The carriage rocked gently as the horses pulled them along the uneven road. Seren rode at the front of the first carriage, while Raizo guided the second close, side by side.
Further back, the five bandits followed on horseback.
Inside, the air felt heavier than usual.
Shinju shifted slightly, glancing toward Itsuki.
"…Why did you even bring Shinsuke with us?"
Itsuki didn't answer immediately. His gaze stayed forward, calm as always.
"Because he'll die if he's too far from his sword."
That made Shinju pause.
Ina, sitting across from them, tilted her head slightly, unconvinced.
"…And how exactly do you know that?"
Itsuki finally looked at her.
"I tested it."
The words were simple—too simple.
"The only thing keeping him alive right now… is that sword."
A brief silence followed. The weight of that statement settled over them, but no one pushed further.
In the second carriage Elric,Valko, Shinki, Tashi and Kazan.
Valko studied Elric for a moment.
The prince had been quiet for too long.
"…Is something wrong, Your Highness?"
Elric blinked, then shook his head lightly.
"…It's nothing."
But it didn't sound convincing.
After a moment, he turned slightly, his eyes landing on Itsuki ahead.
"…Tell me something," Elric said. "Is it really true… that Noarah started the war?"
Itsuki didn't hesitate.
"Yes."
Elric exhaled slowly, leaning back.
"I still can't believe it."
His gaze drifted to the passing landscape.
"When I was younger, I met the king of Noarah. He didn't seem like someone capable of something like that…"
He paused, his voice tightening slightly.
"…And even if he was… the legendary samurai would've stopped him."
Itsuki's eyes narrowed just a fraction.
"The legendary samurai?"
Shinju leaned forward a bit.
"You probably haven't heard of him—"
"I have," Itsuki cut in.
That caught their attention.
"The legendary samurai, Kaizoku Renma." Itsuki continued, his tone steady, "a warrior like no other. The strongest of his generation. A hero admired across nations…"
A small pause.
"…and ironically, born in the enemy nation."
The carriage creaked as it rolled over a rough patch.
Elric frowned slightly.
"Then why didn't he stop any of this?"
Itsuki's gaze drifted outward.
"Because no one knows what happened to him."
Silence.
"Some say he died trying to stop the king of Noarah," he went on. "Others believe he simply vanished… abandoned everything… and is still wandering somewhere."
Annoyance flashed across Shinju's face, sharp and impatient."That's just a story people tell themselves because they don't want to accept he's gone."
"And how would you know that?" Ina asked, turning her head slowly. Her eyes narrowed, one brow arched, and her voice carried a pointed edge of doubt.
Shinju's mouth pressed into a thin line. He opened it like he wanted to answer, then shut it again, swallowing the retort. His shoulders stayed tense, and he looked away rather than meet Ina's gaze.
The weight of uncertainty lingered.
Elric lowered his gaze.
"…We're left with rumors for clues. That's not helpful."
A moment passed. Seren, who was at the front riding the carriage, straightened slightly.
"There's no point dwelling on the past."
His voice steadied.
"We focus on what's ahead."
Valko gave a small nod.
"Well said."
Outside, the wind picked up, brushing against the carriages as the journey continued forward.
"We're getting close to…" Seren paused for a second.
"Valemont."
Shinju folded his arms, her expression uneasy.
"…Are you sure we should trust this noble we're about to meet?"
Seren glanced back slightly.
"What brought this on?"
His tone sharpened slightly.
"Because nobles are greedy. Most of them only care about what benefits them." Shinju's eyes narrowed. "Power, money, influence… it's always the same."
Seren gave a small sigh.
"You judge too quickly."
"And you trust too easily."
A faint smile touched Seren's face.
"Not all nobles are the same, Shinju."
Before he could respond, Elric finally spoke.
"The man we're meeting isn't like that."
The carriage quieted slightly as everyone turned toward him.
Elric lowered his gaze for a moment before continuing.
"House Valemont has served the royal family for generations. Their blades protected kings long before I was born."
His voice softened slightly.
"The head of the family… Lord Edmund… was once my father's royal guard."
A brief pause followed.
"They were close friends."
Shinju remained silent.
Elric looked toward the moving road ahead.
"If my father trusted him with his life…" he said quietly, "then I can too."
The carriage rocked gently again as silence settled between them.
Ahead of them, the outline of Valemont slowly began to appear beyond the hills.
By the time they reached the gates, night had already swallowed the town. Torches flickered along the wooden walls, their light barely cutting through the darkness. Two guards stood at the entrance, half-asleep—until they noticed movement.
"Hey… who goes there?"
The group stepped forward.
One of the guards squinted, trying to make out their faces. Then his eyes widened.
"…No way."
The other guard leaned in. "What is it?"
"That's—"
Seren at the front pulled back his hood.
"It's me."
Silence.
For a moment, neither guard spoke. They just stared, like they were looking at a ghost.
"You're… alive?" one of them finally said. "We heard you died… with the prince."
A pause.
Then another voice, more urgent—
"Wait—does that mean… the prince is dead?"
Seren lowered his gaze slightly.
"No. The prince is alive… see for yourself."
The words hit harder than expected.
Prince Elric stepped forward as he lowered the hood of his cloak slowly.
"I need to speak with your Lord."
The guards exchanged looks, shock written all over their faces.
"Sure, Your Highness," one of them muttered. "Follow me.."
Inside the household, word spread quickly.
By the time they reached the Lord house, a few members had already gathered, whispering among themselves.
The door slid open.
Lord Edmund stepped out—the Head of Valemont.
His eyes landed on the returning warrior, and for a brief second, even he looked shaken.
"…You survived, young prince."
"I did."
Lord Edmund exhaled slowly, then nodded. "Come inside."
They sat together in silence for a moment.
Then Edmund's gaze shifted to the others.
"…And who are they?"
Elric gestured toward them. "Allies. They are with me."
Prince Elric pointed toward Itsuki. "He is from the Revolutionary Army, Aokami Itsuki."
"The Revolutionary Army…" Lord Edmund repeated, visibly surprised.
Lord Edmund studied them carefully before giving a short nod.
"We need your help, old man," Seren said.
A brief silence followed.
Shinki leaned slightly toward Tashi and Kazan, lowering his voice.
"…Is that really how he is supposed to speak to a noble?"
Tashi let out a quiet sigh. "Honestly, I thought the same thing."
Kazan folded his arms. "At this rate, we'll be thrown out before the conversation even starts."
Ina shot the three of them a sharp glance.
"Keep your voices down before you make this worse."
Seren explained everything—the journey, the attack, the truth about what happened… and the fall of the prince.
When they finished, the room fell into a heavy silence.
Lord Edmund leaned back, his expression dark.
"…I can't believe it," he murmured. "The king's death was really caused by his brother?"
Elric hands tightened
"Yes."
A brief pause.
"That's why we need your help to get into the capital…. to expose him for the murderer he is."
Lord Edmund looked up.
Seren stepped closer, lowering his voice.
"Father, please. I know the risk. But if anyone can help us, it's you."
Shinju glanced at Seren, his expression shifting slightly.
So he's a Noble too… I shouldn't have said that back there.
Lord Edmund said nothing at first.
He raised his kiseru (long smoking pipe) to his lips and took a slow drag. Smoke curled past his beard as his fingers tapped lightly against the table.
Then—two sharp taps. Ash fell.
Finally, he spoke.
"…If what you're saying is true… then things are worse than I imagined."
The Lord's eyes lingered on Elric for a moment.
And suddenly—
amemory surfaced.
Years ago, the former king stood beside him beneath the palace lanterns, dressed in dark ceremonial robes lined with gold. At his waist rested a polished blade, the symbol of the royal bloodline.
Beside him stood the Lord himself—far younger then—wearing the armor of a royal guard. A dark sleeveless haori draped over his shoulders, the royal crest engraved across the chest plate beneath it.
They walked side by side through the inner halls of the palace. The corridors stretched endlessly with polished wooden floors and towering paper-paneled windows where pale sunlight poured through in soft beams.
Two royal guards followed several steps behind them in complete silence, while attendants and servants moved quietly through the estate—cleaning, carrying scrolls, and bowing as the king passed.
The palace was calm. Peaceful.
The king spoke softly.
"Edmund, look after my son when I'm gone."
Edmund let out a tired sigh.
"That's unfair, Your Majesty. You know I'm about to retire soon, and you should not speak of death so frankly."
A brief laugh escaped the king.
"Then I suppose Seren will have to take your place."
The chief remembered glancing toward his son in the distance—still young, but already climbing through the ranks faster than anyone expected.
"That boy has your skill… but a sharper mind than either of us." The king had said with a faint smile. "One day, he will become a great samurai."
The memory faded.
Silence filled the room once more.
…Perhaps if I had remained at his side…
things would have ended differently.
Lord Edmund spoke.
"…Fine. I'll help you."
The group exchanged glances—relief, but also uncertainty.
He rose to his feet and crossed the room, stopping beside his son.
"I see… the fire in your eyes has returned. But it's only a glimmer of the man you once were."
Seren didn't flinch. His gaze stayed steady, calm as still water.
Lord Edmund turned and made his way toward the door, his hands clasped behind his back.
"I'll prepare for our departure for tomorrow."
The door slid open by a man waiting outside the room.
The Lord stepped out into the corridor, he spoke without looking back.
"Hayato, see that our guests are escorted to their chambers for the night."
Hayato straightened immediately.
"Yes, my lord."
Lord Edmund continued down the hall as two guards silently fell in behind him.
The Empire of Valdoria — The Imperial Throne Chamber.
Voices clashed across the chamber.
"This cannot be serious!"
"You're asking us to risk everything over this?"
"And what happens if this decision backfires on the Empire?!"
The council members argued over one another, their frustration echoing through the vast hall. Some rose halfway from their seats, unable to contain themselves any longer.
At the head of the chamber sat King Zaire, silent as the chaos unfolded before him.
He raised his hand.
"Enough."
The single word cut through the room instantly.
Silence followed.
The king's cold gaze swept across the chamber before settling back ahead.
"I have already heard your concerns."
One of the older council members hesitated before speaking carefully.
"…Your Majesty, are you truly certain about this? If we move forward, there may be no turning back."
Another quickly added,
"This decision could damage the Empire itself."
King Zaire leaned back against his throne.
"I am aware of the risks."
His voice remained calm, but firm enough to crush further argument.
"And my decision will not change."
The chamber grew tense once more.
After a moment, the king continued.
"The announcement will be made during the Festival of Blades."
Several eyes widened slightly.
"During the tournament," Zaire said, "when the people of every province are gathered beneath one banner."
His fingers rested against the arm of his throne.
"This is not a small matter. It is a turning point for the Empire."
Though none openly argued again, dissatisfaction still lingered heavily in the room.
A royal aide standing near the chamber doors stepped forward before bowing slightly.
"Your Majesty, six of the ten ruling houses have already arrived within the capital. Arrangements for the festival are proceeding as planned."
The aide lowered his head further.
"The remaining houses are expected soon."
King Zaire closed his eyes briefly.
Slowly, he raised his hand
"That will conclude today's council."
One by one, the council members began leaving , departing through the massive doors. Their expressions, uneasy.
Near the exit, two members lowered their voices.
"This is madness," one muttered.
"The king is making a mistake."
The other quickly glanced around before speaking under his breath.
"Careful."
His eyes shifted toward the guards lining the walls.
"…The palace has ears."
The Imperial Throne Chamber slowly emptied as the council members departed one after another.
Their footsteps faded into silence.
Only the flickering glow of lantern fire remained.
King Zaire sat motionless upon the throne, one hand resting against the armrest as his gaze lingered somewhere deep in thought.
The towering chamber felt colder now.
After a long silence, the king finally spoke.
"Leave me alone."
The imperial guards standing along the walls immediately lowered their heads.
"Yes, Your Majesty."
One by one, they exited the chamber, the massive doors groaning shut behind them.
Silence.
Complete silence.
The throne room darkened beneath the dim lanternlight.
Then—
something moved.
A shadow slowly stretched from behind the throne itself.
Quiet.
Almost unnatural.
A pale hand emerged from the darkness and rested lightly against the king's left shoulder.
King Zeri didn't react.
Didn't flinch.
As though he had expected it.
From the shadows behind the throne, a figure leaned forward slightly.
Its face remained hidden beneath the darkness, impossible to make out clearly.
Only a smile could be seen.
Wide.
Unsettling.
And then—
two faint eyes opened within the dark.
The figure's voice came softly, almost amused.
"…So it finally begins."