Chapter 8: Complete Trust… or Nothing

[Three Days Ago – In the Criminals’ Kingdom]

In an underground hideout reeking of smoke, with the remnants of shady deals scattered across the tables, everyone knew this place by one name: “The Kingdom of Criminals.”

An angry man (slamming the table violently):

“How dare you refuse my request, Diablo?!”

(Diablo sat back lazily, dressed in black, a wide-brimmed hat shadowing half his face. A cigarette dangled from his lips, and his feet rested carelessly atop the table.)

Diablo (with cutting coldness):

“Looks like you’ve forgotten who I am… Allow me to refresh your memory. The name’s Diablo. I don’t work with criminals… I hunt them.”

(He drew a long drag from his cigarette and exhaled slowly, before adding with quiet venom:)

“I heard you took a hostage. Then someone came along, freed her… and burned your house down. You’ve got dozens of houses—one hostage won’t change a thing… unless, of course, you’re afraid of the rumor about the secret lab?”

(The man, face flushed with rage, exploded:)

“I’ll pay one thousand gold coins to whoever kills that man! And three thousand to the one who finds the arsonist!”

(Diablo rose slowly, drawing his twin pistols with the deadly ease of a predator. A glint flickered in his eyes beneath the brim of his hat, as a faint, cold smile curved on his lips.)

“Ah… work never ends.”

(He stepped forward, voice heavy as iron.)

“Seems the hunt starts early today.”

[Present Time – In the Kingdom of Mond]

Y walked alongside Diona and Kaguya through one of the royal palace corridors, its towering walls reflecting the grandeur of the past, now tainted by the shadow of present unease.

Kaguya (glancing at him):

“So… you’re Ares’s brother? My name is Kaguya. I’m a hunter—and a close friend of hers. Pleased to meet you.”

Y (thinking to himself): A hunter? Not a knight?

(aloud, calm and measured): “Likewise… Is Ares a hunter too?”

Kaguya:

“Yes, exactly like me.”

Y:

“I thought she was away on some mission.”

Kaguya:

“She is. In Mond, we suffer from a shortage of royal guards because of the former king’s actions. That’s why we rely more heavily on hunters.”

(She stopped before a massive, ornate door, pushing it open with a steady hand.)

Kaguya:

“We’ve arrived… Please, go in.”

⸻

Inside the lavish hall, Rosary sat before a chessboard, her fingers brushing over the pieces with calculated coldness. Behind her stood King, silent, his presence heavy and enigmatic.

Diona quietly took a seat beside Y, who now faced Rosary as she slid her pawn to e4.

Rosary:

“Do you know how to play chess?”

Y (mirroring her with e5):

“I know the basics.”

Rosary:

“We can talk as we play… Tell me, what do you think of the kingdom?”

Y (moving the knight to f3):

“It’s… splendid.”

(Rosary stared at him in silence, as though waiting for more. Y gave a faint smile, moving his other knight to c6.)

Y:

“It seems that answer didn’t please you. Still, it’s an answer, isn’t it? If you want something clearer, then ask directly.”

Rosary:

“That does make things easier.”

King (breaking the silence from behind):

“Both wear cloaks of their own, but chess reveals who holds the flexibility to solve problems in indirect ways.”

Rosary (her lips curving in a slight smile as she advanced her bishop to c4):

“Why are you here?”

Y (pushing a pawn to h6):

“I’m looking for a safe place for my sister and my family.”

(His queen slid a measured step across the board.)

Y:

“Now, my turn to ask… Who was the former king? And what happened to him?”

Rosary (a flicker of hesitation in her voice):

“The former king… was my grandfather. And he has passed away.”

Y (raising an eyebrow, then fixing his knight in an aggressive stance, a faint smile tugging at his lips):

“I see.”

(In Rosary’s mind: Just as Ares said… this man is sharp. Without question—we’ll need him.)

Rosary (moving her rook):

“You said you seek safety… yet with your strength, you could head to greater kingdoms. Why choose ours?”

Y (smiling faintly as he retreats his queen defensively):

“It seems my opponent this time is no simple one.”

(pausing, then calmly)

“Let’s say… I have a hypothesis. But no proof.”

Rosary (castling her king, intrigued):

“A hypothesis? How interesting. What is it?”

Y:

“Was the former king assassinated?”

(coldly, as he moves another piece)

“This kingdom is peaceful, serene… yet it lacks strength. No guards, only hunters filling the gap. I wondered why.”

Rosary (eyes widening):

“Your deduction is… precise.”

Y:

“Just a hunch, from what I’ve observed.”

Rosary (tightening her control as she corners his queen):

“There are three kinds of strategists: those who rely on intellect, those who rely on instinct, and those who wield both. You… are the third.”

Y (with a faint smile):

“And you, it seems… are the first.”

Rosary:

“And it also seems you trust no one.”

Y:

“On the contrary… I trust people. But in moderation. Excessive trust is often the root of downfall.”

Rosary (softly, conceding):

“Your words are true.”

⸻

(Half an hour later…)

The board lay balanced: queen against queen, rooks facing rooks, both kings heavily fortified.

Rosary (pushing her last pawn, deep in thought):

“Four draws already… yet I still feel as though I’m losing. Either you truly grow with every move… or you pretend it well enough to convince me.”

Y (advancing his queen, forcing a repetition):

“Are you analyzing me?”

Rosary:

“Indeed… and it seems you’re someone who bows to no one.”

(Y places a piece down, his gaze shifting toward the window, voice firm yet calm.)

Y:

“I’ve gained what I wanted… so I’ll grant you one chance.”

Rosary:

“Then… will you aid us in protecting this kingdom, even if only for a time?”

Y:

“On one condition. I want an official guarantee.”

(A knock at the door—Kaguya enters, holding a sealed letter. She hands it to Rosary, who reads it intently before passing it to King.)

King (his voice grave):

“So… that’s why you’re here.”

Kaguya:

“What do you mean?”

Rosary:

“The black market has placed a bounty: three thousand gold coins… for killing a man marked on his left hand.”

Kaguya (shocked):

“Three thousand?! That’s worth years of deadly missions… Wait—don’t tell me… Y?”

Rosary:

“Correct. And not Y alone.”

Y (calmly, almost amused):

“That was fast… I didn’t expect them to gather information on me so quickly.”

Kaguya:

“It’s not a huge problem. You could just hide the mark.”

Y:

“That’s not the real issue.”

Rosary:

“Indeed. The letter also says… they’ve revealed a girl who wields a mirror that heals through magic.”

(her eyes lock on him)

“That’s your sister… isn’t it?”

Y:

“It is.”

Rosary:

“Then it seems our fates are entangled. What say you—we cooperate?”

Y:

“Very well. But my condition… will be a hard one.”

Rosary:

“I’ll relay your words to the king. Will you grant us some time?”

Y:

“That’s fine. Thank you for the information. I’ll return soon for your answer.”

(Rosary’s gaze drifts back to the chessboard—yet another stalemate, the fifth in a row.)

Rosary (whispering to herself):

“I’ve negotiated with princes and kings… but never before have I felt the reins slip from my hands like this.”

Kaguya (quietly):

“This is the first time I’ve seen you like this, Princess.”

King:

“Don’t fault yourself… Your aim was to understand him. But he never answered you directly—and still, he uncovered the kingdom’s secret.”

Rosary (under her breath, thoughtful):

“Good thing… Ares is with us. Perhaps she’ll be the one to sway him.”

[An Unknown Place – Beneath the Tree]

Diablo lights his cigarette slowly.

Diablo (muttering):

“Damn… this is why I hate criminals.”

He exhales smoke, eyes shutting halfway.

“Looks like my days of peace are over. A thousand gold pieces on my head… they’ll hunt me to the ends of the earth.”

He lifts his gaze toward the sky.

“But… luckily, someone else is drawing the spotlight away from me now.”

Another drag of smoke fills the silence—until a scream pierces the air nearby. Diablo slips away silently, watching the scene unfold before him.

The wounded man (a knife buried in his chest, gasping):

“I… I found out your trick, Valentine…”

Valentine (with a killing calm):

“Too late, Bob.”

He shoves him toward the sea without hesitation.

“I heard you couldn’t swim… ironic, isn’t it?”

His smile is cold, merciless.

“This is the fate of anyone who threatens my country’s stability.”

Diablo watches, face unreadable, muttering under his breath:

“Didn’t expect to see them here… But no one cares about me yet. A good chance to slip away.”

Suddenly, a familiar voice comes from behind him.

Voice:

“I didn’t think I’d see Bob die like this.”

Diablo turns slowly—Marco stands there.

Diablo:

“Seems you don’t know Bob’s magic… Are you here for the money, Marco?”

Marco (smirking, stepping closer):

“A thousand gold coins on your head? Not worth the effort. But… three thousand? Maybe then you’d be worth the trouble.”

(pausing, mock curiosity in his tone)

“By the way… what was Bob’s magic?”

Diablo (exhales a stream of smoke, his voice sharp as steel):

“I won’t tell you. There’s a reason we hide our magic from each other in this world… Knowing your enemy’s magic only makes him easier to kill.”

Marco (laughing softly):

“As cautious as ever, Diablo.”

[Back in “Mond”]

Inside Lara’s home, everyone sat listening as Y explained the new situation.

Lara (anxiously): “So… they’re after you?”

Y (calmly): “That’s right.”

Neval: “And what do we do now?”

Y: “No need to rush… they don’t know where we are yet.”

Anna (nervously): “But… three thousand gold pieces is enough to make anyone do the impossible to claim it.”

Licht: “The outlaw kingdom is a bit far… at least two weeks before they can get here.”

Leona steps forward, determination burning in her eyes.

Leona: “Y… train me. I want to protect myself, and my family.”

Y (with a faint smile): “That was my plan from the beginning. Come on… we’ll start now.”

Diona: “I want to train too.”

Everyone rises and heads toward the back garden. Lara watches them with a warm smile.

Lara: “Enjoy yourselves.”

Anna (with a side-smile): “He really does love training.”

Licht: “I don’t know if he loves it… but I doubt he has much choice. Since the first day he stepped into the Elven Forest, I’ve seen him training every single day.”

L: “It hasn’t changed since I first met him… he trained like a madman, always saying he had to make up for his lack of magic by honing everything else.”

Ash (with a trace of regret): “It’s a shame… he has such deep knowledge of magic, yet he can’t use it.”

Lara: “And even so… I can see he enjoys what he does. That alone makes me happy.”

⸻

[In the Back Garden]

Leona looked at Y with expectation as she asked:

Leona: “I wonder… is there a fighting style that would suit me?”

Y (thinking for a moment): “I believe I have one in mind. A style built on defense and counter.”

Leona: “But I’m not fast like you or Diona.”

Y: “Tell me about your magic.”

Leona: “It’s simple… I can see people’s auras. From them I can tell many things:strength, condition… sometimes even lies.”

Y (smiling faintly): “I rely on reading aura too, but yours is a more refined version. If you add the ability to sense normal mana flow, you’ll be able to predict your opponent’s attacks.”

Leona: “That doesn’t sound too hard… I’ll just need time to master it. But… how do I actually fight? I can’t just dodge forever.”

Y: “It’s simpler than you think. The foundation of any fighter is parry—the art of diverting an attack rather than blocking it head-on. Your style will revolve around turning every strike back on its user.”

Diona (excitedly): “That sounds amazing! But… what about me? My magic barely works.”

Leona: “About that… it looks like Diona’s magic is sealed, or restricted somehow.”

Y (surprised): “Sealed?”

Leona: “Yes. Her aura is incredibly strong… but her mana flow is so weak it’s almost at your level.”

Diona: “I managed to use magic against that giant beast… but when I tried again, nothing came out.”

Y (thinking deeply): “It might be conditional… or some kind of seal. I’ll need to speak with Freya about it later.”

He looks at them all with steady resolve.

Y: “For now… let’s begin. We’ll train the entire day.”

⸻

[The Next Day – Royal Palace, Mond]

Y sat in the palace’s waiting chamber, silent, awaiting the verdict. Moments later, Rosary entered with composed steps.

Rosary: “The King has agreed to see you.”

Y rose, his stride firm and unshaken, as he walked toward the grand hall.

[Royal Hall – Kingdom of Mond]

The chandeliers cast shimmering light across the polished marble floor, while a heavy silence cloaked the hall. All eyes were fixed on the man seated upon the golden throne—King Rigon.

Rigon (his voice filling the chamber):

“My name is Rigon… as you can see, I am the one who rules this kingdom.”

Y (stepping forward, calm and unreadable):

“My name is Y… nothing more than a traveler.”

Rigon (narrowing his eyes):

“A traveler? Not a hunter?”

(He pauses, then adds)

“I heard you requested an audience with me.”

Y (his gaze steady, unwavering):

“That’s true… but I’ve already achieved what I came for. I’ll be leaving.”

Whispers ripple through the chamber; shock written on every face.

Rosary (inwardly): I didn’t expect this…

Rigon (rising from his throne with measured steps):

“Let’s speak… not as king and subject, but as men. Tell me—what do you think of me?”

Y (meeting his eyes with calm steel):

“You seem worthy of the title of king.”

(He pauses briefly before continuing)

“That’s why… I’ll consider your offer. But do you know what it is I want?”

Rigon (tilting his head, voice carrying seasoned weight):

“They say a man’s face reveals him… but men like you, you carry everything already. Still, I have an idea.”

(He turns to the gathered court)

“What do you think of this man?”

King (resting his hand on the hilt of his sword):

“He doesn’t speak much… but I can tell he’s honest. Blades don’t lie.”

Rigon: “Rosary? Kaguya?”

Kaguya (glancing at Y):

“He’s Ares’ brother… I doubt he’s a villain.”

Rosary (quietly):

“I don’t know his intentions yet… but I’m certain we need him.”

Rigon (returning his gaze to Y):

“You’ve heard them. What is your request?”

Y (with cold finality):

“Freedom.”

Rigon (raising a brow):

“I expected that… but how far does it extend?”

Y (his voice cutting sharp through the silence):

“I want authority equal to yours. I don’t care to rule the people… I only want to act with complete freedom.”

The hall grows heavier, even the air feels thick.

??? (a warm yet commanding voice echoes from behind the doors):

“…It seems you haven’t changed, Y.”

The great doors swing open, light flooding in. A golden-haired knight steps forth, her armor gleaming blue and gold, a sword at her side. Gasps spread through the hall.

Court whispers: “Ares… she’s returned!”

Rosary (inwardly): At just the right moment…

Ares (walking forward with confident grace):

“Leave the negotiation to me.”

Rigon (calmly):

“So be it.”

Ares (facing Y directly):

“Y… we accept your terms.”

The silence is absolute, every breath caught in waiting.

Ares: “But… there is one condition.”

Rosary (thinking): Good… we can bargain.

Y (without hesitation):

“Agreed.”

A magic circle flares into existence, sealing the pact.

Ares (chuckling softly):

“I haven’t even said the condition yet.”

Rigon: “It’s unwise to agree to terms you don’t know.”

Y (with quiet certainty, eyes locked on hers):

“I already know it… that’s why I agreed.”

Then, with sudden warmth, Ares leaps forward, embracing him tightly.

Ares: “At last… I’ve found you. It’s been two years.”

Y (softly): “Forgive the delay… you’ve grown stronger.”

Ares (smiling faintly): “I have.”

Y (pulling back calmly):

“I’ll wait outside… be ready.”

He departs, leaving behind a silence that weighs heavier than before.

Rosary: “What was the condition?”

Ares (coolly):

“If he betrays the kingdom… then Y and I die together.”

Kaguya (shocked): “Why such a condition?!”

Ares (simply):

“Because… he has never betrayed anyone.”

Eyes widen in disbelief, shaken by her unwavering trust.

Ares (turning with sharp authority):

“And let me make this clear—any betrayal of Y, or attempt to stand in his way… means standing against me.”

Rigon (raising his hand reassuringly):

“Rest easy… we have no intent to oppose him.”

Ares: “Then let’s proceed.”

She opens a dossier, her tone shifting to business.

“Suspicious movements in the south… several kingdoms seem to be involved. Y needs to know.”

Rosary: “I agree. He must be informed.”

Ares (turning to Kaguya):

“When did Y arrive?”

Kaguya: “Yesterday.”

(She recounts the events since his arrival.)

Ares (closing the file):

“So… he crossed blades with King.”

Kaguya: “Is that a problem?”

Ares (smiling faintly):

“Not a problem… just an observation. Y never used his twin blade.”

King: “True… I noticed as well. In terms of skill, he likely surpasses me.”

Ares: “It’s not just skill… I’ve never even seen him fight, yet I know he grows stronger with every encounter. With his true weapon… he can break past his limits.”

She suddenly turns to Kaguya.

Ares: “Kaguya… prepare yourself. We’ll fight Y together.”

Kaguya (stunned): “Me? Why?”

Ares (laughing lightly):

“Because you’re my partner.”

Kaguya (smiling now):

“Then… let’s do it.”

Rigon (watching them leave):

“It seems everyone… is looking forward to this.”

[Training Grounds – The Moment of Clash]

Y stood alone in the center of the arena, the breeze tugging at the edges of his cloak. His eyes remained closed—serene, unshaken. But when the echo of footsteps reached him, he opened them, steady and sharp.

Ares and Kaguya stepped forward, side by side, their stances aligned, eyes gleaming with the same resolve.

Ares (confidently):

“We are ready.”

King (raising his hand, his voice carrying finality):

“I’ll be the referee. The duel will last five minutes only…”

(A pause—silence gripped the field.)

“…Begin!”

⸻

[The Clash Begins]

Y drew his twin blade, its steel flashing beneath the sunlight. Ares on his right, Kaguya on his left—two forces converging like a storm.

Their first strike came as if from one body, seamless and merciless.

Y did not retreat. His blade met theirs with perfect precision, parrying both. In a swift riposte, he lunged for Ares—but Kaguya slid in like lightning, intercepting with fluid speed before falling back to reset their rhythm.

Y leapt backward, but before his feet touched the ground, Kaguya appeared before him, her strike aimed at his head like a purple streak.

He bent backward with inhuman flexibility, narrowly evading.

Kaguya (startled, muttering):

“Such impossible agility…”

From above, Ares descended in a crushing arc. Y steadied himself with a hand to the ground, rising in perfect balance.

Once more they closed in—Ares striking high, Kaguya low, a perfect harmony.

Y soared upward, spinning midair, his blade sweeping in a wide arc. The impact forced both women to retreat, their steps faltering under the weight of his counter.

Ares (gritting her teeth):

“Even with our coordination… we haven’t touched him.”

⸻

[The Spectators]

Rosary (eyes wide):

“I’ve never seen anything like this… Ares and Kaguya are at their peak.”

Rigon (analyzing):

“Their trust in each other is formidable. Kaguya has speed, Ares has power—their synergy is flawless. But Y… is different.”

King (nodding slowly):

“Now I understand Ares’ words.”

Rosary:

“What do you mean?”

Rigon:

“He mirrors his opponents. Strength against Ares… speed against Kaguya.”

King:

“More than that… he drags out the fullest of his opponent’s potential. This isn’t training for him—it’s a revelation of their true selves.”

⸻

[The Final Minute]

King (glancing at the hourglass):

“One minute remains.”

Ares suddenly halted, raising her sword as mana spiraled around her in a storm.

Ares (fierce):

“I need to be stronger!”

Y moved to intercept—but Kaguya blurred into his path, her body erupting in violet sparks, her strikes faster, sharper, relentless.

Their exchange crackled like thunder, yet Y slipped through each blow, unyielding.

Kaguya (breathing heavily):

“Still… not fast enough. I must break my limits!”

Her eyes shut in focus, a radiant circle igniting beneath her feet. The very air thickened.

Kaguya (resolute):

“Mana Zone… I’ll become faster. Deadlier.”

Y (smiling faintly):

“Then I’ll accept your challenge.”

He stepped into her domain, undaunted.

Kaguya (shouting):

“Lightning Fang!”

Her strike cracked like thunder—faster than sight—slashing through Y’s defense, grazing his side. Gasps spread across the field.

But Y strode forward, unfaltering, voice like ice:

“I only needed time to perfect full evasion. I avoided half the strike… and that’s enough.”

Kaguya (staggered):

“On the first attempt…!?”

Ares’ voice then thundered across the field, her sword blazing with overwhelming light:

Ares:

“…Excalibur!!”

The explosion of mana engulfed the arena, sand and brilliance scattering in a violent tempest.

When the dust cleared—Y stood tall, his blade driven into the ground, his gaze unwavering.

King (raising his hand):

“Time’s up!”

Aris and Kaguya collapsed to the ground, their breaths ragged, sweat streaming down their faces.

Kaguya (panting): “I’ve never fought anyone like that before… Just five minutes, and I’m completely drained.”

Aris (gasping, voice heavy): “I told you… He’s the strongest person I know.”

Kaguya: “But… that shout before your strike, Aris… what was it?”

Aris (smiling faintly, exhaustion in her tone): “I’ve always wanted to say it… and today, I finally found someone worthy of hearing it.”

⸻

Y (calmly, eyes steady): “Ash… can you help them?”

(Suddenly, Ash steps out from the shadows, a confident smile on her face.)

Ash: “Since when did you know I was here?”

Y (quietly): “Just now… Your presence—and L’s—is impossible to hide.”

(Ash chuckles softly, then lifts her hand. A healing spell radiates from her palm, bathing the two in a soft glow that melts away their exhaustion and pain.)

Aris (exhaling with relief): “I feel refreshed…”

Kaguya: “So do I.”

⸻

Y (delivering his critique with composed severity):

“Aris… your strikes are powerful, but you focus too much on the target. That leaves openings—easy ones to exploit.

As for you, Kaguya… your speed is excellent, but it lacks sharpness. In a two-on-one fight, that’s not a weakness. But against a lone opponent… it could cost you dearly.”

(He pauses briefly, then adds with firm finality:)

“From now on… each of you will teach the other her style. It will make you grow faster.”

⸻

Y (turning to King): “Can you lend me a map?”

King: “Of course.” (He hands him a folded map.)

Y (glances over it, then folds it again): “I’ll take my time.”

(Looking at Ash:)

“Take Diona and Mirai… have them begin the official hunter procedures.

You and L… renew your ranks.

And gather every piece of information or rumor you can find this week.”

(He starts to leave, then stops, speaking without turning back—his voice steady as steel:)

Y: “Aris… Kaguya… we’ll train again later.”

Kaguya (shocked): “Me too?”

Aris (smiling faintly): “Of course… He wants to train against your special technique.

And be careful… he’ll adapt to it soon.”

Kaguya (astonished): “But he dodged half of it on the very first try…!”

Rosarie (in awe): “That was truly an incredible training session.”

⸻

King (watching Y’s back as he walks away, murmuring to himself):

“He may speak little… but he thinks much.

He doesn’t give his loyalty easily… yet he never betrays those he trusts.

I’ve seen many strong warriors… but rarely someone with that clarity in his eyes.”

(He falls silent for a beat, then adds with solemn weight:)

“If he trusts us… he’ll be an ally beyond price.

And if he betrays us… it’ll only be because we deserved it.”

Regon (pondering): “If the world were stripped of magic… Y would stand at its very peak.”

Ash (laughing): “Y really doesn’t waste time on anything pointless.”

Aris (glancing at her): “Indeed… Are you with him?”

Ash (proudly): “I am Y’s companion.”

Aris (smiling): “Then you must be someone special… to be part of his team.”

(She pauses, then adds) “You and Kaguya fought well.”

Aris: “I’ve learned a few things from that battle.”

Kaguya: “I get what you mean… Facing someone beyond your specialty is a real problem. We need to grow stronger.”

Ash (with a calm smile): “Let’s go home.”

⸻

Inside the house – a quiet afternoon.

Sunlight streamed softly through wooden windows, carrying with it the scent of aged timber. The front door creaked open slowly. Ash entered first with quiet steps, followed by unfamiliar guests that Lara had never expected to see.

Ash (raising her voice with a hand still on the doorknob): “We’re back.”

Lara (emerging from the kitchen, her face brightening with a warm smile): “Welcome home.”

Ash (turning back): “We have guests.”

Aris (bowing slightly with courtesy): “Forgive the intrusion.”

Lara (her eyes widening as if time itself had stopped): “…Aris?”

Aris (stepping forward with a gentle smile): “Lara… You came to this world as well?”

Lara (nodding softly): “My family came with me too.”

Aris (with genuine surprise): “I didn’t expect that… but what brought you all here?”

Lara (gesturing toward the girl standing confidently): “Leona wished to see Y.”

Leona (stepping forward, hands on her hips with pride): “And I have no regrets.”

Aris (smiling, studying her): “Leona… How old are you now?”

Leona (simply): “Fourteen.”

Diona (interjecting with a smile): “Same as me.”

Lara (turning to Ash): “And where is Y?”

Ash (settling onto the sofa, slowly pulling off her glove): “He said he’d return soon.”

Lara (lowering her gaze with a quiet sigh): “I just wish he’d allow himself some rest…”

Aris (her eyes shifting toward a closed door): “And who’s in that room?”

Leona (lightly stepping ahead, pushing the door open).

The room revealed L, seated with regal composure, sipping tea in dignified silence. A still, commanding aura filled the air.

Aris (in a low voice): “Who is she?… Her presence is overwhelming.”

L (setting her cup down with grace, rising with confidence, and bowing in a royal manner): “My name is L.”

Aris (introducing herself in return with respect).

Ash (smiling): “She was the first to join Y.”

Ash (continuing): “By the way… Y said he wants to have Mirai and Diona become official hunters.”

L (serious): “Then we must act quickly. We can’t afford to hinder his plans.”

Ash: “And what about rank renewal? Rank S?”

L: “Rank S would draw far too much attention. Best to leave it for now.”

Aris (smiling softly): “No need to complicate things. I’ll take Diona and Mirai to the Hunters’ Guild myself. I know the Guildmaster well — we have good relations.”

Rosary: “Then it’s settled.”

L: “Agreed. No problem.”

(Aris moved with composed steps toward the door, Diona and Mirai accompanying her. Everyone’s eyes followed them in silence as calm once again settled over the room.)

Ash (turning to Lara with quiet seriousness): “He thought you’d oppose the idea…”

Lara (smiling gently, lifting her head with quiet resolve): “If Y said so… then there’s nothing to think about.”

L (setting her cup aside, fixing Lara with a probing gaze): “You seem to trust him blindly.”

Lara (without hesitation): “He’s earned it.”

(A pause — she lowered her eyes, as though pulled into a distant memory. When she raised her head again, her voice carried warmth, longing, and gratitude.)

Lara:

*“Did I ever tell you in Y’s story… that he was the reason we escaped the city?

Years after he joined us, we began planning to flee. There were only three of us, and our only idea was to cast a spotlight on the city before the world.

Almost impossible… but Y chose the people. He had this uncanny ability to read others, to pick them precisely, as if he could see into their hearts.

With time… the surviving children began to gather around us. Different ages, but we became a family.

And at the heart of it all… Y was the bond that tied us together.

Thanks to him, our voices reached the outside world. A massive media campaign caught the eyes of the wealthy. Some acted for fame… but the result was what we dreamed of.

We drew attention. And then came an adoption campaign for all of us.

It was Y who decided who would adopt whom. We all trusted his judgment, because he could tell who was genuine and who was pretending.

I remember… an old man once said, ‘I’m interested in the two girls,’ meaning me and Anna.

Then he turned to Y and asked, ‘And you, boy? The choice is yours. You may join as well.’

Y agreed. That day, we rejoiced for him. He was the last to be adopted.

He signed the papers… but not long after, the old man passed away.

He had no heir — and he was wealthy.

We inherited everything. Y became the new head. From then on, he traveled constantly, building projects, learning everything he could.

As for me and Anna… we chose a simpler life. Anna studied medicine, and I became a doctor at the hospital.

But we didn’t know much about Y after our parents died… He kept moving, never allowing us to share in his projects. He always refused help.

Even my marriage… was because of him.

That’s why… we would sacrifice everything for him.”*

(Silence fell across the room, her words echoing with weight.)

L (quietly): “I was imprisoned… Sometimes I wonder, what if Y had never appeared?”

Ash (with a bittersweet smile): “I know that feeling. If he hadn’t saved me… I’d be dead by now.”

[Outside Mond’s Walls – Near the Forest]

Leicht was making his way toward the Elven Forest, his steps quiet, his eyes scanning his surroundings. By a small pond, he caught sight of him.

Y sat crouched, a circle of children gathered around him. He picked up a stone from the ground, placed it in the palm of his hand, then with a precise motion sent it flying across the water’s surface, skipping until it vanished into the trees.

Children (excitedly): “Waaah! Teach us! Teach us!”

Y (smiling calmly): “The secret isn’t strength… it’s the angle. If you direct your energy right, anything will fly as far as you want.”

(He gently takes one child’s hand, guiding them on how to throw.)

Leicht paused, watching in silence. A faint smile tugged at his lips as he took in the scene.

Suddenly, threads of wind gathered at his shoulder, weaving into the delicate form of a tiny fairy, her wings shimmering with soft light.

Fairy (in a sweet voice, gazing at Y): “What a person…”

Leicht (murmuring to himself as he continued toward the forest):

“…Indeed. What a person.”

(The page closes on this image, leaving the reader caught between awe and quiet wonder.)