down: "Your perspective is sound, but I wished you would go instead of Selena, as you are more protective."

Ren, coolly: "Her sister should go because she will be more considerate of her. If only men go, they will only see the situation as it is. Besides, Selena is as strong as Sir Karl."

The King: "Very well. It is decided. You must depart with Zain as soon as possible. Karl, bring two of the elite now."

Karl: "Of course."

Everyone looks at Ren, impressed by his sharpness and quick thinking.

At dawn the next day, Zain’s group, along with Selena, Mina, and two elite fighters—Peros and Kai—depart. The King and Karl bid them farewell at the border.

We move to one of the military barracks, where Ren has gotten to know all the elite fighters. Two of them are watching him intently, whispering to each other:

"He’s the one who was shackled, isn’t he? He’s Ren Kagero, the one who was wanted."

The other: "Of course."

A soldier addresses Ren: "Ah, so there was a misunderstanding, and you weren’t the deputy’s killer. What a story. Was the killer caught?"

Ren firmly: "No, he is still at large."

Another soldier: "So many changes in the military. Not only did you recently join the elite ten, but those two over there did as well."

Ren turns to them and asks: "When did they join?"

The soldier: "About a month ago."

Ren remembers the King’s words: *"The killings of soldiers began a month ago."*

Ren smiles at them and says: "Good morning, gentlemen."

They greet him back with sharp looks. Meanwhile, a mysterious figure stands near the combat hall south of the palace, contacting someone:

"We are ready. When you arrive, we can begin. But we must assassinate the King and some of the strong ones first. Leave it to me, Sir Paul. Over and out."