"Aaah… I'm done."
Shura leaned back dramatically, one hand on his stomach.
"I ate too much. I can't even walk."
Zenkyou didn't slow.
"Then crawl."
He groaned but kept up.
"By the way… where are we going?"
"To the lake district."
"How far?"
"We'll reach before the beacon dims."
Shura glanced upward.
The artificial sky glowed endlessly — only softening at intervals.
"It's strange," he muttered. "There's no real night here. Just… brightness adjustment."
Yura tilted her head.
"So what's night like on the Surface?"
Shura slowed.
"At the Surface…"
His voice changed without him noticing.
"The moon shifts. Some nights it's thin like it might disappear. Other nights it's full and… strange."
He smiled faintly.
"Sometimes it feels like it's watching you."
No one interrupted.
"It makes you want to lie in the grass and just stare at it."
Silence followed.
Shura looked away.
Miss you, Mom.
His chest tightened.
He inhaled sharply.
"No. Not yet."
He straightened.
"I'll get stronger first. Then I'll reach out."
Zenkyou opened her mouth—
"Nooooo," Shura cut her off instantly.
A pause.
Orin burst out laughing.
Even Zenkyou snorted.
The weight didn't vanish.
But it lightened.
Palace of Aethelgard
Ren knelt.
"Apologies for the delay."
Osuki and Tsuyoshi stood nearby.
Yun Shi's expression remained unreadable.
"The results are confirmed. Ossuarium is declared victor."
A pause.
"Osuki and Tsuyoshi's battle ended unresolved."
"The reward remains," he continued. "Fight again — or divide it."
"I need the money," Tsuyoshi said immediately.
Osuki shook her head.
"I don't."
She glanced toward Yun Shi.
"…Brother."
Ren's head snapped up.
"…Brother?"
Yun Shi did not react outwardly.
The prize was distributed.
Ren stared at the pouch.
Then lifted his eyes.
"I want something else."
Yun Shi's gaze sharpened.
"What."
"The sword."
Silence filled the chamber.
"You understand what relics are," Yun Shi said carefully.
Ren held his gaze.
"I do."
Inside, Yun Shi's thoughts were far less calm.
I am already late. She will not forgive this.
A breath.
"…It will be delivered."
Ren handed his prize to Tsuyoshi.
"I don't need this."
He pointed at him.
"But someday, you'll explain why."
Tsuyoshi nodded.
"…Okay."
Yun Shi stood.
"You are dismissed."
He turned.
"I must attend the festival. Astral Ward inspection."
A pause.
"…Who approved this outfit?"
No one answered.
Festival Grounds — Early
They arrived before most of the crowd.
Shura immediately ducked behind Ren and Orin.
"Zenkyou! You cannot go dressed like that!"
Zenkyou blinked.
Then nodded calmly.
Shura froze.
"…That worked?"
Orin narrowed his eyes.
"That's suspicious."
Zenkyou smiled faintly.
"Yura. Festival attire."
She glanced back.
"You three as well."
"Why always us three?!"
Nearby, a well-dressed couple stood beneath lantern light.
"Who chose this outfit?" the man asked quietly.
The woman smiled sweetly.
"Don't you like it?"
He froze.
Don't phrase it like that…
After a pause—
"Being responsible is… extremely difficult."
Ren and Orin grabbed Shura instantly.
"You want to die?" Orin hissed.
"You said that out loud!"
"I DID?!"
Ren smiled faintly.
Soft.
Distant.
Shura noticed.
Something's wrong.
But before he could ask—
—
Elsewhere, Master Juro boarded a train with Yua.
"I'm not hiding you anymore," he said gently.
"Are you excited?"
Yua didn't understand freedom.
But she understood safety.
And she smiled.
The train began moving.
Lanterns prepared.
Guards positioned.
Music tested.
The beacon dimmed slightly.
The festival had not begun yet.
But the night had.