The four walked through the castle's great gates, their footsteps echoing softly along the stone path.
At the far end of the hall sat the King, his posture regal, though weariness lingered in his eyes. He looked up as they knelt before him, his voice carrying both relief and command.
"Oh, it's good to see you all back," he said. "That must mean we've won… right?"
Minister Mikel Silvestre stepped forward, bowing his head.
"Yes, Your Majesty. The enemies have retreated—but we failed to capture them. They escaped… and their true motive remains unknown."
The King's expression hardened instantly. His voice rose, sharp and incredulous.
"How could you fail to capture them, Mikel? And you still don't know what their mission was?!"
The tension in the chamber thickened. None dared to speak for a moment—until Haruto raised a hesitant hand, his tone uneasy yet sincere.
"Your Majesty… we don't know the full details. But…" He scratched the back of his head awkwardly, forcing a nervous smile. "We overheard something. They were talking about… uh… being after your head."
The King froze.
His eyes widened, color draining from his face.
"My… head?" he repeated, his voice trembling in disbelief. "What the hell—my head?!"
From the side, Drake let out a low chuckle, a menacing grin spreading across his face.
"The King's head, huh? Do they really think they can take His Majesty that easily?"
But the King's mind had already drifted far from the present.
A memory surged forth—a silhouette shrouded in darkness, standing before him.
A flash.
A blade.
Pain searing across his vision.
He gasped and clutched his eye, reliving the nightmare.
"Damn him…" the King muttered under his breath, his voice cracking with hatred. "He won't let me live easily… that bastard… that Hidden Demon King!"
He slammed his hand against the armrest of the throne, fury and fear intertwining.
"Screw him!"
Mikel quickly stepped forward, his tone steady yet urgent.
"Your Majesty, please—calm yourself. We will not let it happen again."
"Mikel," the King said firmly, his voice echoing through the silent chamber. "No matter what happens, you are to protect me at any cost. You may use any resource or any soldier you require—but your mission is simple. Protect me."
Mikel bowed deeply, his voice calm and resolute.
"Of course, Your Majesty. I will guard you with my life."
The King gave a small nod, though tension still lingered in his expression.
"Good. Then I need you and Drake to inspect the castle grounds and secure every perimeter. Make sure no one suspicious remains inside."
Before the King could continue, Ezekiel suddenly stepped forward, his expression firm.
"No," he said sharply. "I can't stay here. There are other matters I need to handle. I'll go after the ones who escaped—track their trail and find out where they went."
The King frowned slightly, but seeing the determination in Ezekiel's eyes, he fell silent for a moment. Then he sighed and nodded.
"Very well… do as you see fit."
His gaze then shifted to the two standing behind.
"Kurayami, Haruto—stay alert. I want both of you ready for anything. We may be attacked again."
Kurayami placed a hand over his chest and bowed slightly.
"Yes, Your Majesty. We'll remain on guard."
"Good," the King replied. "Then go prepare yourselves."
Kurayami and Haruto bowed once more before turning to leave the throne room. Their footsteps echoed softly against the polished floor as they walked out together.
Ezekiel glanced back only once before turning away, his cloak swaying lightly as he stepped forward.
In the very next instant, he vanished—disappearing so swiftly that only a faint ripple of wind remained.
Mikel watched the doorway for a moment, his eyes narrowing thoughtfully. The King leaned back against his throne, his hand gripping the armrest tightly as unease returned to his gaze.
Outside, the distant sound of bells rang through the castle—a quiet reminder that though dawn had come, the shadow of war had not yet faded.
The soft light of morning spread across the castle courtyard, glinting off stone paths still stained with the marks of battle. Haruto and Kurayami walked side by side in silence for a time, their footsteps echoing faintly in the still air.
Haruto was the first to break the silence.
"Now that it's all over… what's your plan?"
Kurayami didn't look at him. His gaze remained fixed ahead, his voice low and steady.
"I'll watch over the borders. Find them… and kill them."
Haruto tilted his head slightly, a crooked grin forming on his face.
"I see…" He scratched the back of his neck. "Well, as for me—I'm planning to head back to my village. It's been a while since I saw my mother and my friends."
Kurayami finally glanced at him, his expression unreadable.
"Didn't you hear what the King said?"
"Yeah, yeah, I did," Haruto replied casually, waving a hand. "But first, we need to heal from the last battle. You're no use hunting enemies half-dead, right?" He smiled lightly. "If you want, you can come with me. We can visit my village together. I'll introduce you to my mother and my friends."
Kurayami's eyes narrowed slightly, his tone as cold as ever.
"Do whatever you want."
Haruto sighed, shaking his head with faint amusement.
"Still acting tough, huh?" he said with a smirk. "Well then… see you later. I'll be back within two days."
He waved lazily before turning down a different path, his figure slowly disappearing around the corner.
Kurayami stood there for a moment, watching him go.
Then, without another word, he turned in the opposite direction and began walking silently toward the outskirts of the castle—the morning sun casting long shadows behind him.
The scene shifted as the castle gates slowly opened, their heavy hinges groaning softly while two figures stepped inside.
Prince Daigo hurried forward, glancing around nervously.
Behind him walked Ardel.
Hands in his pockets.
Calm. Unbothered.
His expression was relaxed—almost bored—as if he had returned from a casual stroll rather than a battlefield.
Daigo swallowed hard.
"…This place feels creepy," he muttered. "I—I mean, there was definitely a fight here, right? We weren't too late… were we?"
Ardel didn't respond. He simply tilted his head slightly, his lazy gaze sweeping across the damaged surroundings.
The great doors of the throne room creaked open.
Prince Daigo hurried inside, his breathing uneven. Behind him strolled Ardel—hands still in his pockets, posture loose, eyes half-lidded, as though he had just wandered in after a nap.
The King lifted his gaze from the throne.
"Oh… you're back, huh. Ardel. Daigo."
Daigo stepped forward quickly.
"F-Father! We came as fast as we could, but—"
"You were a little late," the King interrupted, his voice hardening.
"The enemies have already escaped."
Daigo's face went pale.
"E-escaped?!"
Behind him, Ardel blinked once… then let out an exaggerated sigh. He casually glanced around the hall, openly inspecting the walls and ceiling as if searching for enemies who clearly weren't there anymore.
Daigo swallowed nervously.
"Th-the war… it's not over, is it?"
The King ignored the question and turned his attention to Ardel.
"Ardel."
Ardel straightened just a little, finally giving the King his full attention.
"I want you to search for the enemies," the King said firmly.
"Track them. Learn their purpose."
His eyes sharpened.
"And until then—protect me at any cost."
Ardel raised two fingers to his forehead in a lazy salute. Then he casually pointed at the King… pointed at himself… and mimed a rigid guard standing watch.
The message was unmistakable.
The King nodded once.
"Good."
He then turned to Daigo, his tone softer—but absolute.
"Daigo. Go back to your room and rest."
Daigo flinched, then bowed quickly.
"Y-yes, Father…"
As he turned to leave, he hesitated and glanced back at Ardel.
"…Y-you'll really protect him… right?"
Ardel responded by flashing a relaxed grin. He tapped his chest twice—then made a swift slicing motion through the air, sharp and effortless.
Daigo stiffened.
"…R-right."
He hurried out.
The doors closed behind him.
The King leaned back slightly, his voice dropping low.
"I'm counting on you."
Ardel answered with a casual shrug, already turning toward the exit. As he walked away, he lifted one hand and lazily waved—almost playful.
But the moment he crossed the threshold, his expression changed.
The smile vanished.
And the hallway fell silent.
The scene shifted to the Swordsman Academy, where the faint light of dawn filtered through the paper windows, casting soft golden rays across the wooden floors.
A loud cry shattered the morning stillness.
"Leave me alone! Just leave me!" a young boy shouted between sobs. His voice echoed through the quiet hallways, filled with pain and anger.
Nearby soldiers tried to calm him down, but Renji only cried louder, his small fists trembling as he struggled against their grip. Tears streamed down his cheeks, refusing to stop.
From another dorm room, Riku stirred awake, rubbing his eyes with a frown.
"Ugh… who's that annoying kid crying so early in the morning, Master Gaban?"
The old swordsman sitting nearby sighed softly, his eyes distant.
"There was a battle last night," he said in a low voice. "It seems that boy… lost his family."
Riku blinked, his irritation fading.
"I see…" he muttered quietly.
From the other side of the room, Aya sat up, brushing her hair aside.
"A battle?" she asked, concern flickering in her voice. "Did we win?"
Gaban nodded slowly.
"It seems we did."
Aya let out a small breath of relief.
"I see… then that means Haruto-nii is alright."
Riku grinned, leaning back with his hands behind his head.
"Of course he's fine. Haruto's strong—he'll come back. You'll see."
Aya smiled faintly at his words, though a trace of worry still lingered in her eyes.
Outside, the academy courtyard was bathed in morning light—peaceful, yet shadowed by the quiet reminder that the world was still at war.
Evening came, painting the sky in shades of orange and red. The training yard of the Swordsman Academy echoed with the sound of clashing wooden swords and the shouts of young trainees.
In the center of the field, Aya and Riku sparred fiercely, sweat dripping from their faces under the dim glow of dusk.
Riku swung wide with his wooden sword, but Aya swiftly sidestepped and struck him cleanly on the head.
"Ouchh!" Riku yelped, clutching his head. "That wasn't fair! I was distracted!"
Aya smirked.
"Excuses again? You always say that when you lose."
As they bickered, Aya suddenly noticed someone sitting alone at the far corner of the yard.
Renji.
He sat quietly, distant, staring blankly at the ground with his wooden sword resting beside him.
Aya tapped Riku's shoulder.
"Hey… look. It's that boy from this morning."
Riku followed her gaze and frowned.
"The one who was crying? Huh." He scratched his head before walking over with Aya.
"Hey! What's your name?" Riku called out.
Renji didn't respond. He kept staring at the dirt, completely lost in his thoughts.
Riku's brow furrowed.
"Oiii, I'm talking to you! Are you ignoring me or something?"
Before he could say more—
Smack!
Aya slapped his arm sharply.
"Why are you yelling at him, Riku?!"
Riku winced.
"I—I wasn't yelling…"
Aya knelt down slightly to meet Renji's eyes, her voice gentle.
"Hello… my name is Aya. And he's Riku. Nice to meet you."
Renji said nothing. His gaze remained fixed on the ground, cold and distant.
Riku crossed his arms, muttering,
"Tch. Don't mind him. He's probably just a weakling anyway."
Aya shot him a sharp glare.
"Riku!"
She hesitated, then spoke again, her voice calm and sincere.
"I heard about what happened from Master Gaban… I'm really sorry for your loss."
She lowered her head slightly.
"I know it's hard, but there's no point in staying depressed forever. You should get stronger… for your family."
At those words, Renji's shoulders trembled.
Slowly, he lifted his head and looked at Aya for the first time. His eyes were filled with pain and regret.
"I'm a weakling…" Renji whispered, his voice breaking.
"I couldn't protect anyone. Not my mom… not my dad… not my sister… not my grandpa…"
His words collapsed into sobs as tears poured down his face.
Aya and Riku froze.
Aya's chest tightened. She stepped closer and gently placed a hand on Renji's shoulder, trying to comfort him.
Before she could speak, Riku stepped forward, his eyes burning with determination.
"Then you've gotta get stronger," Riku said firmly.
"So you can protect someone in the future. So the same thing never happens again."
Renji's sobbing slowly faded.
Silence filled the training yard.
Renji looked up—and this time, both he and Aya turned their gaze toward Riku.
The fading sunlight reflected off their faces as the evening breeze passed through the academy, marking the moment something deep within Renji began to change.
Without a word, Renji turned away and walked off.
From a distance, Master Gaban had witnessed the entire exchange. As Aya and Riku returned to training, Gaban slowly approached Renji, who stood watching them from afar.
Gaban sat down beside him.
"That kid over there… his name is Riku," he said calmly.
Renji remained silent, listening.
"He was abandoned by his family when he was very young," Gaban continued.
"He grew up here, in this academy. He never knew the love of parents… yet he never gave up. I've never seen him stay depressed for long."
As Gaban spoke, Renji watched Riku train. Riku rushed forward, swung his wooden sword, lost his footing, and tripped.
"Ouchh!" Riku muttered.
Gaban exhaled softly.
"The same goes for Aya. She's faced her own trauma… yet she keeps moving forward."
Renji's eyes widened as he looked at both of them with a new understanding.
Gaban's voice softened.
"It's okay to cry. Crying helps lighten the weight on your heart. But after that… you must move on."
Renji wiped his eyes with his sleeve, steadying his breath.
"I'll get stronger," he said quietly. "And I'll protect people."
Gaban smiled.
"Yes. You should."
He stood and placed a hand on Renji's shoulder.
"Best of luck. Join the training starting tomorrow."
Renji nodded silently as the sun dipped lower, casting long shadows across the academy grounds.
The next morning, the mess hall was already loud.
"I said I want a second serving!" Riku shouted, slamming his bowl lightly on the table.
The cook sighed.
"You just had one."
"Yeah, and it wasn't enough!"
Suddenly, another voice joined in.
"I want a second serving too!"
The room froze.
Riku slowly turned his head, eyes wide.
"You…?" he muttered.
Renji stood there, bowl raised, his expression firm—nothing like the broken boy from yesterday.
Riku stared, then scoffed.
"Hah! Don't copy me! I asked first!"
"I'm hungry too," Renji shot back.
The argument exploded instantly.
"I need it more!"
"No, I do!"
From a nearby table, Aya watched, a small giggle escaping her lips as she covered her mouth.
In the end, both of them got extra food. Sitting across from each other, they ate like it was a competition.
"Hey! You're eating too fast!" Riku said through a mouthful.
"You started it," Renji replied.
Aya shook her head, smiling as she watched them eat until they were completely full.
That evening, the training grounds echoed with the clash of wooden swords.
As Riku and Aya practiced, Renji approached, his steps steady.
He stopped in front of Riku.
"I'm Renji," he said confidently. "And I bet I'm stronger than you. I can defeat you easily."
Riku froze.
"…What did you just say?"
His face twisted with anger.
"Damn you! You think you can beat me?! Fine—let's fight!"
Aya slapped her forehead.
"Seriously… you're both idiots."
Neither listened.
They charged at each other, wooden swords colliding with loud cracks. Their movements were rough and unrefined, but filled with pure determination.
Minutes passed.
Neither fell.
Neither won.
Both stood there, breathing heavily, sweat dripping down their faces—completely equal.
Aya watched quietly.
"…Huh," she murmured. "Looks like he really did change."
Riku lowered his sword.
"Hah… I'm exhausted."
Renji leaned forward slightly.
"…Me too."
Riku laughed softly.
"Then let's end this for today… for now."
Renji nodded.
"Yeah… I agree."
The tension between them faded, replaced by understanding.
As days passed, Aya, Riku, and Renji formed a strong bond—training together, eating together, and arguing over the smallest things.
Before long, Riku and Renji became clear rivals, constantly competing and pushing each other forward, while Aya stood between them, watching with a gentle smile as both of them slowly grew stronger.