Akira and Raiga walked slowly toward Velmorya at sunset. Arisawa lay unconscious on Akira's back, while Raiga carried Yui's remains wrapped in cloth. These were all that was left of her. Throughout the journey, neither of them spoke; silence settled over them, and a deep gloom was etched onto their faces. Both were bloodied, taking slow, weary steps.
When Akira lifted his head and looked at the sky, he saw the massive entrance gate of Eldravon. They were very close to the palace but hadn't even realized it. For a moment, he stopped, his voice barely a whisper:
— We've arrived…
Raiga continued walking without a word.
When they reached the palace gates, Sato and Reina were waiting, as usual. Seeing Akira, Sato waved and called out:
— Akira!
Akira didn't respond, stepping toward the gate with heavy, dragging steps. Raiga continued silently beside him, and Sato, growing angry, stepped forward. Just then, Akira raised his hand and touched Sato's shoulder. Even this small gesture made Sato sense that something was wrong. He turned to Akira with a surprised look.
Reina spoke in her usual mocking tone:
— What's with the gloomy mood… And who's the guy on your back?
Without turning his head, Akira answered coldly:
— Arisawa Riven. He fainted during the battle.
Sato asked curiously:
— And the others? You had far more with you.
Akira clenched his fists, his voice low and trembling:
— They're… all dead.
Sato and Reina froze.
Akira continued walking. When he reached Arisawa's room in the palace, he knocked. The servant who opened the door was shocked upon seeing Arisawa on Akira's back:
— What… what happened to Master Arisawa?!
Akira remained silent. He carried Arisawa up the grand stairs to his room and laid him on the bed. Just as he turned to leave, Arisawa suddenly sat up, clutching his head:
— Akira… what happened to me? The last thing I remember is fighting Kael.
Akira's face remained stern.
— During the fight with Kael… you passed out with foam coming from your mouth.
Arisawa stammered with a faint, forced smile:
— I guess… my body must have been too exhausted…
Akira clenched his fists and spoke sharply, staring intently:
— Noa is dead. Kuronuma is dead. Lady Makise likely died too… and most importantly… Yui is dead.
Arisawa's face froze. Then, in a sorrowful voice, he murmured:
— I'm sorry…
Akira slammed his fist into the wall. Turning toward the door, he continued in a cold voice:
— You were strong… maybe strong enough to stop them. But because of you, they all died.
Arisawa immediately protested:
— I— I passed out because I had reached my limits—
Akira cut him off:
— You're a terrible drug addict.
Arisawa froze, stammering in protest:
— W-where did you get that from? You can't accuse a council member!
Akira walked toward the door, whispering:
— Pathetic.
He slammed the door shut and strode down the long corridor toward the council chamber.
When he entered the room, Raiga was already there, sitting on the floor beside the council table. He slightly turned his head to look at Akira.
— I've called the council.
Akira knelt beside him.
— I'll be taking a break from military service for a while… What about you?
Raiga closed his eyes, his voice deep:
— This might be the last time you see me.
Akira asked in surprise:
— You're leaving?
— I'm quitting the military. I became a soldier to get stronger and kill my family's murderer. I've already done that.
Akira's eyes widened:
— Are you sure?
Raiga clenched his fists.
— Someone who can't even protect their friends isn't fit to be a soldier.
Akira said nothing.
Soon, the council members gradually gathered in the room. When Arisawa entered, he shot Akira a sharp look, but Akira ignored him. There were eight people in the chamber. Silence prevailed.
Akira stood and walked toward the council. Raiga followed. After a tense silence, Akira spoke coldly:
— Noa, Kuronuma, and Makise di—
Just then, the council room door opened. Makise stepped inside. A heavy weight settled over Akira; he froze.
— Y-you… how are you alive?! What happened to Volgrath?!
Makise sat down and replied casually:
— I killed him.
Akabane turned to Akira:
— Well, continue.
Akira took a deep breath:
— Noa and Kuronuma… were killed by the Volgraths.
Silence fell over the chamber. Some were shocked, others had expected it.
Hoshigaki asked curiously:
— And the spirits?
Raiga stepped forward:
— They died while fighting us.
Akabane frowned:
— The ones the council couldn't kill… you killed them?
Raiga nodded.
Akabane laughed:
— Absurd.
Arisawa intervened:
— Anyway, do you have anything else to say?
Raiga knelt, speaking respectfully:
— Thank you for giving me the opportunity to fight for this kingdom. But with your permission… I'd like to leave.
Arisawa crossed his arms:
— Fine. Leave your emblem in my study; you may go whenever you wish.
Akira also knelt:
— With your permission… I'd like to take a break as well.
Arisawa nodded.
Raiga stood and left the chamber. After casting one last glance at Makise, Akira followed.
Back in his room, Akira began gathering his belongings. He hung his armor in the closet and stared at it for a long moment. The palace military service he had once worn with pride now felt alien. Yet he didn't want to give up his dreams entirely. He placed his emblem on the bed, strapped his black sword to his waist, and Setsuna to his back, then left the room.
After saying goodbye to Sato at the palace entrance, he began walking home. He felt a bit happy to see his grandparents, whom he hadn't seen in a long time, but his spirits were still low. Head bowed, he walked slowly. Glancing back, he realized how far he had moved from the palace. The grand center of Eldravon had been replaced by a quiet village.
Finally, he saw his home—a two-story wooden house, surrounded by lush gardens. Memories of his childhood came flooding back. Approaching the garden, he noticed new flowers had been planted. He guessed his grandmother had been tending the garden more diligently.
He hesitated before knocking on the door. After a moment's thought, he rapped. Voices called from inside:
— Darling, someone's at the door.
— Okay, I'm opening it.
His grandmother opened the door. Upon seeing Akira, she first looked surprised, then hugged him joyfully.
— Welcome home, my Akira.
Akira replied in a soft voice:
— Thank you.
His grandfather came running as soon as he heard Akira's voice and hugged him tightly. He carefully looked at Akira's face and immediately sensed his low spirits. This had never changed since Akira's childhood; he could never lie to his grandfather.
Once inside, the door closed behind them. They seated Akira in the living room.
His grandfather sat beside him:
— Akira, tell us… what happened?
Akira didn't respond at first, then looked at his grandfather and gave a faint smile:
— I'm fine.
His grandfather smiled in return. He knew that pressing him further wouldn't make Akira speak; Akira had always preferred to keep his troubles inside.
Akira recounted his experiences in the palace military, the people he met, to his grandparents. They talked until evening. As the sun set, Akira retreated to his room and lay on his bed. He took Setsuna in hand, gazing at it thoughtfully.
— Maybe I should quit the military like Raiga… Since I became a soldier, people around me keep dying. This is far darker than I imagined… Perhaps what I need is to return here and live a peaceful life with my grandparents…
As he drifted into thought, Valtherion's voice echoed in his ear.
— Akira.
Akira didn't respond. This time, Valtherion appeared in the chair beside Akira's bed.
— Akira, answer me!
Akira sheathed his sword and glared at Valtherion sharply.
— What do you want?!
Valtherion was irritated.
— Speak properly, brat!
Akira said nothing, staring blankly at the ceiling. Valtherion leaned back.
— During the fight with Kael, you must have noticed… there's another spirit inside you.
Akira spoke coldly:
— Ares…
Valtherion looked surprised.
— So you've met him…
After a brief pause, he continued:
— He's very dangerous! He should have died a hundred years ago, yet somehow he's alive. This is a huge threa—
Akira cut him off:
— Shut up! Just leave me alone. I don't want your power anymore… I just want a peaceful life.
Valtherion didn't reply.
Akira continued:
— Also, you're probably the one who tortured that child when he was ten. Otherwise, how could a Volgrath have been tortured in your mansion's basement?!
Regret was visible on Valtherion's face.
— Yes, I made mistakes… I regret them. But we need to do something about Ares.
Akira shouted:
— Leave me alone! If you're so keen, talk to your dear son yourself. Don't drag me into this!
Valtherion slowly began to disappear.
— Fine, as you wish… but we'll meet again soon. Ares is far more dangerous than you think.
Akira reached for the lamp beside his bed and turned it off, then closed his eyes.
The next morning, he woke to the sound of his grandmother preparing breakfast. He had always woken up this way; for a moment, it felt like déjà vu. Sunlight filtered through the curtains, illuminating the room. He rubbed his eyes, got up slowly, and went to the breakfast table. His grandmother had already prepared everything; the scent of delicious food filled the room. Akira sat first, followed by his grandfather, and finally his grandmother with a jug of water.
They had a pleasant family breakfast. Akira realized how much he had missed this. Once finished, he went to his room, got ready, and climbed over the fence to go outside.
His grandmother called out in surprise:
— Akira, where are you going??
Akira smiled:
— I'm going to school.
She called again, but Akira was already gone.
Shortly after leaving, his smile faded, replaced by a serious expression. After a twenty-minute walk, he reached the school. For the first time in months, he was going back. He didn't want to do anything, but he wanted to forget the horrors he had experienced and continue his life. He had decided to reclaim the life he had before becoming a soldier.
He entered the school carrying Setsuna on his back. The security guards assumed the sword was fake and did not intervene. In the corridor, everyone stared; the students were seeing him for the first time in months.
When he entered the classroom, everyone was astonished. Akira's desk was still empty. He sat down and looked out the window.
The girls in the class were impressed by the change in him over the short time. His aura was completely different. Three bullies noticed and approached him. The muscular one threw his bag at him. Akira didn't react, continuing to gaze out the window as if nothing had happened.
This time, the boy grew angry and grabbed Akira by the throat, lifting him up. Others tried to intervene, but he wouldn't let go.
— Isn't this our loser? Thinks he's cool or something.
The short-haired boy to the right supported his friend.
— And what's with the half purple, half black hair! Nice coloring, though.
Akira's expression remained unchanged.
The tall boy on the left was distracted by Akira's sword. He liked it.
— That's the kind of sword I'd use!
He grabbed it, about to pull it out, when Akira firmly grasped his hand.
— I won't let you do that for your own good.
The boy tried to draw the sword, but Akira's grip was too strong.
— Who do you think you—
Akira grabbed the boy by the arm and slammed him against the wall. He shot a sharp look at the others. They recoiled in fear.
However, the result was serious. Akira found himself expelled from school's grounds. He had accidentally broken the boy's ribs, sending him to the hospital. Muttering, he walked home. The only question on his mind: could he truly return to his old life? This would be very difficult.
He returned home slowly and heavily. He knocked on the door. His grandmother opened it again, smiling.
— Akira, a young man is waiting in your room. He says he's your friend.
Akira, surprised, went to his room. Upon opening the door, he found Arisawa reading a notebook in the chair. He entered and closed the door behind him.
Arisawa put down the notebook and looked at Akira.
— Your grandparents are very kind.
Akira took the notebook from Arisawa.
— Yes, they are.
He hung his jacket and sword.
Arisawa glanced at the sword.
— Did you really go to school with that?
Akira turned to him with a stern expression.
— I'm not considering military service again. And if possible, I don't want to see you again.
Arisawa stood.
— I know… I came to give you a secret mission. Of course, you can take it or leave it.
Akira opened the door.
— You may leave.
Arisawa's expression grew serious.
— There's a suspect likely responsible for killing Mira.
Akira froze.
Arisawa left Akira's room.
— If you're interested, come to the palace.
Akira clenched his fists.
— The one who killed my sister… What should I do?