Inside the abandoned building—
Saito, Kaito, and Takeru stood facing Ling and Jori.
The air was still tense, but no longer hostile.
Saito stepped forward slightly.
"…So."
"…You two are the ones who poisoned the shrine in Grizzly Village?"
Jori didn't hesitate.
"…Yeah. That was us."
Ling crossed his arms.
"We were hired."
"It was part of a contract."
Saito's expression didn't change.
"…I see."
A short pause.
"…Then who hired you?"
Ling shook his head immediately.
"…We can't tell you that."
"…It's against our contract."
Takeru's eyes narrowed.
"…People are starving because of that contract."
Jori looked away for a second.
"…We just do the job."
Kaito finally spoke.
His tone calm—but firm.
"…This isn't just another job."
"…It's urgent."
Ling and Jori exchanged a glance.
A silent conversation.
Jori sighed.
"…Tch… you always put us in a spot, senior."
Ling nodded slightly.
"…Fine."
Jori turned back.
"…We'll take you there."
Saito gave a small nod.
"…That's enough."
Jori and Ling stopped in front of a small house.
It looked ordinary.
Too ordinary.
Jori pointed at it.
"…This is the place."
Saito nodded once.
Then stepped forward and pushed the door open.
Inside—
A man in his forties turned around, startled.
"…Who are you?"
Saito didn't waste time.
"You're the one who poisoned the shrine, aren't you?"
The man froze.
Just for a second.
But it was enough.
"…I—I don't know what you're talking about—"
He suddenly turned and rushed toward the window.
Before he could jump—
A fist came crashing through.
BAM!
Takeru stood outside, his punch sending the man straight back into the room.
The man hit the floor hard, groaning.
Saito walked closer, looking down at him.
"…You're not very good at running."
The man trembled.
"…W-Wait… please…"
"I'll talk—just don't—"
The door creaked again.
Kaito stepped inside, calm as ever.
"…Should I kill him?"
The man's face went pale instantly.
Saito shook his head.
"…No."
He crouched slightly, meeting the man's eyes.
"…But you're leaving this city."
"…Now."
The man nodded rapidly.
"Yes—yes, I will—right now—"
He scrambled to his feet and rushed out without looking back.
Silence.
Takeru stepped in through the broken window.
"…Pretty sure he just pissed himself."
Kaito smirked faintly.
"…Most likely."
Saito exhaled slowly.
"…That was too easy."
Back at Grizzly Village—
Rick stood near the shrine path, waiting.
Fiona stood beside him, arms crossed.
"…See?" she said.
"They just left."
Rick frowned slightly.
"Fiona, don't say that."
Before she could reply—
Footsteps approached.
Saito, Kaito, and Takeru walked back into the village.
Ling and Jori followed behind them.
Rick's eyes widened slightly.
"Sir Saito—"
He stepped forward.
"…You're safe. Thank goodness."
Saito gave a small nod.
"…Yeah. We're fine."
Rick's gaze shifted to Jori and Ling.
"…So… these are the ones responsible?"
Saito shook his head slightly.
"…More like someone hired them."
He handed over a small picture.
Rick looked at it—then his expression changed.
"…That man…"
He sighed.
"…He used to be a merchant nearby."
"…I guess he couldn't accept our village's success."
Saito crossed his arms.
"…Jealousy, huh."
Rick looked back up.
"…Then… can the shrine be restored?"
Kaito tilted his head slightly toward Jori and Ling.
"These two can handle it."
Jori blinked.
"…Wait, senior—"
Kaito gave a small smile.
"…Please."
A pause.
Jori straightened instantly.
"…Alright."
"…Anything for you, senior."
Kaito let out a quiet sigh.
"…You're too easy."
At the Shrine
They gathered around the shrine.
The water inside was no longer clear.
A dull green color spread across it, giving off a faint, unpleasant smell.
Even the air around it felt wrong.
Rick clenched his hands.
"…This is what's been killing our land."
Jori stepped forward calmly.
He reached into his pocket and took out a small glass bottle.
Inside was a clear liquid.
"…Poison can be undone," he said.
"…if you understand it well enough."
He uncorked the bottle—
Then poured it into the shrine water.
For a moment—nothing happened.
Then slowly…
The green color began to fade.
The water cleared.
The smell disappeared.
The air felt lighter.
Cleaner.
Rick's eyes widened.
"…Unbelievable…"
Jori smirked slightly.
"…That's the art of poison."
Takeru crossed his arms.
"…Never thought poison could fix something."
Saito looked at the now-clear water.
"…As long as it works."
The next day—
Rick stood in the middle of the field.
His voice echoed across the village.
"Everyone! Gather your tools!"
"Let's restore our land!"
Villagers rushed out of their homes.
Some carried farming tools.
Others prepared the soil.
For the first time in a while—
There was energy again.
Days passed.
Then weeks.
Green slowly returned to the land.
Small sprouts pushed through the soil.
Then grew taller.
Healthier.
Stronger.
The fields of Grizzly Village were alive again.
Saito stood at the edge of the field, watching quietly.
"…There you go."
Rick walked up to him, smiling with relief.
"Sir Saito…"
"…Thank you."
"You truly saved this village."
Saito shook his head slightly.
"…I didn't do it alone."
He glanced back.
"…My friends helped too."
Rick nodded.
"…Still, we won't forget this."
He hesitated for a moment.
"…About joining your territory…"
Saito looked at him.
"…We'll be waiting for you in Lorum."
Rick smiled.
"…We'll be there."
Footsteps approached from behind.
Fiona stepped forward, a bit hesitant.
Her usual sharp expression was gone.
"…Thank you," she said quietly.
Saito blinked slightly.
Then smiled.
"…No big deal."
Not far away—
Jori leaned toward Ling and whispered,
"…She's kinda—"
Before he could finish—
Kaito stepped on his foot.
"Ow—!"
Kaito didn't even look at him.
"…Have some manners."
Ling shook his head.
"…You never learn."
Saito glanced back at them and sighed lightly.
"…Same as always."
The village was no longer quiet.
Laughter returned.
Life returned.
And for now—
Peace remained.
Saito and the others walked out of Grizzly Village.
The path stretched quietly ahead of them, fields fading into open land.
After a while, Jori slowed his steps.
"…Guess this is where we part."
Ling nodded beside him.
"…Yeah."
Saito turned to them.
"…Thanks. For helping us."
Jori crossed his arms.
"Tch… don't get it wrong."
"I only helped because of senior Kaito."
Kaito glanced at him.
Jori stiffened immediately.
"…I mean—yeah… still because of him."
Ling shook his head slightly.
"…Anyway…"
He looked at Kaito.
"…When are you coming back, senior?"
Kaito stayed quiet for a moment.
Then said,
"…Tell them I'll need a few months."
Ling nodded.
"…Got it."
He turned and started walking.
Jori followed, but glanced back once.
"…Don't disappear again, alright?"
Kaito didn't answer.
But he didn't look away either.
Then the two disappeared down the path.
Silence settled for a moment.
Saito let out a breath.
"…Man… I almost forgot."
"…You're actually part of something big."
Kaito shrugged.
"…Was."
Saito looked at him.
"…Still feels like it matters."
Kaito turned away slightly.
"…We'll talk about it back at the village."
Takeru nodded.
"…Yeah. That sounds better."
The three of them continued walking—
Back toward Lorum Village.
Rick and Fiona stood at the edge of the fields.
The crops swayed gently in the wind—green, full, alive.
Villagers moved between rows, laughing, working, talking like they used to.
The village finally felt whole again.
Fiona watched quietly, arms no longer crossed.
"…It really came back…"
Rick smiled, his eyes soft.
"…Yeah."
He looked out across the land, then spoke under his breath.
"…You were right, Takashi."
A small pause.
"…He really is a protector."
Fiona didn't reply.
But this time—
She didn't disagree either.