Meanwhile at Dreadholm
The doors of Dreadholm Mansion swung inward, letting the warmth of home spill into the cold morning air. Subaru stepped across the threshold, the bite of the outside world slipping away like mist. Behind him, Thorn's boots thudded softly on the polished stone, and Alya followed with her usual graceful composure.
"Yippee! We're finally home!" Liora's cheerful voice rang out, bouncing off the high arches of the grand foyer.
Alya's hand came down gently on Liora's shoulder, her expression calm but her tone firm. "Liora, please. Keep your voice down."
The young girl puffed her cheeks in mock defiance, a tiny frown creasing her brow. Subaru's chuckle rumbled in his chest, low and warm.
"That's my granddaughter," he said with quiet pride, the corner of his mouth lifting in amusement. Then his gaze shifted to Thorn. "Speaking of which, we go meet Old Man Wu. He will be happy to see you."
Thorn let out a booming laugh, the sound rolling through the hall. "Old Man Wu? Happy to see me? I'd pay to witness that. What's that name he always calls me again?"
"A loudmouth," Subaru replied, smirking.
Thorn's laughter deepened, filling the space with its rich tone. Subaru waited for it to fade before glancing toward Alya. "Alya, could you be a dear and call Raphael and Auren for me? Thorn and I will be in Wu's workshop."
Alya inclined her head respectfully. "Of course. I will get them." She turned toward the corridor, but Liora skipped to her side like a shadow that refused to be left behind.
"Yippee! We're going to see my darling!"
Alya didn't break stride. Her sigh was soft but edged with a warning. "Young mistress, please stop calling him that."
"But it's true, Alya!" Liora's small voice carried stubborn conviction.
Another sigh from Alya, this one tinged with weary affection rather than frustration, was her only reply.
Thorn's brows drew together as he leaned toward Subaru. "Hmm. Subaru, who is this 'darling' your granddaughter speaks of?"
Subaru's chuckle was light, almost dismissive, but there was a flicker of something unreadable in his eyes. "Oh, don't mind her. My granddaughter is a dreamer." He started walking deeper into the mansion.
"You're terrible at lying, you know that," Thorn remarked, falling into step beside him.
"Terrible?" Subaru's tone was mock-offended. "I am the best liar in this nation."
Thorn scoffed. "The best? Hardly. Remember that time you tried lying your way out of trouble… in the domain of the witches?"
Subaru's stride slowed for the briefest moment, a shadow of memory brushing his features. "What trouble? I can't seem to recall."
"The one with… Morganya," Thorn said, his grin turning playful.
Subaru's laugh burst out, genuine and deep. "Ah, yes! That really happened. And I'd remind you…if it wasn't for Morganya herself, we would have gotten away with it."
Thorn's face twisted into a scowl. "Ugh… I really don't want to see that old hag again. She's so uptight."
Subaru let out a warm laugh, the sound echoing faintly off the stone walls. "What did you expect? That's just how she is."
"It's wrong," Thorn muttered, shaking his head with exaggerated disapproval. "But who cares? She's so lonely I almost feel bad for her. No lover, no children…"
"No, no, no," Subaru interrupted, still chuckling. "You're wrong about that."
Thorn stopped mid-step, narrowing his eyes. "What do you mean 'I'm wrong'?"
"I'm not saying," Subaru replied, a mischievous glint sparking in his gaze.
"Oh, come on, Subaru," Thorn urged, his tone turning playful, "spill it!"
"And why would I?"
"For old times' sake," Thorn pressed. "We tell each other things, don't we?"
"Not this time," Subaru said quietly, his voice dipping into a low whisper. "That's not a story that should be known… not when she's the Supreme Witch."
Thorn threw his head back with a groan. "Supreme Witch, my foot! Come on, just say it!"
"No." Subaru's answer was firm as he came to a stop in front of a towering bookshelf that stretched along the narrow corridor.
"Oh, come on," Thorn whined, trailing after him. "Don't make me start guessing."
With a quiet sigh, Subaru reached for a red book and pulled it halfway out. "Guess whatever you want," he said lightly. "Besides… I'm not even sure I'm correct."
The moment the book shifted, the shelf split down the middle with a grinding rumble, revealing a shadowed staircase spiraling downward. Subaru stepped onto the first stair without hesitation, Thorn close behind.
"Is it a secret lover?" Thorn guessed, leaning in as the bookshelf sealed itself with a heavy thud behind them.
"I don't know that," Subaru answered simply, his voice echoing in the stone passage.
"A child?"
"Nope."
Thorn grunted, his frustration growing. "A harem, then?"
That earned him a rich laugh from Subaru, the sound bouncing off the walls. "What makes you think that?"
"What else?" Thorn said with a shrug. "She's a lonely old hag. That might even be her… preference."
"Not everyone is like you, Thorn."
"Are you insulting me?"
"Yes," Subaru replied without hesitation, a sly smile tugging at his lips. "If you hadn't married such a strong wife, I wonder how many others you would have married."
"Married? No, my friend, you misunderstand me," Thorn said, suddenly earnest. "I love my dear wife more than anything. She is the angel that keeps me warm at night."
"Warm at night, you say?" Subaru's smirk widened. "Tell me, Thorn…when was the last time you lay with someone besides your precious angel?"
Thorn's grin faltered into a sigh. "Months, I think. You know how my wife is. She says it's dangerous for my health."
"I thought so," Subaru said with a laugh. "She's right, though. You're getting old. And you wouldn't want an unknown heir fighting your daughter for the throne, now would you… apart from the one you already have."
"Sure, sure," Thorn replied, sounding a touch defensive. "But I'm not even sure my baby girl will want the throne."
Subaru glanced at him sidelong. "And why do you say that?"
"A father's instinct," Thorn said with a smug little smirk.
The stairs ended in a short passageway that opened into a vast, cluttered workshop. The air was thick with the faint scent of oil and metal, and the only sound was a low, rhythmic grumbling from behind a crowded workbench.
Wu stood there, his back to them, hunched over as he inspected a gleaming weapon with slow, careful movements.
"Old Man Wu!" Subaru called, his voice ringing through the space. "You've got a visitor!"
"Why must you make noise when man is at work?" Wu's voice rumbled from behind the cluttered bench, deep and gravelly. He didn't even turn to look, his hands still busy with the weapon in his grip.
Then he glanced up as Subaru stepped closer. Wu's gaze shifted and landed squarely on Thorn, his brow lowering. "And what is this loud dog doing here?"
Subaru chuckled.
"I guess you were wrong about him calling me a loudmouth, huh?" Thorn laughed, enjoying the jab.
Wu's eyes narrowed. "Why bring outsider here?" His tone was sharp, almost accusatory, though his attention never strayed far from the weapon in his hands.
"Oh, Wu, Thorn is no outsider," Subaru said, still smiling.
"Hello, Wu," Thorn greeted, the corners of his mouth twitching upward. "I see you're still as grumpy as ever." His eyes flicked to the object Wu was holding. It was shaped like a pistol, but more intricate, a strange blend of artistry and danger. "What are you working on?"
Wu immediately shifted the weapon behind his back, the motion quick and possessive. "Not your business. Why you come here? For weapon… or for trouble?"
"I came here to greet an elder," Thorn said, this time with a note of sincerity in his voice.
"No elder here," Wu replied curtly. "Only Wu. Now go."
Subaru chuckled and shook his head. "Wu, I just came down here to collect my weapon."
Wu muttered under his breath and turned away, his steps slow but deliberate. He moved to a shadowed corner and pressed his palm against a worn stone tile. A muted click echoed in the workshop, and a section of the wall slid open, revealing a small vault hidden in the stone. Without looking back, Wu placed the pistol inside, and the stone sealed itself once more as though it had never moved.
"I keep forgetting how much of a genius Wu is," Thorn whispered to Subaru.
Wu, who was now searching a large chest, grumbled in response. "I am no genius, I am Wu."
Thorn chuckled, shaking his head. Subaru leaned against the worktable. "Is that weapon so useless you have to keep it in a chest?"
"All my work is not useless," Wu said, bringing out two daggers from the chest. "Just not good enough for Wu. But good enough for other people." He walked over and handed the daggers to Subaru. "Take."
Subaru accepted them, sliding one free from its sheath. The blade gleamed a vibrant red, almost alive in the dim light, with Wu's signature symbol etched deep into the hilt.
"Looking good," Thorn remarked, eyeing the craftsmanship. "So, Wu… you still leave your mark on everything you make?"
Wu waved the comment away with a sharp flick of his hand. "Stop ask stupid question. I not answer."
Subaru sheathed the blade with a nod. "This will do. So, why are you alone down here?"
"My people busy," Wu said simply. "Nothing more. Nothing else."
Thorn leaned toward Subaru, his voice low. "Still the grumpy old dwarf."
Wu's head turned sharply. His eyes locked on Thorn. "And you… still same. Still chase women with mouth open, like dog with empty bowl."
Subaru burst out laughing, the sound filling the workshop. Thorn's jaw dropped in mock offense. "Now that… that touched me."
Wu grunted. "What else now?"
Subaru opened his mouth to reply, but the faint sound of footsteps echoed from the stairwell. A moment later, Raphael and Auren emerged into view.
"Oh good, Auren," Subaru said, his grin returning. "And Raphael…glad you could come on time."
Auren's eyes lit up at the sight of Thorn. "Good day, Uncle Thorn."
Raphael gave a respectful bow. "Good day, Your Majesty."
Thorn laughed at the formality, then stepped forward to embrace Auren. "And how is my very good young prince doing?"
"Good, good," Auren replied warmly. "I see you're healthy as ever."
"Of course I'm healthy," Thorn said as he released him. "It's all thanks to my wife."
Wu shook his head with a low mutter. "Married, but still act like loud dog."
Thorn laughed heartily at the insult, then turned to Raphael. "And you must be Raphael… by the blindfold." He extended his hand in greeting.
Rapheal shook Thorn's hand firmly. Thorn's smirk curled just a bit more as he turned to Subaru.
"Subaru, I like this one."
"Well, he will be your aide for the summit," Subaru replied.
Thorn raised his brows in mock surprise, smirk widening. "Seriously? For a boy like this? I am deeply honored." He released Rapheal's hand with a short laugh.
"Thank you, King Thorn," Rapheal said, his tone formal and respectful.
"Drop the title," Thorn said with a lazy flick of his hand. "I'm not a king here. Call me Uncle Thorn. That sounds better."
Rapheal hesitated. "I don't think I can."
"Uncomfortable?" Thorn tilted his head, his grin turning a little sly. "Boy, if you'd heard the things I did in my youth, you wouldn't feel uncomfortable…you'd feel concerned."
Rapheal kept silent, though the thought slipped across his mind like a shadow: I don't see how that changes anything.
"Are you all done now?" Wu's gruff voice cut in. "Go, go, leave."
"Old Man Wu, you don't have to be so uptight about it," Auren said with a small smile, trying to ease the mood.
"This loud dog irritate me," Wu muttered, jerking his chin toward Thorn.
Thorn laughed, unbothered. Wu's gaze shifted, fastening on the weapon at Thorn's hip. His voice came low and blunt. "Let me see your weapon."
Both Subaru and Thorn blinked at the request. Thorn unsheathed his sword without hesitation, its steel catching the lamplight. "Planning to give it an upgrade?"
Wu didn't even touch it. His eyes studied the blade as if measuring its weight without lifting it. "Good. Not bad. It will do. Bram worked well."
Thorn slid the sword back into its sheath.
"Alright now, Thorn, let's go," Subaru said as he placed the daggers at his side properly.
Thorn gave a casual snap of his fingers, only for the spark of magic to fizzle into nothing.
"Intruder mana no work here," Wu said, drawing a small carved device from his robe. He pressed its center with a thumb. "Now try."
Thorn snapped his fingers again, and this time a swirling portal of deep blue light tore open, shimmering like water under moonlight. His grin returned. "That is some serious tight security."
"Yes, yes. Now all of you go. I have work." Wu waved them away without looking back.
"Okay, Wu. See you when I get back," Subaru said, stepping into the portal. Auren followed, then Rapheal. Thorn was last, his grin lingering as the portal sealed shut behind them, leaving Wu alone.
"That should help," Wu murmured to himself. "Now, back to work."
In the Elven Kingdom
A portal ripped the air near the World Tree, the colossal heart of the Elven lands, its roots weaving into the earth like veins of magic. Subaru stepped out first, followed by Auren, Rapheal, and Thorn.
As the portal sealed behind them, Subaru glanced at Thorn. "Why bring us so close to the World Tree instead of the castle?"
"I can't just appear there," Thorn replied. "Materializing inside someone's domain without warning… looks too much like an invasion."
"What do you…" Subaru began, but the rest of his words were cut short.
A dozen Elven guards emerged from the surrounding forest, their spears already leveled. Not a single one looked surprised, as though they'd been watching from the moment the portal opened.
One stepped forward. He had fiery amber eyes and smoky gray hair streaked with forest green. His voice was sharp as a blade. "State your business, humans."
"Hey, don't discriminate," Thorn said with a grin. "We've got a beastkin with us."
"I do not care what you drag along," the elf said, his tone dripping disdain. "Why are you here, human?"
"We came to see Vaelorian," Subaru answered, keeping his voice calm.
The elf's eyes narrowed dangerously. "How dare you speak the King's name with your filthy mouth, outsider."
Thorn's laugh rumbled low in his chest. Subaru's smirk was faint but deliberate. "Now, now, no need to start throwing insults. We were invited."
Rapheal leaned toward Auren, voice barely above a whisper. "Are all elves like this?"
"No," Auren murmured back. "Just the proud ones."
"Silence, human!" another guard barked, stepping closer to Subaru with his spear angled higher. "Who do you think you are?"
"Oh, Subaru, insults on top of insults!" Thorn said with mock cheer. "You must be feeling embarrassed right now."
The elf with ember eyes turned his gaze to Thorn, lip curling. "And who are you, animal?"
Subaru chuckled under his breath. But Thorn's face… stilled. His expression flattened into something unreadable.
"Oi…" His voice was quiet, almost too quiet. "Say that again."