Saito and Kaito walked back into Lorum Village as the afternoon light settled over the rooftops.
The streets felt familiar now—less like a place they were passing through, and more like somewhere that had started to accept them. People moved aside as they passed, some nodding in recognition, others still getting used to their presence.
The mansion came into view ahead.
Large. Quiet. Familiar in its own way.
The doors opened without much ceremony.
Inside, the air was cooler.
Saito stepped in first, rolling his shoulder slightly like he was already tired before anything even started.
Kaito followed behind him, hands in his pockets, gaze half-lidded.
They barely took a few steps inside—
"…There you are."
Takashi's voice came from the office ahead.
He was already there.
Standing by the desk.
And in front of him—
Stacks of papers.
Neatly arranged. Too many to ignore.
He didn't look amused.
He just adjusted his posture slightly and pointed toward the table.
"…Now finish these reports."
A beat of silence followed.
Saito stared at the stacks.
Then slowly exhaled through his nose.
"…Fine, fine."
His shoulders slumped slightly as he stepped closer.
Kaito glanced at the papers once, then at Saito.
"Looks like your real enemy isn't gone after all."
Saito shot him a tired look.
"Don't start."
Takashi crossed his arms, watching them both.
"These aren't optional."
Saito picked up the top stack, flipping through it without enthusiasm.
"Yeah, yeah… I get it."
He dropped into the chair with a soft sigh, already resigned.
The room settled into a quiet rhythm again—
Paperwork.
Responsibility.
And the faint sense that the fight outside had ended…
But this part never did.
The next day, the entire village was already awake before sunrise.
Lorum Village felt different again—but this time, not from tension or war.
From preparation.
Across the streets, humans and wolfbeasts worked side by side.
Wooden platforms were being reinforced.
Fabrics stretched between poles as decorations.
Flowers were being arranged along pathways.
The sound of hammering, laughter, and shouting mixed together in a steady rhythm.
Takashi stood near the center of the open square, directing people calmly.
"Careful with that side!"
"Make sure the banners are aligned evenly!"
Wolfbeasts moved heavy beams into place, their strength making construction faster.
Humans tied decorations and arranged seating.
Neither side hesitated anymore.
They just worked.
Takeru was near the stage area, overseeing the structure with a few wolfbeast guards.
He crossed his arms, watching as the final frame was secured.
Saito walked up casually, hands in his pockets.
"Hey there."
Takeru turned his head slightly.
"…Oh. You're early."
Saito glanced around.
"How's the preparation going?"
Takeru looked back at the stage.
"Almost done."
He pointed slightly upward.
"Just need a bit more decoration on the upper frames."
Saito nodded once.
"Looks solid."
His eyes shifted forward.
The stage stood at the center of the village square.
Wide. Clean.
Raised slightly above the ground.
Rows of seats faced it from all directions.
"That's where the mayor of nearby villages will sit?" Saito asked.
Takeru nodded.
"Yeah."
Before Saito could say anything else—
Takashi's voice came from behind them.
"Saito."
Saito turned slightly.
Takashi walked over, holding a small folded paper in his hand.
"Pyvi already prepared something for you."
Saito blinked.
"…Me?"
Takashi nodded.
"Go see her. It's inside the mansion."
Saito let out a small sigh.
"Alright…"
He turned and headed back toward the mansion.
Inside, the mansion was quieter compared to the busy outside.
The sounds of construction faded behind the doors.
Saito stepped into the hallway—
And immediately stopped.
Pyvi stood there, holding a garment bag with both hands.
She smiled gently.
"Sir Saito."
Saito scratched the back of his head.
"…What's that?"
Pyvi stepped forward slightly.
"This is your suit for the ceremony."
She unzipped the bag carefully and revealed it.
A deep blue suit.
Clean. Tailored. Simple—but elegant.
Saito stared at it for a second.
Then gave a faint smile.
"Heh… my favorite color."
Before Pyvi could respond—
A voice suddenly came from the side.
"You also like blue, Sir Saito?"
Tina stepped out from behind a pillar like she had been hiding there the whole time.
Saito blinked slightly.
"…Tina? When did you—"
"Just now!"
She nodded proudly, as if that explained everything.
Saito sighed lightly.
"Yeah… I like blue."
Tina's eyes sparkled.
"Me too!"
Saito paused.
"…Really?"
Tina nodded quickly.
"Yeah! It's the color of skies and water!"
Saito gave a small amused look.
"That's… actually a good reason."
From the sofa nearby—
Kaito was already sitting there, one leg crossed over the other.
He looked over casually.
"Got anything for me?"
His eyes shifted toward Pyvi.
Pyvi turned slightly, still smiling.
"For Sir Kaito, we prepared this."
She brought out another suit.
Black.
Sharp. Clean lines. Slightly more formal than Saito's.
She handed it over.
Kaito looked at it for a moment.
Then nodded.
"…Now that's what I call fancy."
Tina turned toward him immediately.
"Wow, Sir Kaito's suit is more stylish than Sir Saito's!"
Saito froze slightly.
Then slowly turned his head.
"…Hey."
Tina tilted her head.
"Yes?"
Saito pointed lightly.
"That's offensive."
Kaito smirked faintly from the sofa.
"She's not wrong."
Saito exhaled through his nose.
"Traitors, all of you…"
By evening, the entire village square had transformed.
Lanterns were lit one by one, casting warm light across the decorated stage.
The once-busy construction site was now a ceremonial ground.
Rows of seats stretched out neatly in front of the stage, arranged with precision.
The crowd had gathered early.
Villagers stood along the edges.
Wolfbeasts lined certain pathways, acting as escorts and security.
There was a controlled tension in the air—not fear, but anticipation.
Then—
The first group arrived.
A carriage rolled in slowly, escorted by armed guards.
From it stepped an older man, his posture straight but his movements slightly aged.
Fein, the mayor of Kor Village.
He adjusted his coat and looked around with calm, observant eyes.
"…So this is Lorum Village," he muttered.
Behind him, guards scanned the surroundings carefully.
The crowd shifted slightly, making space.
Next came another carriage.
A younger, more composed man stepped out confidently.
Gein, the mayor of Hiraki Village.
He didn't hesitate as he looked toward the stage.
"Interesting," he said quietly.
Then a third carriage arrived.
John, mayor of Bypass Village, stepped out with a firm expression.
He spoke briefly to his guards before walking forward.
"Stay alert," he said.
"These are not ordinary people."
One by one, the mayors moved toward the seating area.
Their guards followed closely, eyes sharp, hands near weapons.
The atmosphere remained respectful—but cautious.
From the side of the square—
Takeru stood tall, watching everything carefully.
His tail flicked once.
Then twice.
"All wolfbeasts," he called out firmly.
"Escort the mayors to their seats."
Immediately, wolfbeast guards moved in coordinated formation.
They didn't crowd the visitors.
They guided.
Positioned themselves at respectful distances.
Ensuring safety without pressure.
One group led Fein toward the central seating area.
Another guided Gein to the right side.
John was escorted to the left, his guards still scanning every corner.
Takeru watched as everything proceeded smoothly.
His tail wagged slightly again—subtle, but noticeable.
"Good…" he muttered under his breath.
"No mistakes."
As the mayors were seated, the crowd slowly settled.
The murmuring quieted.
All eyes turned toward the stage.
Waiting.
Saito stood off to the side, watching the preparations finish.
The ceremony was about to begin.