Kaito let out a breath.
"Phew..."
"He just fainted."
He carefully lowered Saito to the ground, making sure he was settled before turning back toward Void.
Void lay there, breathing shallow, mask still cracked.
"Looks like your captain is strong."
Kaito nodded quietly.
"He is."
He knelt down slightly, looking at Void with a mix of sorrow and resolve.
"It doesn't have to end this way."
Void's gaze drifted toward the sky above the trees.
"It has to."
Footsteps approached from the tree line.
Norway stepped into the clearing, surveying the wreckage — scorched earth, broken branches, Void lying defeated on the ground.
His officers filed in behind him, weapons ready.
Norway walked forward slowly, stopping just above Void.
"Void."
His voice was firm, official.
"You are under arrest."
"For endangering the lives of the royal family."
Void remained silent, staring blankly up at the night sky, completely defeated.
No resistance.
No words.
Just silence.
Inside the mansion, medics rushed to Darren's side, working quickly to treat his wound.
Outside, the rest of the Blue Scarf crew arrived, taking in the wreckage scattered across the mansion grounds.
Rin's eyes widened.
"Woah..."
"What happened here?"
Alya glanced around, scanning the area.
"Where's Saito and Kaito?"
Martha pointed toward the tree line.
"They're in the forest."
Bomb adjusted his mask.
"Let's go."
The group moved quickly toward the forest, pushing through the brush—
Then stopped.
Ahead of them, Kaito knelt beside Saito, holding him steady.
Nearby, Norway stood over Void, officers surrounding him, restraining his arms.
The group watched in stunned silence as the officers escorted Void toward a waiting carriage.
Norway turned to his men.
"Take him to the jail."
"Keep him under heavy watch."
"Yes, sir!"
The carriage doors shut, wheels creaking as it rolled away into the night.
Kaito rose slowly, carrying Saito toward the group.
Fanny stepped forward first.
"Is he okay?"
Kaito nodded.
"Yeah... he's fine."
Alya raised her device, running a quick scan over Saito.
"He's lost a lot of auris."
"He'll need rest."
Kaito nodded again, adjusting his hold.
Martha gestured toward the mansion.
"You can put him here first."
They moved inside, Kaito gently laying Saito down on a nearby bed.
Marquis and Aria entered the room moments later, watching quietly.
Marquis's eyes softened as he looked at Saito's resting form.
"He succeeded..."
"He defeated Void."
Hours later, Saito's eyes fluttered open.
He blinked against the light, groaning as he sat up slightly.
"Crap... what happened?"
Alya stepped closer, setting her device aside.
"You fainted."
Saito rubbed his head, glancing around the room.
"Where's Void?"
Kaito stepped forward, arms crossed, a small smile forming.
"You defeated him."
"You won, Saito."
Saito blinked, processing the words slowly.
"...I did?"
A pause.
Then a grin spread across his face.
"Wow."
Bomb chuckled from the corner of the room.
"Nice one, Captain."
Rin leaned against the wall, nodding.
"Kaito already told us everything that happened in the forest."
Fanny crossed her arms, smirking.
"You're cool, you know that?"
Saito stretched, letting out a satisfied breath.
"Heh..."
"It's me you're talking about."
He glanced around at the crew, still grinning despite his exhaustion.
"Of course I'd win."
Marquis stepped into the room.
"Sorry to disturb your rest, Saito."
Saito straightened slightly.
"Your Highness."
Marquis gave a small nod toward the door.
"Come outside."
"There's something you need to see."
Saito rose slowly, wincing as pain shot through his head.
Alya glanced at him, concerned.
"You okay?"
"I'm fine."
He steadied himself and followed Marquis out of the room.
They stepped outside the mansion, the cool night air settling around them.
Ahead, Alpha stood waiting, along with Martha and Aria.
Saito's eyes landed on him.
"Alpha..."
Alpha gave a small nod, a faint smile forming.
"Well done."
"Defeating Void."
Marquis stepped forward, gesturing toward the group.
"And as a thanks..."
"As a representative of Roma City's civilians..."
"I'll show you your gift."
Saito blinked.
"A gift?"
His eyes lit up slightly.
"What kind of gift?"
Marquis turned toward his soldiers standing near the flagpole and gave a firm nod.
The soldiers responded immediately.
They raised the first flag.
Roma's banner unfurled — a red sword positioned in the center of a tree.
Then the second flag rose beside it.
The Balance Table's symbol — a balanced scale, ⚖️ — fluttered in the wind.
Then, finally, a third flag climbed the pole.
Blue Scarf's flag.
Two swords crossed at the center, a small village symbol resting between them.
Saito stared up at it, breath caught in his throat.
"...Wow."
Marquis smiled, watching the flags wave together in the night breeze.
"From now on..."
"Your flag will fly beside ours."
Saito rubbed the back of his neck, smiling faintly.
"I don't know what to say."
Marquis placed a hand on his shoulder.
"You and your crew saved us from Void."
"Protecting our Roma Spotlight..."
"...by putting your own lives on the line."
Alpha nodded in agreement, arms folded.
Saito lowered his head slightly.
"Thank you."
Martha stepped forward, shaking her head with a smile.
"No..."
"Thank you, Saito."
"You and your crew."
Beyond the mansion gates, a growing sound rose into the night.
Cheers.
Applause.
The civilians of Roma City had gathered outside, waving banners, clapping loudly as they caught sight of Saito and his crew.
Saito turned toward the gate, staring out at the crowd, momentarily speechless.
Behind him, the rest of the Blue Scarf crew watched in quiet awe, taking in the moment together.
Then—
Fanny's eyes caught someone familiar standing near the front of the crowd.
Her breath caught.
"Dad!!"
She sprinted forward, closing the distance quickly, and threw her arms around him.
Malfoy chuckled warmly, hugging her back.
"Good to see you again, darling."
Saito walked up behind them, smiling.
"Malfoy."
Malfoy looked over Fanny's shoulder, giving a respectful nod.
"Sir Saito..."
"Congratulations."
Saito raised a hand, giving him a confident thumbs-up.
Malfoy grinned, gesturing toward the crowd.
"How about I serve you all some of my great wine?"
"What do you say?"
Kaito's eyes lit up instantly.
"Oh, we must agree on that."
Saito laughed, shaking his head.
"Can't argue with that."
A familiar voice called out from nearby.
"Don't worry about the cost."
Henry stepped forward, straightening his jacket.
"I'll pay for you all."
Saito turned, surprised.
"Henry, you're here too?"
Henry smirked, adjusting his collar.
"Of course."
"After all..."
"From now on, your flag will be raised at my company as well."
He gestured toward the mansion's flagpole in the distance.
"So we're technically under your banner now."
Saito raised an eyebrow, a small grin forming.
"I see."
He glanced around at the gathered crowd, his crew, and the flags fluttering above the mansion.
"Guess Roma City's ours to protect now."
Inside Malfoy's bar in Jaha Town, the crew gathered together, laughter and chatter filling the room.
Malfoy stood behind the counter, hands still trembling slightly as he glanced toward three particular figures seated near the back.
"Never thought..."
"My bar would be visited by the royal family."
Saito leaned back in his chair, grinning.
"Better get used to it now."
He laughed, raising his glass.
Bomb joined in, chuckling loudly beside him.
Fanny let out a soft laugh, shaking her head at the scene.
From across the room, Marquis raised his glass slightly.
"Sir Malfoy."
"Another drink, please."
Malfoy straightened quickly, snapping into motion.
"Coming right up, Your Highness!"
He hurried off, still muttering to himself in disbelief, weaving between tables as the celebration continued late into the night.