State

"Dewbour?" Lance asked, intrigued.

But Sunflower didn’t seem eager to continue the conversation. She stood up and brushed off her pants.

“It’s getting late. We should rest now so we can wake up early and begin our journey to Dewbour.”

With that, she turned away and started to cut green grass to make a comfortable base to rest for the night , however she sensed something immediately upon looking back her eyes were met with, Two single wooden beds appeared side by side, each fitted with a white mattress, a pillow, and a blanket.

She turned to look at Lance—only to find him collapsed on the ground, his hands digging into the dirt as he coughed violently. He vomited up the rabbit meat he had just eaten, then began to cough up blood. The pain was unbearable; he passed out moments later.

“He’s adapting too quickly to manifesting objects into reality. What a bizarre power,” Sunflower mumbled to herself.

She walked over, lifted the unconscious Lance gently, and tucked him into one of the beds. Then she climbed into the other. For the first time in months, Sunflower slept peacefully.

Pearl Town, Crownshade

A sharply dressed man, just under six feet tall, was escorted by two guards toward the Chief’s office. He wore a formal suit with a neatly tied brown tie around his neck. His appearance was striking—sharp nose, jet-black hair, and deep red eyes that glimmered with quiet authority.

As they reached the office door, he knocked. A voice permitted him to enter.

Inside sat Arthur, the Chief of Crownshade, looking somber and serious.

“What is it this time, Arthur?” the man asked as he stepped inside. “I believe I already told you—the state cannot reduce your taxes any further. Even the current cut was granted only because of me.”

Arthur’s gray eyes locked with the man’s red ones.

“This isn’t about that, Dawson,” Arthur said, raising his hand and signaling to a man standing beside him.

Commander Rock stepped forward. “Greetings, Sir Dawson. I was assigned a commission to investigate a certain village—”

He went on, explaining everything in detail. Nothing was left out.

With every word, Dawson’s confident expression began to fade. His composure unraveled, bit by bit, until concern etched itself into his face.

“What happened to the village?” Dawson finally asked.

Rock bowed his head, shame heavy in his voice. “After we witnessed the meteor fall… none of us had the courage to re-enter the forest.”

Dawson placed a reassuring hand on Rock’s shoulder.

“It’s alright. We’ll handle things from here. You did a fantastic job. Your men should be proud—they all made it out alive.”

Seeing that Rock was still frustrated, Dawson added, “I’ve known many comrades who rushed into danger without thinking. And for what? Honor? Pride? Most of them are remembered only as fools. Don’t be like them.”

Rock slowly calmed down. Dawson asked a few more questions about the incident, then nodded respectfully to Arthur before taking his leave.

Rock turned to return to his post, but Arthur called after him.

“What will you do now, after this incident?” Arthur asked, his tone warm and calm.

Rock hesitated. Silence hung in the room.

“Why are you angry at yourself?” Arthur continued. “The mission was a success. The client was satisfied. Every single soldier returned alive.”

Rock looked down, face darkened with shame. “How would you feel, Chief, if you were in command and someone in your squad asked you for direction—only to see fear written all over your face?”

He clenched his fists. “My hands were shaking. My mind was clouded. I was scared… terrified. And I’m ashamed to admit it, but it’s the truth.”

Arthur nodded slowly. “Then take that truth with you, and use it. You’ll train harder—physically and mentally.”

He continued, “I’ve taught you everything I could. But to grow beyond this… you’ll need to join the State.”

“The State?” Rock asked, clearly stunned. “But I can’t work here and join the State. Once you’re in, you’re exclusive to them.”

“Of course,” Arthur said. “Once you're part of the State, you can’t work anywhere else.”

“But the entrance tests… they’re not easy. And enrolling costs a fortune,” Rock replied.

“Don’t worry. I’ll fund you,” Arthur said.

“Why?” Rock asked, genuinely confused.

Arthur smiled gently. “It’s been six years since you joined this organization. Do you remember the principle Crownshade was founded on?” He looked Rock in the eye. “You are my family.”

Tears welled up in Rock’s eyes, though he tried to hide them. He bowed deeply. “Thank you, sir.