The sky above the Palace of Shadows was gray, as if it breathed in sync with the silence of the place. The walls of the dark throne no longer bled regretful energy, but exuded the gravity of majesty. Sajibro sat upon the throne in sheer dominance, wrapped in silence and pride. Behind him stood the four commanders: Musayuki, Kain, Kuruma, and Seraphin.
Suddenly, the palace trembled with a faint sound… the echo of solitary footsteps.
The grand hall's door opened slowly, as if the world itself permitted the entrance of the one approaching.
A man crossed the threshold without declaring his name, yet his presence filled the emptiness.
He wore a white robe tinged with silver, his long sword resting across his back without a sheath.
His face was calm, like a mirror untouched by anger.
His eyes looked as though they were born from ancient dark light… never doubting, never hesitating.
He stood at the center of the hall, knelt on one knee, and said in a calm voice:
> "My lord… I did not abandon memory, nor did I follow shadows. I came as promised."
Sajibro stared at him for a long moment, then released a short breath.
His gaze moved across the four commanders — cold and calculating, as if weighing past failures and betrayals — before returning to the newcomer.
> "Well done… I had no need for a sixth disappointment."
A heavy silence fell upon the hall, but Musayuki's heart pounded.
He stepped forward and asked in astonishment:
> "Are you… the Sixth Commander?"
The man lifted his head slowly, and with unwavering resolve replied:
> "My name is Arthur… and my title, as granted by you, Sajibro: The Purifier."
He advanced with confident steps, each one seemingly cleansing the ground beneath him.
Arthur spoke:
> "When the kingdom fell, I chose solitude. I was not deceived, for those who know dark light do not follow illusions."
Sajibro smiled faintly — a smile not of joy, but of acknowledgement — and said:
> "Rise, Arthur… and stand where the Purifier belongs — at my right hand."
Arthur raised his hand, and from his palm a pure glow emerged, rings of dark light circling outward, as if searching for those worthy of life.
The other commanders felt it — this dark light did not burn, but it spared no lie.
Arthur spoke calmly:
> "I will purify what Raizen has defiled… but what we've seen is only the shadow of his game."
Sajibro chuckled softly:
> "Then let the real game begin."
And far in the distant shadows, beneath the cracks of the earth, Raizen watched the scene through a black mirror and whispered:
> "Arthur… the dark light that never breaks?
We'll see how bright it shines once I extinguish all that remains."
End of Chapter Twenty-One