Morning came quietly over Eryndral.
Light filtered through the leaves of the Eidarus Tree, breaking into thousands of colors as it touched the forest city below. Dew clung to the bridges and roots, and the air smelled of wet bark and clean soil. After weeks of chaos, the forest finally felt alive again.
The battle with Selaphine had scarred the capital, but it had also united it. Where broken branches once hung, new shoots had already begun to grow. The forest healed itself faster than anyone expected.
Even the air carried a pulse of renewal, faint whispers of Seiki humming through the roots like a heartbeat shared by the city itself.
From every walkway and balcony, the citizens gathered. They filled the Grand Plaza in quiet reverence, waiting beneath the morning sun. Soldiers lined the edges, their armor gleaming with the symbol of the Verdant Veil, a silver vine curled around a lotus of gold. The sound of leaves brushing together replaced the usual chatter. The canopy shimmered above them like stained glass, sunlight bending through emerald leaves to bathe the crowd in soft light.
The great doors of the central hall opened. Hajime Takeshi, Rei Kurayami, and Izumi Rin stepped into view.
A single voice called out from the crowd. "There they are!"
Cheers followed. The people of Eryndral raised their arms and scattered handfuls of petals into the air. The petals drifted slowly, glowing faintly as they fell.
"Thank you for saving the canopy!" "Bless you heroes!"
Hajime froze for a moment. The sheer number of voices pressed on him harder than any battle. He had never seen gratitude like this, not since Eisenwald. His throat tightened. For the first time in a long while, he didn't feel like a survivor. He felt like someone who had actually saved something.
Izumi smiled softly.
Rei folded his arms, glancing toward the cheering crowd. "Never thought I'd see The Verdant Veil thanking me."
Hajime grinned faintly. "You say that like it's a bad thing."
Rei smirked sideways, trying to hide the rare warmth crossing his face. Even his usual edge softened under the forest's glow.
They walked toward the raised platform at the center of the plaza. Queen Sylvara waited at the top, radiant as ever. Her silver-green robes shimmered with threads of light that pulsed gently like Seiki itself. Around her stood Commander Takahiro Izanami, his Staff of Eden grounded beside him, and the two Verdant Lords who remained in the capital. Masanori Shigure, – Will of Elijah (エリヤの意志 / Eriya no Ishi), tall and sharp-eyed, and Ayumu Hayate, – Will of Noah (ノアの意志 / Noa no Ishi), calm and steady.
Behind them, vines parted to reveal waterfalls running down the roots, catching the light like threads of crystal. Eryndral was showing its gratitude in every living form.
When the trio approached, every soldier dropped to one knee. The sound echoed across the plaza like a heartbeat.
Sylvara's voice carried over the silence. "Hajime Takeshi of Eisenwald, Rei Kurayami of the Celestine Order, and Izumi Rin of the Verdant Veil. You stood before ruin and did not waver. For that, the Verdant Veil thanks you."
She bowed her head slightly. This was a very rare gesture from a Queen.
Hajime lowered his eyes. "We only did what we had to. Anyone would have done the same."
Takahiro stepped forward, staff resting against his shoulder. "Thank you, from the bottom of our hearts. I'm sorry we didn't come to help. We heard news of an other worldly attack on Lord Hayate Tsubasa of the Celestine Order, in Zebulum, so we went on patrol throughout various regions of the Veil."
Masanori laughed loudly. "Apparently, Hayate almost got vaporized by some kid, HAHAHA!"
Ayumu frowned faintly. "No other reports came in about this. I'm assuming all other witnesses died."
Rei rubbed the back of his neck, embarrassed. "Aww man, Hayate is never going to shut up about this... Thank you for the intel, you've done well."
Izumi covered a small laugh behind her hand. Hajime tilted his head, quietly enjoying that even Rei could act human.
Sylvara turned her gaze toward Izumi, Rei, and Hajime. "I have faith you three came together for a reason. Whatever that destiny may be, I know you will reach it together. Therefore, Izumi, I relieve you of your lordship, and you are hereby free to go and do as you please without restrictions."
Izumi bowed deeply. "Thank you, Your Grace. I can't express my gratitude enough."
The soft shimmer of leaves surrounded her as if the forest itself recognized her freedom.
A large cheer mixed with happy laughter rippled through the soldiers.
Sylvara's smile lingered as she faced Hajime again. "You've made your decision, haven't you?"
"Yes, Your Grace," he said. "We'll head to Solarii."
Rei's expression hardened slightly, his voice quieter. "The capital won't welcome you two easily, but we have to find out what the hell happened in Zebulum."
The Queen's tone softened. "Then Eryndral will not hold you any longer. But you must promise one thing. Wherever your path leads, do not forget about your human wills."
"I'll remember," Hajime said. "Even when mercy seems impossible."
His words carried weight—soft but unshakable. Somewhere deep within him, Adam's Will stirred in silent approval.
Takahiro approached him, placing a hand over his chest where the faint pulse of gold light still flickered. "Adam's Will chose you for a reason. You carry humanity's defiance and its compassion. You're going to shake things up nicely."
"You think so?" Hajime grinned.
Takahiro's grin matched his. The two shared a look that said more than the ceremony ever could.
From the edge of the platform, a group of children ran forward before the guards could stop them. They carried small woven crowns of vines and blossoms. One girl held hers up to Izumi.
"This is for you, Lady Healer," she said shyly. "For saving my brother."
Izumi knelt and smiled, accepting the gift with both hands. "Thank you. I'll wear it when I need courage."
The girl's smile bloomed wider than the flowers she held, and her smile was a reflection of pure innocence.
Another boy looked up at Hajime. "You punched the chain lady in the face, right?"
The crowd chuckled. Hajime crouched slightly so he was eye-level with the boy. "Something like that."
"Then you're my hero," the child said proudly before running back into the crowd.
Rei leaned close and muttered, "Careful, they'll build statues next."
Hajime rolled his eyes. "Keep dreaming."
Queen Sylvara lifted her hand once more. The crowd fell silent. "The time has come. The heroes of Eryndral will journey forth. Let the gates open and the forest send them off with light."
The soldiers raised their spears, crossing them overhead to form an arch of living branches. Seiki flowed through the wood, creating a tunnel of green light that stretched toward the great gates.
As the trio began their walk, people reached out to touch the air near them, not daring to interfere but desperate to feel close to those who had changed their fate. Blessings were whispered.
"Safe travels, children of the forest." "May your roots never forget home." "Thank you for everything."
Hajime walked slowly, his hands at his sides. Every few steps, another memory of Eisenwald flickered through his mind. The smell of smoke, the sound of screams, the weight of Adam's hand upon his chest. That same warmth now pulsed quietly under his skin. This time, he was leaving a city alive and thriving, rather than in ruins. The contrast hit him harder than any victory could. Life was finally winning.
Halfway down the path, he turned to look back. The plaza glowed beneath the Eidarus canopy. Queen Sylvara stood beside Takahiro and raised the Staff of Eden. A beam of green light arched upward, splitting into hundreds of smaller rays that showered the city. The people cheered again, voices blending with the song of the forest.
For a moment, even Rei stood still, his usual smirk fading as he whispered something under his breath, too soft for anyone to hear.
Izumi's eyes shimmered. "It's beautiful."
Rei nodded slightly. "I've seen better."
Takahiro's voice carried over the crowd. "Wherever you walk, remember the light that guides you!"
Rei called back. "Give it a rest already and quit all that screaming, would you?"
Takahiro smirked. "You really like making dramatic exits."
Rei grinned over his shoulder.
They reached the great gates at the base of the city. Massive wooden arches twisted open, revealing the sunlit valley beyond. Wind rushed in, carrying the scent of earth and rain. For a moment, none of them moved. The world outside felt vast again.
The three of them continued down the road, their shadows stretching long behind them. The city of Eryndral glimmered in the distance like a living memory, a forest of light bidding its heroes goodbye, for now.
Above the canopy, the light of dawn broke fully, painting the sky gold. Their journey toward Solarii had just begun.