"Aaah… I'm done."

  Shura leaned back, completely defeated.

  "I ate too much," he groaned. "I can't even walk anymore."

  Zenkyou didn't slow down.

  "Then crawl."

  Shura sighed and forced himself up.

  "By the way," he asked, "where are we even going?"

  "The train station," Zenkyou replied.

  Shura blinked.

  "How far is it?"

  "Not that far," she said casually. "But we'll reach Near Lake Before night."

  Shura frowned and looked around.

  "Isn't it always light here? The beacon just dims. That's it."

  Yura tilted her head.

  "So… how is night at the Surface?"

  Shura slowed his steps.

  "At the Surface," he said softly, "the moon changes. Sometimes it darkens. Sometimes it glows strangely—like it's hiding something."

  He smiled faintly.

  "Makes you want to lie down on the grass and just… watch."

  Yura and Zenkyou went silent.

  Shura looked away.

  Miss you, Mom.

  This book is hosted on another platform. Read the official version and support the author's work.

  His chest tightened. His eyes almost burned.

  Then he inhaled sharply.

  "No," he muttered. "I'm not ready yet."

  He straightened.

  "I want to grow stronger first," Shura said. "Then I'll reach out."

  Zenkyou opened her mouth—

  "Nooooo," Shura cut in quickly.

  For a second, there was silence.

  Then Orin laughed.

  Zenkyou snorted.

  Yura smiled.

  Even Shura laughed with them.

  Palace of Aethelgard

  Ren dropped to one knee before the throne.

  "Sorry I'm late."

  Osuki and Tsuyoshi were already there.

  Yun Shi nodded calmly.

  "You know what happened Before. Ossuarium is declared the winner."

  He continued,

  "Osuki and Tsuyoshi's battle ended with no result."

  "So," Yun Shi said, "the choice is yours. Fight again, or claim the reward."

  Tsuyoshi spoke immediately.

  "I need money. That's all."

  Osuki shook her head.

  "I don't need to fight. Not money either Brother."

  Ren blinked.

  "…Brother?"

  Wait. Yun Shi has a sister?

  The prize money was distributed—to Tsuyoshi and Ren.

  Ren hesitated, then said,

  "I want something else."

  Yun Shi's eyes narrowed.

  "What do you want?"

  "That weapon," Ren said. "The sword."

  Yun Shi stiffened.

  "You're sure? You know what relics are."

  Inside, his thoughts raced.

  Shit. I'm already late. She's is going to kill me.

  "…Fine," Yun Shi said. "As you wish."

  Ren took the money—and handed all of it to Tsuyoshi.

  "I don't need this," he said. "You do."

  "But," Ren added, pointing at him,

  "you have to tell me your reason someday."

  Tsuyoshi nodded.

  "…Okay."

  Yun Shi stood up abruptly.

  "You can go now. The sword will be delivered later."

  Yun shi turned, already moving.

  "I need to get to the festival. Astral Word check."

  Then he stopped.

  "…Did you seriously send me this outfit?"

  "Don't forget," Ren called back to Tsuyoshi while running,

  "I'm asking you later!"

  Everyone had arrived at the festival spot way ahead of schedule.

  Shura immediately ducked behind Ren and Orin.

  “Hey, Zenkyou! You need to change clothes. You can’t come dressed like… that!”

  Zenkyou just blinked and nodded.

  Shura, Ren, and Orin all froze.

  “What?!” Shura hissed.

  “Seriously?” Orin muttered.

  Ren pinched the bridge of his nose.

  Zenkyou smiled faintly.

  “Yura, let’s go buy some festival outfits. You all should come too.”

  Shura groaned.

  “Great… now all of us have to change too?”

  Nearby, the mysterious couple were having a small conversation.

  The male said, voice low:

  “…And… who chose this outfit?”

  The female replied in an innocent accent:

  “Isn’t it good?”

  The male froze, cheeks turning bright red.

  Don't Talk Like This Madem

  After a tense silence, he finally muttered:

  “Being responsible is… truly hard.”He Said

  Ren and Orin, standing behind Shura, grabbed him roughly.

  “You don’t want to live!” Orin hissed.

  “You literally just said that!”

  Orin muttered under her breath:

  “I thought today might be my last day…Emma I'm Waiting Come Fast”

  Ren’s lips curved into a small, bittersweet smile, his eyes distant for a moment.

  Shura tilted his head. Something’s up… why does he look like that?

  Meanwhile, Master Juro was on the train with Yua.

  “I’m not hiding you any longer,” he said softly.

  “Are you excited, Yua?”

  Yua’s eyes sparkled with happiness—not just because she was finally away from home, but because she felt truly cared for.

  Back at the festival, Ren, Orin, and Shura were all busy changing into festival clothes.

  Shura muttered:

  “Do we really need all these layers… and frills?”

  The guards and Night Fangs quietly moved into positions around the festival, subtly showing that even a celebration could turn deadly if needed.

  Finally… the festival was about to begin.

  The streets smelled of fried food, sweets, and smoke from lanterns.

  Lanterns hung low, shimmering golden light over every stall.

  Crowds began to gather.

  Children ran past, laughing.

  Merchants shouted their wares.

  Shura blinked, swallowed, and muttered to himself:

  “I… actually can’t wait to see what chaos this night brings.”

  And with that, the festival—and all its hidden surprises—was ready to unfold.