Night had fully fallen, and Theo and Umbra soared through the cold evening sky.

**Keeeek!**

Umbra screeched, enjoying the rare chance to fly freely. Meanwhile, Theo examined a document in his hand.

**Notice of Promotion Exam Date**

“They’re already telling me to take the promotion exam? That’s much sooner than I expected.”

Theo had been planning to qualify for the exam as soon as possible, but he thought it would come after a few more missions. Typically, the Central Bureau would delay it, claiming to need more evaluation time.

However, seeing the list of sponsors, it was no surprise his exam was approved.

**List of Sponsors**

- Julius Ragnar, Commander of the Hundred Scales Corps, “The Demon Dragon”
- Osa Ragnar Prunus, Lady of the Plum Blossom Palace, “The Sword Dragon”
- Robert Ragnar, Leader of the Black Snow Division, “The Black Dragon”

Three of the Nine Dragons had spoken in his favor. Even the Central Bureau couldn’t easily ignore such a request.

“But why would the Black Dragon get involved?”

It made sense for Julius and Lady Plum Blossom to support him, but he couldn’t understand why Robert, the Black Dragon, had also recommended him. He hadn’t had any direct contact with him in this life.

“Maybe it’s because of the intel error Black Snow made about the new factions?” 

Black Snow was currently on high alert, tracking Black Skull and investigating the sudden appearance of a third faction. Theo’s assistance in avoiding a potentially dangerous situation had likely made a favorable impression.

There was one sponsor, however, who puzzled Theo the most.

**Captain of the Iron Guard, “Iron Puma” Torkel Ragnar**

“Torkel… What could he be thinking?”

Theo knew Torkel had wanted to recruit him into the Iron Guard and had even sent his lieutenant, Iyan Sosori, to make the offer. However, Theo assumed Torkel had given up after the nomination ceremony, given the strong competition.

“Maybe I should meet with him if I get the chance.”

Theo carefully folded the notice and slipped it into his inner pocket.

“The exam is in five days. I’ll need to prepare myself as best as I can.”

The promotion exam involved facing three examiners: one from the candidate’s unit, one from the Central Bureau, and one from another division. To pass, a candidate needed to either defeat one of the examiners in a duel or earn the approval of at least two of them.

Hazel Coppel’s comment about him needing to defeat her if he wanted recognition as Lady Plum Blossom’s successor was related to this exam.

“She looked like she wanted to kill me when I rejected the disciple offer. I wonder if she’ll actually end up as one of the examiners?”

Thinking of Hazel’s reaction, Theo chuckled.

“But more importantly…”

He looked down as he gathered his thoughts.

“It’s almost time to arrive, isn’t it?”

The reason Theo and Umbra were out for a night flight was simple: to locate the Ghost Castle.

“There it is.”

Theo’s eyes sharpened.

Beneath them was a dense coniferous forest that looked ordinary at first glance, but he could sense a faint, eerie aura lingering over it.

- “To find the Ghost Castle, you must pass through this area around midnight.”

- “Midnight? Why that specific time?”

- “For security reasons, the Ghost Castle’s exact location is concealed by barriers. However, there’s one specific time each day when entry is possible.”

- “Midnight?”

- “Yes. Midnight, when one day transitions to the next, is the time when negative energy peaks. That’s also when the magic sustaining the barrier weakens. That’s your chance.”

When Theo had asked Evelyn about the Ghost Castle, she had managed to uncover this information after some inquiry.

Now, it was nearing midnight.

“Two minutes left.”

Theo glanced at the pocket watch he’d borrowed from Cecilia and gripped the reins tightly.

“Let’s go, Umbra.”

**Keeek!**

Umbra dove downward, wings spread wide, descending toward the forest below. Theo monitored the time as they approached the barrier.

At exactly midnight, a faint outline appeared over the forest before vanishing.

“Now!”

Theo and Umbra passed through the barrier and landed on the ground.

**Thud!**

The air around them shifted, taking on a damp, ominous feeling.

**Whoosh…**

The wind brushing against the large conifer trees sounded strangely like wailing, and the thick mist obscured visibility.

“It’s as if something is blocking my senses. At least I found the place.”

Theo looked up at Umbra.

“Stay on watch from above. There might be some danger here, so let me know if you see anything.”

Umbra shook its head vigorously.

**Keek! Keek!**

“No, really. It’s too dangerous to go wandering here. Besides, it’s hard for you to fight on the ground. I’m not leaving you behind.”

**Keek!**

Umbra showed no intention of listening. It seemed to sense a possible threat and didn’t want to leave Theo’s side.

As Theo scratched his head, unsure what to do, Umbra let out a fierce roar and suddenly began to sink, its form merging into Theo’s shadow.

“...!”

Theo’s eyes widened in surprise as Umbra disappeared into his shadow with a satisfied laugh.

**Kekeke!**

“The Shadow Dragon’s ability… has awakened!”

Umbra, as a Shadow Dragon, was a creature that naturally used shadows as its habitat. Theo had thought Umbra’s full powers would be limited without the Shadow Poison, but it seemed he was wrong.

**Keeek!**

Umbra’s shadow shifted as it boasted proudly, claiming it could be of even more help within Theo’s shadow.

“Fine, you’re right. I didn’t think it through. Let’s go together.”

**Keek!**

Umbra’s triumphant cry echoed through the forest as Theo drew Drake’s blade and began walking.

Now, it was time to find Hilda.

---

**Rustle, rustle—**

Theo continued through the misty forest. Though the dense fog made it difficult to navigate, Umbra helped guide him, telling him the destination wasn’t far off.

Soon, Theo spotted the silhouette of an old castle resting on a ridge, like a mirage in the desert.

The Ghost Castle.

To Theo, however, it looked slightly different.

**Whoosh!**

The faint blue glow he had seen before when discovering the relics of the Ancient Dragon emanated from it.

“This is it.”

Theo felt reassured that he was on the right path, but a chill ran down his spine as he turned instinctively.

**Hiss…**

From the opposite direction, an eerie wail echoed, and something emerged from the shadows.

“A… girl?”

She looked around twelve, maybe thirteen years old, dragging a long sword along the ground as she approached.

Theo was about to release his aura, suspecting her to be a ghost, but then he stopped.

The girl wasn’t looking at him.

Her empty gaze seemed to stare off into space before she vanished silently, like a gust of wind.

“...What was that?”

Theo wondered if she was hiding, waiting for a chance to strike, but he felt no presence.

Moments later, a similar figure appeared in another direction.

She looked slightly older, perhaps around fifteen, wielding a sword with a fierce determination, her eyes full of venom.

Then she too vanished like the wind.

“What is this…?”

As Theo continued, he saw more apparitions, each showing a different stage in a woman’s life.

A girl of around nineteen engaged in brutal combat, her expression filled with cold malice as she decapitated foes without hesitation.

Then a middle-aged woman, her face emotionless, like she was wearing a mask, as she killed without a flicker of hesitation—even beheading her loyal servants as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

Finally, an elderly woman sat upon a throne, staring down those around her, the embodiment of a bloody, iron-fisted rule.

The vision continued with flames consuming her throne room and a rebellion raging. Alone, she faced the rebel forces, laughing as she swung her sword.

The castle crumbled around her, a scene uncannily similar to the Ghost Castle in front of him.

“This is… showing a life. The life of someone who once existed.”

But one that was now erased from history.

Realizing the nature of these visions, Theo continued toward the Ghost Castle.

Again, the vision shifted.

The young girl he had first seen reappeared, but this time she held a mirror, screaming in horror at her own reflection.

Then, as if making a resolve, she began grooming herself, learning to use her beauty as a weapon.

Men, women, and children alike fell under her charm, and she built an impenetrable fortress around her, surrounded by schemes and plots.

But her empire was short-lived, crumbling under the weight of betrayal—especially the betrayal of the man she loved most.

The woman, devastated, asked him why he was doing this.

Her lover replied sorrowfully that too many had died because of her.

With a twisted smile, she vowed to make herself so terrifying that no one would dare look her in the eyes.

And again, the vision faded.

Each life started with her as a young girl, each life ending in betrayal, regardless of her choices. Over and over, her life repeated in a relentless cycle of betrayal and isolation.

“She led a life of endless wandering, trying every path, gaining knowledge, yet always ending up alone. Did she live like this?”

Theo felt a mix of sympathy and horror at the sight of this woman trapped in an endless loop, fueled by a madness born of Ragnar’s relentless pursuit of dominance.

- Madness

.

Yes, it was madness.

The kind that could only be born from Ragnar.

- Would I become like that if I repeated my regressions endlessly?

With that chilling thought, Theo raised his gaze.

He had arrived at the Ghost Castle.

Perched atop the half-ruined wall was a woman watching him, her face identical to the visions he’d seen.

With a mad grin, she called out to him.

“How did you enjoy the sights on your way here? Did you find them entertaining?”

It was Hilda Ragnar.