King Lioness's eyes suddenly widened.

Why… why did Hazuki come to mind now?

Is this… a sign? Just like before?

"Your Majesty?" the royal advisor asked gently, noticing the king had fallen into deep thought.

Lioness straightened. "You are all aware of Princess Ellyna's pinky promise partner, yes?"

The officers exchanged glances before bowing their heads. "Yes, Your Majesty. But… what of him?"

Lioness's gaze sharpened. "Have we received any word regarding his whereabouts? Surely, as an adventurer, his presence should be recorded."

The advisor stepped forward carefully, tone respectful.

"If it pleases Your Majesty, I can summon the guild master here in Pawston. Through their magical network, it should be possible to trace his most recent location."

"Do so," Lioness commanded at once. "At the very least, I want confirmation."

The advisor hesitated, then spoke with caution. "Forgive my boldness, Your Majesty, but… are you perhaps suspecting this man to be the mastermind behind her disappearance?"

Lioness's expression hardened, and his voice rang out firmly.

"Hah! Nonsense! You all know well how the pinky promise functions. If the partner is in danger, fate itself draws them together."

He shook his head with certainty. "I believe Ellyna is with him. Just as before, when she was first kidnapped. He appeared then, by accident or by fate. And I believe… he is with her now."

"If she truly is with him, Your Majesty…" one of the generals asked carefully, "…what are your orders?"

Lioness paused, his fingers drumming once against the throne before he shook his head.

"Hmm? Do nothing. All I want is confirmation that she is safe. If she is indeed with him, then her safety is far more assured than with any squad we could send."

He cast his sharp gaze across the chamber.

"Have you all forgotten already? That human stood alone against two rift gates at Macia. He not only survived, he slew the three demons responsible for summoning them. And according to the guild master and his deputy, he fought every step of that battle alone."

The court fell silent.

Lioness let out a long breath, rubbing his temple.

"They even reported… that he laughed while cutting through the swarms. Maniacally, without fear, as if the chaos itself was nothing more than a game to him. And not just that. The horde in the eastern forest… high-tier monsters, countless in number… he faced them all, again, alone."

The king's voice grew low, but steady.

"If there is anyone I can trust my daughter's life to right now… it may very well be that human."

Queen Meira's soft chuckle broke the heavy air. "Dear~ it seems you've done quite the background check on him."

Lioness gave a short grunt, leaning back slightly.

"Hmm… yes. But even so, he remains a mystery. No one knows his origin, nor the name of his hometown. All records begin from the moment he appeared in Briskle Town, within the Human Kingdom. From there, he wandered from place to place… until he met Ellyna. Or perhaps…" his voice lowered, "…fate itself brought them together."

He exhaled slowly, shaking his head.

"But still… our only daughter tricked him. She bound him with the pinky promise while still in her child's form."

"Now," Lioness said firmly, his voice echoing in the hall,

"Go meet the guild master. I don't care what time it is. Wake him if you must, and demand Hazuki's last recorded location."

The advisor bowed deeply. "As your command, Your Majesty."

"All I need to know is my daughter's whereabouts," Lioness continued, his eyes narrowing.

"Nothing more. If Hazuki is somewhere, then Ellyna will surely be nearby. Tell the guild master to confirm his location and send word. Hire adventurers in that region if needed, but their task is simple, report if a catgirl is with him. Nothing else."

The officers bowed again.

"If she is with him," Lioness said with finality, "recall all our deployed forces and units. And inform Faria at once."

Queen Meira chuckled softly, her eyes glimmering. "If Faria doesn't find her first, dear~"

Lioness exhaled a long sigh, his stern features softening. "I am not worried about that. Faria was there when Ellyna tricked Hazuki into making the pinky promise oath. She knows better than most. But knowing how that woman worries endlessly over Ellyna…" A faint smile tugged at his lips. "…she will likely scold her again for it."

"Yes, dear," Meira said softly. "After all, she treats Ellyna as though she were her own daughter."

Lioness gave a small grunt. "That girl… I still wonder why she hasn't married her fiancé yet."

Meira's lips curved into a knowing smile.

"Well… we beastfolk live longer than humans. Perhaps she is simply waiting. Waiting until Ellyna is grown, until she sees her married and safe first."

Lioness let out a deep sigh, rubbing his temple.

"Still… that girl thinks too much about others. She should consider herself before anyone else."

"What are you all waiting for!?" Lioness thundered, his eyes flashing as he leaned forward on the throne. "Go! Fetch the guild master at once! I don't care if it's the dead of night, drag him from his house or from the guild itself if you must. Tell him this is my command!"

The officers and advisors jolted, then dropped to one knee in unison.

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

Lioness's voice cut like steel as he gave the final order.

"Do not waste time bringing him here. Demand from him Hazuki's whereabouts and nothing else. Now move!"

The heavy doors of the throne room burst open as the officers scrambled to obey, boots echoing down the long hall.

For a moment, silence returned, broken only by the king's long exhale.

Several hours later.

"Yaaawn~ what!?" Guild Master Brokon grumbled, scratching his messy beard as he cracked open the door of his home. His eyes narrowed at the armored knight waiting outside.

"It's the middle of the night!"

The knight straightened. "An order from His Majesty, King Lioness III. A high-tier request."

Brokon's scowl deepened. "High-tier request, my ass! It's midnight! I've barely slept two hours!"

The knight shifted uncomfortably but held his ground. "But… this is the king's direct order."

"Tomorrow!" Brokon barked, waving a hand. "This kind of thing can be done tomorrow!"

The knight hesitated, glancing at his partner. Both looked uneasy.

Brokon let out a heavy sigh, muttering under his breath.

"…Damn that cousin of mine. If he weren't my blood, I wouldn't bother dragging myself out for this."

He turned back inside, voice gruff. "Fine, fine! Give me a moment. At least let me put on my boots. And fetch my sword."

The knight gave a quick bow of relief. "Understood, Guild Master."

( End Of Chapter )

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