The scene shifted to the bustling streets of North Ryehem. Normally filled with traders, performers, and townsfolk, today the atmosphere was tense. Fear hung in the air like a suffocating fog.
The Imperial Officials moved through the streets, their dark cloaks fluttering as they interrogated every civilian they came across. Stalls were overturned. Shops closed early. Mothers clutched their children as the officers barked orders.
"Line up!" one official commanded."Show your sigils!" another shouted.
The civilians, bewildered and frightened, gathered without protest. Rumors spread like wildfire.
"What's happening?""Why are they searching us?""They say someone leaked information to South Ryehem!"
The people had no idea what was going on, but one thing was clear — something about Kazuki Ayanami had caused chaos in the heart of North Ryehem.
Once every civilian had been inspected, the officials gathered the reports and presented them to the administration.
"Nothing. No one suspicious, no traces of any secret communication."
The higher-ups gritted their teeth.
"It has to be one of our own," one officer snarled.
They turned their focus inward.
The imperial spies.
The very agents they had deployed to spy on South Ryehem were summoned, lined up inside the imperial interrogation chamber. The room was dimly lit, the heavy scent of burning incense mixing with the tension.
"You're here because one of you is suspected of leaking state secrets," the Head Interrogator growled.
Every spy kept a calm, practiced face. They were veterans — liars by trade. But even so, this time was different.
Mind-readers were called.Psychologists employed subtle manipulation techniques.Illusionists used spells to test their reactions.
But nothing worked.
No one flinched. No one slipped up. No lies were caught.
After hours of futile attempts, the interrogators grew pale.
"Not a single lead…"
The administration of North Ryehem was now deeply confused, a kind of frustration they hadn't known in years.
Meanwhile, in the grand court of North Ryehem, Emperor Vareon sat on his throne, his fingers steepled in thought.
The imperial court was silent.
He stared ahead, lost in thought, replaying the events over and over.
"If Kazuki Ayanami managed to uncover one of our most secured, covert operations… then how many more plans might he already know?"
A cold shiver ran down the spines of his ministers.
Vareon clenched his fist, eyes narrowing.
"How… did an eight-year-old boy pull this off? And what else is he hiding from us?"
For the first time, North Ryehem's mighty emperor felt the creeping shadow of uncertainty.
And in the silence of the court, the unspoken question lingered.
"Has the game already begun without us realizing it?"