The atmosphere near the border gates was far quieter compared to the chaos from before.

Massive walls stood firmly beneath the evening sky while guards continued their patrols along the reinforced watchtowers. Workers moved in and out of the gates carrying supplies, weapons, and beast carcasses gathered from nearby hunting groups. Compared to the disasters that nearly consumed the border town weeks ago, the place now looked almost stable.

Almost peaceful.

And because of that—

The Holy Kingdom forces had finally decided to leave.

Several Holy Knights prepared the remaining carriages while checking equipment one last time before departure. Horses were tied properly beside supply wagons while priests quietly discussed routes toward the next checkpoint.

Frazanna stood near the front group while observing the town walls silently.

Her silver armor reflected the fading sunlight while strands of blonde hair moved gently under the evening breeze. Unlike the exhausted expressions from earlier days, her face now looked calmer.

At least the border town itself was no longer in danger.

The beasts surrounding the area had become strangely controlled recently. The walls were stronger. Patrol groups moved more confidently. Even the citizens no longer looked completely hopeless.

And honestly—

Frazanna already knew the reason.

Her eyes slowly moved toward the massive gates again.

As long as the young master of the Valmont family remains here...

This place probably will not fall easily.

That thought carried mixed emotions inside her.

Because despite everything strange surrounding Clay recently—

Despite the terrifying rumors—

Despite the mysterious tribes and powerful warriors obeying him—

One undeniable truth remained.

The border town survived because of him.

Still—

Another matter continued bothering her deeply.

Maxwell.

Her brows slowly knitted together.

Why did he leave without explanation?

That part still made no sense.

Especially his final words before disappearing.

"The young master of the Valmont family is the cause of the beasts evolving."

Frazanna slowly exhaled.

Even now, she still struggled to believe it completely.

Yes, many suspicious things surrounded Clay.

But accusing him of causing the entire continental beast evolution disaster?

That sounded absurd.

At least—

It should have sounded absurd.

Yet the more she remembered recent events—

The more complicated things became.

The Bersuka warriors obeying him.

The dimensional crack.

The terrifying anti magic powers.

The evolved beasts.

The strange authority he possessed over monsters and invaders alike.

And worst of all—

Clay himself never explained anything clearly.

Frazanna rubbed her forehead lightly.

What exactly happened while I was away...?

Then suddenly—

Voices nearby interrupted her thoughts.

"...I’m telling you, it has to be him."

Frazanna’s eyes moved slightly.

Several Holy Knights near the supply wagons were speaking quietly among themselves.

At first, she intended to ignore them.

But then—

Another sentence reached her ears.

"The Valmont young master is obviously connected somehow."

Frazanna froze briefly.

Her expression slowly changed.

Meanwhile, the Holy Knights continued talking without noticing she could hear them clearly.

"No normal noble can make warriors from another continent kneel."

"And those beasts..."

"I saw them myself."

"They were monsters."

"One of the guards said the creatures became stronger after the Valmont young master arrived."

"I heard even the Bersuka warriors called him Young Warchief..."

Frazanna’s face slowly darkened.

What are they saying...?

Then another knight spoke in a lower voice.

"Maybe Sir Maxwell was right after all."

Frazanna immediately turned fully toward them.

The Holy Knights stiffened slightly after noticing her gaze.

But before they could stop—

One accidentally continued speaking.

"...The young master of the Valmont family may really be the one responsible for the evolving beast tide."

Silence.

Complete silence.

Frazanna stared at them in disbelief.

"...What?"

The knights immediately became nervous.

"L Lady Frazanna..."

"Where did you hear that nonsense?"

Nobody answered immediately.

Because honestly—

The rumors were everywhere now.

Inside taverns.

Among workers.

Among guards.

Among travelers.

The whispers had spread rapidly through the border town over the past days.

And unfortunately—

The more people repeated them—

The more believable they started sounding.

One knight finally swallowed nervously.

"...People are talking about it everywhere."

Frazanna’s expression became colder.

"Everywhere?"

Another knight reluctantly nodded.

"They say the beasts began evolving rapidly after the Valmont young master appeared."

"They say the tribes from another continent obey him."

"They say the creatures outside are becoming stronger because of him."

Frazanna slowly clenched her fist.

"...Ridiculous."

Yet despite saying that—

Her heartbeat still became slightly uneasy.

Because even she could not fully explain everything surrounding Clay anymore.

Then suddenly—

More voices nearby joined in.

"Some people think he’s trying to create stronger monsters."

"They say he enjoys fighting powerful enemies."

"No wonder the beasts keep evolving..."

"I heard he can strengthen people too..."

"And those red skinned warriors..."

"They look terrifying..."

Frazanna’s eyes slowly widened.

The rumors had spread far more than she expected.

Much farther.

And far more dangerously.

This was no longer simple gossip.

This was becoming suspicion.

Fear.

Accusation.

Meanwhile, the Holy Knights themselves looked increasingly uncomfortable now that she was listening openly.

Because regardless of truth—

One fact remained undeniable.

Too many strange things happened around Clay Valmont.

Frazanna slowly lowered her gaze.

Inside her mind, conflicting thoughts continued colliding against each other.

No...

Clay may be strange now...

But would he truly do something like this?

Then another memory surfaced inside her head.

Clay standing calmly before terrifying monsters.

Clay speaking casually with Bersuka warriors.

Clay defeating impossible enemies effortlessly.

And most importantly—

Clay himself never looking surprised by any of it.

Her chest slowly tightened.

For the first time—

Even she started feeling uncertain.

Then suddenly—

The atmosphere changed.

A powerful gust of wind swept across the road.

The horses became restless instantly.

Several Holy Knights immediately looked upward.

Frazanna’s eyes narrowed slightly.

Then—

A loud gryphon cry echoed from above them.

Everyone froze.

And high in the evening sky—

Descending slowly toward the border road—

Was a massive gryphon.

Standing atop it calmly—

Was the young master of the Valmont family himself.

Clay Valmont.

Her former fiancé.

Coming down!