Late night, Imperial Capital, near the Palace's entry.

"Greetings Captain, sorry to interrupt your rest...Uh why is Vice Captain unconscious?"

"It's nothing, the guy drank a bit too much tonight."

"...Vice Captain. Drank too much. I need to let this sink in for a bit."

"...Drop it. Any ideas on why we're called?"

"Apperently Maria the Chosen is returning to the capital and the King needs us to maintain security and social order."

"...That's...sudden. And her reason for returning is?"

"As usual, national security."

"Everytime, well, I have something else for you to look into."

"What is it? You hardly ever bring up work yourself."

"Hey, this time I might be on to something here. Find out details about a man named "Alteus" and the place known as "Unlikely Haven"."

"Will do. Permission to dispatch investigation group?"

"Granted. And make sure do this cleanly. I don't think the guy we're looking into enjoy this very much."

"...Why?"

"Just a hunch."

***********************************************************************************************

Meanwhile, in Valframe's own palace.

"Agnes disappeared!" - someone screamed.

"What? Send out the emergency alarm immediately!"

She thinks to herself as she motions to jump out an open window.

"[Dualcast: Air Walk - Levitation]"

As the spells was cast, it was as if the air beneath Agnes's feet has solidified and she was able to walk freely on it.

She tries to walk forward but suddenly lose height.

Suddenly, she spots a stagecoach a distance away.

And so she proceeds to float down in that direction. Without knowing that, inside that place was a person she thought she'd never see again.

***********************************************************************************************

"How much further is there until Telios?" - asked a white haired girl.

It was Maria.

"We have about a week of travel and rest left, please be as ease, our Chosen."

"Mmm. Thank you for your efforts."

"It was my honor-"

Suddenly there was a thump from the coach's roof.

"...Stop the coach."

"Someone is on it."

"Who was that? State your name!"

"I mean no harm..." - Agnes replied weakly.

"Agnes of Valframe?"

"Huh? You regconize me?"

Suddenly a white shadow races out from inside.

"Agnes? It is you! So good to see you again." - Maria happily exclaimed.

"Maria? Wait why are you here?"

Remembering what her journey was about, Maria frowned.

"...I think we need to talk, privately. Come in."

With that said, all of Maria's guard now was bowing towards Agnes, unlike a few seconds ago where they were about to draw their weapons.

"It's a great honor to meet one of our Saviors." - someone said.

"Uh....thanks. But please drop the formalities. It's uncomfortable."

"Will do, milady."

***********************************************************************************************

Inside the stagecoach.

"Cast an anti-eavesdropping spell." - Maria ordered.

"...For Maria to order me, this is serious... [Barrier: Sound Negate]"

A transparent light blue sphere enveloped the duo.

"So, what so secretive?" - Agnes said, leaning forward, appears to be very curious.

"..."

There was silence for a while.

"...Ray's body is missing from the Demon Castle."

"..."

Silence again.

"...You're joking."

"I'm not. Me and Wilhelm saw it ourselves. It's gone."

"..." - no answer from Agnes.

"There are 2 possibilities. One, someone infiltrated the castle, took the corpse for unknown purposes.

"...His body was extraordinary to say the least. It could happen." - Agnes muttered.

"Two, he isn't dead and he escaped the castle sometime before."

"..."

"How much are you hoping it's the latter?"

"...Don't do this to me."

"I don't want to be disappointed with something like this. Better to have no hope at all than to sink back into despair after a brief glimpse a happiness." - Agnes continued.

"But we can't deny that chance."

"...What do we do now?"

"I have a number of questions for Telios's King. You should join me."

"Deal."

And just like that, Telios's future are now even more uncertain.

"Wait, why are you here Agnes?"

"Uh....I ran away." - she sheepishly said.

"...Ran away."

"Valframe's a glorified cage at best. I envy your freedom Maria." - she turns away in a pout.

"....Still we have to let them you're with us. Otherwise there are dire consequences."

"...Sure."

Maria, turning to speak to a nearby knight - "Please try and contact Valframe: Agnes is currently on vacation with Maria to Telios. We assure you her safety and wellbring during said time. Thank you."

The knight breifly nods and ran towards a communication crystal.

"...You're strangely good at politics." - Agnes remarked.

"Gotta earn my freedom somehow."- Maria shrugged - "I don't like it much you know."

"That makes two of us."

And so the two girls continue their chat about everything and anything.

Unknowing of the changes they'd bring to the current world.

End of Chapter 8.