Endi and Cain slipped through the bustle of Panis Town and stepped into the royal castle of Willart Rose, rising within the palace grounds.
The interior glittered like an overturned jewelry box: walls lined with vivid ornaments reflected a blinding brilliance, and a colossal chandelier on the ceiling mirrored Rose's flamboyant taste.
Endi squinted at the dazzle, glancing around.
Inside, Jessica, Lamia, and Darmaine were already gathered.
Endi carefully recounted his encounter in the underground passages—Nova and Rabesta's harrowing past, their vow of revenge, and his own promise: "I'll take it all at the palace."
Rose folded his arms, one brow arched.
"I see. Darmaine just told me those bastards were hiding underground. When I heard you'd sprinted to Panis Town, I was about to lead the troops in myself."
Endi scratched his head, sheepish. The worry in Rose's eyes felt unexpectedly warm.
Darmaine puffed his chest.
"So the Nova Family's a multinational outfit of survivors from the defeated nations—and the top two are Pronto."
Lamia nodded gravely.
"'Blood purity' still lingers in this country. Less than before, but it's there."
Jessica's gaze sharpened.
"A chain of hatred. Even with the war over, plenty beyond the Old Doal Army resent the Nakatam victors."
Rose's voice boomed.
"I've long thought the world wars were the root of all evil. How many lives were spent on the pride of greedy rulers? 'World unification,' 'for the nation,' 'for the fallen'—dragging the people into it… Five centuries of senseless killing!"
His fist slammed the table—BANG—and the chandelier quivered.
In that instant, a small shadow appeared beside him.
"Cool it, Rose. You're a prince—stand tall."
A cheeky boy's voice. Endi blinked. Where did this kid pop out from?
Darmaine cracked his knuckles.
"Who's this brat? Mouthing off to Prince Rose? I'll teach him some manners!"
Jessica cut in coolly.
"Oh, Commander, since when were you here?"
Rose smirked, proud.
"Let me introduce him—Esta, Commander of the Royal Guard. He's only twelve, but he's a monster."
"T–twelve!?"
"A kid—Commander!?"
Endi and Darmaine shouted in disbelief.
A lively voice burst in.
"And I'm Moene, Deputy Commander!"
A flashy girl with pink twin-tails bounded into the room, her sparkle rivaling the castle's glare.
Jessica's face soured. Moene shot her a sharp look.
"So, Jessica. You infiltrated the Nova Family for a whole year and learned nothing?"
Jessica snapped back.
"I don't need advice from a deputy commander who spends more time posing than working."
Sparks flew between their eyes, tension spiking.
"Enough," Rose barked. "This isn't the time for squabbling."
"Yees, sir!" Moene chirped, while Jessica fell silent with a scowl.
Jessica turned on Endi.
"You told Nova you'd 'take it all.' What's your plan?"
Endi didn't hesitate.
"Their hatred's too deep for words. So we meet it head-on. If they come at us with everything, we answer in kind. Maybe if we clash—truly clash—we'll finally understand each other."
Moene snorted.
"Bold for a rookie. But naïve—they're staging a coup."
Esta's tone was cold.
"This won't be a fist-to-fist heart-to-heart. It'll be a slaughter. Reconciliation's impossible."
Endi faltered.
Rose cut in, decisive.
"So what? I like Endi's spirit. Fine—you take command of this battle."
"Wha—me? Command!?" Endi reeled.
"You said you'd protect Lamia, save the suffering, shoulder the enemy's hatred. Talk is cheap. Action's what counts. Show me your mettle." Rose's eyes flashed.
Jessica and Moene protested at once.
"Your Highness, that's reckless!"
"Yeah! What can this flimsy guy do?"
Rose didn't budge.
"It's settled. No objections."
The room froze.
Esta shoved his hands in his pockets, smirking.
"If Rose says so, fine. If Endi blows it, we'll wipe him out with the mafia."
Darmaine seethed inside. Calling His Highness by name—cocky brat…
Lamia clasped Endi's right hand in both of hers.
"You can do this. I believe in you."
Endi's fear burned away in an instant.
"I promise. I'll stop them—and no one dies."
His voice rang through the room.
Rose nodded.
"Good. Cain, Darmaine—you'll back him up."
"Understood," Cain said curtly.
"Eh!? Me too!?" Darmaine yelped.
Rose continued,
"Evacuate the citizens. Station the army, security, and the Guard nearby on standby."
Jessica and Moene answered, "Yes, sir!" Esta only raised a languid hand.
Lamia asked softly,
"What about me?"
Rose waved lightly.
"It's dangerous—stay here. Actually, the new servant's useless at his chores. He's probably sweeping the garden. Go show him how it's done."
Lamia nodded. At the door she glanced back—Endi's face shone with resolve, and yet her heart tightened.
Outside, she whispered where no one could hear,
"Endi… don't die."
Her words dissolved into the wind.