Sunlight slipped through the lace curtains of the Kind Heroes' house, casting warm rays on the wooden floor. A quiet, peaceful morning—but beneath the calm, an uneasy silence lingered. Arriel, Lira, Kell, and Mirable sat around the table, each nursing tea or porridge, still recovering from their battle with Jaemo and the dragons. Bruises remained, but the physical wounds were fading. The emotional toll, however, ran deeper.
Mirable set her spoon down. "There's something I need to say."
The others looked up.
"I haven't been completely honest with you," she continued, voice steady. "I work under Commander Elle."
Kell blinked. "Wait, what?"
"I'm one of her agents," Mirable admitted, clasping her hands in her lap. "My mission was to watch over you—to see if you would join."
Lira narrowed her eyes. "Why? We've done nothing wrong."
Mirable's gaze didn't waver. "That's exactly why. You haven't pledged loyalty. Prince Vanhil—now King Vanhil—plans to bring every Hero under his command. If you refuse... he might consider you a threat. Maybe not now. But someday."
Arriel furrowed his brow. "Why us?"
Mirable pointed subtly to their status bracelets. "You two are Level 33. That's far beyond what ordinary adventurers reach in a lifetime. To the Kingdom, you're more than people. You're living weapons."
Kell frowned. "We fight monsters, not people. We protect civilians. That should matter."
"It does to me," Mirable said softly. "But to a kingdom preparing for war, dissidents can be more dangerous than enemies."
Lira leaned forward. "So what are you saying?"
"Run," Mirable said. "There's a settlement near the oasis in the Drosan Desert. No nation controls it. If you want freedom, that's your best chance."
Arriel looked at her. "Come with us."
Mirable smiled faintly, then shook her head. "Elle is my mentor. My mother in everything but blood. I can't abandon her."
Silence settled again.
Then Mirable added, "You need to get rid of those Hero pendants. As long as you wear them, the Kingdom knows where you are."
They sat in silence for a long time. The soft clink of Lira's spoon against her bowl was the only sound.
Three Days Later
The morning sun greeted the trio as they stood at the entrance, watching Mirable adjust her travel bag. She smiled cheerfully, as if nothing had changed.
"I'll visit when I can," she said. "Stay safe. And don't do anything stupid."
Kell gave a half-hearted grin. "You sure you don't want one last Kell breakfast?"
"Tempting," she laughed, then hugged Lira, and briefly touched Arriel's arm. "Goodbye."
She walked down the path, her braid swinging gently, until she vanished from sight.
Later That Morning
Kell unfolded the newspaper and read aloud, voice carrying through the quiet house:
"Prince Vanhil Crowned King of Mirdia."
Lira looked up sharply.
"King Vanhil Announces Marriage to Queen Elizabeth."
Arriel sat on the edge of the couch, staring at the words.
"Kingdom of Mirdia and Kingdom of Theodor Formally Merged into the Kingdom of Mirthea."
Kell folded the paper slowly.
The room went silent. They sat at the table, toast untouched, tea growing cold.
"A new country," Lira whispered. "A new King."
"And we're no longer just adventurers," Arriel said, his voice distant. "We're pieces on a board."
Kell leaned back in his chair. "So what now?"
No one had an answer.
But all three knew this: the world was changing fast. And the Kind Heroes had to decide who they wanted to be in it.