Saying nothing as they walked through the hallway illuminated by many oddly shaped crystals, the faint but yet fragrant smell of a spring meadow pervaded the air. Naturally, it piqued Dustan's curiosity, but he was not in the mood to ask why the hallway had such a fragrant scent. As they continued to walk in silence, only the sounds of their boots trudging on the marbled floor reverberated. Unlike Marko and Dustan who resembled friends taking a casual stroll, a myriad of thoughts occupied Lucundiz's mind.

'Why does he look so relaxed? Isn't he worried Prince Marko will falsely accuse him?' Lucundiz thought as she snuck subtly glances at Dustan. However, Dustan had a brilliant smile on his face as he caught her staring.

"I'm sorry, Dustan," Lucundiz whispered in an inaudible voice. Her voice carried the same heaviness her heart felt. However, she sighed softly while steadying her breathing. At this point, there was no need to muse over what had already happened. She could only look forward to what will happen when they reached the interrogation room.

After walking in silence for over thirty minutes, the trio still trudged in the same hallway. Although it had several paths that led to other locations in the underground prison, the trio maintained their current path. Unlike earlier, they faint fragrance had long disappeared. Instead, they could hear muffled groans like the sounds of several people undergoing cruel torture.

"Dustan, do you hear that?" Prince Marko asked without facing Dustan.

'After 30mins, he finally speaks. It seems the fun starts from here,' Dustan thought while scratching his chin.

"Of course, your highness," Dustan said with a faint smile.

"Good! Remember it well. Those who end up in this part of Echia will never the sun of the surface again. For the rest of their lives they will suffer for all the heinous crimes they have committed, and will only find peace when we grant them death," Marko suddenly paused while turning his head. He had a faint smile on his face as he stared into Dustan's deep blue eyes.

"This will be your fate soon," Marko added while rubbing his chin. Without waiting for Dustan's response, he turned his head and continued walking. However, just as he turned his head, he heard a faint giggle, followed by the words, "Surely you jest, your highness," Dustan said. His words did not have a single trace of mockery, rather he spoke like someone with earnest sincerity.

"Hmm.. We'll see.." Marko immediately retorted without glancing at Dustan. However, the corners of his lips curved into a smirk while his emerald green eyes burned with the flames of anticipation.

Meanwhile, Lucundiz assumed a solemn demeanor as she heard Marko and Dustan's exchange. Being the warden of Echia, she knew the torture the prisoners condemned to the bottom floor suffered. The thought of Dustan suffering such a fate sent shivers down her spine. And the fact she was the one responsible for bringing him to Echia made her heart heavy with guilt.

While this thought occupied her mind, she suddenly felt a familiar slender but firm hand on her left shoulder, and she could feel the gentle breath of its owner on the left side of her neck. Tilting her head, she stared at Dustan who had a bright grin on his face as he stared at her.

"Lucu, everything will be okay. It's not your fault. If you keep frowning like that, you will turn to an old woman before you know it," Dustan whispered as he tapped Lucundiz on her shoulder. Before she could retort, he took hurried steps as if he was afraid of her response. Meanwhile, Lucundiz stood remained rooted on the spot with her head lowered.

'Dustan, your greatest strength and weakness is the trust you have in your friends and subordinates. You're so quick to forgive, but I don't think I can forgive myself if you become a prisoner here. No.. I will never let it happen,' Lucundiz solemnly declared within her mind.

With a new sense of clarity, she straightened her back while exhaling deeply. Unlike before, her eyes shown with a determined gleam. Wasting no time, she took hurried steps as she approached Dustan and Marko who stood in front of a steel door.

The moment Lucundiz caught up with the duo, Marko's apathetic eyes stared at her while his lips curved into a frown.

"Warden, I don't care what you're thinking about, but you better focus on the task. If not, don't blame me if your punished. Who knows, the punishment might affect others, too," Marko said.

His subtle threat caused Lucundiz's countenance to distort while terror gripped her heart. While trying to calm her nerves, Dustan's cheerful laughter and claps disrupted the former tensed atmosphere.

"Hahaha.. Your highness, that's a good one. You even made Lucu scared for a moment," Dustan said as he tried to subdue himself.

Meanwhile, the frown on Marko's face slowly lessened and gradually turned into a shallow, faint smile. Although he had a smile on his face, his serpentine-like gaze made him look somewhat menacing. However, he did not chide Dustan. "After the trial, I truly hope you can maintain such a cheerful laughter," Marko said while snickering. Wasting no time, he placed his hands on the steel door and a mysterious phenomenon followed. Marko's 6ft 2inches physique disappeared into thin air, and a faint trickle of glistening stardust occupied where he stood earlier. However, it did not surprise Dustan or Lucundiz.

"Lucu, don't let Marko's words get to you. You know the person he is.. you will only make yourself an easy target for him. Whatever the outcome, I won't blame you. I know how much your sister means to you. If anything happens, take Irene to the Great Sage of Haveme. He will protect her. See you inside," Dustan said with a cheerful smile on his face. Lucundiz said nothing in response but only nodded her heard like a little child, however, Dustan's words made her heart heavier and tears had already gathered at the corner of her eyes.

After his declaration, Dustan touched the door, and he disappeared under Lucundiz's teary gaze. After crying for a few minutes, Lucundiz followed the duo.

..

Meanwhile, Dustan appeared in a spacious, but odd room. Since he entered Echia, the things he saw constantly surprised him. But none of them could be compared to the sight before his eyes. As he stood in the spacious room, all he could see was the reflection of himself on the glass walls. The four walls of the room, the ceiling and the marbled floor all looked like glistening mirrors. Although the odd room piqued his interest, Marko's disappearance preoccupied his mind.

'Did the teleportation vessel send him to another location? No.. no, that's not possible. Unless..' As this train of thought flashed through Dustan's mind, a loud but familiar voice echoed in the reflective room.

"Dustan, your trial will begin now! This room is a special area created by the Hall of Wisdom by smelting a Silcagon ore from the Black Lands. It is infused with the blood and Mana of many truth-seekers, hence it can detect lies. Even if you've deceived your mind with lies, these mirrors will seek the truth from the depth of your souls. If you refuse to answer any question or if you unseal your Mana, it would be considered as an admittance of guilt. Thus it would end the trial. Fret not, as a Commander affiliated with the sacred knights of Hoogport, you will be trialed fairly. Do you understand?" Marko said.

While Marko's voice reverberated, different shades of expressions flicked on Dustan's face but he said nothing in response, as he assumed a pensive demeanor.

'Is Marko really insinuating I'm cahoots with those Halflings from the Tiodon Kingdom?'

While this thought raced through his mind, Dustan exhaled deeply while straightening his back. His current posture made him resemble a valiant general on the verge of delivering an emotional speech.

"Your highness, what are the charges labeled against me? Your highness, according to the laws of the sacred knights, it is customary for at least four commanders to be present during the trial of an active Commander. I would like to know those who are in attendance," Dustan coolly said.

"Denied! However, you'll be informed of your crimes as the trial proceeds. A witness from the Royal Capital is also observing the trial, so fret not. Everything will be done according to the laws of our forefathers," Marko said. Dustan's facial expression changed for the first time after hearing Marko's words. Before he could respond to Marko's words, a mysterious change occurred to the left wall of the room. Instead of projecting Dustan's reflection, Dustan could see two familiar monstrosities strapped to a steel chair which levitated in an inverted position. These abominations also had ten bronze rods embedded in their scaly backs which occasionally had faint sparkles of electricity dance on it. Although Dustan could hear nothing, he knew the lackeys of Blay De Tovar were screaming in agony from the torture.

There was not an ounce of pity in Dustan's face as he stared at the duo, however, he hoped Marko would not take the delirious words of the madmen serious.

"Your highness, what is the meaning of this? Why have you.." before Dustan could finish his statement, a loud ear piercing screaming echoed in the room. Nobody needed to tell him it originated from the suffering abominations.

"Halflings, relay the message or you'll suffer ten times the pain!" a man with a hoarse voice said.

When Dustan heard this voice, his expression became sterner. But he remained silent, as he continued to stare at the two Halflings his men captured from the Tiodon kingdom.

"Have mercy! Please have mercy! We'll do whatever you want! Please!" the duo said in a sickening voice. It sounded like the squeaking of hundreds of rats after inhaling helium.

"I won't repeat myself again, relay the message!" the hoarse voice echoed for the second time. Although the Halflings could not see the owner of the voice, they could sense his animosity and contempt through his words.

"Wait, a moment! Your highness, how can we verify the authenticity of their words? What if they have assimilated wrong information for a long time, patiently waiting for this day? Can these mirrors distinguish between lies and false information?" Dustan said with a mild frown. However, silence greeted his words.

Just as Dustan wanted to speak for the second time, Marko's familiar voice filled his ears.

"That is none of your concern. Prove your innocence before you doubt the prowess of the Hall of Wisdom. Abominations, speak!" Marko said.

The moment Marko gave the order, a lifeless white glow covered the reptilian eyes of the Halflings while their disgusting, slimy bodies shudder as if something entered it. Watching the ominous scene, the frown on Dustan's face became deeper. Just as he wanted to complain about the ridiculousness of his current situation, a melodious voice echoed.

"Once I came, twice I lived and thrice I died. A prophecy of all ages descends from the abyss. Hear me, hear me, and harken to my words. The birth of a new evil.. no.. No! The children of Kynar cometh, and from nether he will emerge. Hahaha.. from nether he will emerge. From nether he will emerge.." the Halflings said as they continued to repeat the same sentence over and over.

Meanwhile, Dustan became puzzled after listening to their declaration. He literally did not know what they meant, or what they were insinuating.

'Children of Kynar? A new evil? What does it all mean? And what does this have to do with me? Maybe Leo was right, these fools are probably making up nonsense to extend their lives,' Dustan mused as he stared at the Halflings. Although he said directly into their eyes, the Halflings showed no reaction. Which meant they could not see him, or their current state made them temporarily blind.

While Dustan deliberated the sanity of Marko and the others for believing such drivel, he saw a pulsating blue glow cover the entire room the Halflings received their torture.

'Huh? What is that?' Dustan mused.

"They tell the truth! Just like you Commander, truth seeking mirrors also cover the walls of their cell. If they had told a lie, instead of a blue glow, it would have been reddish violet," the hoarse voice explained as if he had read Dustan's mind.

"Whether or not their drivel is true, what does it have to do with me? Because, I've nothing to do with them or their nonsense prophecy. You.." before Dustan could finish his statement, a brilliant blue glow covered his room. With a faint smile on his face, Dustan shrugged while muttering, "You see. Even your room agrees with me."

However, the moment he said those words, the glass wall separating him and the Halflings gradually sank into an opening in the floor. With no barrier separating the Halflings and Dustan, a putrid smell akin to rotten flesh assaulted his nose. Naturally, Dustan clenched his nose in disgust as he took light steps backwards. While increasing the distance between himself and the Halflings, the duo suddenly tilted their heads while staring at him. At that moment, a sickening laughter echoed, followed by their melodic voice, "It's you!" they said in a cheerful, but surprised voice. They even struggled to point their bounded hands at Dustan.

"Who the hell are you? You're obviously possessing those abominations. What do you aim to achieve by peddling lies? Do you think your mundane tricks will have any impact?" Dustan said with a frown on his face. Initially, he thought the duo were acting to a script. Now that nothing separated them, Dustan could feel a faint ethereal presence within the bodies of the Halflings. Since he could not use his Mana, he could not confirm his suspicion. Hence, why he asked those questions.

"Peddling lies? Me? Hahahaha.. Tricks you say.. Tsk tsk tsk. You're here aren't you?" The Halflings said. Before Dustan could retort, they continued their statement, "I am he who came once, lived twice and died thrice. I bring the prophecy from the abyss. From nether he will emerge. Gone are the days of old, for it's time for the Children of Kynar. Dustan, virtuous in mind and character. Seeker of peace and a beacon of hope. You're fated to usher an era of doom, none like the world has ever seen. Hahaha.. what an interesting destiny. I can't wait to see it," the Halflings said.

Just as they finished their declaration, a brilliant blue glow covered the room which made Dustan's eyes twitch involuntarily in anger. Just as Dustan was about to reply, the body of the Halflings trembled as if they were going into shock. Afraid that something would happen to the duo, Dustan was about to unseal his Mana. Suddenly, a ghoulish laughter reverberated in the room. Followed by the previous melodic voice, "Hahaha.. My time here is limited. We'll meet again Dragrite. Don't forget your destiny!"

The moment Dustan heard the word Dragrite his breathing became heavy and his deep blue eyes became bloodshot. Faint wisps of a translucent energy gathered all of his body as his breathing became more haggard. He was on the verge of unseal his Mana, however, before the seal was undone, he heard a loud voice, "Dustan, do not unseal you Mana. If you do, that spirit will take over your body. Forgive me, but what I said earlier was all a lie. We needed you to trap the spirit. The Great Sage of Haveme is almost done preparing. Don't worry, the spirit can't hurt you or possess your body unless you unseal your Mana. So please restrain yourself," Lucundiz said.

Dustan doubted what he had just heard. He did not even know how to react. However, the outline of a bipedal dog-like creature formed before his eyes.

"Hahaha.. So it has been a trap all along. I've had my fun. Remember what I said Dragrite. It is your destiny," the bipedal illusionary creature whispered as it stared at Dustan. Before Dustan could react, the creature screamed in a soundless voice while turning to stardust. At that moment, five figures emerged within the glass room.

Dustan could recognize three and did not know if he knew the remaining two because they wore a mask over their faces.

"Hmmm.. Marko, we have to report this to his Royal Majesty. That is not an ordinary spirit. If my hunch is correct, it might be a variant of an Aged-Spirit," the Great Sage of Haveme said with a serene expression on his wrinkled old face.

However, Marko said nothing in response and only nodded his head. Meanwhile, Lucundiz had a stern expression on his face she heard his words. Dustan who was being ignored did not know how to react, "Great Sage, your highness, Lucundiz.. Do you mind telling me what's going on?" Dustan said as he tried his best to hide his growing irritation.

However, silence greeted his words. But Lucundiz stared at him with an apologetic look on her face. Marko did not even glance at Dustan, instead he disappeared from the glass room after muttering something to the masked duo. A few seconds later, Lucundiz also disappeared from the room.

Leaving Dustan and the Great Sage. With a gentle smile on his face, the Great Sage stared at Dustan while saying, "Dustan, follow me to my residence. We have much to discuss. I also need your help with my new student."