Morning light spilled gently over the east district of Crestfall Kingdom.

  It was a strange thing—light.

  Just days ago, these streets had felt strangled by shadow, as if the sun itself had been afraid to linger. Now, warmth returned in cautious waves, brushing over tiled roofs, cracked stone roads, and shuttered windows that were finally opening again.

  Akitsu Shouga walked with his hands tucked into his cloak, hood pulled low, a dark cloth covering the lower half of his face. Only his eyes—sharp, unreadable—were visible beneath the shadow.

  Beside him walked Rhen Calder, his posture relaxed but alert, Masamune secured at his waist once more. Lemon trotted between them, his small wooden body clacking faintly against the stone as he moved.

  “…It’s noisy,” Akitsu muttered.

  Rhen glanced around. “You call this noisy?”

  The streets were far from crowded, but compared to the ghost-town silence from before, the difference was undeniable. Shop doors stood open. Merchants were arranging goods. Children peeked out from behind corners before darting back inside, giggling.

  Lemon sniffed the air. “Mmm. Fear levels have dropped significantly. Hope levels are… uneven, but present.”

  Rhen smiled faintly. “That’s good.”

  A woman carrying a basket of vegetables stopped when she noticed them. Her eyes widened slightly as she recognized Rhen’s armor.

  “Royal Knight!” she called out.

  More heads turned.

  A middle-aged man bowed deeply. “Thank you! Thank you for dealing with the monster!”

  Another voice chimed in. “My cousin lives near the east wall—he said the screams stopped last night!”

  Rhen raised a hand awkwardly. “Please, there’s no need—”

  “Bless you!” an elderly woman said, clasping her hands. “May the Kingdom stand strong again!”

  Akitsu slowed his steps slightly, keeping his head down.

  “…They’re thanking the wrong person,” he murmured.

  Rhen heard him anyway.

  “They’re thanking the ones they can see,” Rhen replied quietly. “That’s enough.”

  Akitsu said nothing.

  A child ran past them, laughing, nearly bumping into Lemon before stopping short.

  “Hey!” the boy said, crouching. “What’s that?”

  Lemon puffed his chest. “I am Lemon, Spirit of Ancient Wood, Master Sniffer, and Occasional Hero.”

  The boy blinked. “…Cool.”

  He ran off.

  Rhen chuckled. “You seem popular.”

  Lemon sniffed proudly. “I radiate wisdom.”

  Akitsu glanced down at him. “You also ran away and hid.”

  Lemon froze.

  “…Tactical withdrawal,” he corrected stiffly.

  Rhen raised an eyebrow. “You bolted the moment things got dangerous.”

  “I cannot fight,” Lemon said defensively. “I have no combat abilities. No claws. No spells. My bark is purely ornamental.”

  Akitsu tilted his head. “Then what are you useful for? Other than eating.”

  “That’s rude,” Lemon snapped. “I am excellent at sniffing. Sensing. Detecting abnormal mana residues. Emotional states. Rot. Fear. You would have never found Yurei’s trail without me.”

  Rhen nodded. “He’s got a point.”

  Lemon crossed his tiny arms. “Also, I eat efficiently.”

  Akitsu huffed. “…Fair.”

  They continued down the road, the atmosphere steadily warming as people resumed their routines. The sense of dread hadn’t vanished completely—it lingered like a bruise—but it no longer ruled the streets.

  “Yurei’s gone,” Rhen said quietly. “For now.”

  Akitsu’s eyes flicked toward the rooftops. “Gone doesn’t mean finished.”

  Lemon sniffed again. “The scent has faded. But not vanished.”

  Rhen exhaled. “Which means we stay alert.”

  A sudden clatter of wheels echoed behind them.

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  They stepped aside as a royal carriage, adorned with Crestfall’s sigil of crystal and steel, slowed to a stop beside them. The door opened smoothly.

  Selene Vael leaned out, her sharp eyes immediately locking onto them.

  “Walking openly now?” she asked coolly.

  Rhen straightened. “Captain Vael.”

  Akitsu lowered his head slightly but said nothing.

  Selene’s gaze lingered on the hooded figure. “…You’re being careful.”

  “Necessary,” Rhen replied.

  Selene crossed her arms. “When do you intend to return to Fiester?”

  Rhen considered. “A few days. Yurei may strike again.”

  Selene’s expression hardened with resolve. “There is no need to worry. I am overseeing the outer wall defenses personally.”

  Akitsu finally spoke. “You assume he’ll come from outside.”

  Selene’s eyes narrowed. “And you assume he won’t.”

  “…I assume he adapts,” Akitsu replied calmly.

  A brief silence followed.

  Selene sighed. “Your caution is noted.”

  She glanced at Rhen. “Crestfall owes you a debt. Officially.”

  Rhen smiled. “I’ll leave the paperwork to the council.”

  Selene smirked faintly. “Wise.”

  Her gaze flicked back to Akitsu, softer this time. “…Stay out of sight.”

  Akitsu inclined his head slightly. “Always do.”

  The carriage door closed, and the vehicle rolled onward.

  Rhen exhaled slowly. “You attract trouble.”

  Akitsu shrugged. “Trouble finds me.”

  Lemon perked up suddenly. “Speaking of finding things—there’s sugar nearby.”

  Rhen blinked. “What?”

  Lemon pointed with his nose. “Bakery. Fresh. Warm. Free samples.”

  Akitsu paused.

  “…Lead the way.”

  The bakery was small but lively, its windows fogged with warmth. The smell of butter and sugar wrapped around them the moment they stepped inside.

  The baker, a stout man with flour-dusted sleeves, looked up and froze when he saw Rhen.

  “Royal Knight!”

  Rhen raised his hands quickly. “Just passing through.”

  The man’s face broke into a grin. “Then you’re eating for free!”

  Within minutes, plates of pastries were set before them—cream-filled buns, crystal-sugar rolls, and warm bread glazed with honey.

  “For saving our streets,” the baker said proudly.

  Akitsu hesitated before taking one.

  “…Thank you,” he said quietly.

  Lemon was already halfway through his third pastry.

  “These are strategically excellent,” Lemon declared.

  Rhen laughed. “I’ll miss Crestfall’s hospitality.”

  Akitsu watched the people outside through the window—laughing, talking, living.

  “…Let’s hope it lasts,” he murmured.

  Meanwhile — Fiester Kingdom

  Sunlight streamed through the towering gates of Fiester Academy.

  Students gathered in clusters, laughter and nervous excitement mixing in the air.

  Ryozen Kaoru stood near the main steps, her uniform crisp, posture straight. A small emblem pinned to her chest marked her completion of the third year.

  “…It’s really over,” she said softly.

  Airi Tachibana grinned beside her. “You say that like it’s a bad thing.”

  Kaoru smiled faintly. “No. Just… strange.”

  Noa Fuyuki adjusted his glasses. “Fourth year applications open tomorrow.”

  Kaoru’s expression sharpened with resolve.

  “I’m applying,” she said without hesitation.

  Renji Kurogane groaned from behind them. “Of course you are.”

  Kaoru turned. “You aren’t?”

  Renji avoided her gaze. “…I like being alive.”

  Kaoru laughed softly, eyes shining.

  “Then we’ll survive together,” she said.

  Above them, unseen, fate shifted quietly.

  Paths long separated were beginning—slowly, inevitably—to draw closer once more.