In a narrow, dark alley, Ren Kagero lay on the cold ground, indifferent to the world around him. From the nearby streets, overlapping voices echoed through the night:

"Did you find him? The report said he was here!" "Maybe it was false... Anyway, why don't we head back? It's lunchtime."

The voices gradually faded as their owners moved away. However, another presence was approaching the alley. In his careless steps, the stranger’s foot landed on Ren’s side, prompting him to slowly open his eyes, his thoughts laced with sarcasm:

"Oh, they found me."

He got up sluggishly and spoke in a calm tone: "Who are you? Can't you see?"

The young man before him quickly stepped back, apologizing, "Sorry, I didn’t know anyone was here. It’s too dark in this alley."

Ren replied coldly, "Be careful next time."

The stranger smiled and asked, "By the way, what’s your name?"

Ren answered briefly. The young man repeated it, as if trying to recall something: "Ren Kagero... I feel like I’ve heard that name before... But I can’t see your face clearly. What do you say we get out of here?"

They stepped out into a busier, broader street where the sunlight finally revealed their appearances.

Ren was seventeen years old, with strikingly handsome yet cold features, deep black eyes, and jet-black hair. He wore ordinary clothing, blending into the surroundings with an air of nonchalance.

The other young man was nineteen years old, slightly taller than Ren, with short brown hair and sharp gray eyes. He wore the official uniform of Verdesa’s military, which carried an air of authority despite his young age.

The soldier shielded his eyes from the sudden brightness. "Finally, we’re out in the light. But my eyes are burning after all that darkness… I almost forgot, you said your name was—"

His words halted abruptly as he stared at Ren in shock. "Your name and face... I feel like I’ve seen them before."

Ren thought to himself: "He must be from another country's military. He probably saw my face on a damn wanted poster, but he isn’t sure yet."

Changing the subject swiftly, Ren asked, "Where were you headed?"

The soldier replied, "I’m on a long journey. This country was just a stop on my way. I’ve traveled through many lands, but my road is still long."

Raising an eyebrow, Ren questioned, "And what’s the reason for this journey? You don’t seem like a mere explorer."

The soldier smiled and answered, "I am from Verdesa."

Ren’s expression stiffened momentarily, realizing what that meant. The young soldier continued, "I am the deputy commander of our military force. I was sent to the Land of Physicians to find a cure for our plague."

Ren asked curiously, "Why didn’t you request help through radio communications? I thought your country had good relations with them."

The soldier sighed. "Haven’t you followed the news? All contact with our country was cut off long ago. I had no choice but to go myself. My friends are waiting for me in the next land, so I need to hurry."

He paused before adding, "Speaking of which, do you have a map of this country? I thought you were a local."

Ren internally groaned: "Damn it, I actually found one and was planning to escape with it, but..."

Pulling a folded paper from his pocket, he handed it over. "Here, a full map. I hope you find what you’re looking for."

The soldier thanked him before quickly heading off.

The moment he disappeared, Ren turned to his right—only to find himself surrounded by over thirty armed men, led by a strict-faced commander.

The commander spoke firmly, "Surrender. You’re surrounded."

Ren considered his options: "Run? Take them all down? Or... just go with them?"

Then, a smirk tugged at his lips. "I’m hungry. They’ll probably give me food in prison. I’ll escape later."

Raising his hands in surrender, he calmly submitted.

The commander was taken aback. "He gave up that easily?"

One of the soldiers laughed mockingly, "Looks like he was scared of us! Hahaha!"

Yet, the commander remained unconvinced. As he cuffed Ren’s hands, he thought to himself: "Something’s off... How could an A-rank criminal surrender so easily? I thought he could take us all down without breaking a sweat... But for now, I’ve succeeded."

He then declared loudly, "We caught you before you could run any farther, little criminal. The country that wants you is Elvard, our neighbor. Prepare for your judgment tomorrow."

—

The next morning, Ren Kagero sat in the largest prison in Elvard, quietly eating his meal in his cell.

A guard stood by the door, smirking as he taunted, "Eat up, eat up. This is your last meal. The king is kind enough to feed you, despite the fact that you killed his dear friend and deputy."

At that moment, the prison doors creaked open. Entering the dim cell was King Altair Nova, a man with a commanding presence.

The king, sixty years old, had a short white beard and piercing blue eyes. His royal robe, a deep shade of blue, reflected his dignity.

He looked at Ren with an expression that held something unexpected—compassion.

"Why would an angel like you resort to murder? What drove you to this?"

Ren met his gaze with a sarcastic smile and replied, "And do angels kill? Then, I must be either not an angel, not a murderer, or neither… What do you think, Your Majesty?"

Altair sighed. "Unfortunately, you are a murderer… But I still want to understand. Gariel Crown was a man who placed the lives of others above his own. What made you kill him?"

Ren stared at the king, thinking to himself: "If you knew what he was planning, you wouldn’t be talking like this. But I don’t blame you... He was a brilliant actor."

The king continued, "You will remain imprisoned until I decide your fate. Should I execute you or keep you locked away?"

He then turned and exited, leaving two guards outside Ren’s cell.

"He’ll definitely be executed," said the first guard. "No, I think he’ll get a life sentence," argued the second.

Letting out a sigh, Ren continued eating and muttered under his breath, "I’m eating. Can you two shut up for a bit?"

The guards snapped their heads toward him, one of them shouting, "What did you say?! You don’t seem to understand your situation, you brat! You—"

Before he could finish his sentence, both guards collapsed to the ground—unconscious.

Ren took another bite of his food, then smirked. "That’s better."

End of Chapter 1.

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