Lior and Yuki walked side by side through a bustling city within the Shin Kingdom.
Yuki's eyes sparkled as he looked around.
"Wow… this city is smaller than Agram City, but there are still so many people!"
The streets were alive—people walking in every direction, carriages and vehicles moving constantly, filling the air with noise and motion.
Lior glanced around calmly.
"Hmm… that's probably because this is a tycoon city."
Yuki tilted his head, confused.
"A tycoon city?"
"Yeah," Lior replied. "You should remember this from first class. Even though Ninipal City is small, it's considered one of the top cities in the Shin Kingdom. That's because it's a tycoon city. Many of the kingdom's richest people either live here or run their businesses from here."
"Ohh…" Yuki nodded slowly. "Then… Pretty's family too?"
"Yeah," Lior said. "They have multiple businesses here—clothing, farms, import-export, and more."
"I see…"
Suddenly, Lior stopped.
"…Yeah. We're here."
They stood in front of a massive, luxurious hotel. Yuki looked up at the towering building, then turned to Lior.
"Why are we here?"
Lior sighed lightly.
"We haven't slept on a proper bed for a long time. Now that we're in the city, it's only natural to rest properly, right?"
"Um… yeah…"
"Then why settle for an ordinary bed?" Lior smirked slightly. "Why not a five-star hotel? This place belongs to the Sharta family. Since Pretty is their friend, we might even get a discount."
"I see… I see…"
Then Yuki suddenly froze.
"But wait—you're the prince of this kingdom. You could stay anywhere for free. Why are you paying?"
Lior placed his hand on his face in disbelief.
"Oh man…"
He looked at Yuki like he had just asked the most ridiculous question possible.
"Did you forget? This mission is secret. We can't reveal who we are."
"Oh—yeah, yeah!! Sorry! Tehe~"
"...Now let's go."
"Yup!"
The two of them walked inside.
Meanwhile…
Shai and Nimi were at an amusement park, walking together among the crowd.
Nimi suddenly pointed ahead excitedly.
"Whoa! Look! It's a giant ride!!"
"Yeah…" Shai smiled. "Want to go?"
"Yup, yup!"
"Then let's go."
Shai grabbed her hand and led her to the roller coaster. Soon, they were seated side by side as the ride began.
The surrounding noise was loud—crowds cheering, metal tracks rattling—and as the coaster surged forward, Nimi instinctively grabbed Shai's hand tightly.
Her hair flowed wildly in the wind.
"Yuu—huu!!"
"Ahh—hen-hen!!"
After a while, she relaxed… and started enjoying it.
"Yuu-huu!!"
Shai looked at her and smiled warmly.
Seeing his expression, Nimi suddenly went quiet. A soft smile appeared on her face as she spoke in a calm, low voice.
"I'm going to tell my father… about our relationship."
Shai blinked, confused, his expression turning serious.
"…Our relationship?"
"Yeah," she said. "About us."
"…W-what 'us'?"
"Hey! Don't joke—you know what I mean!"
She turned slightly, clearly annoyed, while Shai laughed awkwardly.
"Hahaha… sorry, sorry!"
"Hmph!"
Meanwhile…
In the Adhan Kingdom…
Inside a grand palace room, Deku sat calmly on a sofa. In front of him, across a table, sat a mysterious figure—the Maskman.
Behind Deku stood Indra, silent and watchful.
The Maskman spoke first.
"So… why did you call me?"
Deku leaned forward slightly.
"I'll get straight to the point. About three or four months ago… you destroyed a village, right?"
The Maskman shrugged.
"I've destroyed many. Which one are you talking about?"
"It doesn't matter," Deku replied. "What matters is… one of the villagers survived."
"I see… so what?"
Deku smirked faintly.
"I thought you might want to know who he is."
"It doesn't matter," the Maskman said coldly. "If he was useful, I would've used him—or killed him. The fact that he's alive means he's irrelevant."
"I see…" Deku nodded. "Well, his name is Mass. Somehow, he survived… and he managed to revive the ancient Oni race."
The Maskman's interest was piqued.
"...Interesting."
"And now," Deku continued, "that Oni race is serving him. His only goal is to kill the person who destroyed his village."
"I see…" The Maskman leaned back slightly. "So what did you tell him? I assume you didn't mention me."
Deku chuckled.
"As clever as always, sir. No, I didn't tell him about you. Instead… I gave him another name."
"Oh? Who?"
"A warrior from a thousand years ago… Rana."
"I see… so he's still alive."
"Yes," Deku replied. "Now, back to the point—I didn't reveal your identity because there was no profit in it for me."
"I understand," the Maskman said. "So what do you want?"
"Nothing!"
Deku said it loudly—then repeated more calmly.
"I need nothing… Just… if you could show me your face once…"
The Maskman relaxed slightly.
"I don't know what you're planning against me…"
"Hahaha… how could I plan against you, sir?" Deku smiled. "It's just… I've known you for so long, yet I've never seen your face."
The Maskman let out a faint laugh.
"I won't show it. And I don't care if you reveal my identity. If needed… I'll simply kill anyone who learns it."
"Hehe… why would I do that?" Deku said. "I don't even know who you really are. I don't even know your real name…"
"...True," the Maskman said.
Then, after a pause—
"How about this? As a reward for your loyalty… I'll tell you a name."
Deku's eyes widened in excitement.
"Really?! Yes—please tell me! Even if it's not your real name!"
"Hmm…"
The Maskman stood up slowly.
"You can call me… Soumya."
"Soumya…" Deku repeated, smiling. "I won't forget this name!"
"I don't care," the man replied coldly. "It's not even my real name."
"Even so… thank you, Sir Soumya."
Soumya turned and began to walk away.
"If our business is done… I'll be leaving."
"Yes, of course…"
Deku stood up as well.
Soumya left the room.
Silence filled the space.
Deku's expression slowly darkened as he thought to himself—
I don't know who you are… or what you're planning…
But as long as I stay on your good side… I'll always be the one who profits.