Chapter 161: Next Destination
The captain’s office fell silent after Tristan slammed his hand on the table. Even Emir had to breathe carefully.
That silence broke when Tristan spoke, his voice cold. "So... they also figured out the tracks we left were fake?"
"Yes, Captain. They discovered we misled them with druid powder. They’re now tracing its origin. Chances are, they’ll find it leads back to us."
One look at his captain told Emir everything, Tristan was furious. He held his tongue, wisely keeping any questions about the next step to himself.
But Tristan wasn’t only angry. Beneath his stern face was gnawing unease. He had expected the druids to uncover the ruse eventually, but not this quickly.
They should’ve had months before suspicion caught up, months he could’ve used to scatter more false trails.
Instead, the druids had gotten their hands on information from under his very nose.
"Remove every person that the druids planted inside the mayor’s hall," Tristan ordered, voice sharp as steel.
"All of them, Captain?" Emir asked cautiously. He didn’t mean to question his superior, but those people were actually planted by Count Raksa himself. "Such a move will cause an uproar, Captain."
"I know. But even if we don’t act, the druids will soon trace the false trail back to us. Before they can use Raksa’s men against us, we cut them off first." Tristan’s eyes narrowed on the wall, his thoughts heavy.
This decision would not only expose his ties with Gara to the druids, it would also be considered a direct attempt by Marquess Cakra to infiltrate Raksa County.
But none of that mattered. Not as long as Gara was safe.
"Summon Madha. I’ll contact Gara and warn him to get ready to leave immediately."
Emir gave a sharp nod and hurried out.
Tristan reached for the crystal ring, its purple glow pulsing faintly.
At that very moment, Gara was sprawled on the floor, chuckling while playing with little Ava as she wriggled through tummy time. His gaze shifted to the glowing ring on his finger.
He had already left instructions with Hilda. So if the caller wasn’t her, then it could only be Tristan.
And Tristan never called unless it was urgent.
A tight knot formed in Gara’s chest.
Wina and Della, seated nearby, noticed the change in his expression. Their eyes fixed on him in silence.
The moment Gara touched the glowing crystal, Tristan’s voice spilled out, steady but grim.
"Gara, the druids know about the false trail."
Just one sentence and panic flashed in Gara’s and Wina’s eyes.
Della, though confused, understood enough. She knew Gara carried druid blood, because no ordinary man could give birth. If Gara’s child bore a druid’s traits, that meant he was half-druid.
She had never dealt with druids directly before, never learned their rules, but she could sense the weight of danger. All she could do was hope nothing ill befell her master.
Tristan’s voice returned, detailing everything Emir had reported and the drastic steps he was prepared to take.
"You must leave at once," he said at last. "Get far away from here and away from Marquess Cakra’s territory. Also cut all contact with me."
Gara fell silent, his mind struggling to keep pace with the flood of Tristan’s words.
"Captain Tristan, where should we go?" Wina broke in, her voice tight with panic.
"There are only two options," Tristan replied. "Head either to Palapa Mount Province or Batu Province."
Tristan’s words made Gara pause, sifting through his memory of the two provinces.
Palapa Mount Province—a harsh, unfriendly mountain territory. They called it the Bald Mountain, stripped of its greenery long ago. It was home to races who thrived on darkness: devils, demons, and vampires.
Batu Province—a realm deep underground, where sunlight never reached. There, dwarves, gnomes, ogres, and other stone-dwelling races carved out their lives.
Both provinces were loathed and shunned by druids.
It seemed like a good place for their escape, but to Gara, neither option was appealing. Neither territory offered a place where he wanted to live, and in both places, his plans for business would wither.
After thought for a moment and weighing the risks, Gara finally spoke. "We’re not going to either of those provinces. We’ll head to the capital."
"You’re joking, Gara?" Tristan’s voice rose sharply through the crystal.
"I’m not, Uncle," Gara replied firmly. His gaze flicked to Wina’s anxious face before returning to the crystal. "Those territories might buy us some time, yes.
But when the druids finally do decide to search there, we’ll stand out immediately. Think about it. So few other races live in those provinces. We’d be spotted in no time."
He took a breath and pressed on. "But in the capital? Countless races gather there. Druids included. A druid scent isn’t unusual in a city like that.
And even if there’s a deeper inspection—like I’ve said before—my talent completely erases my druid scent. As for the triplets, as long as they stay inside my dimensional space, they won’t give off any scent either."
"It’s still too risky," Tristan argued, worry lacing his tone. "Yes, there are druids in the capital, but that only means more chances for suspicion to fall on you."
"Uncle, my talent is more than enough. We don’t have a better option."
"Wouldn’t it be safer if you just went to one of the provinces I suggested? With your talent masking your scent, they wouldn’t find you."
"Uncle... you know that’s not true."
Tristan fell silent. He knew Gara was right. Even without the scent, their very appearance would give them away. They would always stand out in those territories.
Still, he couldn’t bring himself to accept Gara’s choice. "I only need more time, Gara. If I can create another false trail, the druids won’t think to look that far."
"False trails won’t save us, Uncle," Gara shot back. "They’ll figure it out eventually. And when they do—what then? We run again?" His voice edged with sarcasm.
"I’ll contact Duke Eshaan and work with them to cover you," Tristan pressed. "With their help—"
"Uncle." Gara’s tone hardened, his patience worn thin. "It’s been months. If those people who share the same bloodline with me truly wanted to acknowledge me, they would’ve acted by now. Don’t you think their silence says it all?"
"No—it’s not that, Gara. It’s just..." Tristan trailed off. He couldn’t bring himself to tell Gara the truth about what was happening within the House of Eshaan.
"Uncle..." Gara’s voice softened. "I’m tired of running. I want to grow strong enough to fight back."
"Fight back?!" Wina’s gasp cut through the air.
"My goal in going to the capital isn’t just to hide. I want to enroll in Gyakarta Academy. I want to become a powerful liner—recognized, respected—strong enough that the druids won’t be able to lay a hand on me."
"Gyakarta Academy? You mean the Gyakarta Imperial Liner Academy?" Tristan actually said the full name of the school, disbelief coloring his tone.
"Yes, Uncle. Last year, I received an offer from one of their professors. They acknowledged my talent. I’m confident I can enter and rise to become a strong liner."
For a while, silence reigned. Wina had her hands covering her mouth, eyes wide in shock. Della blinked, caught between confusion and surprise.
And Tristan... his silence meant he was thinking hard.
Gara simply waited, patient. Everything he had said was partly a bluff. He did want to enter Gyakarta Academy, yes. But not for the reason he’d claimed.
His talk about strength and recognition was just to stir Tristan’s sympathy, to make him yield and accept Gara’s decision.
If he wanted, Gara could have acted on his own without their approval. But he already considered Tristan and Wina as his parents in this world. Just as in his past life, he would only take such a step with their blessing.
"Gara, are you truly serious about this decision?" Tristan’s deep voice finally returned.
"I’m certain, Uncle."
Another stretch of silence... then Tristan broke it with just one line. "Then, take care of yourself there."
"I will, Uncle. I won’t just protect myself. I’ll protect my children, Mom, Della, Fian, and Madha too."
His face lit up with a faint smile as he turned toward Wina’s worried expression. "Mom, I’m more capable than you think. I’ll end this chase. I’ll make sure we never have to keep running."
Wina shook her head. "I don’t care if I have to keep running or struggle through hardship as long as you’re safe."
"So... Mom, you agree, right?"
Though her face still carried worry, Wina finally nodded. She knew she couldn’t stop Gara. All she could do now was protect him even more fiercely.
Just as Gara was about to press the purple crystal and end the connection, Tristan’s voice rose again. This time directed at someone else.
"Madha, you heard everything. If you’re willing, I’ll assign you to continue your education at Gyakarta Academy. Will you go with Gara to the capital?"
"I’m willing, Captain," Madha replied firmly.
...