Takashi stepped forward toward the seated mayors.
The lantern light reflected softly off his formal attire as he gave a respectful bow.
"Welcome to our village."
His voice was calm, steady, and polite.
Fein, the elderly mayor of Kor Village, tilted his head slightly as he looked at Takashi more closely.
"You… you're Iren's son?"
Takashi paused for half a second.
Then he nodded.
"Yes."
Fein gave a slow, thoughtful nod, as if confirming a memory.
Gein, the mayor of Hiraki Village, leaned back slightly in his seat.
"Didn't know a once weak village could become this famous."
His tone wasn't mocking—just genuinely surprised.
Takashi responded with a small, controlled smile.
"We've had help."
He gestured slightly toward the prepared tables nearby.
"Please, enjoy your meal first while we wait for the final guest."
At his signal, maids began moving through the seating area.
They carried trays of food and drinks, placing them carefully in front of each mayor.
Warm dishes.
Freshly prepared.
The atmosphere slowly eased as people began to settle in.
Takashi then walked over and took a seat beside John.
John turned slightly, studying him.
"Hey, Takashi."
Takashi nodded politely.
"John."
John gave a short grin.
"I'm John."
Takashi looked at him for a moment.
"You must be the mayor of that new village."
John nodded.
"Yes, we are."
He leaned back slightly, crossing his arms.
"And we're happy to work with you… for mutual interest."
Takashi gave a small nod.
"I see."
He paused.
"Then it's a pleasure."
Before the conversation could continue—
A new sound approached.
Wheels over dirt.
Another carriage arrived.
All eyes shifted toward the entrance.
The carriage door opened.
Rick stepped out first.
Calm. Composed.
Beside him was his daughter, Fiona.
Wolfbeast escorts immediately guided them toward the seating area.
Rick adjusted his posture as he walked forward.
Fein's eyes widened slightly.
"Rick."
Rick looked up and smiled faintly.
"I'm fine."
He continued forward and took his seat beside Takashi.
Takashi turned and extended a hand.
Rick accepted it firmly.
A respectful handshake.
"Glad you made it," Takashi said.
Rick nodded.
"So am I."
Fiona stood slightly behind him for a moment, observing the gathered mayors and the scale of the ceremony.
Then she quietly stepped aside as guards and escorts settled into position.
The final guest had arrived.
And the ceremony atmosphere grew heavier—ready for what came next.
Inside the mansion, the atmosphere was quieter than outside—but the weight of the moment still pressed in.
Saito stood near the window, looking out at the glowing village square.
Lanterns swayed gently in the night air.
The crowd was already gathered.
The stage stood at the center, illuminated and waiting.
He exhaled slowly.
"…Nervous is getting me."
Kaito, standing nearby, glanced at him and let out a small breath through his nose.
Without saying much, he walked over and placed a hand on Saito's shoulder.
"…It'll be fine."
A pause.
Then he added, more casually,
"I'll stand near you."
Saito looked at him for a moment.
Then let out a slow breath.
"…Yeah."
His shoulders eased slightly.
He stepped away from the window.
"Alright."
A small, confident smile formed.
"Let's do this."
Outside—
The stage was fully prepared.
Takashi stood at the center, facing the crowd and the seated mayors.
His voice carried clearly across the square.
"Welcome, all mayors from nearby regions, to Lorum Village."
A respectful silence followed.
Takashi turned slightly toward the side of the stage.
"Now… I would like to welcome the protector of Lorum Village to the stage."
A moment passed.
Then—
Saito stepped out from the side.
The crowd immediately reacted.
Cheers rose from the villagers.
Wolfbeasts and humans alike turned their attention toward him.
Saito walked forward steadily, stopping at the center of the stage.
His gaze moved across the crowd.
Then toward the seated mayors.
He gave a slight nod.
"Welcome to Lorum Village."
His voice was calm, clear.
"I want to thank you for your request to accept us as your trading partners."
He paused briefly.
"I hope we can work together for the benefit of all our villages."
A few of the mayors exchanged glances.
Fein leaned slightly toward Gein and lowered his voice.
"…He's a gangster, isn't he?"
Gein glanced at Saito, then back at Fein.
"No need to worry."
"He looks like a newbie who thinks he's strong."
Fein gave a faint hum, still watching carefully.
Saito continued speaking.
Behind him, Takashi stepped forward and placed a large document on the table in front of him.
It unfolded across the surface.
A formal agreement.
Saito stepped forward and placed his hand on the paper.
Then signed it.
A clean motion.
No hesitation.
Takashi then turned toward the seated mayors.
"One by one, please come forward."
Fein was first.
He stood slowly and walked to the stage, signing with a measured expression.
Then Gein followed, adding his signature with a calm nod.
John came next, signing with a firm stroke.
Rick stepped forward last, exchanging a brief look with Takashi before signing as well.
One by one—
The agreement was completed.
The alliance was officially sealed.
After the ceremony ended, the atmosphere shifted from public celebration to a more serious, private setting.
Inside the mansion's meeting room, the long table was already prepared.
Soft lighting from hanging lamps illuminated the space.
Saito sat at the head of the table, his posture relaxed but attentive.
On his left side sat Takashi and Takeru.
On the right side—
the mayors of the surrounding villages.
Fein, Gein, John, and Rick.
The room was quiet for a moment, the weight of the earlier agreement still settling in.
Rick turned slightly toward Saito.
"Sir Saito…"
Saito looked at him.
"Rick."
"…You can just sit normally."
Rick hesitated for a second, then nodded and leaned back slightly in his chair.
"Of course. You're the one who cured my shrine… and saved my village."
Saito gave a small smile.
"That was a group effort."
Takashi adjusted a document in front of him.
"Alright, let's proceed."
"We'll be discussing trade routes, logistics, and security arrangements."
Fein immediately spoke up.
"Before that—Sir Saito."
All eyes turned to him.
Fein's expression was calm, but firm.
"The routes must be safely guarded for my merchants."
Saito nodded without hesitation.
"That's fine."
"The wolfbeasts will handle route security."
"You don't need to worry."
A few of the mayors shifted slightly at that.
Gein let out a small, amused breath.
"Heh."
"That's a big statement."
He leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms.
"Honestly… I don't even know why I sent the request in the first place."
The room quieted slightly.
Takashi's eyes narrowed a little.
Saito looked at him calmly.
"Is there a problem, Mayor Gein?"
Gein met his gaze.
For a moment, the air tightened.
"Nothing."
He shrugged slightly.
"It's just… Hiraki Village is known for its military performance."
"And now we're supposed to kneel to a village that only got famous because of a young newbie gangster?"
Takashi spoke immediately.
"I never said anyone is kneeling."
Fein added, slightly colder now.
"Still… it is true."
"My people always said Lorum Village is the safest route."
He paused.
"But from what I see… it's just an ordinary village."
At that moment—
Takeru's fur bristled.
He leaned forward slightly, voice sharp.
"We can cancel the trading if that's what you want."
The room tensed instantly.
Takashi raised a hand.
"That's enough."
"There's no need to turn this into conflict."
Rick sighed heavily, rubbing his forehead.
Fein tilted his head slightly.
"Then tell me, Rick."
"Your village is known for its crops and shrine."
"Even you are willing to 'kneel' to them?"
Rick looked at him steadily.
"We were the first to send the request to join Sir Saito's territory."
He paused.
"And even if we weren't…"
"I want to work with them."
"I want Lorum Village to lead us."
A silence followed.
Fein's jaw tightened slightly.
John finally spoke from the side.
"Sir Saito."
"I also want to join your territory."
Saito remained quiet for a moment.
His eyes slowly moved across the table.
Fein.
Gein.
John.
Rick.
Then briefly toward Takashi.
A faint, controlled smile formed on his face.
And for the first time—
he looked directly at the tension in the room without flinching.