After receiving his Trinket, Adrian, Emily, and Richard returned to the Pleasure Hall to meet with Erica. Once inside her room, they began discussing their plan. However, before they could delve into the details, Erica delivered unsettling news.


    “The two World Federation soldiers and Sir Gallant’s guards have started raiding different parts of the Underground to find August.”


    The room fell silent as the weight of her words sank in. But instead of panic, Adrian’s expression remained calm—almost thoughtful.


    “This might actually work in our favor,” he said.


    The others turned to him in disbelief, as if he had gone mad.


    “What are you saying? If they come here, they’ll find August,” Richard objected.


    Erica, however, understood Adrian’s line of thinking. She took a slow drag from her pipe before explaining.


    “It’s a risk, but one worth taking.”


    Emily frowned. “What are you two talking about?”


    “With most of Gallant’s forces concentrated in the Underground, his mansion will be left vulnerable. There won’t be as much security there,” Erica clarified.


    Emily’s eyes widened in realization. “So we can use this to our advantage and raid the mansion!”


    Despite the opportunity, Adrian couldn’t shake his concern for August. The man was in no condition to fight, let alone escape if something went wrong. He struggled to think of a way to keep him safe without alarming him, but no solution came to mind. Erica, sensing his unease, exhaled another plume of smoke before offering an answer.


    “My girls will take August to a boat at the shore. Once you rescue Bernard, you’ll meet them there and escape.”


    Adrian nodded. “So that’s the plan.” He then turned to Richard. “What about you? What are you going to do?”


    Richard let out a weary sigh, rubbing the bridge of his nose.


    “I’ve given you all the information you need. I think I’ll take my leave—I don’t want to get involved any further.”


    Adrian studied him for a moment before extending his hand. Richard hesitated, then clasped it in a firm handshake. No words were needed; the gesture spoke for itself.


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    As he turned to leave, Richard gave one last parting remark.


    “I hope your destiny is filled with triumph.”


    Adrian watched him go before attempting to leave the room himself, intent on speaking with August. But before he could, Erica stepped in his way.


    “Do you want August to worry?” she asked.


    “What?”


    “He sees you as a son, Adrian. If he finds out you’re marching straight into enemy territory, he’ll force himself out of bed and try to stop you. Just go. Talk to him after you’ve saved Bernard.”


    Adrian clenched his fists but eventually sighed. “I understand.” His voice carried a tinge of disappointment.


    Without another word, he and Emily set off toward the mansion, located at the far right of the island. The path ahead was lined with pink blossom trees, their petals drifting softly in the breeze.


    Meanwhile, Erica, now in her human-sized form, made her way to August’s room. The moment she stepped inside, anger flared in her chest. Seeing him in such a weakened state—pale, frail, barely able to sit up—filled her with frustration.


    “Hey, Erica. What’s up?” August greeted her with his usual carefree smile.


    Her jaw tightened. “Don’t ‘what’s up’ me.” She marched over and grabbed him by the collar, her voice trembling. “When were you planning to tell him?”


    August blinked, taken aback. “Tell him what?”


    Her grip tightened. “That you’re dying.”


    Instead of denying it, August let out a soft sigh—one of relief rather than fear.


    “So… you know.” His voice was calm. “I didn’t want to worry anyone.”


    Erica’s throat tightened. “How long do you have left?”


    “I don’t know,” August admitted. “But every time I use Source Energy, it gets worse.”


    Erica’s hands trembled as she slowly released him. “Then why? Why keep pushing yourself? Why continue adventuring when you know it’s killing you?”


    August’s expression turned serious. “Because I need to know.”


    “Know what?”


    He hesitated for a moment, as if weighing whether to tell her the truth. Finally, he spoke.


    “What we saw thirteen years ago… when we reached the gate.”


    Erica’s breath caught. She took a step back, her eyes widening. “You mean… it exists?”


    August nodded. “Yes. The Gate to Valhalla exists.”


    A shiver ran down Erica’s spine. She had always dismissed it as legend, nothing more than a story passed down through generations. But now, she was standing before someone who had seen it with his own eyes.


    “Then why don’t you remember how you got there?” she asked.


    August’s expression darkened. “That’s the thing. I don’t remember. We opened the gate… and everything after that is a blur.”


    The silence between them was heavy. Erica expected him to be frustrated or desperate to regain his lost memories. But instead, August remained… calm.


    “Why aren’t you freaking out?” she finally asked.


    August chuckled. “Would it help?”


    She narrowed her eyes. “And Adrian? What do you see in him?”


    His smile softened. “A kid like me. Someone who was once trapped… and then freed by a person who thirsted for adventure.”


    Erica wiped the lingering tears from her face and turned toward the door. There was no point dwelling on her emotions—there was still work to do.


    Just as she reached for the handle, August called out.


    “Erica!”


    She glanced back.


    “Don’t worry—I’ll be fine.” His grin widened. “Oh, and can you bring me some fruit?”


    Erica scoffed, rolling her eyes. “You’re still annoying.”


    “So… is that a no on the fruit?”


    She didn’t answer. Instead, she stepped outside, closing the door behind her.


    The moment she was alone, the tears returned.


    She wanted nothing more than to stay by his side.


    But right now, she had to make sure he lived long enough to have a future.