The great clan wars in Shadowia had finally come to an end. The Kurotsume Clan now ruled as the undisputed leader of Shadowia. After Xers's triumph with Gomerai, the rivers of blood had at last stopped flowing.Both Xers and Hanken had reached the age of twenty. They were now part of Kurotsume's elite operations army—two of its strongest warriors.
Over the past five years, Xers had trained tirelessly alongside Gomerai, pushing his G-Technic to the Third Stage. There were hardly any obstacles left that could stand in his way.Hanken's situation, however, was far more troubling.
He had fallen gravely ill—so much that even the wisest doctors of Kurotsume couldn't determine the source of his sickness.
"Doctor, do you truly have no idea what's wrong with him?"
"Unfortunately, no. This is the first time we've encountered such a case. But we'll do everything we can."
"So what are we supposed to do then? Just wait?"
"Rest is the most crucial part of recovery. We must have him rest for at least a month. If his condition worsens, we'll attempt a healing spell—but using magic could make it impossible for him to ever bond with a mask again. That's why he must rest."
By the fifteenth day of rest, Hanken's condition had worsened drastically. He could no longer stand—barely able to eat or speak. The doctors asked him once again if he wanted to undergo magical treatment.
"Hanken, your condition is declining. If you wish, we can begin magic therapy."
"And what good would that do?"
"It will grant you resistance against counter-spells… but it could also make it impossible for any mask to accept you again. You might be discharged from the army."
"Never! I— coughs —I swore to protect my homeland with my life!"
Xers intervened.
"Don't be stupid, Hanken! If things get worse, what are we supposed to do—just watch you die?!"
"I can't break my oath, Xers! You know that!"
"But your life is more important! You've already saved your homeland once, five years ago. Let us be the ones to protect you this time!"
"No, Xers! I won't change my decision. Yes, we care about each other—but we are here for the sake of good. Doctor, I refuse the magical treatment."
"N-No, doctor! You can't be serious!"
"I'm afraid it's his own choice. Please, step outside."
And so Hanken continued to rest.
By the twenty-fifth day, his condition took a dire turn—he had fallen into a coma.
"D-Doctor! He's not responding to anything! Not even sound or touch—has he died?!"
The doctor rushed into the room and examined him carefully.
"It seems Hanken has fallen into a coma. His pulse remains steady, but he's completely unresponsive to sound, light, or touch. Since he refused magic therapy, there's nothing more we can do."
"W-WHAT?! You're just going to watch him die?!"
"There's nothing else we can do. It was his free will."
"…You're right, doctor."
Xers left the room with sorrow weighing on his chest.He sat in the garden outside the rest house, lost in deep thought.
"So now I'm losing Hanken too? No way… How many more people will I have to lose? Still, I must stay strong. The world needs me. I can't let Gomerai down."
Moments later, several sorcerers from Kurotsume approached him.
"What is it?"
"Captain Xers, our commander requests your presence. Would you accompany us to the palace?"
"Of course."
As Xers walked through the streets toward the palace, memories of the past flooded his mind.He passed by the old marketplace—the place where he had first awakened Gomerai. The ruins still lay in disrepair.
"Wow… I remember how angry I was back then. I couldn't even control Gomerai properly. Now, she helps me with my training—teaching me new techniques every day. But still, it feels like she doesn't completely trust me… like she's holding something back, as if there's a greater power within me she refuses to reveal. Maybe she's afraid I'll fall to darkness. But I'm earning her trust, little by little. She can hear me right now, I'm sure of it. Gomerai… I was born to do good. You know that, don't you? That's why Heaven chose me."
At last, Xers arrived at the palace.
"Captain Xers, we have arrived. Commander Ashri is expecting you."
Xers walked through the grand palace gates, where sorcerers lined the hall to greet him. All at once, their voices echoed:
"WELCOME, CAPTAIN XERS! IT IS AN HONOR TO SEE YOU!"
He could hardly believe it.Once, he had been a poor orphan.Now, he was a respected warrior—admired by thousands.
He climbed the marble stairs slowly, making his way to the commander's office.He knocked gently.
"You may enter."