CHAPTER 43
THE REUNION, THE TRUTH
The battlefield had finally become quiet.
Not the silence before another battle...
But the silence that remained after one had ended.
The evening sun slowly descended beyond the distant mountains.
Its golden light spread across the broken valley of Velnar.
The once-proud kingdom had become almost unrecognizable.
Mountains had vanished.
Entire forests had been flattened.
Ancient fortresses that had stood for centuries existed only as scattered rubble.
Gigantic craters stretched across the land like scars left upon the world itself.
The river that once crossed the valley had completely changed its course after the final collision between Shen and Vaegas.
Ash drifted lazily through the warm wind.
Broken crystal fragments glittered beneath the sunlight before fading into dust.
The war...
Was finally over.
...
Far away...
The retreating Arcane army disappeared beyond the distant horizon.
Not a single one looked back.
Not after hearing the final order of their General.
The battlefield belonged to humanity once again.
Yet...
No cheers echoed through the valley.
No celebrations began.
Everyone remained silent.
Because nobody truly understood...
What they had just witnessed.
...
Several Arcane Drifter medics hurried across the battlefield.
Stretchers were carried between shattered buildings.
Healing magic illuminated the broken valley.
Survivors slowly emerged from collapsed ruins.
Some laughed through tears.
Some simply stared toward the enormous crater where Shen had defeated Vaegas.
Many quietly whispered the same name.
"...Shen..."
...
Kenya sat on a broken piece of stone.
His entire body had been wrapped in healing bandages.
Even after Eliz's evolved healing magic...
Several of his injuries remained too severe to disappear immediately.
He stared toward the distant crater.
"...He's still standing there."
Beside him...
Ruke rested the restored Dragon Staff across his shoulders.
"...Yeah."
"He hasn't moved."
Eliz quietly watched the same direction.
A gentle breeze carried strands of her silver hair across her face.
"...He's thinking."
Kenya sighed.
"I know."
"...That idiot only gets quiet when something is bothering him."
...
Far away...
Shen remained standing exactly where Vaegas had fallen.
The last fragments of black crystal slowly disappeared into the wind.
His crimson eyes had already returned to their normal color.
The ancient markings covering his body had completely vanished.
His living cloak of darkness no longer existed.
Only his ordinary black coat fluttered gently in the evening breeze.
The massive sword rested upon his shoulder.
Yet...
He never moved.
Only one question continued echoing inside his mind.
...
Why...
Are humans fighting the Arcanes?
...
He replayed Vaegas's final words again.
"The proud Arcanes..."
"Forced to hide..."
"Seek the truth."
Those words refused to leave his thoughts.
They didn't sound like the words of a monster.
They sounded...
Like regret.
...
Behind him...
Slow footsteps echoed across the ruined battlefield.
Commander Ryulga stopped beside him.
Neither of them spoke immediately.
The wind quietly passed between them.
Finally...
Shen broke the silence.
"...Commander."
"Hm?"
"...Why are we fighting the Arcanes?"
Ryulga remained silent.
His pipe released a thin stream of smoke.
Nearly a full minute passed.
Then...
He quietly answered.
"...Because."
"...That is the barrier humanity created."
Shen slowly looked toward him.
"...Barrier?"
Ryulga nodded.
"A barrier."
"...To hide the truth."
Silence returned.
Shen's expression became serious.
"...What truth?"
Ryulga scratched the back of his head.
"...Well..."
"I'm also human."
Shen blinked.
"...I know."
Ryulga nodded thoughtfully.
"...Right."
"...You do."
Silence.
Another minute passed.
Shen continued staring at him.
Ryulga calmly smoked his pipe.
Five minutes passed.
Neither moved.
Kenya looked toward them from the distance.
"...What are they doing?"
Ruke shrugged.
"...Waiting?"
Ten full minutes later...
Ryulga finally exhaled another cloud of smoke.
"...I don't know."
Silence.
Shen stared at him.
"...What?"
Ryulga shrugged.
"I seriously don't know."
"I've spent decades searching."
"No one alive knows the complete truth."
"The history books..."
"They're incomplete."
"The ancient records..."
"Destroyed."
"The survivors..."
"Either disappeared..."
"...or chose silence."
Shen slowly lowered his head.
"...Then..."
"We've been fighting a war..."
"...without knowing why."
Ryulga nodded once.
"...Exactly."
Neither of them spoke again.
The evening wind quietly passed through the valley.
...
Several hundred meters away...
Kenya suddenly stood.
"...Alright."
"I've had enough."
He marched directly toward Shen.
Ruke smirked.
"...Here it comes."
Eliz quietly giggled.
Kenya stopped directly in front of Shen.
For several seconds...
He simply stared at him.
Shen looked back.
"...What?"
Without warning—
BAM!!
Kenya punched Shen directly in the shoulder.
"...OW!"
Shen rubbed his arm.
"What was that for?!"
Kenya crossed both arms.
"For disappearing."
"For making us worry."
"For returning stronger."
"...And mostly..."
"For making me look weak."
Shen blinked.
"...That's the biggest reason?"
"...Obviously."
The two stared at one another.
Then...
Kenya suddenly smiled.
"...Welcome back."
Shen smiled too.
"...Yeah."
"I'm back."
Without another word...
Kenya pulled him into a hug.
"...You idiot."
Shen laughed.
"...Missed you too."
Nearby...
Eliz quietly walked forward.
Her emerald eyes shimmered slightly.
"...You really made us wait."
"I'm sorry."
"I couldn't leave."
"Ryulga would've dragged me back."
Ryulga nodded confidently.
"...Correct."
"I would've."
Eliz couldn't help laughing.
"...I'm just glad..."
"...you're alive."
Shen smiled warmly.
"...Me too."
Ruke finally approached.
"...So."
"...You finally became ridiculously overpowered."
Shen scratched his cheek.
"...Maybe."
Ruke rolled his eyes.
"...Don't 'maybe' me."
"You punched an Arcane General through a mountain."
"...With your bare hand."
Shen looked toward Ryulga.
"...He punched harder."
Ryulga proudly folded his arms.
"...Naturally."
Kenya immediately pointed.
"...WHY ARE YOU PROUD OF THAT?!"
Ryulga answered without hesitation.
"Because I trained him."
Kenya facepalmed.
"...Of course."
The entire group burst into laughter.
For the first time in months...
The battlefield no longer felt heavy.
It finally felt...
Like home.
High above them...
The dark clouds slowly drifted apart.
Warm sunlight covered the valley once more.
Far beyond the battlefield...
Workers had already begun rebuilding shattered roads.
Healers continued rescuing survivors.
Soldiers raised the fallen flags once again.
Life...
Slowly...
Began returning.
Shen quietly looked toward the distant horizon.
The question still remained inside his heart.
But...
For today...
He chose not to chase it.
For today...
He simply wanted to stand beside the friends he had fought so hard to protect.
A wide grin suddenly spread across his face.
He took one deep breath...
Raised both arms toward the sky...
And shouted loudly enough for the entire valley to hear—
"BIG HAPPY HIIIIIIIIII!!"
...
Silence.
Absolute silence.
Ruke's eye twitched.
"...No..."
"...He actually practiced it."
Kenya slowly turned away.
"I don't know him."
Eliz covered her face, desperately trying not to laugh.
Ryulga quietly muttered,
"...I created a monster."
Shen blinked.
"...What?"
Ruke slowly pointed his Dragon Staff toward him.
"...Say that again."
Shen grinned.
"BIIIIIG HAPPY—"
CRACK!!
Lightning exploded around Ruke.
Kenya sighed.
"...Here we go again."
Eliz immediately stepped backward.
"...Everyone..."
"...Run."
The peaceful reunion...
Lasted exactly twelve seconds
The battlefield had finally become quiet.
Not the silence before another battle...
But the silence that remained after one had ended.
The evening sun slowly descended beyond the distant mountains.
Its golden light spread across the broken valley of Velnar.
The once-proud kingdom had become almost unrecognizable.
Mountains had vanished.
Entire forests had been flattened.
Ancient fortresses that had stood for centuries existed only as scattered rubble.
Gigantic craters stretched across the land like scars left upon the world itself.
The river that once crossed the valley had completely changed its course after the final collision between Shen and Vaegas.
Ash drifted lazily through the warm wind.
Broken crystal fragments glittered beneath the sunlight before fading into dust.
The war...
Was finally over.
...
Far away...
The retreating Arcane army disappeared beyond the distant horizon.
Not a single one looked back.
Not after hearing the final order of their General.
The battlefield belonged to humanity once again.
Yet...
No cheers echoed through the valley.
No celebrations began.
Everyone remained silent.
Because nobody truly understood...
What they had just witnessed.
...
Several Arcane Drifter medics hurried across the battlefield.
Stretchers were carried between shattered buildings.
Healing magic illuminated the broken valley.
Survivors slowly emerged from collapsed ruins.
Some laughed through tears.
Some simply stared toward the enormous crater where Shen had defeated Vaegas.
Many quietly whispered the same name.
"...Shen..."
...
Kenya sat on a broken piece of stone.
His entire body had been wrapped in healing bandages.
Even after Eliz's evolved healing magic...
Several of his injuries remained too severe to disappear immediately.
He stared toward the distant crater.
"...He's still standing there."
Beside him...
Ruke rested the restored Dragon Staff across his shoulders.
"...Yeah."
"He hasn't moved."
Eliz quietly watched the same direction.
A gentle breeze carried strands of her silver hair across her face.
"...He's thinking."
Kenya sighed.
"I know."
"...That idiot only gets quiet when something is bothering him."
...
Far away...
Shen remained standing exactly where Vaegas had fallen.
The last fragments of black crystal slowly disappeared into the wind.
His crimson eyes had already returned to their normal color.
The ancient markings covering his body had completely vanished.
His living cloak of darkness no longer existed.
Only his ordinary black coat fluttered gently in the evening breeze.
The massive sword rested upon his shoulder.
Yet...
He never moved.
Only one question continued echoing inside his mind.
...
Why...
Are humans fighting the Arcanes?
...
He replayed Vaegas's final words again.
"The proud Arcanes..."
"Forced to hide..."
"Seek the truth."
Those words refused to leave his thoughts.
They didn't sound like the words of a monster.
They sounded...
Like regret.
...
Behind him...
Slow footsteps echoed across the ruined battlefield.
Commander Ryulga stopped beside him.
Neither of them spoke immediately.
The wind quietly passed between them.
Finally...
Shen broke the silence.
"...Commander."
"Hm?"
"...Why are we fighting the Arcanes?"
Ryulga remained silent.
His pipe released a thin stream of smoke.
Nearly a full minute passed.
Then...
He quietly answered.
"...Because."
"...That is the barrier humanity created."
Shen slowly looked toward him.
"...Barrier?"
Ryulga nodded.
"A barrier."
"...To hide the truth."
Silence returned.
Shen's expression became serious.
"...What truth?"
Ryulga scratched the back of his head.
"...Well..."
"I'm also human."
Shen blinked.
"...I know."
Ryulga nodded thoughtfully.
"...Right."
"...You do."
Silence.
Another minute passed.
Shen continued staring at him.
Ryulga calmly smoked his pipe.
Five minutes passed.
Neither moved.
Kenya looked toward them from the distance.
"...What are they doing?"
Ruke shrugged.
"...Waiting?"
Ten full minutes later...
Ryulga finally exhaled another cloud of smoke.
"...I don't know."
Silence.
Shen stared at him.
"...What?"
Ryulga shrugged.
"I seriously don't know."
"I've spent decades searching."
"No one alive knows the complete truth."
"The history books..."
"They're incomplete."
"The ancient records..."
"Destroyed."
"The survivors..."
"Either disappeared..."
"...or chose silence."
Shen slowly lowered his head.
"...Then..."
"We've been fighting a war..."
"...without knowing why."
Ryulga nodded once.
"...Exactly."
Neither of them spoke again.
The evening wind quietly passed through the valley.
...
Several hundred meters away...
Kenya suddenly stood.
"...Alright."
"I've had enough."
He marched directly toward Shen.
Ruke smirked.
"...Here it comes."
Eliz quietly giggled.
Kenya stopped directly in front of Shen.
For several seconds...
He simply stared at him.
Shen looked back.
"...What?"
Without warning—
BAM!!
Kenya punched Shen directly in the shoulder.
"...OW!"
Shen rubbed his arm.
"What was that for?!"
Kenya crossed both arms.
"For disappearing."
"For making us worry."
"For returning stronger."
"...And mostly..."
"For making me look weak."
Shen blinked.
"...That's the biggest reason?"
"...Obviously."
The two stared at one another.
Then...
Kenya suddenly smiled.
"...Welcome back."
Shen smiled too.
"...Yeah."
"I'm back."
Without another word...
Kenya pulled him into a hug.
"...You idiot."
Shen laughed.
"...Missed you too."
Nearby...
Eliz quietly walked forward.
Her emerald eyes shimmered slightly.
"...You really made us wait."
"I'm sorry."
"I couldn't leave."
"Ryulga would've dragged me back."
Ryulga nodded confidently.
"...Correct."
"I would've."
Eliz couldn't help laughing.
"...I'm just glad..."
"...you're alive."
Shen smiled warmly.
"...Me too."
Ruke finally approached.
"...So."
"...You finally became ridiculously overpowered."
Shen scratched his cheek.
"...Maybe."
Ruke rolled his eyes.
"...Don't 'maybe' me."
"You punched an Arcane General through a mountain."
"...With your bare hand."
Shen looked toward Ryulga.
"...He punched harder."
Ryulga proudly folded his arms.
"...Naturally."
Kenya immediately pointed.
"...WHY ARE YOU PROUD OF THAT?!"
Ryulga answered without hesitation.
"Because I trained him."
Kenya facepalmed.
"...Of course."
The entire group burst into laughter.
For the first time in months...
The battlefield no longer felt heavy.
It finally felt...
Like home.
High above them...
The dark clouds slowly drifted apart.
Warm sunlight covered the valley once more.
Far beyond the battlefield...
Workers had already begun rebuilding shattered roads.
Healers continued rescuing survivors.
Soldiers raised the fallen flags once again.
Life...
Slowly...
Began returning.
Shen quietly looked toward the distant horizon.
The question still remained inside his heart.
But...
For today...
He chose not to chase it.
For today...
He simply wanted to stand beside the friends he had fought so hard to protect.
A wide grin suddenly spread across his face.
He took one deep breath...
Raised both arms toward the sky...
And shouted loudly enough for the entire valley to hear—
"BIG HAPPY HIIIIIIIIII!!"
...
Silence.
Absolute silence.
Ruke's eye twitched.
"...No..."
"...He actually practiced it."
Kenya slowly turned away.
"I don't know him."
Eliz covered her face, desperately trying not to laugh.
Ryulga quietly muttered,
"...I created a monster."
Shen blinked.
"...What?"
Ruke slowly pointed his Dragon Staff toward him.
"...Say that again."
Shen grinned.
"BIIIIIG HAPPY—"
CRACK!!
Lightning exploded around Ruke.
Kenya sighed.
"...Here we go again."
Eliz immediately stepped backward.
"...Everyone..."
"...Run."
The peaceful reunion...
Lasted exactly twelve seconds.
The happiness existed.
But...
It did not belong to everyone.
The battlefield of Velnar no longer echoed with explosions.
Instead...
It echoed with something far heavier.
Crying.
A mother knelt beside the lifeless body of her son.
Her trembling hands gently brushed the dust from his face as tears silently fell onto his armor.
Nearby...
A little girl wandered between broken stones.
"...Dad?"
Her tiny voice disappeared into the endless valley.
"Dad... where are you?"
She searched every face.
Every fallen soldier.
Every ruined building.
But no one answered.
Not anymore.
Several children stood together beneath the shattered remains of a church.
They had stopped crying.
Not because the pain had disappeared...
But because they no longer had any tears left.
Far away...
Medical mages desperately healed the wounded.
Some survived.
Many didn't.
Rows of white sheets slowly covered the bodies of those who had made their final stand.
One after another...
The names of the fallen were carefully written into the Book of Sacrifice.
Every name...
A hero.
Every hero...
Someone's family.
Someone's friend.
Someone's entire world.
...
Shen quietly walked through the ruined city.
He didn't speak.
He didn't even notice Kenya calling his name.
His crimson eyes only reflected the faces around him.
Fear.
Pain.
Loss.
A young boy hugged his unconscious little sister tightly.
An old soldier smiled weakly before taking his final breath after seeing the sunrise one last time.
A healer broke into tears after failing to save another child.
The battlefield wasn't filled with victory.
It was filled with consequences.
...
Shen slowly closed his eyes.
A familiar voice echoed inside his mind.
Commander Cairo.
"The strongest warrior isn't the one who defeats the most enemies."
"It's the one who protects the most smiles."
His eyes slowly opened.
"...Protect..."
He whispered.
"Smiles..."
Without another word...
He suddenly began running.
Kenya blinked.
"...Shen?"
Ruke looked confused.
"Where's he going now?"
Eliz quietly followed with her eyes.
Shen sprinted across the broken valley.
Past ruined buildings.
Past rescue teams.
Past endless destruction.
Finally...
He reached the remains of an enormous stone platform.
Once...
The great Clock Tower of Velnar had stood there.
Now...
Only a single cracked pillar remained.
Shen climbed onto it.
Everyone nearby looked toward him.
Soldiers.
Healers.
Children.
Citizens.
Even Commander Ryulga quietly turned his head.
Shen stood upon the broken pillar.
The evening wind carried his coat behind him.
He slowly looked across the thousands gathered below.
His voice wasn't loud.
Yet somehow...
Everyone heard it.
...
"I know..."
"...you're hurting."
Silence filled the valley.
"I know..."
"...you've lost people you loved."
He looked toward the rows of white-covered bodies.
"I lost people too."
His hand slowly tightened.
"But sadness..."
"...isn't the key that unlocks tomorrow."
He raised his head.
"If we stop walking today..."
"If we give up today..."
"Then every sacrifice made on this battlefield..."
"...will become meaningless."
His voice grew stronger.
"The people who gave their lives..."
"They didn't fight so we could cry forever."
"They fought..."
"So children could smile again."
"So families could return home."
"So another battlefield like this..."
"...would never happen again."
The wind swept through the silent valley.
Shen extended one hand toward everyone.
"Our destiny..."
"...isn't decided by fear."
"It is decided by the courage to keep moving."
"Protect your family."
"Protect your friends."
"Protect strangers."
"Protect smiles."
"Fight..."
"Not because you hate."
"But because someone you love is waiting for you to return."
He smiled gently.
"The fallen..."
"...entrusted tomorrow to us."
"So..."
"Let's carry it."
"Together."
He slowly raised his voice.
"If anyone here..."
"Wishes to protect this world..."
"If anyone wishes..."
"To become stronger..."
"To save lives instead of watching them disappear..."
To walk toward their own destiny..."
"Then..."
"Join us."
"Join..."
"The Arcane Drifters."
The battlefield became silent once more.
Nobody moved.
For several long seconds...
Nothing happened.
Then...
A young boy...
Barely fourteen years old...
Raised his hand.
"I want to."
Another followed.
"So do I."
Then another.
"And me."
Another.
Another.
Another.
Within moments...
Hundreds of hands filled the air.
Young men.
Young women.
Soldiers.
Former hunters.
Blacksmiths.
Even adults who had lost everything.
They all stood together.
Eyes burning with determination.
"We'll fight!"
"We'll protect people!"
"We'll become Arcane Drifters!"
The valley that had once echoed with despair...
Now echoed with hope.
...
Commander Ryulga stared blankly.
His pipe nearly slipped from his mouth.
"...Oi."
He pointed toward Shen.
"...What exactly are you doing?"
Kenya folded his arms proudly.
"He isn't joking this time."
Ruke laughed loudly.
"I think..."
"...he accidentally became a commander."
Eliz covered her mouth as she giggled.
"He really motivated everyone..."
Ryulga scratched his head.
"...I was gone for a few months."
"...What happened to this kid?"
Shen looked toward everyone once more.
His expression became serious.
"If you choose this path..."
"There may be no return."
"You may never see your family again."
"You may lose everything."
"You may even lose your life."
He slowly clenched his fist.
"But..."
"If you're still willing to walk beside us..."
"Raise your hand."
Not a single hand lowered.
Instead...
Even more people raised theirs.
Ryulga quietly smiled.
"...Interesting."
Far above the battlefield...
A deep rumbling echoed through the clouds.
Everyone looked upward.
Dozens.
Then hundreds.
Of military helicopters appeared across the horizon.
Massive transport aircraft followed behind them.
The sky became filled with rescue forces.
Within minutes...
The battlefield transformed into organized movement.
Medical teams rushed toward the wounded.
Engineers secured collapsing ruins.
Large memorial banners were raised for the fallen.
White flowers were placed beside every hero.
Officials carefully wrote the names of every person who had sacrificed their life.
Nearby...
Children without families were gently escorted toward humanitarian shelters where they would receive education and protection.
The wounded were carried into flying medical transports.
Hope...
Had finally arrived.
...
Nearly ten minutes later...
A convoy of enormous black vehicles entered the battlefield.
Each carried the silver emblem of the Arcane Drifter Council.
One after another...
Powerful commanders stepped out.
Without hesitation...
Every one of them stopped before Ryulga.
Then...
They saluted.
Perfectly.
Simultaneously.
The commanders remained standing in perfect formation.
Their salutes never lowered.
The battlefield itself seemed to become quieter.
One by one...
Every commander bowed their head toward Ryulga.
The silver-haired commander spoke respectfully.
"Supreme Commander..."
"The battlefield has been secured."
"The casualties are being transported."
"The Arcane Council awaits your report."
Ryulga casually waved his hand.
"...Good."
"Handle it."
The commanders immediately answered.
"Yes, Supreme Commander."
They disappeared almost as quickly as they had arrived.
Silence followed.
Kenya slowly turned toward Ryulga.
His mouth opened.
Then closed.
Then opened again.
"...You..."
"...You're the Head of the Arcane Drifter Council?"
Ryulga calmly lit another pipe.
"...Yeah."
Ruke almost dropped his Dragon Staff.
"...Seriously?"
Eliz blinked several times.
"...I thought you were only a commander."
Ryulga shrugged.
"I am."
"...Just the highest one."
Kenya stared blankly.
"...YOU COULD HAVE TOLD US THAT!!"
Ryulga looked genuinely confused.
"...You never asked."
Kenya covered his face.
"I've officially given up trying to understand this man."
Shen quietly laughed.
For the first time...
Everyone laughed together.
...
Three days later...
The endless ocean stretched beneath the massive Arcane Drifter transport.
Clouds slowly drifted outside the enormous windows.
The war already felt incredibly far away.
Most of the passengers had finally recovered enough to rest.
Kenya slept across two seats.
Ruke quietly polished the restored Dragon Staff.
Eliz read through several ancient magical books she had borrowed from Ryulga.
Only Shen remained awake.
He silently watched the world passing below.
After crossing the ocean...
Land finally appeared.
A massive coastline.
Towering cities.
Snow-covered mountains in the distance.
Ryulga slowly stood.
"We've arrived."
...
The Asian Continent.
Japan.
Home of the Fourteenth Arcane Drifter Base.
The transport slowly descended toward one of the largest hidden military facilities in the world.
Gigantic steel walls surrounded the entire base.
Countless aircraft landed upon elevated platforms.
Massive warships rested inside hidden docks.
Training arenas stretched across the enormous complex.
Thousands of Arcane Drifters moved with perfect discipline.
Everything was clean.
Everything was peaceful.
Everything was organized.
Kenya slowly stepped outside.
His mouth fell open.
"...This..."
"...is huge."
Ruke looked around.
"...This is only one base?"
Ryulga nodded.
"There are fourteen major headquarters."
"This..."
"...is only one of them."
Eliz quietly admired the architecture.
"...It's beautiful."
Snow gently fell from the sky.
Unlike the ashes of Velnar...
This snowfall felt peaceful.
Calm.
Almost comforting.
...
Everyone slowly walked through the quiet streets surrounding the headquarters.
Kenya noticed something.
Shen hadn't said a single word since arriving.
"...Hey."
He nudged Shen's shoulder.
"You've been quiet."
"No jokes."
"No weird comments."
"What happened?"
Shen smiled faintly.
"...Nothing."
He looked toward children happily building a snowman.
Families laughed together while walking through the streets.
Shops remained open.
Music echoed softly through the city.
"I..."
"...have never seen a peaceful city before."
Everyone became silent.
Shen continued watching the people.
"So..."
"I'm just enjoying it."
"The snow."
"The laughter."
"The wind."
"It's..."
"...beautiful."
Even Kenya didn't know how to respond.
Eliz smiled softly.
"...Welcome to peace."
...
Their large armored transport slowly entered the city.
Without warning—
The enormous vehicle suddenly began changing.
Metal folded inward.
Armor disappeared beneath its surface.
Its heavy wheels shifted.
The massive military transport transformed into an ordinary luxury vehicle within seconds.
The seats rearranged themselves automatically.
The exterior became completely civilian.
Kenya almost jumped from his seat.
"...WHAT?!"
Ruke touched the window.
"...How did it become a normal car?"
Eliz looked equally surprised.
"...That's impossible."
Ryulga smiled.
"Not impossible."
"Arcane technology."
He leaned back comfortably.
"We are the shadows of this world."
"The Arcane Drifters exist..."
"...so ordinary people never have to know the truth."
"Our bases are hidden."
"Our vehicles are hidden."
"Our missions are hidden."
"If people knew what truly existed..."
"...panic would destroy civilization."
Everyone quietly listened.
Shen slowly nodded.
"So..."
"We protect humanity..."
"...without humanity even knowing."
Ryulga smiled.
"Exactly."
...
Several minutes later...
Ryulga opened a large black suitcase.
Kenya leaned closer.
"...Weapons?"
Ryulga shook his head.
"...Uniforms."
He began handing everyone neatly folded clothing.
One by one.
Kenya.
Ruke.
Eliz.
Finally...
Shen.
Shen unfolded his set.
"...What's this?"
Ryulga pointed toward the thin black layer underneath.
"Wear this beneath your normal clothes."
"It's incredibly light."
"But stronger than ordinary steel."
"It adjusts to your movements."
"It protects against Arcane attacks."
"When you're on missions..."
"You'll always wear it."
He handed each of them another casual outfit.
"For everyday life."
Then...
He removed four final uniforms.
Each one was different.
Each one perfectly matched its owner.
Kenya's uniform carried crimson lines resembling flames.
Ruke's long dark coat contained glowing blue patterns that resembled lightning.
Eliz's elegant black combat uniform carried deep violet magical symbols.
Finally...
Ryulga handed Shen his.
A long black coat.
Dark silver details across the sleeves.
A fitted suit beneath it.
Inside the coat...
Embroidered over the heart...
Was the silver emblem of the Arcane Drifters.
A soaring wing surrounding a shining star.
Shen slowly ran his fingers across it.
"...This..."
"...looks amazing."
Ryulga smiled.
"Those aren't just uniforms."
"They're symbols."
"When people see that emblem..."
"They know someone has come to protect them."
Everyone quietly changed into their new outfits.
For the first time...
They truly looked like Arcane Drifters.
Kenya admired himself in the window.
"...I actually look cool."
Ruke smirked.
"You always thought that."
Eliz laughed.
Shen adjusted the collar of his long coat.
"...Feels comfortable."
Ryulga nodded proudly.
"They're also casual wear."
"Wear them whenever you like."
Everyone smiled.
...
The vehicle slowly stopped beside a busy street.
Ryulga opened the door.
"Tomorrow..."
"We leave for Brazil."
"South America."
"There's another mission waiting."
He looked toward the four of them.
"So..."
"Before that..."
"...Enjoy Tokyo."
For several seconds...
Nobody moved.
Then—
"REALLY?!"
Kenya shouted.
Shen's eyes lit up.
Ruke grinned.
Even Eliz looked excited.
All four immediately ran toward the bustling streets.
Snow crunched beneath their feet.
Bright lights reflected across the roads.
Children laughed.
Street performers played music.
The peaceful city welcomed them with open arms.
Ryulga quietly watched them disappear into the crowd.
A small smile appeared beneath his pipe.
"...They're still kids."
He looked toward the driver.
"Take me to Headquarters."
"I need access to the restricted archives."
The driver nodded.
"Regarding what, sir?"
Ryulga slowly looked through the window.
His smile disappeared.
"...The Apocalypse."
The car quietly drove away.
Far ahead...
Shen laughed together with Kenya, Ruke, and Eliz beneath the softly falling winter snow...
Completely unaware...
That the greatest mystery of their world...
Had already begun.
To Be Continued….