The team formed for the secret mission was making their way toward Karathos by horse. The seven-member group consisted of Akira, Raiga, Yui, Arisawa, Makise, Noa, and Kuronuma.
Raiga grumbled:
— The same road again… We're definitely going to have déjà vu because of the Volgraths.
Yui laughed in response:
— But this time we're much stronger.
Akira added in a determined voice:
— This time, we'll kill those two.
Kuronuma looked at the three and spoke in a warning tone:
— You're still inexperienced. Don't do anything that will get yourselves killed.
Arisawa shrugged with a smile:
— Don't worry, they're strong.
Raiga boasted:
— Of course I'm strong! Soon, I'll be stronger than you too, blue guy!
Arisawa dismissed him casually:
— Sure, sure.
Yui leaned forward curiously:
— So… are you going to explain the plan, or are you going to keep hiding it from us again?
Akira turned, surprised:
— What? Arisawa didn't tell you the plan?
Raiga pursed his lips:
— He did… to me. You're the only one who doesn't know, Yui.
Yui froze for a moment, then shrugged with a smile:
— Well then… will you tell me too?
Akira immediately jumped in:
— First, we'll gather information in the capital of Karathos. This could take a few days. If the citizens don't know anything, we'll get intel from nobles Arisawa knows. That way, we'll discover their hiding place.
Yui frowned:
— But this plan relies too much on luck… nothing is certain.
He can't possibly have a plan like this. And does he really know nobles in Karathos? Something's definitely off…
Arisawa nodded slightly, confirming Akira's explanation.
Yui asked again:
— Okay, let's say we find their location. Are we really going to raid them? There are nine siblings there! There's no way we can win!
Arisawa squinted:
— Who said we're going to fight all nine at the same time?
Yui gasped in surprise:
— Then… how will we separate them?
Arisawa looked at Yui seriously:
— I won't separate them. A masked man will do that for me.
Yui stopped her horse. She thought for a moment, then chuckled and continued on:
— I don't quite understand what you mean… oh well.
Meanwhile, Akira turned to Makise:
— By the way… how does Kael know you? And why did you touch my left eye last time?
Makise answered coldly:
— I don't know.
Akira persisted:
— Well then, Lady Makise… would you like to introduce yourself so we can know you better?
Makise cut him off decisively:
— No.
Raiga laughed loudly:
— What kind of council member is this?
Kuronuma immediately interjected:
— Hey! She's a council member. Show some respect!
Arisawa remained silent. He had sensed Makise's peculiarity from the beginning, and he knew very well she wouldn't speak.
After a long journey, they finally saw Karathos. But instead of entering the city, Arisawa dismounted outside and set up their camp supplies.
— Akira, Raiga, Yui… you'll stay here.
Raiga protested:
— Why are we staying here while you go to fancy hotels, you bastard!?
Arisawa replied firmly:
— Because you've been here before. If you're inside for too long, someone familiar might recognize you.
Yui also complained:
— But there's no one we know here anyway!
Arisawa raised his voice:
— The king occasionally visits the city and mingles with the people. If he sees you, it could cause problems.
Though Raiga and Yui grumbled, they eventually set up their tents. At night, they lit a fire. Meanwhile, Arisawa and his team entered the city and checked into a cheap inn. Soon after, they headed toward the palace.
The main plan had been kept secret from Akira, Raiga, and Yui. Makise and Kuronuma vanished as soon as they entered the palace. Arisawa then knocked on the palace's large doors.
To his surprise, the king opened it personally. His face was once again masked. He didn't look surprised to see Arisawa. Slowly, he walked to his own chamber, with Arisawa following. The king sat on his throne and the servant closed the door.
Silence filled the room. Arisawa spoke first:
— How did you know I'd come here?
The king replied calmly:
— I didn't… I felt it.
Arisawa studied the king's mask carefully and confirmed his theory.
— If you remove your mask, my doubts will vanish.
The king reached for the mask, then laughed:
— Do you really think I'm a Volgrath?
Arisawa narrowed his eyes:
— Yes. You're a Volgrath. And you're working with your siblings.
The king crossed his legs and smiled:
— Are you sure?
Arisawa added sarcastically:
— You're a pawn of the Desert Chaos and Kael.
The king raised his head and drew his sword:
— Is that so… Then I suppose I should kill you here.
Arisawa looked the king in the eyes one last time, then turned toward the door. Just before leaving, he spoke one final time:
— We'll return via the Karathos road around sunset tomorrow.
The king smiled:
— Even if I didn't think it would help me… thank you for the information.
As Arisawa stepped out, he noticed grains of sand on the ground. Suddenly, they vanished into thin air. He froze.
The king asked in a concerned voice:
— Are you alright?
Arisawa didn't respond. He left the palace and waited a short distance away. Makise was the first to arrive. She spoke coldly:
— I couldn't find it.
Arisawa took a deep breath:
— I hope Kuronuma succeeds…
Just then, Kuronuma appeared ahead of them. He was out of breath, but his eyes shone with excitement:
— I found them! They're here…
A small smile appeared on Arisawa's face.
— That's good. Now we can return to the inn.
Makise immediately asked:
— So… what do we do now?
Arisawa answered without hesitation:
— Simple. We'll just gather information in the city.
At that moment, Akira, unable to sleep, went to Yui's tent. First, he called out, and when he got no response, he entered. He was surprised by what he saw. Yui wasn't there. Panicked, he looked around.
— Yui!! Where are you!?
He noticed the fire burning behind him and ran toward it. Yui was sitting across the fire, staring absentmindedly at the flames.
Akira took a deep breath.
— Since you're here, why didn't you answer? I was starting to get worried.
Yui didn't look away from the fire.
— Sit.
Akira sat down.
— What are you doing here alone?
Yui smiled faintly.
— Sometimes it's good to be alone and think.
Akira nodded.
— Absolutely. I often think like that too. Most of the time, I have no idea what I'm going to do.
Suddenly, Yui's face darkened with worry.
— This mission… is much more dangerous than the others.
She gritted her teeth.
— What if one of us dies—
Akira interrupted, raising his voice.
— That won't happen! I won't die before realizing my dream. You all will achieve your dreams too!
Yui lifted her head and looked at the stars.
— My dream?
Akira leaned forward excitedly.
— Yes, yes! You definitely have a dream!
Yui smiled faintly and murmured.
— I do… but it's a little…
Akira jumped in immediately.
— Don't worry. I won't judge you.
Yui stared at the stars and began to speak.
— Years ago, I had a sibling. My family constantly abused him. But I did nothing… I let him suffer so much.
Akira shouted:
— That's not your fault! You couldn't have done anything anyway!
Yui turned to Akira.
— Just listen… I could have stood up to my family. I was strong. In fact, I was the strongest in the family. But as my life flashed before my eyes… I remembered that regret. Somehow I survived. And I wanted to protect my sibling at all costs… But he died.
Akira lowered his head in sadness.
— I'm sorry… I truly am.
Yui continued.
— From that day on, I decided to do in the future what I couldn't do for my sibling in the past. I adopted his ideals, his kindness, his grace. My current goal… is the same as his dream. I want to spread this ideology throughout the world.
Akira extended his hand to Yui.
— That's a beautiful dream. I'll help you achieve it until I die.
Yui smiled, extended her hand, and they shook.
— Then we'll support each other's dreams until we die. If one of us dies, the other will carry out that dream in their place.
Akira shouted:
— Deal!!
After a brief silence, Akira asked curiously:
— By the way… may I know your sibling's name?
Yui thought for a moment.
— Darius.
Hearing the name, Akira flinched.
— Hmm… That's a nice name.
It sounds familiar… but I've never heard it. Almost like it belongs to someone else's memories.
Yui stood up.
— Aren't you going to sleep?
Akira clenched his fists.
— I guess I should get some rest too tonight.
They returned to their tents together and spent the night sleeping quietly.
The next morning, Akira woke up screaming. His face showed terror. He looked beside him and saw Yui, and he felt slightly relieved.
Yui asked curiously:
— I tried waking you, but you suddenly screamed. Are you okay?
Akira answered while trying to open his eyes:
— Yes, I'm fine… just a nightmare… a terrible nightmare…
Yui turned around and started packing their belongings.
— Since you're fine, come on, let's pack your tent and gather the things.
Akira was surprised:
— Are we leaving today? We just got here.
Yui looked toward Karathos and replied:
— Today, we'll gather information in Karathos. We'll leave around sunset.
Raiga grumbled:
— What's the rush? What's our guy thinking!?
Akira sleepily stood up and began folding his tent.
— I don't know…
After packing their tents, they loaded their belongings onto their horses and headed toward Karathos. When the guards at the gate learned the three were from Velmorya, they let them in without questioning.
Akira was surprised by this reaction. While walking through the city, Yui explained:
— The Karathos kingdom has had good relations with Velmorya for a long time. That's why no visas or anything like that are needed.
Akira was excited:
— That's great! We'll come here often then!
Raiga looked at Akira condescendingly:
— We're not here for fun. There are troubles in this kingdom, remember that.
Akira's face fell:
— Yeah… you're right.
Yui noticed a bar nearby and led them inside.
Akira protested:
— I'm not even eighteen yet!
Raiga laughed mockingly:
— You're just a little kid next to me.
Akira shouted back, almost angrily:
— What did you say, idiot!!
At the entrance of the bar stood a man with a sword at his waist, his body covered in scars. Despite his tough appearance, his voice was gentle as he invited them inside:
— Welcome. Come in. We have fine beers for noble guests like you.
The three were surprised by the reaction. Akira politely replied:
— Thank you.
Inside, the bar was crowded. There were many warriors, but unlike Velmorya, there was no fighting or noise. It seemed more elite.
Raiga went to the bar and asked for water.
Yui looked at Raiga and laughed:
— It's funny to see a man like you just drinking water in a bar seriously.
Raiga frowned but replied quietly:
— We don't drink on missions. Didn't anyone teach you that?
Akira teased:
— You really are full of knowledge.
While Akira and Raiga bickered, a woman approached them:
— Sorry, I couldn't help overhearing.
Akira and Raiga glanced at each other.
Yui replied:
— It's fine, classic bickering.
Raiga looked at the woman and spoke irritably:
— Sorry, but my heart already belongs to someone.
Akira shouted:
— Hey, you bastard! Don't misinterpret, you're bothering the lady!
Then he laughed:
— Also… who could ever love you? Are you even human?
The woman watched their argument for a while and began to laugh.
— Anyway, I won't bother you. Since you're tourists, you won't stay long.
Raiga immediately said:
— Actually, today at sunset—
Akira covered Raiga's mouth:
— Good day, ma'am.
The woman smiled and walked away.
Raiga shouted:
— What are you doing, idiot!?
Akira shot back:
— What about you? You almost blew our mission!
Yui turned toward the outside:
— Let's do some shopping.
Akira and Raiga got excited and walked toward the market. They wandered around the market for a long time, spending on strange things, then noticed sunset approaching. They headed toward the road opposite the Karathos route. There, the three council members were waiting for them.
Arisawa took a deep breath when he saw the three. Their clothes and hairstyles were ridiculous. They looked like clowns.
Kuronuma laughed:
— What is this? Was there some clown show?
Arisawa asked curiously:
— How much did you spend?
Akira smiled:
— My entire monthly salary.
Arisawa thought: Even if they're warriors, they're still children…
Makise and Kuronuma mounted their horses and spread out on either side.
Akira, Raiga, and Yui didn't understand what was happening.
Arisawa mounted his horse and rode forward:
— Follow me.
They rode in silence for a long time. Finally, Arisawa stopped. They still didn't understand what was happening.
They dismounted and waited.
Suddenly, two men appeared in front of them.
It was Kael and the man who had been with him last time.
As soon as Akira saw Kael, he was overcome with rage and grabbed Setsuna, ready to charge.