He slowly lowered his head slightly, almost as if trying to see Toki more clearly.
"You caused quite a bit of destruction, boy," he said, his voice echoing like distant thunder across the ruined capital. "But you did what needed to be done."
Toki let out a weak laugh before coughing blood into his hand. "You don't need to sound so compassionate about it," he muttered tiredly. "After everything I've done… I'd actually prefer if you spoke to me like before. I nearly destroyed everything."
The Dragon King remained silent for several seconds while looking at the miserable state of the young man before him. Toki looked as though death had already wrapped its fingers around his body. Torn flesh exposed shattered bone, blood continued pouring from wounds that no longer closed properly, and even his heartbeat had become unstable enough for the Dragon King to hear it slowing down.
Still, despite how cruel it felt to ask, he quietly spoke.
"So your gold disappeared?"
For a moment, Bernard frowned in confusion, but Toki only smiled faintly.
"Huh… I'm surprised you can't see it," he whispered while lifting his gaze toward the fading sunset. "My gold shines brighter now than it ever did before."
The Dragon King narrowed his eyes slightly. "Aren't you the one who just said everything was destroyed?"
Toki looked around at the ruined capital. Nobles and commoners were helping each other pull survivors from the rubble. Knights carried wounded civilians through the snow while children huddled beside strangers sharing blankets and food. The kingdom had lost its walls, its wealth and its pride, but somehow the people themselves still remained standing.
"Maybe the houses, the walls and even the palace are gone," Toki said quietly, "maybe this kingdom lost everything it spent hundreds of years building… but the people are alive. Nobles and beggars are standing side by side now because none of those differences matter anymore."
A tired smile crossed his face.
"Everything's destroyed… but nobody's crying. Under this cursed sunset, we still have each other, and I think…" his golden eyes softened slightly, "…that's what makes us human."
For the first time since arriving, the Dragon King smiled.
Pride slowly appeared in his eyes as he stared at the broken young man standing before him. In that moment, Toki seemed to shine even brighter than Rindal ever had. Rindal had built the kingdom but the boy standing here now was giving people hope after the end of the world itself.
The Dragon King suddenly raised his voice across the capital.
"I believe Luminith has found its new king!"
The plaza froze instantly.
"Welcome home…" the Dragon King declared proudly, "…son of Rindal!"
The pressure behind his words shook the entire plaza. Knights immediately lowered themselves onto one knee while nobles bowed their heads instinctively. Even exhausted soldiers forced their ruined bodies downward after hearing the Dragon King himself acknowledge the heir of Luminith.
Toki shouted:
"NOBODY BOW!"
Everyone froze.
"Especially you, Utsuki! I REFUSE TO BECOME KING!"
The moment he raised his voice, his body finally gave out. Toki suddenly coughed violently as blood erupted from his mouth and his knees nearly buckled beneath him.
"Toki!"
Utsuki instantly caught him from behind before he could collapse completely. Without hesitation, she pushed her trembling hand directly through the torn flesh near his ribs and grabbed his failing heart.
THUMP.
Toki's body jerked violently.
THUMP.
She forced his heart to continue beating with her own hand while tears streamed uncontrollably down her face.
"Please…" she whispered while holding him tightly against her chest. "Please don't die now…"
The Dragon King watched her silently before speaking in a quieter voice.
"Girl… there's no point. He's lost too much blood. Even if you force his heart to keep moving....."
But Utsuki ignored him completely. She continued concentrating desperately while pressing her forehead against Toki's back as though refusing to let death take him away.
The Dragon King's eyes darkened slightly before his voice thundered across the plaza again.
"WHY?! Why do you refuse what is yours by right?! Do you have any idea how long I waited for you, Nozomu?!"
The snow exploded outward from the pressure radiating off his body.
"The dragon symbol on your abdomen is our contract! You were promised to me from the moment you were born! So why do you reject me?!"
For several seconds, only the wind answered.
Then Toki spoke quietly.
"…I came too late."
Everyone looked toward him.
"When people needed me, I didn't even know I was supposed to lead them. This country became weak because of me."
"But you didn't know!" the Dragon King growled immediately. "Damn it, even I didn't know!"
Toki smiled sadly. "Exactly. That's your sin… and mine."
Then his expression darkened with shame.
"And besides… I carry a much greater sin."
The plaza fell silent again.
"I lied."
The Dragon King frowned. "Who doesn't lie? That's a ridiculous reason."
"No," Toki interrupted softly. "I lied too much."
His golden eyes lowered toward the blood-covered snow.
"My name was never Toki."
"I'm four hundred and twenty-one years old… and I'm a Star Collector."
Shock spread instantly through the survivors.
Bernard's eyes widened. Harold stared at him speechlessly while even Smith slowly removed the cigarette from his mouth in disbelief.
Toki laughed weakly.
"My mana core gave me an unnaturally long lifespan and the ability to adapt rapidly to almost any environment. I was terrified that if people learned the truth, they'd look at me the same way they looked at every other Star Collector. Like a monster. Like something inhuman. So all I ever wanted was to disappear into the scenery and live a normal life…"
He lowered his head slightly.
"I'm sorry."
"Toki…" Utsuki whispered desperately behind him. "Stop talking already…"
But Toki only smiled sadly before looking back toward the Dragon King again.
"And I almost forgot my greatest sin."
Tears slowly began mixing with the blood on his face.
"Do you see this girl behind me desperately trying to keep me alive? I was never honest with her either."
Utsuki froze slightly.
"When I first saw her two hundred and fifty years ago…" Toki's expression softened completely, "…I fell in love."
Utsuki's eyes widened violently.
"…You were the boy beneath the cherry blossom tree?"
"…Yeah."
The memory returned vividly to him. A lonely girl sitting beneath drifting pink petals while sunlight passed through the branches above her head, and for the first time in centuries, someone had looked at him without fear.
"I searched for her everywhere after that," Toki continued quietly. "Through every expedition, every kingdom and every battlefield… and when I finally found her again, I turned her into my purpose."
His voice trembled with shame.
"I thought it was love, but the truth is… I only loved what she gave me. I loved how alive I felt near her, but I never truly saw her as a person. I treated her like something I needed in order to keep living."
Utsuki's breathing shook violently.
"I did horrible things behind the scenes just to stay beside her, but now…" Toki slowly turned his head toward her, his eyes filled with painful warmth, "…now I can finally see clearly."
Silence spread through the plaza.
"Utsuki is a witch, but a gentle one. She's loving, stubborn, selfless and strong. Utsuki is simply… Utsuki, and that made me fall in love with her all over again."
Tears rolled down Utsuki's face.
"I want to be the man who makes her happy more than I want to become a king," Toki whispered. "That's why I refuse."
Then he looked toward everyone around him.
"If my friends here can forgive me, then I want everyone to forget who I was supposed to be and simply see me for who I am now."
Nobody answered immediately because somehow that absurd answer sounded exactly like something Toki would say.
Then suddenly, the Dragon King burst into deep laughter that echoed across the capital.
"…Very well," he said proudly. "I'll respect your decision."
His eyes sharpened slightly.
"But I refuse to let you die."
CRACK.
The Dragon King tore one of his own scales free and tossed it toward them. A large droplet of golden blood clung to the scale like liquid sunlight itself.
"Catch it, girl."
Utsuki immediately grabbed the scale while Toki weakly tilted his head back. The moment the dragon blood slid down his throat, power exploded through his body.
Everyone stared in shock as torn flesh rapidly regenerated before their eyes. Broken bones fused together instantly while even Toki's destroyed arm slowly regrew completely.
Toki looked silently at his restored hand before slowly turning toward Utsuki.
Then, despite his exhaustion, he lowered himself onto one knee.
"I love you, Utsuki."
Her breath caught instantly.
"And if you'll allow it…" a faint smile crossed his face, "…I'd like to remain your knight."
Utsuki immediately wrapped her arms around him.
"You idiot…" she cried while laughing at the same time. "Stop saying stupid things like that. You're Toki… and that's all that matters."
Then Bernard suddenly stepped forward grinning tiredly. "Well, that explains why we get along so well. You're basically our great-great-great-great-great-great-great uncle."
Harold snorted loudly. "I honestly didn't expect to meet someone older than Old Man Felix."
Ozvold crossed his arms quietly. "Looks like we weren't that different after all."
Elizabeth rolled her eyes. "What kind of idiot refuses becoming king?"
Melissa smiled softly. "An honorable one."
Smith suddenly pulled Toki into a rough embrace. "Would've been a damn shame losing my student."
Lorelay smirked from nearby. "Try not to kill the lost prince before tomorrow."
Even Toki laughed weakly at that.
Then King Mathias slowly approached him before extending his hand.
"Welcome home, Toki."
Toki stared at the hand for several seconds before smiling and shaking it.
A moment later, Kandaki and Tora rushed forward as well.
"Master Toki!" Kandaki shouted excitedly. "Your backstory became so much cooler now!"
Tora crossed her arms immediately afterward. "Don't think I'm bowing every time you enter a room from now on."
Toki chuckled softly.
"I wouldn't want that anyway."
His gaze slowly drifted across everyone gathered around him beneath the falling snow.
"I'm still the same Toki."
Lilith lowered her gaze slightly.
"…How ridiculous."
Her voice came out almost as a whisper.
"How can someone live for over four hundred years…"
Pain flickered briefly through her crimson eyes.
"…and still remain kinder than most humans?"
The warmth that had briefly settled over the ruined plaza disappeared the moment a cold voice echoed from behind the crowd.
"My apologies for interrupting this touching moment…"
The voice carried neither anger nor grief.
Only disgust.
"…but someone here still has the responsibility of ensuring the law is respected."
The instant Lilith heard it, a violent chill ran down her spine.
Her expression darkened immediately.
That voice…
She knew it far too well.
The crowd slowly parted as a tall man dressed in silver-white robes stepped through the snow-covered ruins of the plaza. Several men wearing the crest of the Church of Moonlight followed closely behind him carrying glowing chains made from enchanted silver.
Even now, after losing his daughter during the catastrophe, his face remained calm to the point of seeming unnatural. There was exhaustion beneath his eyes, but no grief.
Snow drifted quietly across his shoulders while he stopped directly in front of Toki.
Toki looked at him silently for a moment before speaking first.
"…It's been a while, Mr. Conor Berg."
His voice sounded tired.
Then his gaze softened slightly.
"I'm sorry about your daughter."
For the first time, something flickered faintly across Conor's eyes.
But it disappeared instantly.
"As the leader of the Church of the Goddess Moonlight," he declared coldly, "I am obligated to present the charges against you."
The plaza became silent again.
Conor's sharp gaze locked onto Toki.
"Toki Ikaru… also known as Nozomu, bastard son of Rindal."
His voice echoed across the broken capital.
"You are hereby placed under arrest for conspiracy against the Goddess and the kingdom of Luminith, for the destruction of the capital, and for association with Star Collectors."
The Church man immediately stepped forward carrying the enchanted chains.
And instantly—everyone moved.
Bernard stepped forward first, his face twisting with fury. "Are you out of your damn mind?! After everything he just did for this kingdom?!"
Harold moved beside him while gripping his weapon tightly. "You can't seriously be planning to arrest the man who literally saved everyone."
Ozvold's expression darkened dangerously as killing intent leaked from his body. "Try putting those chains on him and see what happens."
Melissa immediately stepped in front of Toki as well, her voice trembling with anger. "This is insanity!"
Elizabeth narrowed her eyes sharply at Conor. "Typical Church behavior. Wait until someone saves the world before deciding they're dangerous."
Lorelay laughed coldly while resting her hand on her weapon. "You really picked a terrible time to become brave."
Even Mathias stepped forward slightly, visibly disturbed. "Conor… this is neither the time nor place for this."
Lilith remained frozen for a moment after seeing Conor again. Hatred slowly began surfacing inside her eyes while memories she wanted to forget clawed their way back into her mind.
Of all people…
Why him?
Meanwhile, Kandaki immediately grabbed Toki's sleeve in panic. "Master Toki didn't do anything wrong!"
Tora stepped beside , despite the fear visible in his eyes. "You're seriously arresting the guy who saved your lives?"
Smith silently lit another cigarette while watching the scene unfold with narrowed eyes.
Only the Dragon King remained calm.
Conor ignored everyone completely.
"The law does not disappear simply because emotions are involved," he declared firmly. "No matter his intentions, this man concealed his identity for centuries, associated with Star Collectors and participated in events that led directly to the destruction of the kingdom."
His gaze hardened.
"If we ignore that now, then this country truly has no future."
Bernard looked ready to punch him immediately.
But before anyone could move—Toki stepped forward.
"…It's alright."
Everyone froze.
Toki slowly moved past the others before extending both hands calmly toward the Church man.
"I have to answer for my sins eventually."
"Toki?!" Utsuki's voice cracked instantly.
The man hesitated slightly before carefully placing the enchanted chains around his wrists. The silver immediately glowed faintly as the restraints locked into place.
Utsuki turned desperately toward the Dragon King. "Do something!"
The ancient dragon remained silent for several moments before answering quietly:
"I said I would respect his decision."
Utsuki stared at him in disbelief.
Meanwhile, the Church man began pulling Toki forward through the snow like a criminal being dragged toward execution.
The sight alone made several people grit their teeth in anger.
The hero who had saved the kingdom…
being treated like an animal.
As they moved through the ruined streets toward the palace, civilians slowly emerged from the destroyed districts around them. Some looked at Toki with gratitude.
Others with fear.
Others with suspicion.
And Toki could feel all of it pressing down onto him at once.
The weight of their judgment.
Some people whispered:
"He's a Star Collector…"
"But he saved everyone…"
"Can we even trust him?"
Toki lowered his gaze quietly.
In the end…maybe this was inevitable.
Behind the procession, Bernard suddenly grabbed Smith aggressively by the coat.
"We're really letting this happen?!"
Smith calmly removed Bernard's hand before answering.
"If we interfere now, this turns into a civil war between the Order and the Church of Moonlight."
Bernard clenched his fists violently. "I don't give a damn!"
"But Toki would."
That single sentence silenced him.
Smith exhaled smoke slowly while watching the chained young man disappear further into the ruined capital.
"If we start killing each other now after everything that happened today…"
His eyes darkened slightly.
"…then everything he fought for becomes meaningless."
Bernard looked away furiously.
Because deep down—he knew Smith was right.
High above the city, the Dragon King slowly flew over the procession while snowstorms swirled around his enormous body.
His gaze shifted toward Utsuki walking below.
"…Oi, girl."
Utsuki immediately looked up toward him, her eyes still red from crying.
"What will you do once we reach the palace?"
For several seconds, she remained silent while staring at Toki's chained figure being dragged through the snow ahead of her.
Then slowly—her expression hardened.
"I don't know exactly yet."
The wind moved softly through her silver hair.
"But there's one thing I know for certain."
Her eyes locked onto Toki.
"I'm not going to let my knight rot inside a dungeon."