The two days following the battle were calm, almost too calm. There were no surprise attacks, no sudden ambushes, no mysterious figures lurking in the shadows. Just silence, broken only by the wind and the occasional chirping of birds. Yet, the quiet didn't make anyone let their guard down—especially Elliot. He took it upon himself to lead their nightly patrols around the mansion grounds, insisting that they remain alert.
Even though the Rust Blade and Viper Den gangs had been eliminated, the possibility of other threats still lingered. The mansion had been exposed, and in Elliot's eyes, that alone warranted caution. He blamed himself for not suspecting the Viper Den's involvement earlier, and as a result, his commands were sharp, punctual, and left no room for slack. Shirou, though not officially part of their team, followed orders alongside Amelia without complaint. For some reason, Elliot's presence made it hard to disobey.
During the day, they were free to do what they pleased. Amelia spent most of her time helping around the mansion or tending to the damaged garden. Elliot maintained equipment and did paperwork. Shirou, meanwhile, took long walks, sometimes just to think.
Throughout those days, the transportation of the mana stones began. Carts came and went under tight security. Lucus never once mentioned where the new storage location was, and the trio never asked. Even though they had risked their lives to protect both him and the mana stones, trust didn't come easily in this world. A magical contract bound them, yes, but that didn't mean breaking it would instantly kill someone. The temptation to steal such precious resources was real.
Shirou himself had to admit—he was tempted. The natural mana stones were not just rare, they were beautiful and powerful. But in the end, he shook off the idea. It just didn't feel right. Some lines, once crossed, changed you forever.
Once all the mana stones were moved, peace lingered for another two days. The air seemed lighter. Even Amelia, after many apologies and light-hearted arguments, finally forgave Shirou for his reckless actions during the battle. She even made him promise not to do something so foolish ever again. And Shirou, seeing how deeply she cared, made sure he wouldn't break that promise.
But peace never lasted long.
By the morning of the fifth day, the entire mansion echoed with a different kind of chaos—the sounds of hammering, drilling, voices yelling instructions, the clinking of metal. But this time, it wasn't war.
It was for a celebration.
Preparations for Lisa's birthday party had begun. Every corner of the mansion was undergoing transformation. Each day brought a new set of decorations, enchanted lights, and exquisite materials. Workers moved like ants, bringing in carts loaded with glittering decor. The walls were draped with elegant cloths of royal blue and gold. Floating crystals shimmered midair, casting a soft glow over the halls. Trees lining the outer garden were wrapped in glowing vines that pulsed like heartbeat.
"Damn, that guy has a lot of money," Shirou muttered, arms crossed as he watched men levitate chandeliers into place.
"Lisa is a lucky girl," Amelia replied, standing beside him with a gentle smile.
"Well, not as lucky as you."
She turned, puzzled. "What do you mean?"
"Because she doesn't have a friend like me. Which, by the way, you do," Shirou said with a grin.
Amelia raised an eyebrow. "Yeah. I'm flattered," she replied sarcastically, turning around.
"Hey come on! I'm not that bad."
"No, you're not. You're the worst."
What followed was a playful roasting session that went on for several minutes, making Elliot groan from afar. "Here they go again..."
Finally, the day arrived. Lisa's birthday.
Shirou stood before the mirror in his room, adjusting the collar of his outfit. He wore a sleek black coat trimmed with silver along the cuffs and buttons, layered over a deep blue shirt that brought out the colour in his eyes. His pants were straight-cut and matched the coat, and he wore polished leather boots that clicked on the floor. A small silver brooch shaped like a phoenix was pinned near his collar—a gift from Lucus for the event.
"Charming as always," he said to himself with a wink at the mirror before heading to the door.
Lucus had offered to pay for their outfits, but the trio declined. With the mission reward and bounty money from Kane and Cruz, they could afford the clothes themselves. Since the mission was still ongoing, they couldn't collect the reward directly, but Lucus had sent one of his men to the organisation to retrieve the bounty on their behalf. Shirou, despite being the one who defeated both gang leaders, insisted on splitting the money evenly. It was a team effort, after all
Outside, Amelia and Elliot were already waiting.
Amelia looked breathtaking. She wore a flowing maroon dress with golden embroidery around the sleeves and hem. The gown hugged her figure without being too tight and swayed elegantly with every movement. A small sapphire pendant hung around her neck, matching the earrings she wore. Her hair, usually tied back, flowed freely tonight, cascading over her shoulders.
Elliot looked sharp in a forest green tunic with silver edges, a formal belt strapped diagonally across his chest. His black trousers were tucked neatly into dark boots, and he had actually styled his hair for once, combing it back smoothly.
"Took you long enough," Elliot said.
"Had to make sure I was the best-looking guy here," Shirou replied.
As the three walked down the hallway toward the main stairs, their eyes widened at the transformation around them. The mansion had turned into a dream.
The walls were draped with enchanted fabric that shimmered in hues of gold, red, and silver. Floating lanterns glowed with soft light, illuminating the hallways. Elegant floral arrangements floated mid-air, rotating slowly as if dancing. The ceiling had been enchanted to look like a starry sky, twinkling softly above them.
The decorations weren't just beautiful—they were magical.
When they reached the top of the grand staircase and looked down, they were momentarily speechless.
The main hall had been turned into an ethereal ballroom. Rows of tables were decorated with velvet covers, golden utensils, and exotic dishes that neither of them had seen before. Mages stood by the walls, casting subtle illusions to make the atmosphere more vibrant. A grand crystal chandelier, floating at the centre, cast rainbows across the walls.
Guests had already started to arrive. Most of them looked like nobles, wearing robes and gowns adorned with precious jewels. Some wore masks, others had ornamental cloaks that trailed behind them. It was like a gathering of kings and queens.
They descended the staircase together, their eyes absorbing the transformation around them.
Shirou's eyes widened when he saw the cake—tall as a barrel and covered in layers of frosting shaped like roses. At the top was a miniature sculpture of Lisa made entirely of spun sugar.
"Maybe some things never change," he whispered to himself. "Whether you're in another country or an entirely different world."
At the centre of the grand hall stood Lucus, dressed in a dark purple robe with golden trimmings. A silver chain adorned his neck, and a matching ring sparkled on his right hand. Beside him stood Lisa, radiant in a pearl-white gown embedded with tiny crystals that glittered every time she moved. Her hair was curled and adorned with a crown of white flowers and silver vines.
He was surprised. For all the wealth on display, she didn't look arrogant or spoiled. She looked happy
As they stepped onto the marble floor, soft music began to play from an unseen orchestra, and magical sparkles rained gently from above, disappearing before they touched the ground.
The birthday party had begun.