In the smoking rubble, a sinister black flame still burned deep within the abyss…
Dust and ash spread across the courtyard, making the air thick and heavy. The survivors stumbled out of the ruins, coughing, some collapsing to their knees as the reality of their escape sank in.
"Is everyone alright?"
Leroy asked, his voice hoarse as he covered his mouth with his arm, scanning the crowd with worry.
"Everyone made it, Your Majesty."
Serphina approached, her dark armor scuffed and dented, but her tone steady.
"Some are injured, but nothing too serious."
Leroy exhaled in relief, nodding… until his eyes caught sight of the Judge.
The elderly man was slumped against a broken pillar, blood running down his forehead, two soldiers struggling to keep him upright.
"Judge!"
Leroy rushed forward, kneeling at his side.
The Judge gave him a faint smile, shaking his head as if to say it's nothing.
"Just a scratch. Worry about the others first."
"No."
Leroy's voice hardened as he grabbed the old man's hand, refusing to let go.
"You need to worry about yourself too, Judge."
The Judge let out a soft chuckle, amused despite the blood on his face. His eyes—still sharp, still commanding even through age—looked into Leroy's with a rare warmth. Slowly, he placed his second hand over Leroy's, gripping it firmly.
"Your Majesty, I've lived long enough to see countless trials, countless rulers. But tonight, this man Skyler Adriel…"
The Judge's smile deepened, faint but genuine.
"…I have seen it clearly. I'll let you make the decision. For whatever the outcome may be, to protect our nation, Your Majesty."
Leroy's throat tightened. For once, the weight on his shoulders felt heavier and yet lighter at the same time.
"...Thank you, Judge."
The medics finally arrived, rushing toward the Judge. Bandages and healing herbs were quickly applied as they lifted him away. Seeing that he was in good hands, Leroy exhaled softly and turned to leave.
That was when he spotted them—Skyler and Aina, standing together a little apart from the crowd.
Leroy's steps slowed. Then, firmly, he walked toward them.
"Skyler…"
He called.
Skyler didn't answer right away. His eyes remained cold, his expression unreadable. The silence stretched on, heavy with unspoken years between them.
And then—
"…Hey."
Just a single word. Quiet, restrained, as though it had been locked behind chains for far too long.
Leroy's eyes widened slightly.
"Heh…"
A faint, genuine smile curved Leroy's lips.
For the first time in years, it wasn't just silence between them.
Taking a deep breath, Leroy's gaze sharpened.
"Skyler. Earlier, with that boss. His body was consumed by something… a curse. Is that the same reason you couldn't speak the truth before?"
Skyler's expression wavered. His lips pressed into a thin line. Then, slowly, he closed his eyes and gave a single, heavy nod.
Leroy's fists clenched.
"…So it's true."
"Why do you have that, Skyler?"
Leroy pressed, his voice tightening.
"Even back then, when we were young… I never saw you suffer from something like this."
At last, Skyler's eyes opened. For a moment, Leroy saw not the cold, hardened man before him, but the boy he once knew—burdened, scarred, yet still carrying the same pain.
"…Because of that time, Leroy."
The words struck like a blade.
Leroy froze, his chest tightening. He knew exactly what Skyler was referring to. A certain moment. That night. The past that still chained them both.
"…I see, so it really was that time."
Leroy whispered, his voice heavy with memory.
"…But still…"
Leroy exhaled softly, the corners of his lips curling.
"That's all I needed to hear from you, Skyler."
He offered a gentle smile, one that carried both warmth and the weight of years past.
Skyler, as ever, wore his cold, distant expression. Yet this time, beneath the surface, something eased inside him—a fragile sense of relief, as though a chain around his heart had loosened ever so slightly.
Meanwhile, across the way, Miyaki was busy helping a few stragglers to safety. Wiping the sweat from her forehead, she happened to glance back.
There, Leroy and Skyler stood together. No hostility. No distance. Just… connection.
Miyaki's lips curved into a warm, tender smile as she watched from afar. For the first time, she saw a glimpse of what had once been, a bond between two people who had finally taken the first step back toward each other.
After some time had passed, peace finally returned to the city. With their boss defeated, the remaining gang members were rounded up and thrown into prison, leaving no more shadows lurking in the streets—for now.
The Judge, still recovering but steadfast in spirit, granted Leroy full authority over Skyler's fate. And so, Leroy convened a meeting in the council chamber.
Around the table sat the trusted Miyaki, Warson, and the three leaders, listening intently as Leroy began to explain.
He admitted, at last, the truth. Why had he kept silent about Skyler? Why hadn't he told them of the secret ties with the Dark Silencer?
"It wasn't mistrust."
Leroy said, his voice steady but apologetic.
"I had to see the truth with my own eyes before the Judgment was given. I kept it to myself until I could be sure... I have to always watch my back."
The weight of his words hung heavy in the chamber. Miyaki's eyes softened, though her lips pressed in thought. Warson leaned back with arms crossed, quiet but listening.
Leroy then revealed what the gang boss's cursed end had made clear—that Skyler's silence had not been willful betrayal, but the mark of the same curse. A curse that bound his tongue from speaking the truth.
Finally, Leroy stood. His hand pressed firmly on the table as he made his decision.
"For now, I will bring Skyler to our side. Until the day war comes, he will stand with us."
The leaders exchanged uncertain looks. Hesitation lingered in the air, but their loyalty to their king outweighed doubt. One by one, they nodded.
"…If that is your will, we will follow it."
Serphina said at last.
A gentle smile crossed Leroy's face.
"Thank you… for trusting me."
But even as relief settled in, he knew peace would not last.
"The enemy still lingers in the shadows."
Leroy declared, his eyes sharp with resolve.
"What we must do now... is to prepare. Whatever comes, we will defend this town."
The leaders straightened, their expressions hardening. Plans unfolded. Strategies whispered into motion.
And in that chamber, determination took root. For the first time, they were united—not just against an enemy, but for the storm they all knew was coming.
Meanwhile, as night fell across the land…
The echo of footsteps resounded through a desolate ruin. A man, clad in black, sits against a broken stone, his cane tapping softly against the ground as though counting the seconds. He was waiting.
From the veil of shadows, a mysterious woman emerged. Her presence was like silk and venom, her voice smooth yet teasing.
"So, after years of weaving your plan… it finally worked."
She murmured. Her lips curved in amusement.
"Doctor."
Dr. Crissar, The Dark Silencer, tilted his head slightly with his eyes cold and calculating.
"It's unfortunate that we lost one of our precious Devils."
The woman said with a soft smile.
"Yes. It is."
Crissar replied, his grip tightening on the cane.
"But our mission is far from over."
His gaze sharpened, filled with a grim determination.
"That 'Crystal Body' still lies within the town. Once it is in our hands, the world itself will shift once more."
The shadows around him seemed to shiver at his words, as though darkness itself bent to his will.
And then—
"AHH!"
Leroy jolted awake, his chest heaving as if he had run for miles. Sweat clung to his skin, his heart pounding violently in his ears.
"Ugh, that dream again…"
He muttered, pressing a hand to his face.
A past he wished had been buried forever, yet it continued to claw at him in the silence of the night.
The next morning.
"Yesterday was… crazy."
I muttered under my breath, still feeling the heaviness of last night clinging to me.
I dragged myself toward the training field, expecting the usual quiet sparring session with Miyaki. But as I stepped closer, I froze.
There were multiple familiar faces already there.
Siana, Aina, Skyler, and even Leroy.
All of them were gathered together, talking with Miyaki as though it were the most natural thing in the world.
"Eh…? Sensei? What's going on here?"
I blinked in disbelief.
Miyaki noticed me first, her usual warm smile spreading across her face.
"Oh! Hey there, kid."
She waved casually, as if this wasn't a surreal moment.
"Good morning!"
Aina greeted with her soft smile, waving her hand despite still looking a bit worn out.
"Morning! You're late."
Siana chimed in cheerfully, her tone bright as always.
I rubbed the back of my neck, still trying to process the sight.
Miyaki crossed her arms as she chuckled, then started to explain.
A while ago…
As Miyaki was quietly tending to her own business in the training field, she unexpectedly came across a rather unusual sight.
Skyler and Aina, walking side by side, with Siana happily guiding them around the castle grounds.
It seemed they were here on a personal invitation from Leroy himself.
"Oh? Well, this is a surprise."
Miyaki raised an eyebrow, her voice carrying that teasing calmness she always had.
"Morning, Miss Miyaki!"
Siana beamed, skipping a little as she pointed ahead.
"We're just touring—ah, this place is called—"
Her words were suddenly cut off.
"…The Green Garden."
Skyler's low voice echoed softly, his gaze fixed on the field. His expression was unreadable, yet something heavy lingered in his eyes.
Siana blinked in surprise, then gave a small, awkward smile.
"Hehe… right. That's exactly it."
"Whoa~ This place feels so peaceful!"
Aina clapped her hands together, her tone filled with genuine awe as she spun slightly to take in the scenery.
"..."
Skyler, however, remained silent. His eyes didn't see the peaceful garden in front of him. Instead, memories of harsh training under Miyaki resurfaced—the sweat, the pain, the countless hours of being pushed beyond his limits.
As Skyler's eyes lifted, they locked with Miyaki's.
She stood there, her expression unreadable—until the faintest smirk tugged at her lips.
Skyler froze. His chest tightened. In an instant, he averted his gaze, unwilling to meet that knowing look any longer.
The moment passed quietly, and the conversation drifted on.
Then, from the far end of the garden, footsteps approached. A tall figure entered their view.
"…Brother!?"
Siana's eyes lit up in surprise, her voice bright with affection.
Leroy gave her a gentle smile, scanning the scene with his usual calm presence. It wasn't often he appeared so casually among them, and his timing made the moment feel almost unreal.
Miyaki, watching the little reunion, couldn't help but chuckle.
"Well, isn't this rare. Everyone gathered together like this."
The group began to talk, their voices overlapping in warmth and curiosity…
"So that's what happened."
Miyaki turned to me with a bright, easy smile, finishing her explanation as though everything had fallen into place.
Suddenly, Miyaki slung her arms around the two of them, one around Skyler's neck and the other around Leroy's.
"Hahaha! Look at the two of you together again—it almost makes me want to train you both all over from the start."
Her laughter rang out, bright and teasing, while Leroy and Skyler both struggled against her iron grip.
"H-Hey, let go!"
"Damn it, Miyaki—!"
But no matter how they squirmed, they couldn't break free until she finally released them with a grin.
Watching this, Aina couldn't help but stare. The closeness between them—their easy banter, their shared strength, the way even Skyler, usually so cold, reacted to Miyaki—it stirred a quiet curiosity in her chest.
"They seem… so close. What kind of bond do they have? What's their story?"
Her heart raced.
"Is this the right time to ask?"
Before she could second-guess herself, the words slipped out.
"Y–Your Majesty, if it's alright, could you tell us? How did you all get so close?"
Leroy blinked at her sudden question, then chuckled softly.
"Hm? Well, we were students under the same roof from the very beginning—"
"N-no, I mean… the story."
Aina leaned forward, determination shining through her timid voice.
"What happened ten years ago? Or… maybe even before that."
Skyler's gaze snapped toward her.
"…Aina."
But before he could say more, Leroy gently raised his hand to stop him. His eyes softened.
"No, it's fine, Skyler."
Turning to Aina—and then to the rest of us—Leroy's expression shifted into one of quiet resolve.
"Hmph. After all, it's about time we let you know more about who we really are. Don't you think?"
Skyler fell silent, his jaw tightening. But after a long pause, he gave the faintest nod.
Leroy smiled gently at him, then glanced at me.
"It's a story all of you should hear. Especially you, Aki."
The weight of his words pressed into my chest, and I swallowed hard. We all gathered around the tea table, the soft fragrance of leaves mingling with the faint tension in the air.
Leroy placed his hands together, his eyes turning distant, as if looking into a place long buried.
"I'll explain it from the very beginning. The story of how one person once held everything—"
His voice lowered, heavy with memory.
"—and lost it all."