"So, if you’re comfortable now... can you tell us about yourself, little buddy?" Izuna asked.

  Kale glanced at Izuna, slightly shocked. The loud, energetic soldier had lowered his voice to a gentle, soothing tone. It was a side of Izuna that Kale hadn't seen before.

  Kevin was about to take a bite of his chicken roll, but he froze. He looked down at the table, his expression crumbling into sadness once more.

  "I arrived here early this morning with my mother," Kevin whispered. "Some people wearing red suits came for us. They chased us for a few meters before they caught up. My mother told me to run and hide... I saw them beating her and slapping her before they took her away."

  "What about your father?" Kale asked.

  "He was too busy with his business," the boy said, tears beginning to well up again. "He didn't bother to come here. It’s all my fault... I forced my mom to come here to see the festival that starts next week."

  "Hey, hey! Don't cry. We’re going to find her," Izuna said, standing up abruptly. He clenched his fists, his body radiating a sudden, violent energy. "Now I'm fired up! Let’s get on the mission, Kale!"

  Kale sat calmly, sipping his soup and watching Kevin. "Do you even know where they are, you idiot? Plus, we don’t even know the layout of the city properly."

  "I know! I just want to kick some ass!" Izuna grinned, pointing a thumb at Kale. "That’s why I’m leaving the thinking part to you, Big Bro! Hehe!"

  Kale sighed, rubbing his temples. "I knew that was coming."

  After Izuna settled the bill, the trio moved outside. The moon was high and bright, illuminating the busy night market.

  "So, where should we begin, Big Bro?" Izuna asked.

  "We need a plan first. Rushing in blindly is like putting your head straight into a lion's den," Kale explained, his eyes scanning the environment. "First, we ask around to see if anyone saw men in red suits. This place is a valley; cars and trains don't run through these narrow streets. If my guess is right, they’re traveling on foot."

  Kale pointed toward the horizon. "There’s only one main road out of here, and the highway is twenty kilometers away. They wouldn't use a helicopter because this is royal territory—unauthorized flight is a death sentence. They’re either heading for the highway or hiding in the lower town. But the lower town doesn't make sense; if Kevin’s father is a powerful businessman, the kidnappers wouldn't risk staying where the Royal Guard could find them. They're trying to escape the valley."

  "Then let's go after them!" Izuna shouted, hoisting Kevin onto his back and starting to bolt toward the main exit.

  "Hey! Izuna! That's the wrong way!" Kale yelled.

  Izuna skidded to a halt. "What? Why?"

  "Think for a second! Why would they go through the main road where there are guards? They’ll use the back side of the valley—the forest. It’s thick, dark, and easy to hide in."

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  "Ha! You’re a genius, Big Bro!" Izuna rushed back, grabbing Kale’s hand and dragging him along.

  "Easy! Easy! Have you forgotten I’m still injured?!" Kale cried out as he was practically flown down the streets.

  They descended the cliffs, and within minutes, the paved streets gave way to the damp, heavy air of the forest at the base of the valley.

  "Where do we start searching?" Izuna asked.

  "We don't search. We track," Kale replied, kneeling on the ground. "We need a clue first, or we’ll waste hours wandering in circles."

  "So where do we find a clue?"

  Kale looked up at him, deadpan. "Seriously, Izuna? Did the military teach you anything, or are you really this dumb?"

  "Hey! I'm not dumb! I'm just not used to this stuff! I like action more than solving puzzles!" Izuna gave a thumbs up and a massive grin.

  "I should have guessed," Kale muttered. He looked at the soil. It was soft and silty. "The dust and soil wash down from the upper valley during the rainy season and settle here. It’s perfect for tracking. There are no big winds down here to disturb the prints. Izuna, Kevin—look for footsteps, but don't step on them."

  "Hey! There’s a footprint here!" Izuna shouted a moment later.

  Kale rushed over and analyzed the mark. "No, this isn't it. This is a single print, likely from a local hunter. It’s a slipper print. Kevin, did the men in red wear slippers?"

  "No," Kevin said. "They wore black shoes. All five of them."

  "Then we're looking for five sets of heavy shoe prints."

  "Big Bro! Over here!" Izuna called out again, but quieter this time.

  Kale walked over and saw a cluster of five or six distinct prints. "This is it. The depth of the prints is heavy—they’re carrying extra weight. Since there’s no small footprint for a woman, they must be carrying your mother. Izuna, Kevin... let’s go. They aren't far."

  "Wait," Kale said, pausing. "Izuna, we should report this to Captain Nymeria or the local authorities first. This looks serious."

  "What do you mean 'report it'?" Izuna’s voice rose in anger. "If we do that, we’ll just be wasting time! A civilian is in danger right now! Are you really that much of a coward, Kale?"

  Kale remained calm, though his eyes sharpened. "Think, Izuna. Why would kidnappers dress in bright red suits and snatch someone in public? They aren't ordinary criminals. They must have massive political power and connections to be that bold. If we rush in, we might be walking into something we can't handle."

  "I don't care about their power! I'll beat them all up!"

  "You idiot! I’m not talking about physical strength! I'm talking about political consequences. You might be stronger than me in combat, but I've lived on the streets for years. I know how this works. Recklessness will backfire on us."

  "I may not know the streets," Izuna said, his tone turning ice-cold, "but I know one thing. You're a coward, Kale. Running away and leaving a problem behind isn't my style."

  "I'm not a coward! I'm suggesting backup so we have a higher success rate!" Kale yelled back, his own temper finally snapping. He grabbed Izuna by the collar. "What if we fail?! If we screw this up, his mother dies because of your ego! We don't even know what weapons they have! Your overconfidence is going to bring us a disaster!"

  The two stared each other down, the air thick with tension. Then, they both looked down. Kevin was standing there, his eyes overflowing with tears.

  Izuna gently pried Kale’s hand off his collar. "Don't cry, kid. I'm going to save your mom."

  "Mr. Kale... is my mother really going to die?" Kevin asked in a trembling voice.

  Kale felt a sharp pang of guilt. The cold logic of a soldier had accidentally crushed the hope of a child. "I... I didn't mean it like that, Kevin," he said softly.

  Izuna let out a sudden, loud laugh. "Ha! I know, I know. You got emotional and said something you didn't mean. But there should be no emotion during a mission!"

  Izuna looked at the moon, his red hair shining like a mane under the silver light. He looked, for a moment, like a fearless lion.

  "Don't worry, Kevin. I’m going to save her. It doesn't matter what connections they have or how strong they are. If I’m going to do something, I do it. It doesn't matter if I fail or succeed, as long as I’m trying to save someone. And if it’s necessary... I’m ready to lay down my life for it."

  He turned toward the dark woods, a wide, determined smile on his face. "Let's move."