Silence ruled the throne chamber.
Not the calm kind—
the heavy kind.
The kind that presses on the chest and forces every soul present to remember their place in the world.
The king slowly lowered himself back onto the throne, his fingers resting against the armrest carved with the ancient crest of Cristal de Frost. His eyes never left Yowai.
"You stand at the center of something far larger than you," the king said. "Do you understand that?"
Yowai nodded once.
"I do."
Lex let out a quiet breath through his nose, more irritated than amused.
"So this is how it happens," he said. "Not through years of war. Not through bloodline. But through a single battle."
Hanuma turned slightly toward him.
"Careful, Lex. History doesn't ask permission."
Lex clenched his jaw but said nothing.
Frostbite finally moved closer, boots echoing against fractured stone as he circled Yowai slowly, like a storm assessing whether a mountain was worth breaking.
"You didn't hesitate," Frostbite said. "When you stopped us earlier."
Yowai answered honestly.
"I didn't have time to."
That answer made Frostbite smile—just a little.
The Head Priest stepped forward, staff trembling slightly in his grip.
"My king," he said, voice strained. "If he is to stand among the top ranks… the binding vow must be addressed. Such contracts twist fate itself."
Lord Fuga laughed softly.
A few heads turned—but none could identify exactly where the sound came from.
The priest swallowed.
The king raised a hand.
"The vow is not broken. Nor is it unlawful."
The room stirred.
"What?" the priest whispered.
"The laws forbid reckless vows," the king continued. "Not necessary ones."
That silenced everyone.
Yowai felt it then—
that quiet pull in his chest.
The same feeling he'd had standing before Flare.
Before Vechi's memory had shattered him.
Akani noticed immediately.
She stepped closer without thinking, standing just behind Yowai's shoulder. Not hiding—but supporting.
Her presence steadied him.
Shizu watched this with narrowed eyes, lips pressed tight, something unreadable stirring behind them.
"So," Lex said, breaking the moment. "What now?"
The king straightened.
"Now," he said, "we prepare."
The walls shimmered faintly as defensive runes activated across the chamber—ancient magic responding to the gravity of what had just been decided.
"Threat levels across the lands are rising," the king continued. "Legendary entities are awakening. Cultivation of artificial monsters has been confirmed. And worse—"
He paused.
"—someone is guiding it."
That word landed harder than any roar.
Hanuma's eyes darkened.
"A conductor."
"Yes," the king said. "And whoever it is… knows your weaknesses."
Frostbite folded his arms.
"Then we strike first."
"No," the king replied calmly. "We endure first."
Yowai looked up sharply.
The king met his gaze.
"You will remain here. Train. Integrate."
Lex scoffed.
"So we babysit?"
Lord Fuga finally stepped forward fully, his presence rolling across the room like an unseen tide. Not oppressive—just undeniable.
"No," he said pleasantly. "You learn."
Every instinct in Lex screamed to draw a weapon.
Hanuma placed a hand on Lex's arm—not restraining, but warning.
Akani's fingers curled slightly.
Yowai felt Lord Fuga's voice slide into his mind again.
This is where they test you. Not with fists.
The king rose once more.
"This council is adjourned."
The guards moved. The nobles began whispering. The tension slowly bled out of the chamber—but not entirely.
As people filed out, Lex paused beside Yowai.
"Power doesn't forgive mistakes," he said quietly. "Neither do we."
Yowai met his eyes.
"I'm not asking forgiveness."
Lex smirked faintly—and walked away.
Hanuma followed, nodding once to Yowai.
"Survive," he said. "That's all that matters."
Frostbite lingered the longest.
"You're afraid," he said. Not accusing. Observing.
Yowai didn't deny it.
"Yes."
Frostbite smiled.
"Good."
Then he left.
The chamber emptied.
Only Yowai, Akani, Shizu, Lord Fuga, and the king remained.
The king exhaled slowly, suddenly looking far older.
"Storms are coming," he said quietly. "And you, Yowai Sato… stand directly beneath them."
Yowai bowed.
"Then I won't fall."
Next episode: Judgement