The battle was over.
The king returned to the capital carrying his son's lifeless body in his arms. His steps were steady, but his eyes carried the weight of a father who had just made an impossible choice.
The battlefield went silent.
He stood before both armies — soldiers and Ranians alike — and raised his voice.
"No more fighting. I have slain the enemy."
The words echoed through Mirumania.
The soldiers stopped. The Ranians lowered their weapons. No one moved.
The war was over.
The soldiers were free.
The Ranians no longer had to fight one another.
Meanwhile, the rest of Team Z gathered inside the palace around Ryo, who lay unconscious.
Zain looked down at him. "How much power did he use?"
The king examined Ryo carefully.
"Judging by how long he's been unconscious… I would say Stage 3."
He paused.
"You know… he could have prevented this from happening."
Ruqayya nodded slightly. "Yeah. But he needs training."
Abraham stepped forward. "Hey old man, be honest. The soldiers we fought… were they really your strongest?"
The king looked at them properly now — their steady breathing, their calm expressions, their untouched reserves of energy.
"It looks like you didn't even use your damik powers. You're all still full of energy. If that's the case… then no. They were not my strongest soldiers."
Tears formed in his eyes as he glanced at his son's body.
"Was this also part of your plan…?"
Benjamin blinked. "Woah. What plan?"
Sulaiman narrowed his eyes. "You know something, old man?"
Ludiga and Rimazu stepped forward and explained everything.
The prince had acted on his own.
He had tried to force change.
Aisha shook her head. "There were so many other ways he could've done that."
Scarlet spoke quietly. "But think about it. Who willingly lets go of something passed down for generations?"
Silence filled the hall.
Ludiga clenched his fists.
"For decades… my family treated you Ranians as tools."
He looked at them directly.
"That changes today. You are humans. Equal to us."
Ruqayya stepped forward. "Thank you for seeing things my way."
Ludiga exhaled.
"Since this kingdom is changing… after I die, there will be no one to take the throne. I could marry again… but no one could replace her."
His gaze landed on Ruqayya.
"I know you are young… but what do you say?"
Ruqayya blinked. "You want me to rule Mirumania?"
Everyone except Ryo shouted at once:
"Go for it!"
Zain added more calmly, "Do whatever you feel is right."
Ruqayya thought for a moment before answering.
"I'll accept the offer… once I come back."
The king frowned slightly. "Come back? From where?"
She pointed at Ryo.
"Helping this sleeping fool with his Raiki. The rest of you got the hang of it… except him."
She turned serious.
"Mirumania has changed. I'll return when the entire world changes as well."
The king nodded slowly.
"Until then… I will keep this kingdom safe."
At those words, Ryo stirred.
He groaned and tried to sit up. "Where… am I?"
Zain chuckled.
Ruqayya leaned closer. "Don't worry. I'll explain everything."
The next day arrived.
Ryo was back on his feet after hearing what had happened.
He stepped outside and found Ruqayya standing alone.
"Why didn't you take the offer?" he asked.
She smirked slightly.
"Remember? I'm going to be the strongest Raiki user."
Behind a nearby wall, the rest of Team Z were listening.
Aisha smiled. "They make a good couple."
Abraham grinned. "Like me and you?"
Aisha rolled her eyes. "Keep dreaming."
Sulaiman muttered, "She deserves better."
Scarlet teased, "Don't worry. He'll have plenty of time for you as well."
Sulaiman turned red instantly. "That's not what I meant!"
His shout gave them away.
Ryo looked toward the wall. "Sulaiman? Is that you?"
The entire team slowly stepped out.
Ruqayya crossed her arms. "Were you guys eavesdropping?"
Zain shrugged. "Maybe."
Ryo shook his head lightly. "Don't mind them. Let's just go to the next country."
As they left the palace, the people of Mirumania gathered to send them off.
Even the once-spoiled residents stood among the crowd.
Change had begun.
Before leaving the capital, Ryo looked at Abraham.
"Are you forgetting something?"
Abraham's eyes widened. "Oh yeah!"
He pulled out the flag he had been making in Mirumania — the same symbol they had left in the other kingdoms.
With the king's permission, Team Z raised the flag high in the center of the kingdom.
A mark of change.
A reminder.
Then they mounted their horses.
Their next destination awaited.
The Land of Advancement — Mivarala.