That early morning before the sun could even rise, the three except for Homura had set out to the city of Aureum. Argentum.

The streets of Argentum were cloaked in the dim light of early morning, the sun barely cresting the horizon. The sky was a mix of muted lavender and pale orange, its colours slowly bleeding into one another as the first light of day broke through the darkness. The air was crisp, carrying with it the damp chill of night that lingered stubbornly against the encroaching warmth.

But the smell was unbearable.

Artemis wrinkled her nose beneath the hood of her grey cloak, her expression hidden but her discomfort palpable. The stench of unwashed streets, animal droppings, and human waste was overwhelming, the lack of proper sewage systems leaving the medieval city reeking in the morning air.

She kept a hand firmly over her nose, her other hand brushing lightly against the hilt of her katana hidden beneath her cloak. Her eyes darted warily from shadow to shadow, scanning the alleys and rooftops for any sign of the royal guards, the Glacies knights, or—worst of all—the Black Spades, Damon's elite assassins.

Artemis knew the risk she was taking by walking these streets. With the bounty on her head for the rumoured attempted murder of two princes, she couldn't afford to be careless. Argentum was crawling with eyes and ears, and her face was likely on more than a few wanted posters plastered in the city's darkest corners.

Behind her, Ciel kept his head low, his own cloak concealing his features. His status with the Dragon Ministry had made him a wanted man as well, and the last thing either of them needed was for someone to recognise him as the dragon keeper who was supposed to be dead.

Trailing behind them was Jackal, who, unlike the other two, moved with an almost casual ease. Though Artemis had insisted he wear his hood for good measure, the boy strolled along with a lightness that belied their situation. With no known crimes attached to his name, he was far safer than they were, but Artemis had still demanded he take precautions.

Homura, however, had been left behind. Artemis had refused to risk bringing the fox with her, knowing the royal guards and assassins were likely watching for anyone with a fox in tow. Homura was out mostly happy with glee that he was allowed to stay behind, not even a protest but a simple agreement and dramatic statement on why he didn't want to go.

Homura and his excuses.

The group walked in silence, the muffled sound of Ciel's and Jackal's boots on the cobblestones mixing with the distant clatter of carts and the occasional bark of a stray dog.

Artemis's nose twitched as the stench grew stronger, her stomach turning despite her best efforts to ignore it. She cursed under her breath, her hand tightening over her nose in a futile attempt to block the smell.

The orange haired keeper side glanced at Artemis, his bright blue eyes looking down and noticing her discomfort. Her brows furrowed and her hand over her nose and mouth, clearly disgusted by the smell, he nearly looked amused by her reaction although he understand that the noble was not used to the streets of the common folk especially these parts of Argentum where most poor peasants lived. He reached into the pockets of his brown trousers and pulled out a folded handkerchief. Without a word, he held it out to her.

Artemis glanced at him from the corner of her eye, her expression unreadable beneath the shadow of her hood. The assassin looked at the folded handkerchief in the orange haired keeper and then back at him and then back at the handkerchief then back at Ciel. She hesitated for a moment before taking the handkerchief with a curt nod. "Thank you," she said flatly, her tone devoid of emotion.

Ciel smirked faintly, "Your welcome milady" he said with a hint playfulness which earned a look of annoyance from the silver white-haired assassin. He turned his gaze back to the street ahead, his own eyes scanning for danger as they moved deeper into the city.

Artemis unfolded the handkerchief and pressed it against her nose, the faint scent of smoke from the fabric cutting through the stench of the streets. It was a small relief, but a relief, nonetheless, better than the stench.

The early morning air was heavy with tension, the quiet hum of a city waking up broken only by the occasional distant shout or the clatter of hooves on cobblestones. The sky above brightened gradually, the pale orange deepening into soft gold as the sun began its slow ascent.

Artemis's gaze flicked to the rooftops, her sharp eyes catching a faint flicker of movement in the distance. She tensed, her hand brushing to her black Tanto as she pulled the hood of her cloak tighter around her face. The presence was fleeting, but it was enough to set her on edge.

"Stay sharp," the assassin muttered, her voice low. She knew that the black spades were lurking deep within the shadows. The air was heavy with an uneasy stillness, a tension that whispered of unseen eyes. Assassins lurked in the shadows in every corner of the kingdom, scattered like silent wraiths across the rooftops and alleys, their presence an unspoken threat to all who dared tread the streets. Every movement, every flicker of light, was observed with predatory precision.

The Black Spades watched, their presence a silent hum in the air. They were the kingdom's hidden enforcers, tasked with maintaining order or sowing chaos as commanded. Their watchful eyes missed nothing: the merchant's cart abandoned in haste, the flicker of a lantern in a window, the subtle shift in the wind that carried the scent of steel and leather.

Ciel gave a small nod, his posture shifting subtly as he scanned their surroundings. Behind them, Jackal raised an eyebrow, sensing the change in the atmosphere but saying nothing as he closed in to Artemis for safety.

"Is it those masked assassins that tried to capture us back in Taivas?" Jackal whispered softly to Artemis.

"Yes." Artemis nodded. "Now hush kid. We can't have of them hearing our conversation. It will expose us" she explained with a murmur. Jackal obeyed his sensei's words.

The city might have seemed quiet, but Artemis knew better. Danger was always lurking, and in Argentum, it was never far away.

Ciel took the lead, guiding them through the winding streets of Argentum. He deliberately chose a path with fewer people, cutting through narrow alleys and back streets that would lead them faster to the Dragon Barracks. The back entrance was their goal—a door that Xavior, one of the barrack keepers, was infamous for leaving unlocked after his drunken escapades.

It was the only time Ciel was glad about.

The city was beginning to stir as the sun rose higher, casting a soft golden light over the uneven cobblestones. More people began to emerge from their homes, carrying baskets or leading animals through the streets.

Artemis looked back to the little thief who was striding behind her very closely. His small frame swallowed by his ill-fitting, peasant-like attire. His cropped cloak, meant to provide some modest protection, now hung in tatters, barely reaching his waist. The fabric was coarse and uneven, riddled with holes and deep, irregular burns from the acidic saliva of the giant centipede he had narrowly escaped the day before. The once dark material had faded to a dull, patchy brown, its edges frayed and curling from wear.

His trousers were no better, loose, patched in haphazard places with mismatched fabric, and stained with dirt and grime that no amount of scrubbing could erase. The brown material hung awkwardly on his frame, slightly too short at the ankles, exposing the tops of his worn leather shoes.

The shoes, though medieval in style, were equally peasant-like, wrapped snugly around his feet with strips of cracked leather. The soles were thin and uneven, visibly scuffed and scarred from constant use on rough terrain.

Artemis's icy blue eyes flicked over him, taking in his state of disrepair. Her gaze lingered on the tattered cloak and the ill-suited clothing, her expression hardening slightly as her thoughts churned.

This isn't going to work, she thought, her mind already formulating a solution. His clothes might as well announce his presence to everyone in a five-mile radius and it wouldn't suit their travels. He needs something better, something that won't get him caught or killed.

Her gaze turned calculating as she made a mental note: darker fabrics, sturdier materials, and something far more practical for stealth and movement. The ragged cloak and ill-fitting trousers would have to go.

The air carried the unmistakable stench of the city—mingling odours of refuse, animal droppings, and the faint metallic tang of rust. Artemis kept her cloak tightly drawn, Ciel's handkerchief close to her mouth and nose, her sharp eyes scanning the surroundings for any signs of trouble.

Ahead, a merchant rode by on a rickety wagon, his tired horse plodding steadily along. The wagon's wheel hit a puddle, whether it was water, piss, or some unholy mixture of both, it was impossible to tell, and the liquid splattered outward, spraying everything in its path. The dirty water arced high into the air, threatening to drench them both.

Before Artemis could react, she felt a strong hand wrap around her arm and yank her backward. She was pulled firmly into Ciel's embrace, his body positioned between her and the splattering mud.

The impact of his chest against hers was abrupt and unyielding, his warmth radiating through the layers of her cloak and clothes. His arms, though not fully encircling her, were close enough to make her acutely aware of his presence. She could feel the steady rise and fall of his breathing and the rapid beat of his heart, which seemed to drum insistently against her own.

For a moment, the world felt still, the sounds of the bustling street muffled as her senses were overwhelmed by the closeness of him—his heat, his strength, and the faint scent of leather and smoke that clung to him.

And then, the mud splattered.

Ciel let out a low curse under his breath as the back of his cloak caught the brunt of the mess, dark streaks of muddy water staining the fabric. He stepped back, his hands releasing her as he turned slightly to inspect the damage.

Artemis remained still for a fraction of a second longer, her icy blue eyes narrowing as she processed what had just happened.

"What the hell was that for?" she asked sharply, pulling her arm back and brushing off her sleeve as if to erase the memory of his grip.

Ciel glanced at her, his orange hair catching the dim light as he offered a small, sheepish smile. "I was just trying to keep you clean," he said, gesturing vaguely to the mud on his cloak. His eyes flicked down to her white gown, relieved to see it untouched by the spray. "Your clothes are too—"

Artemis cut him off with a glare, her voice dripping with irritation. "Too expensive to get dirty?" she asked coldly. "I'm wearing a cloak. Mud can be washed off, and I didn't need you dragging me into—" She waved a hand vaguely, her expression darkening further as she added, "that."

Ciel's smile faltered slightly, but he recovered quickly. "I was just trying to help," he said, his tone lighter, though his blue eyes carried a faint glimmer of amusement.

"Well, don't," she snapped, her voice sharper now. "Next time, worry about yourself."

Despite her biting words, Artemis was more annoyed at herself than him. The unwelcome memory of his warmth, his steady heartbeat, and the way his hand had pulled her so effortlessly close lingered in her mind, much to her frustration. She brushed the front of her cloak briskly, as if to shake off the memory entirely.

She cursed in Japanese, mumbling with irritation as she marched on forward.

Ciel nodded couldn't help but frown a little. "a little thank you would have been nice," he grumbled angrily as he watched her walk off with a tantrum.

"Between you and me, I believe Artemis-sensei is just upset that she didn't get to move out of the way herself" Jackal whispered to him.

Ciel arched an eyebrow, his expression sceptical and confused. "Huh? Are you saying she doesn't like to be saved because it makes her look weak and incompetent to look after herself?"

Jackal shrugged, jogging ahead to catch up to Artemis. "That's how she is," he called over his shoulder.

Ciel stood there for a moment, his gaze lingering on Artemis as she walked with her usual purposeful stride. Despite her blunt words, he couldn't shake the feeling that Jackal might be right.

Sighing again, he pulled his hood further down over his face and jogged after them, the muddy cloak shifting awkwardly on his shoulders. For now, he'd let it go, he just needed to wear it until they reached the barracks and then he discard after.

Artemis walked with sharp, deliberate steps; her hood drawn low over her face to conceal her features. Every few seconds, her piercing gaze swept the streets, scanning for any movement in the shadows or signs of someone watching them. The narrow alleyways and darkened corners of Argentum felt suffocating, every nook and cranny a potential hiding spot for the Black Spades. She knew their reputation well—Damon's elite assassins didn't miss their mark, and she had no intention of dealing with them.

Ciel walked beside her, his own eyes darting around the streets with practiced subtlety. His movements were natural, almost casual, though the tension in his shoulders betrayed his awareness of their precarious situation. "Keep your head low," he muttered to Artemis, his voice barely above a whisper. "If the Black Spades are tracking you, they'll be watching for anything out of place."

"Don't lecture me pretty boy. I already know they are looking for me" Artemis shot back in a hushed tone, though her eyes didn't leave the alleys and rooftops. Her hand brushed lightly against the hilt of her dagger hidden beneath her cloak. "Plus, I know how to stay out of sight. I'm an assassin myself"

Behind them, Jackal trailed along with an air of curiosity, his head swivelling as he took in the sights of Argentum. Despite his cloak, the boy's casual demeanour stood in stark contrast to the tension between the two adults. "You know," Jackal began, his voice loud enough to make both Artemis and Ciel wince, "this place isn't bad, but Taivas is better. Cleaner, at least. Here smells like horse crap."

Artemis rolled her eyes but didn't respond, her focus snapping back to the streets around them. Every flicker of movement, every sound, set her on edge. The assassin dreaded being back here, it was like walking back to Diana's empty grave.

As they walked, Ciel leaned in slightly, his voice low and purposeful. "We need to discuss how we're going to get a dragon the size of Demarcus out of the city without drawing attention."

Artemis's eyes flicked to him briefly, her expression thoughtful. "His big so slipping past unnoticed isn't an option," she replied quietly. "We'll need a distraction—or an alternate route."

Ciel nodded, his gaze scanning the street ahead. "There are tunnels and caves beneath the castle," he explained. "They were built generations ago, during the war with the Orcs. The people of Argentum used them to hide when the Orcs attacked. If we can find an entrance, they might lead us out of the city."

Artemis frowned, considering his words. She hadn't known about the tunnels, but they could be a valuable option. "We'd need to scout them first," she said. "Make sure there's a clear path and no dead ends. The last thing we need is to get cornered underground."

"Agreed," Ciel said. "But if they're still intact, it could give us the cover we need. No one's expecting a dragon to go underground."

Jackal jogged up beside them, his eyes wide with interest. "Tunnels under the castle?" he asked, his voice filled with curiosity. "Why are we sneaking a dragon underground when he could...just fly?"

"Because his injured and wouldn't be able to get far" Ciel replied, glancing at the boy.

"Oh" the little thief mouth turned into an 'o' "but wouldn't that be difficult to get him out if his injured" he questioned.

"Jackal, could you stop questioning and shut up for five seconds. We will discuss this when he get to the barracks" Artemis said with annoyance.

The little thief sunken his head low, a guilty look in his eyes as he looked away. "Sorry Sensei' he murmured.

Ciel sighed, his hand brushing the edge of his cloak as he turned his attention back to Artemis. "Once we get to the barracks, we'll regroup and plan our next move," he said. "Xavior should've left the back entrance unlocked. If not—"

"I'll just sneak in and open the back entrance for you dimwits" Artemis finished, her tone flat. "Just keep moving. The last thing we need is to draw attention."

Ciel bristled at the name call but kept his mouth shut knowing he wouldn't be able to resort back to Artemis without her snapping back at him with her own snarky responses.

The trio pressed on, their pace quickening as the streets grew busier with the rising sun. Artemis's sharp eyes flicked to the alleys once more, her unease growing with every step.

Ciel walked beside Artemis, his steps measured and deliberate as they continued through the dim streets of Argentum. His orange hair, half-concealed beneath his hood, caught faint glimmers of the morning light as the sun rose higher. He cast a side glance toward Artemis, his gaze lingering for a moment.

Her sharp features were striking, even beneath the shadow of her cloak. Her icy blue eyes darted from shadow to shadow, scanning the streets. There was something about the way she moved, so composed, so deliberate, that drew his attention.

Keeping his voice low, he spoke, his tone cautious yet curious. "You've been saying you're going to get back home since the moment I met you," he began. "But you've called your world shit more than once. If it's so bad there, why go back?"

Artemis didn't look at him, her eyes still scanning their surroundings. For a moment, it seemed like she might ignore him entirely, but then she spoke, her voice calm and distant. "Because it's better than here," she said vaguely. "Shit it may be, but life is easier there."

Ciel frowned slightly, his curiosity piqued. "How so?"

Her lips pressed into a thin line, her gaze flicking briefly to him before returning to the streets. "I grew up in a place where everything was at my disposal," she said, her words clipped and careful. "I'm used to it. The way life works there, the speed, the convenience, the order. It's nothing like this... chaotic mess."

Ciel tilted his head slightly, trying to piece together what she meant. Her words were vague, hinting at a life he couldn't quite picture. Was her world one of luxury? Power? Or was it something else entirely?

He opened his mouth to ask another question, but Artemis cut him off with a sharp glance. "Don't push it," she said curtly. "I'm not gonna answer anymore questions and would just ignore you if you ask."

Ciel hesitated and frowned, but her expression left no room for argument. He held back his tongue from saying anything and just bristled at her statement. He turned his attention back on the street.

Jackal trailed a few steps behind Artemis and Ciel as they walked, his hood drawn low over his face. His usually bright and curious demeanour was subdued, his thoughts a tangled mess as he glanced occasionally at Artemis.

He'd learned her true identity—a revelation that had left him feeling unsteady. The knowledge that she wasn't really Diana Glacies, the notorious spoiled daughter of the Grand Duke, but someone from a different world entirely, unsettled him in ways he couldn't quite articulate.

What does that even mean? he thought, his eyes flicking toward her as she strode confidently ahead. A soul from another world? How does something like that even happen?

Jackal knew better than to voice his thoughts. Artemis didn't seem like the type to indulge idle questions, and she'd probably snap at him if he pried too much. But still, he couldn't shake the strange feeling that lingered every time he looked at her now.

There was something... off about her. Not in a bad way, exactly, but in a way that made her seem larger than life—almost untouchable.

And yet, despite the unease he felt, there was a strange sense of comfort in knowing who she really was. She wasn't Diana, the bratty noble who looked down on everyone around her. Artemis, in her own way, was different.

Strict, yes. Hard on him, definitely. But she wasn't cruel.

Artemis-sensei not a bad person, Jackal admitted to himself, his lips quirking into a small, fleeting smile. Weird, sure. Kind of scary. But not bad.

He glanced up again, watching as Artemis scanned their surroundings with a sharp, calculating gaze. Even now, there was an aura about her that demanded respect, a presence that made it hard to see her as just another person.

Jackal shook his head slightly, stuffing his hands into the pockets of his tattered cloak. Whatever she was, whoever she was, he couldn't deny that she was different.

And maybe that wasn't such a bad thing.

Ciel noticed Jackal's inner turmoil but kept quiet letting the little thief to be in his own thoughts.

"I have a brother," she said after a long while, her voice quieter now, almost reluctant. Ciel eyes widened suddenly at her sudden revelation and he was surprised she started talking about her personal life. He couldn't imagine someone as tight lipped, so closed off would talk about her life. "The only family I have left. He's waiting for me back in my world."

Her steps slowed slightly, her gaze softening just for a moment before she masked it again with her usual indifference. "That's why I need to go back," she added firmly, "You should understand that since you have a brother of your own which you would do anything to have back"

Ciel nodded slowly, falling silent as they continued walking. He understood, or at least, he thought he did. The idea of family, of someone waiting for you, wasn't foreign to him. He had felt something similar with Ralph and Rebecca—his chosen family—but Artemis's words carried a weight he couldn't fully grasp.

Still, a strange feeling settled in his chest. Disappointment. He couldn't explain why, but it gnawed at him, an uncomfortable ache that left him frowning at the cobblestones beneath his boots. Why should I care that she wants to go back to her own world? he thought, shaking his head slightly. We're not friends. We're not even close.

They were two people bound by circumstance, working together to save a dragon and a few innocents. Once Demarcus was safe and the others freed, their paths would separate. That was inevitable.

And yet, the thought of her leaving, of returning to a world he couldn't begin to understand, left a strange, bitter taste in his mouth. Ridiculous, he told himself. I barely even know her.

But no matter how many times he repeated the thought, the feeling of disappointment didn't go away.

The trio moved cautiously to the back entrance of the Dragon Barracks, their steps light and deliberate as they kept close to the walls. The rising sunbathed the stone in soft orange hues, but the quiet tension in the air made every sound feel amplified.

Artemis crouched low near the door, her hood drawn tight over her face as her sharp eyes scanned their surroundings. She reached out with her senses, searching for any sign of movement or presence nearby. After a moment, she straightened slightly, her voice low but firm. "I don't feel anyone nearby. Let's move."

Jackal nodded enthusiastically, following her lead as he focused on walking silently. For a 12-year-old who had been practicing for only a month, he wasn't bad. His steps were deliberate, his movements measured, and though he wasn't perfect, he was noticeably quieter than Ciel.

The boy glanced back at the orange-haired dragon keeper with a sly grin, clearly feeling proud of himself. Ciel raised a questionable brow, not understanding why the little thief was giving him a sly grin but said nothing, focusing on guiding them through the familiar halls of the barracks.

"Its huge" Jackal whispered with awe, his silver eyes scanning the hallways of the dragon barracks.

Even Artemis had taken a moment to admire the place.

The hallway stretched long and shadowed; the flickering light of torches mounted on iron sconces casting dancing shadows across the stone walls. The air was cool and carried a faint metallic tang, mingled with the earthy scent of ancient stone. The architecture was distinctly medieval—vaulted ceilings with exposed wooden beams arching high above, their dark oak stained with age.

Along the walls, dragon motifs dominated the decor. Massive dragon bones were mounted in intricate displays, their pale ivory gleaming eerily in the torchlight. Skulls with gaping jaws and sharp, curved teeth loomed over visitors, their empty eye sockets staring down as if they could still see. Rib cages arched like twisted frameworks, their massive size a haunting reminder of the beasts that once roamed the skies.

Between the skeletal remains, medieval weapons adorned the walls—halberds, longswords, and pikes forged with intricate engravings of dragons. Some blades were displayed in ornate scabbards, their hilts shaped like dragon heads, while others were bare, their steel gleaming cold and deadly.

Artifacts of ancient dragon lore filled the spaces between the bones and weapons. Shields bearing the sigils of noble houses known for their dragon taming hung alongside tapestries woven with scenes of dragons in battle or flight. The tapestries' colours had faded over the centuries, but the depictions of knights clashing with fiery beasts were still vivid enough to evoke a sense of awe.

Further down the hallway, pedestals carved from dark stone held relics encased in glass: dragon claws as long as a man's forearm, scales shimmering with an iridescent sheen, and fragments of eggshells so large they could easily hold a child. A particularly striking artifact was a staff mounted at the centre of the hall, its head fashioned from a dragon's talon clutching a glowing gemstone that pulsed faintly like a beating heart.

The light from the torches cast long shadows of the displays onto the floor, their shapes shifting and flickering like the ghosts of dragons long gone. The entire space exuded a sense of reverence and fear, a silent testimony to the power and majesty of the creatures it sought to honour—or perhaps warn against.

The hallway wasn't merely a passage; it was a shrine to dragons, both a celebration of their grandeur and a reminder of their devastation. Every step echoed faintly, as though the very walls held their breath in the presence of so much history and power.

Artemis's sharp eyes widened slightly, her usual icy demeanour giving way to something softer, more curious. Her gaze swept over the mounted dragon bones, the haunting skeletal remains towering above her like ghostly sentinels. She lingered on the intricate details of the tapestries, her eyes tracing the fiery battles and soaring dragons woven into the fabric.

Her steps slowed as she took it all in, her expression momentarily unguarded. Her lips parted slightly, her cold facade melting into one of quiet awe.

Ciel noticed immediately. Walking beside her, he couldn't help but grin as he watched the usually composed and detached Artemis transfixed by the spectacle around her. The faint torchlight reflected in her icy blue eyes, giving them a luminescent quality that only added to the sense of wonder on her face.

"You like it," he said softly, his voice low and teasing as he leaned in just enough for his words to brush against her ear. "Didn't take you for someone who'd be impressed by a bunch of bones and old stories."

Artemis blinked, his voice pulling her from her trance. She turned her head slightly, meeting his with a cold and distant look. "I've always had a fascination with these kind of stuff" she said, her tone guarded, though the flicker of fascination in her eyes betrayed her. Artemis held her self from saying mythical beings like dragons because it would cause Ciel to question her more which she had no energy or mood to answer him. Best to keep things quiet and avoid unnecessary questions.

Ciel's grin widened. "So, it's just fascination, huh?" he said, his voice dropping an octave, smooth and laced with amusement. "That's a big reaction coming from you. Should I be flattered? I might just take credit for the view."

Artemis narrowed her eyes at him, her lips pressing into a thin line. "Don't get ahead of yourself," she replied coldly, though her sharp tone lacked its usual bite.

Ciel's grin didn't falter. He stepped closer, his hand brushing the air near her shoulder as he gestured toward one of the displays—a massive dragon skull mounted on the far wall. The skull's gaping jaws were lined with jagged, weathered teeth, its eye sockets dark and cavernous. Torchlight danced across its pale ivory surface, accentuating the ancient cracks and grooves etched into the bone. "That one's from the reign of King Havardur," he said, his voice taking on a faintly reverent tone. "The first dragon that was ever killed in battle. Right here in this spot."

Akame raised a questionable brow. "Well, that's just specific".

Ciel huffed in amusement, leaning in again, his proximity close enough that she could feel the warmth of him. "It's part of our history," he said, his voice soft but steady.

Artemis tilted her head slightly, her sharp gaze tracing the contours of the skull. "And they just... left it to rot?" she asked, her tone cold but tinged with curiosity.

Ciel nodded, his orange hair catching the torchlight as he gestured to the skeletal remains. "For years, the dragon's body was untouched, left in the ruins of the battlefield. But when the kingdom was built, the king's advisors decided to use its remains as a symbol"

He gestured around the hallway, his blue eyes glinting. "When they built the Dragon Barracks, they brought the bones here to decorate the halls. To immortalize the story. This place isn't just a fortress—it's a history lesson."

She glanced at him briefly, her icy blue eyes flicking to his face. There was something about his tone, his words, that felt disarming, and for a moment, she didn't know how to respond.

Instead, she turned back to the display, her gaze fixed on the dragon skull as she muttered, "You talk too much."

Ciel chuckled quietly, leaning back but not taking his eyes off her. "Maybe," he said, his tone light and teasing. "But it got you to stop frowning for a second, didn't it?"

Artemis huffed softly, shaking her head as she began walking again, her cloak sweeping behind her. But as she moved, she couldn't quite suppress the faintest curve of a smile tugging at the corner of her lips.

"Jackal don't touch anything," Artemis said sharply, her tone cold and commanding.

Jackal jumped, yanking his hand back as if the glass had suddenly burned him. His wide eyes darted to Artemis, then down to the ground, guilt written all over his face. "I wasn't—uh, I wasn't gonna touch it," he stammered, rubbing the back of his head awkwardly.

Artemis raised an eyebrow, her expression unimpressed as she turned her gaze back to the hallway. "Sure you weren't," she muttered, her tone laced with sarcasm.

Jackal shuffled away from the display and followed close behind, doing his best to resist the temptation of the treasures around him.

Soon they reached the door to John's quarters, and Ciel paused, his hand hovering just above the doorknob. He took a deep breath, his chest rising and falling as he steadied himself. He could hear the faint splashes of water and the sound of shuffling inside. John was there, no doubt about it.

Ciel's thoughts swirled as he stared at the door. How will he react? he wondered. Would John be furious for keeping him in the dark? Upset at the trouble his return might bring? Or... would he be happy to see him alive and well?

He swallowed hard, his hand trembling slightly as he pushed the door open. The old hinges creaked softly, and the three of them slipped inside.