Inside the Lorum mansion office, the atmosphere was still slightly buzzing from the aftermath of the forest spar.
Saito was sitting at the table, still visibly energized—his fingers occasionally twitching like he was replaying the fight in his head.
"…That was insane…"
Shiro stood nearby with his usual calm smile, watching him quietly.
Then he stepped forward and placed a document on the table.
Saito blinked.
"…What's this?"
Shiro tapped the paper lightly.
"Blue Scarf Saito."
"Let's make an alliance."
The room instantly shifted.
The mayors straightened.
Rick frowned slightly.
"…Saito, you should think carefully about this."
Kaito glanced at the document without speaking.
Bomb crossed his arms.
Even Fein's eyes narrowed slightly.
Saito slowly looked down at the contract.
Then back at Shiro.
A moment of silence passed.
"…I agree."
"But only if it benefits both sides."
Shiro's smile widened slightly.
"…It will."
Then he added casually,
"…Also, I propose Yein Village comes under my influence."
A brief pause filled the room.
Saito nodded once.
"…Fine."
Fein let out a small amused breath.
"…Heh. An alliance…"
"This is a big step for you, kid."
Saito sat forward, picked up the pen, and signed the contract.
The ink settled on the paper.
Final.
Official.
He then stood up and extended his hand.
Shiro accepted it immediately.
Their handshake was firm.
"…It's my pleasure to be your friend, Shiro."
"I hope we can work together for our people."
Shiro's eyes softened slightly.
"…Likewise."
A calm smile remained on his face as the alliance between Blue Scarf and White Hat was officially formed.
The next morning, the Lorum mansion office was unusually quiet—except for the sound of papers being flipped rapidly.
Saito sat at the desk, surrounded by stacks of documents on both sides like small walls.
He leaned back slightly, letting out a long groan.
"…Takashi… this is too much."
Across from him, Takashi didn't even look up from his own paperwork.
"…I can't help you with that."
"You need to review it properly."
Saito slumped forward.
"…Why is there so much paperwork now?"
Takashi finally glanced at him.
"…Because you have responsibilities."
He tapped one of the documents.
"…Village supplies, trade routes, guard rotations, alliance coordination…"
Saito blinked.
"…Alliance coordination?"
He leaned forward slightly.
"…Preparation for what?"
Takashi adjusted his glasses calmly.
"…Tomorrow is the anniversary."
Saito tilted his head.
"…Anniversary?"
Takashi continued.
"The day you saved this village."
"And the formation of your alliances with the other villages."
He paused slightly.
"…Fein insisted on holding a ceremony."
Saito's expression immediately changed.
"…A ceremony?"
Takashi nodded.
"…It will strengthen your influence across your territory."
Saito slowly leaned back in his chair, pouting slightly.
"…But this is too much work…"
Takashi didn't hesitate.
"…Then no more steak."
Saito froze instantly.
"…You wouldn't."
Takashi stared at him.
Silence.
Saito sighed dramatically and grabbed the papers again.
"…Fine…"
"…I'll do it."
After hours of paperwork, Saito finally stepped out of the mansion.
The moment he reached the outside air, his shoulders loosened slightly.
The village center was already full of movement.
Villagers were setting up decorations—colorful banners, wooden arches, and lantern frames being carefully placed along the main street.
The upcoming ceremony was clearly being treated as something important.
As Saito walked through the area, people immediately noticed him.
"Sir Saito!"
"Good morning!"
"Over here, this decoration looks better, right?"
He raised a hand slightly, smiling.
"…Morning."
The casual greeting made several villagers brighten immediately as they returned to their work with more energy.
Takeru soon approached from the side, hands in his pockets.
"…Looking for fresh air?"
Saito stretched his arms slightly.
"…I worked until my hand went numb."
"…I deserve this."
Takeru chuckled.
"…Fair enough."
Saito glanced toward the center gate where several Wolfbeasts were seen boarding Hiraki Village carriages.
He tilted his head.
"…What's that about?"
Takeru followed his gaze.
"…Mayor Gein requested it."
"He wants my people to undergo military training with his soldiers."
Saito nodded slowly.
"…I see."
Takeru sighed lightly.
"…And that's not all."
"Mayor John is planning to bring fire performers to the ceremony."
Saito blinked.
"…Fire performers?"
Takeru nodded.
"…And other villages are sending visitors too."
Saito rubbed his forehead slightly.
"…This is turning into a festival…"
Takeru smirked.
"…Pretty much."
A brief silence passed.
Saito looked around at the growing preparations, then suddenly spoke.
"…Hey."
Takeru turned.
"…What?"
Saito thought for a moment.
"…What if we build a hall?"
Takeru blinked.
"…A hall?"
Saito nodded, his eyes sharpening slightly as the idea formed.
"…For gatherings like this."
"We have the workers."
"It won't take long."
Takeru stared at him for a second, then smiled.
"…That's actually a good idea."
He turned immediately.
"…I'll go tell them right away."
Saito nodded casually.
"…Yeah."
He watched as Takeru walked off, then glanced back at the busy village—
the preparations, the people, the growing energy of something much larger than a simple ceremony beginning to take shape.
Saito walked along the village path, still thinking about the hall idea, when something unusual caught his attention near the side street.
Kaito and Bomb were standing there.
But they were not alone.
A group of village girls had surrounded them, speaking excitedly and blocking their way forward.
Saito immediately slowed his steps and instinctively slipped behind a wooden wall, peeking out carefully.
Kaito let out a tired sigh.
"…Sorry, but I'm not interested."
One of the girls leaned closer, undeterred.
"Please, Sir Kaito! I'm serious!"
Kaito gently shook his head.
"…That's not something I can accept."
The girls puffed their cheeks in disappointment and turned toward Bomb instead.
"…Then what about you, Sir Bomb?"
"…Will you be my husband?"
Immediately, another girl snapped back.
"Hey! I asked first!"
"No, I did!"
"Move!"
Bomb raised both hands slightly, stepping back.
"…Sorry. I'm also not interested."
The girls froze for a moment—
then all let out disappointed sighs.
"…Ehhhhh…"
Slowly, they began to turn away.
Saito stayed hidden behind the wall, trying not to get noticed.
But just as the girls walked past—
one of them suddenly spotted him.
Their eyes lit up instantly.
"…Sir Saito!"
Saito froze completely.
"…Oh no."
Before he could even move—
the group immediately changed direction and started walking toward him.
"Sir Saito!"
"Wait, please!"
Saito stood perfectly still for a split second, realizing there was no escape route.
"…I'm dead."
The girls immediately started arguing again in front of Saito.
"…I said I'm marrying Sir Saito first!"
"No, I was here first!"
"Move aside!"
The noise escalated quickly—
until Fiona's voice cut through the chaos.
"…Ehrm."
Fiona stood at the edge of the path, arms crossed, watching them with a flat expression.
The girls immediately stopped.
"…Fiona…"
One by one, they awkwardly backed away, muttering before leaving the area entirely.
Saito let out a small breath of relief.
"…Thanks, Fiona. You saved me."
Fiona didn't even look impressed.
"…I'm not here for that."
She stepped forward and handed him a document.
Saito blinked.
"…What's this?"
Fiona replied bluntly.
"…My father wants your approval."
Saito opened the paper slowly.
"…For what?"
Fiona sighed.
"…Green Carrot delivery."
Saito paused.
"…Green… carrot?"
Fiona nodded.
"…He bred carrots with lettuce."
Saito stared at her.
"…That's not how farming works."
Fiona's eye twitched slightly.
"…Tell that to him, not me."
She crossed her arms tighter.
"…He insists it's a new product and wants your approval instead of mine."
Saito looked at her carefully.
"…I can hear the disgust in your voice."
Fiona immediately replied.
"…We have the right to deliver whatever we want."
"It's just annoying needing your approval for everything."
Saito shrugged slightly.
"…I don't really care."
"As long as it's not poison, Grizzly can send whatever they want to other villages."
Fiona blinked once.
"…Seriously?"
Saito nodded.
"…Seriously."
A brief pause followed.
Fiona looked at him for a moment longer than usual.
"…You're weirdly reasonable sometimes."
Then she turned and walked off without another word, leaving Saito standing in the middle of the path again, still recovering from the chaos of the girls and now processing "Green Carrot."