Ashren sprinted toward the gate—
heart pounding, breath burning, eyes locked on the supply cart already disappearing down the road.

“STOP—!!”

But it was too late.

The cart turned the corner beyond the outpost walls.

The Night Hunters were gone.

Ashren pushed harder, legs trembling, hoping—praying—he wasn’t too late.

But just as he tried to cross the gate—

A soldier stepped in front of him, spear lowered.

“HEY! Boy! Stop right there!”

Ashren nearly collided with him.

“Why are you running out of the outpost?!”
“Where’s your pass? No one exits without clearance.”

Ashren’s chest heaved.

“My friend—she—she’s been taken! They took her! Let me through!”

The soldier’s brows pulled tight.

Ashren tried to push past, but the guard shoved him back with one strong arm.

“STOP.”
“No pass, no exit. Those are the rules.”

He jabbed the spear forward.

“It’s nearly evening—nightfall monsters will wake soon!”

Ashren’s fists clenched so hard his nails cut his palms.

A strong voice cut through the chaos.

“Enough.”

Sir Veylan approached, his armor catching the fading sunlight.

The guards straightened instantly.

“S-Sir Veylan!”

Ashren turned, desperate.

“Sir! Please—Elara’s been taken! I have to go!”

Veylan raised a hand—calm but firm.

“Ashren… leaving Ardent before nightfall is suicide.
Even seasoned knights do not walk the roads alone after dark.”

“But they’ll get away!” Ashren shouted, voice cracking.
“She’s alone!”

Veylan stepped closer.

“This girl… she matters to you.”

Ashren gritted his teeth.
More than he could express.

“Yes.”

Veylan exhaled slowly.

“Ashren… if you go now, night will swallow the roads within the hour.”

“I don’t care!” Ashren snapped.
“She’s out there alone!”

Veylan studied him quietly.

Then—

He stepped aside.

The guard stared, stunned.
“S-Sir?! You’re allowing him to cross?”

Veylan didn’t take his eyes off Ashren.

“That boy has already decided his fate.
Trying to stop him would be pointless.”

Ashren’s breath trembled.

“…Thank you.”

Veylan leaned in, voice low—
just for Ashren to hear.

And—

To be continued…

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