A year had passed since the incident that shook the pillars of Beryon... a full year since the story of King came to a close and he vanished from existence. The light withdrew from the earth, and darkness reigned as a crowned sovereign. The "Black Cloaks" hadn't been seen since that day, as if the earth had swallowed them whole or the air had forgotten their name.
But, against the nature of this gloomy world, the chirping of birds sneaked into the halls of the Blue Castle—as if resisting the absence. The Blue Squad gathered around the dining table, where simplicity embraced nostalgia.
Denko spoke in a tired tone:
"I asked him to come... but he insisted on staying there. He slept in the forest."
Olivia responded with quiet resolve:
"I'm going to him. Amany, will you come with me?"
Amany, her gaze drifting toward the horizon, replied:
"That fool... he's probably covered in wounds again. Let's go."
...
In the depths of the forest, beneath the shade of a thick tree, Grind was asleep, his sword leaned against the trunk. A few beasts lingered nearby, as if guarding him without orders.
Olivia approached and whispered:
"This is the place that strange man loves."
Then, with sudden anger, she raised her voice:
"Wake up, you idiot! I'm tired of coming to fetch you every time!"
He opened his eyes slowly, murmuring with weariness:
"What is it now, girls... let me sleep a little."
Before he could finish, Maya splashed a bucket of cold water onto him.
"Gods... that's cold!" he shouted, jolting upright.
Olivia screamed angrily:
"I told you to stop fighting near the gates! I don't want to lose another person!"
As Maya bandaged Grind's wounds, she glanced at Olivia and whispered to herself with a soft smile:
"I chose the right squad... didn't I, Mom? Dad?"
Grind kept staring at the sky, then murmured hoarsely:
"If I don't become stronger... I won't be able to save anyone, Olivia."
She replied, trying to hold back tears:
"Don't you trust us? Why did you become a hunter then? We're a team, Grind... stop doing reckless things like this."
But he left in silence, dragging his wounded body... saying nothing, not even looking back.
...
That evening, the Blue Castle was decorated for Olivia's birthday. Lady Nerva had baked a huge cake, which was brought to the table amid soft claps and a faint joy.
"Happy birthday, Olivia!" everyone cheered.
But Grind... wasn't there.
Denko, bursting with anger:
"Where is he?! Chris! Where's Grind?!"
Chris answered nervously:
"He... went to train..."
Denko shouted and rushed outside:
"You bastard! Why didn't you come? She kept looking at the door... everyone came, and you, the closest to her—you didn't!"
Grind, sitting by a tree, responded calmly:
"I'm the same age as her... seventeen. We've grown up, and learned the pain of life. I was a child who didn't understand sorrow"
Denko, his voice softening:
"Everyone's waiting... Olivia's heartbroken."
Grind whispered:
"I want all of you to live in peace, brother."
Denko sat beside him under the tree and asked:
"I heard from Chris… you're leaving? Around the world?"
Grind, with a faint smile:
"Yeah… so take care of Olivia for me."
Denko laughed:
"Idiot... I'll protect all of you—you, her, the whole squad. We're brothers. Want a drink?"
They drank together, and talked about unseen dreams, distant roads, and a hope too fragile to name.
...
By morning, silence reigned.
Olivia asked Maya to go with her to see Grind.
Denko, seated at the table, spoke:
"Don't go... he's already left. Grind... has left the squad."
Silence fell, as if the forest itself held its breath.
Duwan shouted in rage:
"No... I don't believe it! Let's go to the forest! Let's see for ourselves!"
But no one was there.
Olivia, trying to hide her pain with a faint smile, said:
"It was his choice... so why the sorrow?"
Chris muttered in confusion:
"Aren't you sad? I thought you'd cry."
Denko whispered to Chris:
"Look at her eyes... she's hiding everything. Don't upset her—or she'll kill you."
Chris panicked:
"I'm sorry, sir..."
Olivia said coldly:
"I'll stay here a little longer. Follow me later."
Denko nodded, already knowing what was coming:
"Don't take too long... the forest isn't safe."
...
At the edge of the forest, Olivia collapsed. She cried and poured out every ache, every loss, every moment of loneliness.
"I did everything for all of you... why do you keep leaving me? Why?"
She remembered her fallen brother's face, her missing friends, her broken team... and returned to the castle with red, swollen eyes.
...
She collapsed on the floor, and Maya ran to carry her to her room.
Two hours later, she woke.
In a soft voice, she asked:
"What's wrong with me, Maya?"
Maya replied:
"You have a high fever. Rest for a couple of days."
Olivia stared at the ceiling and whispered:
"Grind... left us all a message. He told me:
Don't be sad, Olivia. One day, I'll return—and we'll celebrate my homecoming together."
She gave a faint smile and spoke in a soft voice:
"That day… will be a long time coming, Grind."