Morning arrived with a quiet softness that felt almost unreal after the chaos of the past days. A gentle light seeped into the small kitchen, casting warm rays across the counter where Ren stood preparing breakfast. The sound of sizzling butter and the rhythmic motion of his hands created a calm that wrapped around the room like a fragile blessing.
He worked with an unusual concentration, as though focusing on simple tasks helped steady whatever storm still lurked inside him.
A soft shuffle of footsteps echoed from behind.
Yume stepped out into the kitchen, dressed casually, her hair loosely falling over her shoulders. Her presence brought a faint warmth into the air, and when she sat beside him at the table, the moment felt almost domestic — the kind of peaceful morning neither of them had ever truly lived before.
They ate quietly.
Not in tension — but in a silence filled with unspoken gratitude.
Both carried faint smiles, subtle but unmistakable, as if simply sitting near each other eased something heavy inside them.
It was only when she lifted her cup for another sip that a sudden realization hit her.
"Ren!" Yume said abruptly, leaning forward.
He glanced up, pausing mid-chew. After swallowing, he wiped his lips with a napkin.
"What is it?"
"There's… something I forgot to tell you."
Her tone carried a weight Ren immediately recognized — not dangerous, but something he would have preferred knowing sooner.
"What is it?" he repeated.
"Today is our family reunion," she said in one breath. "My father, mother, cousins… everyone will be gathering."
Ren blinked. "Why? And why so sudden?"
"As you know," she continued gently, "my mother's family carries the legacy of the Fourth General. They've been waiting for the return of the Ninth King." Her voice lowered slightly, guilt mixing with affection. "When you were declared, Grandfather decided not to tell anyone until you grew stronger. But after the battle… they all witnessed your immense power and figured it out that you were the Ninth King."
"So this reunion is… for me?" Ren asked slowly.
"Yes," Yume said, stretching her arms behind her head to lighten the mood. "Isn't it exciting?"
Ren stared blankly at her, not amused. "…Do I have to go?"
"Yes!" she said without a second of hesitation. "This is your ceremony — your introduction as the Ninth Sovereign."
A slight pause.
"…Will he be there?"
Yume stopped.
Her body stilled.
Her eyes shifted toward him, searching.
"To whom are you referring?" she asked quietly.
Ren didn't raise his head.
"You know."
His voice was calm — but underneath was a subtle tension only she would notice. Yume opened her mouth to respond, but she closed it again. Her expression softened instead.
Evening approached swiftly, dragging Ren's anxiety with it.
Ren and Yume arrived at the Kuro family estate — a vast ancestral domain with towering stone pillars and lanterns glowing like floating stars. The walkway stretched ahead, lined with distant figures waiting to greet them.
Yume's attire for the reunion was a graceful one-shoulder chiton, the fabric flowing elegantly with every step. Ren wore a white tuxedo, but even the pristine cloth couldn't hide the stiffness in his posture.
They reached the doorstep.
Ren stopped dead.
The voices, the atmosphere, the countless presence of people who already believed in him as a king… it hit him harder than he expected. A heavy nervousness tightened in his chest. Even though he had met some of these people before, tonight felt different — official, ceremonial, suffocating.
"Hey… Yume." Ren's voice cracked slightly. "Do I really have to go inside?"
Yume turned toward him. Instead of answering immediately, she took Ren's hand gently and lifted it to her cheek. Her skin felt warm, grounding.
"You didn't hesitate back then," she whispered, her eyes locked on his. "Don't hesitate now."
"I— I just don't feel right," he muttered. His breathing was uneven. "It feels like—"
"Enough," she said sharply, though not unkindly. "Stop overthinking. Everyone is waiting. You only have to step forward."
She opened the large gates.
A corridor of people stood inside — faces he knew, faces he didn't, faces that carried expectations heavier than mountains. Haru, Daiki, Kuro, and Althric stood at the entrance like a ceremonial guard line, greeting him with solemn respect.
Ren swallowed hard as he stepped in.
A vast crowd stood before them, offering their greetings.
"So many people…" he whispered under his breath. "Did your mother and father have a lot of brothers and sisters?"
"No," Yume whispered back. "Why?"
"Then how on earth are there so many people here…?"
A laugh came from the left. Daiki stepped forward, hands folded behind him.
"That's because three clans have gathered," Daiki said. "Daizen, Akegami, and Raikuro."
Ren nodded. "How are you, Daiki?"
"I'm fine," Daiki replied. "Honestly, we expected you to run away. Seeing you here is a relief."
Kuro stepped forward next, his gaze sharp but proud.
"Today," Kuro announced, "Arden my second grandchild will inherit the power of the Fourth General. After today, he will become the even more stronger S-rank of this generation, second only to Haru."
Ren blinked. "…S-rank? Aren't there only twenty worldwide?"
"Yes," Kuro said, "but our clans are different. Every person born into these three clans is capable of reaching S-rank. We simply keep our power hidden."
Ren processed that slowly.
"I remember… on the memorial day, Arden was the center of attention. You said he was S-rank back then, but I didn't really think too much about it."
Daiki chuckled. "Because you were too busy surviving."
Kuro cleared his throat. "These clans are not meant for open battle. Their purpose is to produce the warrior worthy of wielding the Fourth's power."
Ren's brows lowered slightly. "The Four Generals… they each have a unique ability?"
"Yes," Kuro confirmed.
Ren sighed. "I feel like you're telling me everything late, Master."
Daiki laughed. "He tends to forget things."
Kuro gave him a look but continued.
"The Fourth's ability is wisdom — deep analytical perception and extraordinary decision-making. To inherit it, the chosen warrior undergoes brutal training that only a handful survive. And the final test… is always conducted by the Eighth King."
Ren's breath hitched.
The Eighth King was the one he had feared being in the same room with.
Kuro continued, "At the end of the trials, only one emerges worthy of the title. The rest return to normal lives. They are forbidden from fighting."
"Why?" Ren asked.
"No one knows," Kuro admitted. "But I have a theory. Whenever the Fourth General is injured or exhausted, they require enormous support. A healer. Balance. Someone who can replenish their power."
Kuro lifted his hand to Ren's shoulder and said with a low laugh, "...but now you're our main healer."
Daiki nodded. "Exactly."
Ren looked up at the sky, the lantern light reflecting faintly in his eyes.
"Master," he said quietly, "every time you talk about things like this… I feel like I'm still on the first step. Even though we've come so far, even though everything changed so fast… I feel small."
Kuro and Daiki exchanged a knowing look before stepping closer.
Kuro placed a firm hand on Ren's shoulder. "You're right. A lot has changed."
Daiki added, "But stop staring at the past. Look at the present — and the future waiting in front of you."
Ren nodded slowly.
"…You're right."
He exhaled deeply, letting the weight settle instead of crushing him. He then turned and greeted Haru, his former captain, who nodded proudly.
For a moment, Ren allowed himself to enjoy the atmosphere — the brief warmth in greetings, the quiet pride in the eyes of people who barely knew him but already respected him.
For a moment…
Ren felt a rare peace.
But beneath the peace…
beneath the music, the chatter, the ceremonial grandeur…
Something else lingered.
A presence.
A shadow Ren expected.
A person he dreaded facing.
And as he stepped toward the main hall where the center of the reunion awaited —
Ren felt that presence awaken.
Waiting for him.
Watching him.