Darkness faded slowly in Orun's mind.
A memory surfaced.
Years ago.
Inside a quiet office.
Orun stood before Iren.
"…You cast us out."
His voice was tight.
Painful.
Iren looked tired. Not angry.
"…I don't have a choice, Orun."
Orun stepped forward.
"But what about my people?"
"Where are we supposed to live?"
His voice cracked slightly.
"…Please."
"I'm begging you."
A long silence.
Iren finally spoke.
"…It's hard to be a leader, Orun."
He looked away.
"If I let things continue… your people's vengeance will destroy the village one day."
Orun lowered his gaze.
"…Then what do we do?"
Iren's expression softened slightly.
"But I promise you this…"
"Someday… maybe me… or my son…"
"We will bring you back home."
Orun stayed silent for a long moment.
Then he nodded slowly.
"…Fine."
"I will lead my people away."
He turned slightly.
"But you better keep your promise."
Iren smiled faintly.
"You wolfbeasts have always been part of this village."
"…I consider you friends."
The memory faded.
Orun's breathing slowed.
"…I was wrong."
"…I doubted you, Iren."
His voice was weak now.
"I thought you broke your promise…"
A pause.
"…But you kept it."
His eyes slowly opened.
Warm light filled his vision.
A field of flowers stretched endlessly around him.
And there—
Iren stood, smiling gently.
Orun's lips trembled.
"…I'm back…"
He exhaled softly.
"…Old friend."
The village gates stood open.
Silence filled the air as everyone waited.
Then—
Footsteps.
Saito, Kaito, Takashi, Takeru, and the remaining wolfbeast soldiers appeared through the path.
Tired. Worn. But alive.
A wave of relief spread through the crowd.
Feina pushed through the villagers immediately.
Her eyes locked onto Takeru.
"…You're back."
Before he could respond—she hugged him tightly.
Takeru froze for a moment… then gently placed a hand on her head.
"…Yeah. I'm back."
Tina ran forward next.
"Sir Saito! Sir Kaito!"
She hugged Saito first, then Kaito, smiling brightly.
"You all came back!"
Saito gave a small, tired smile.
"…We did."
Kaito exhaled lightly.
"…Barely."
The village slowly calmed.
Warmth returned.
People began to smile again.
But then—
A wolfbeast stepped forward.
"…Where is Lord Orun?"
The air changed instantly.
Silence fell.
No one spoke.
Saito lowered his gaze.
Takashi stepped forward.
In front of him—
A cement coffin rested carefully, held in place.
Feina's expression stiffened.
"…Is that…?"
Takeru closed his eyes once.
"…Yeah."
A long, heavy silence followed.
Then—
A deep howl rose from the wolfbeasts.
Grief filled the air.
One by one, they joined in.
Later—
At the eastern side of the village.
A quiet burial site.
Orun rested beside Iren.
No conflict. No anger.
Only silence.
Takeru stood there.
"…He kept his promise."
Saito looked at the grave for a moment.
Then spoke softly.
"…Yeah."
He turned slightly toward the village behind them.
"…Now all of you… are back home."
Morning light filled the office.
Saito stood by the window, looking out over the village.
It felt… different.
Quieter.
Peaceful.
For once.
Knock. Knock.
Saito flinched slightly.
"…Come in."
Takashi entered, holding a stack of paperwork.
"This is the last one."
Saito took it, glanced over the contents, then pressed the stamp down.
A soft thud.
Final.
He leaned back slightly.
"…So it's done."
Takashi nodded.
"…Yeah."
"The wolfbeasts are now officially citizens of this village."
Saito looked out the window again.
Villagers and wolfbeasts moved together in the streets.
Still a bit awkward.
But… trying.
"…Good."
Takashi adjusted the papers in his hand.
"…Are you ready?"
Saito glanced at him.
"For what?"
Takashi sighed.
"The ceremony."
Saito blinked.
"…What ceremony?"
Takashi gave him a look.
"The wolfbeasts are choosing a new leader."
"Takeru will be elected."
"And you…"
He pointed lightly at Saito.
"…are giving a speech."
Saito froze.
"…Wait."
A pause.
"…Speech?"
Takashi crossed his arms.
"You're the one who brought all of this together."
"It would be strange if you said nothing."
Saito swallowed.
"…Yeah."
"…I'll… figure something out."
Saito stepped out of the mansion.
The morning air felt lighter than usual.
The village streets were alive—
But not with tension.
With peace.
Wolfbeasts and villagers moved side by side.
Some still looked unsure.
Some kept their distance.
But there was no fear.
No hostility.
Only… effort.
Near the open square—
Children gathered.
Laughter filled the air.
"Okay! Jump on three!"
Tina stood at the center, hands on her hips.
"One… two… three!"
Kids and young wolfbeasts leapt together, laughing as they landed.
A small wolf cub stumbled—
Tina quickly helped it up.
"See? You can do it!"
The cub wagged its tail happily.
Saito watched quietly.
A small smile formed on his face.
He continued walking.
Toward Pyvi's restaurant.
Inside—
The atmosphere was loud and warm.
Villagers and wolfbeasts sat together, eating and drinking.
Some laughed awkwardly.
Some spoke freely.
It wasn't perfect—
But it was real.
At one table—
Kaito sat across from Takeru.
The two were mid-conversation.
Kaito leaned back slightly.
"…So you're the leader now."
Takeru gave a small nod.
"…Seems like it."
Kaito smirked faintly.
"…Try not to mess it up."
Takeru huffed lightly.
"…Same to you."
Evening arrived.
The center of the village was filled.
Rows of seats stretched across the open space.
Villagers and wolfbeasts gathered together.
Waiting.
Watching.
Takashi stood on the stage.
He stepped forward.
"Thank you all for coming today."
His voice carried across the crowd.
"This ceremony is not just for welcoming the wolfbeasts…"
He paused.
"…but for welcoming back our old friends."
Murmurs spread softly.
Some nodded.
Some listened in silence.
"They may seem new to some of you."
"But long ago… they lived among us."
"We were separated by misunderstanding."
His tone softened.
"But today…"
"We stand together again."
Takashi looked across the crowd.
Humans. Wolfbeasts. Side by side.
"I hope we can move forward together…"
"…and build a peaceful village here in Jokun City."
Applause rose.
Cheers followed.
Not perfect.
But sincere.
Takashi stepped back slightly.
"…And now…"
He glanced toward the side of the stage.
"I would like to invite the one who made this possible."
"Our protector…"
"…Saito."
Behind the stage—
Saito stood still.
His hands tightened slightly.
He took a deep breath.
"…Alright."
Then stepped forward.
Saito stepped onto the stage.
The moment he appeared—
Cheers rose from the crowd.
Voices overlapped.
Some loud. Some hesitant.
But all directed at him.
Saito gave a small, awkward smile.
He wasn't used to this.
Fighting? Easy.
Talking?
…Not so much.
Beside him, Takashi raised a hand.
Slowly, the crowd quieted.
The noise faded into silence.
Saito stepped forward.
He stopped at the center of the stage.
For a moment—
He said nothing.
His eyes moved across the crowd.
Villagers.
Wolfbeasts.
Standing together.
Some smiling.
Some unsure.
Some still watching carefully.
He took a deep breath.
"…Alright."
Saito scratched the back of his head.
"…Uh… hi, everyone."
A few soft laughs came from the crowd.
He exhaled.
"…I'm not really good at this kind of thing."
Another small ripple of laughter.
"…If you ask me…"
"…me and Kaito—we're still new here."
"We don't really know your history… your traditions… or everything that happened before."
He glanced around the crowd.
"…But when we came here to deal with Kuro…"
"I saw something."
His expression softened slightly.
"I saw people who didn't give up."
"People who still had hope… and the will to live."
He paused.
"…And now I know…"
"…you and the wolfbeasts once lived together."
"Then something went wrong."
"A misunderstanding."
Saito looked across both sides of the crowd.
Humans. Wolfbeasts.
"…But even after all that…"
"You're still here."
A small smile formed.
"…Together."
In the crowd—
Takeru and Feina smiled quietly.
Tina raised a peace sign while hugging Pyvi.
Takashi crossed his arms with a faint grin.
Kaito stood at the side, smirking slightly.
Saito continued.
"…So I don't think this is the end of something."
"I think this is a new start."
He turned slightly toward Takeru.
"…And for the wolfbeasts…"
"You'll now be led by Takeru."
He nodded once.
"…In my opinion…"
"He'll be a great leader."
"…Just like Orun was."
Takeru lowered his head slightly.
Silent.
Respectful.
Saito looked back at the crowd one last time.
"…So yeah…"
"…Let's just… keep moving forward."
"Together."