---

**Karl:** Sorry for the delay, Your Majesty.  

**King:** Let’s begin.  

King Theer and Karl sit on chairs facing the man, while Ryn leans against the wall with his foot, arms crossed, eyes closed, listening.  

**Karl:** Well, sir, will you tell us everything you know, or do you prefer twisted methods?  

**Man:** No, I’ll tell you everything I have. So, I hope you’ll go easy on me.  

(Scene transitions to the palace.)  

The man enters the palace and begins knocking out the servants with those needles. He goes up to the second floor, opening every door in search. He opens the kitchen door and finds Queen Rose and a maid assisting her.  

Hearing the door open, Rose says without turning: "You took your time, Carlos. Did you bring the herbs I asked for?"  

The maid beside her suddenly collapses, unconscious. The queen turns in shock and sees the man. Horror flashes across her face. The man lunges at her, and she begins to scream—but to no avail, as he knocks her out too.  

He then writes a note and places it on the king’s desk. As he drags her away, he thinks: *"Those fools should have killed Karl and Kaguero by now. I must hurry."*  

He quickly carries her down the stairs and boards a carriage driven by his partner. He climbs into the back and calls out: "Let’s go. We’re done here."  

The horse-drawn carriage speeds south.  

(Time passes.)  

Karl and the king finish the interrogation smoothly. The king thinks: *"I held onto false hope that everything Ryn said was wrong. But unfortunately, this is the reality."*  

**Karl:** Well, I suppose we’ll imprison this man for the rest of his life.  

**King:** No. He did all this for money and revenge. So, I’ll pardon him—on the condition that if he does something similar again, he’ll be executed immediately.  

**Man (with a faint smile):** Thank you for your mercy, sire.  

**Karl:** I respect any decision you make, Your Majesty.  

**Ryn:** Then let’s move on to the other two.  

**Karl:** Yes.  

**Ryn:** Your Majesty, I believe you’ve now heard the story from the real killer. So, you may go. The commander and I will handle these two—especially since they’re stubborn. We might resort to twisted methods.  

**King:** I agree. Thank you, Ryn.  

**Ryn:** No need for that.  

Karl wonders why the king thanked Ryn: *"Why is he thanking him?"*  

The king exits, heading to the palace—but a soldier arrives, panting, and enters the room before the king leaves.  

**Soldier (gasping):** S-Sir Karl! Your Majesty! Terrible news—in the southern training hall for soldiers—(gasping)—there are many dead… over 90 casualties. All the soldiers there were wiped out.  

Ryn thinks indifferently: *"Seems they’ve started their plan."*  

The king and Karl are stunned. Karl quickly rushes out, saying: "Hey, Ryn! Interrogate the other two fast—we need information now!"  

The king, still in shock, runs out, thinking: *"What is happening now?"*  

The two quickly leave the prison, mounting horses and heading to the scene.  

Ryn moves calmly to unlock the man’s restraints—but he doesn’t have the key.  

**Ryn:** Oh, I don’t have the key. Well, found it.  

He breaks the shackles, shocking the man.  

**Ryn:** You’re free to go. But remember what the king told you.  

Ryn heads to the inner prison cells, asking the guards to open Nathan and Kaputo’s cell. He takes them to the interrogation room with cold, heavy steps, thinking:  

*"What will they do next? If they want to kill the king, they’ll lure him out. Did they stage this massacre to draw him in? But of course, Karl and the king will bring reinforcements, so they won’t attack directly. They’ll need another bait… Ah, I get it now. Someone must go to the palace quickly. But everyone’s heading to the training hall. I’ll have to go myself."*  

Ryn enters the interrogation room, chains the two to the table, and quickly leaves. He asks the guards to watch them but changes his mind and releases a wave that knocks out everyone in the prison.  

**Ryn:** This is much better.  

He takes the outer prison gate key, locks everyone inside, and mounts a horse, rushing toward the palace.  

*"I hope I make it in time—or the worst will happen."*  

(Meanwhile, Zane’s group sits at a restaurant table, eating and discussing their next route.)  

**Zane (firmly, after finishing a sketch while everyone is engrossed in food):** Alright, I’m done. The next country’s route is difficult. We won’t go systematically since we don’t have a permit. The next country isn’t a kingdom—it’s a democratic system with a civil war. So, we’ll go through the mountains. It’ll be a longer route, but we’ll avoid risks. No stopping.  

**Everyone:** Understood.  

Ryn mounts his horse after locking the prison from the outside, taking the keys with him, and sending waves that knocked everyone out.  

*(What kind of power is this!?)*  

Ryn races toward the palace, wind striking his face, his smooth hair fluttering. People watch the scene as he dashes through the streets toward the palace, his noble attire and commanding presence drawing astonished gazes.  

(In another country, Zane’s group eats lunch at a modest outdoor table under a stunning sunset, the restaurant’s simple decor contrasting with the vibrant surroundings.)  

**Zane (calmly, addressing Mina, who’s enjoying the moment—unlike her initial demeanor):** Hey, Mina, you seem more at ease now. Are you okay? Anything hurting you?  

**Mina (with false pride):** Don’t talk like you’re my dad now.  

**Selena:** She’s right. Don’t forget she’s stronger than me and Karl.  

**Zane (smiling):** I forgot. But remembering Ryn’s words—he said her illness might be from not using her power properly, affecting her circulation or something.  

**Selena (excitedly remembering):** Yeah, speaking of Ryn—he seems to know everything, on top of that power.  

**Zane (raising a finger, lecturing):** Power without wisdom is like a tree without fruit.  

**Selena (laughing):** Now you sound like my dad and the elders, haha!  

**Mina (seriously, blushing):** He’s right.  

**Zane:** Actually, I heard that from Ryn during his fight with Karl. After Karl fell, I asked Ryn why he hides his power, and he coldly replied, *"Power without wisdom is like a tree without fruit."* He was truly impressive—beyond his strength, he shows humility to those who respect him, like the king.  

**Selena:** Yeah, he’s humble for someone so powerful. I remember when Karl mastered that technique he used on Ryn—he almost bragged himself to death, haha!  

(Back to Karl and the king, racing to the training hall.)  

Karl contacts a soldier, requesting as many B-class and A-class soldiers as possible. The king sweats, visibly anxious.  

Karl thinks: *"I hope I find the culprit—I’ll kill them for sure."*  

As for Ryn, he nears the palace, entering the main street leading directly to it. He avoids pedestrians, citizens scrambling aside as the horse approaches.  

Ryn stops the horse at the palace gates, dismounts, and sprints inside. He finds servants unconscious from needles. He tries waking one, but they won’t stir.  

Searching the palace, he enters the king’s study and finds the note addressed *"To the King."*  

He opens the envelope swiftly, thinking: *"Damn, I’m too late."*  

The letter reads:  

*"The time has come for the return of the great Speed Kingdom, and we begin with the Kingdom of Verdisa. King, if you want your people and queen safe, come to the grand plaza where the Statue of Wisdom stands. Renounce your throne there, and you and your citizens will be spared."*  

Ryn rushes out after reading, thinking: *"I don’t know where that plaza is. I’ll take a citizen with me. I’ll uncover who’s behind this."*  

At the plaza, the armored man speaks on the phone:  

**Armored Man:** Good. Are you at the kingdom’s entrance?  

**Caller:** Yes.  

**Armored Man:** Kill every soldier in your path—and anyone who gets in your way.  

(At the southern kingdom entrance, over 140 soldiers with spring-loaded, rare swords storm in, slaughtering gate guards and every soldier in their way.)  

Ryn mounts his horse, riding with slight tension. He spots a young boy (9 years old) and stops.  

**Ryn:** Hey, mischievous kid, can you guide me to the Statue of Wisdom plaza?  

**Boy (excited, eyeing the horse):** Yes! And will you let me ride your horse?  

**Ryn:** Of course—you’ll guide me there.  

They ride off, the boy thrilled.  

**Boy (excited, eyes sparkling):** Are you strong, mister? Wow, your horse is amazing! The plaza is straight ahead—it’s in the kingdom’s center.  

*(The boy, seeing Ryn’s commanding presence, thinks: "He’s so cool! He looks strong, his outfit’s awesome, and the horse too! I wish I could be like him!")*  

Ryn notices the boy staring and smiles before speeding up.  

He spots the plaza, surrounded by soldiers and fearful onlookers.  

**Ryn:** Thanks, kid. Now go home—and don’t go near the plaza. Understood?  

Ryn charges toward the statue, thinking: *"I hope Lady Rose is safe."*  

---