Raizen's breathing became heavier with every passing second.
His once-clean school uniform had become stained with blood and dust.
Some of it belonged to the men surrounding him.
Most of it...
Was his own.
Cuts covered his arms.
Bruises spread across his body.
His knuckles had split open from countless blows.
Yet he never stopped moving.
His eyes remained fixed on only one person.
Miyako.
"...Hold on."
"I'll get you out of here."
Miyako struggled against the ropes binding her wrists.
Tears streamed down her cheeks.
"Raizen!"
"Please!"
"Stop fighting!"
"They'll kill you!"
He smiled despite the blood trickling down the corner of his mouth.
"I promised..."
"...I'd protect you."
"So there's no way..."
"...I'm leaving without you."
Those words reached Aizen's heart like a spear.
Protect.
That single word...
It was the same belief that drove Aizen himself.
Different worlds.
Different lives.
Yet the same unwavering resolve.
---
The leader watched the battle from above a stack of cargo containers.
His expression slowly changed.
The confidence he once wore had disappeared.
"...Impossible."
"He should've collapsed already."
One of his subordinates nervously swallowed.
"B-Boss..."
"Over seventy men are already down."
"What...?"
The leader's eyes widened.
"...Seventy?"
He looked toward the battlefield.
Bodies covered the warehouse floor.
Some groaned in pain.
Others remained unconscious.
Broken pipes.
Shattered bats.
Bent chains.
Everywhere Raizen walked...
No one could stop him.
The leader's face twisted in frustration.
"Damn monster..."
---
Raizen stood in the center of the warehouse.
His breathing had become ragged.
The steel bat in his hands was dented beyond recognition.
Drops of blood slowly fell onto the concrete floor.
Drip.
Drip.
Drip.
The remaining gang members instinctively stepped backward.
None of them dared approach him.
Even though he was wounded...
The determination in his eyes terrified them.
He slowly raised the damaged bat once more.
"...Who's next?"
Not a single person answered.
The warehouse fell completely silent.
---
Aizen watched everything unfold with disbelief.
"...He..."
"He defeated them..."
He counted the fallen figures.
Dozens.
Far more than he ever thought possible.
Raizen had truly fought an army alone.
Not because he sought glory.
But because someone precious was waiting behind them.
Aizen unconsciously smiled.
"...You really were strong."
For a brief moment...
Hope appeared inside the dream.
Maybe...
Just maybe...
Raizen would save her.
Maybe fate could still be changed.
---
The leader suddenly laughed.
A slow...
Sinister laugh.
"Hahaha..."
"Hahahaha!"
Raizen frowned.
"What are you laughing at?"
The man calmly reached into his coat.
He wasn't reaching for another weapon.
Instead...
He pulled out a small black device.
A handheld detonator.
Aizen's pupils instantly shrank.
"...No..."
The leader grinned.
"You really thought..."
"I wanted to win this fight?"
Raizen's heartbeat stopped.
The man slowly lifted one finger above the red button.
"I only needed to keep you here."
Raizen's eyes widened.
"...What?"
The leader smiled wider.
"I filled this warehouse with explosives hours ago."
Silence.
Complete silence.
Even the remaining gang members looked horrified.
"B-Boss...?"
"You never told us—"
"Shut up."
The leader never took his eyes off Raizen.
"If I can't kill the heir of the Hayashi Dojo..."
"Then we'll all die together."
Miyako's face turned completely pale.
"No..."
"No!"
"Raizen!"
"Run!"
The leader's thumb slowly lowered toward the switch.
Click...
Time itself seemed to slow.
Raizen looked toward Miyako.
She looked back at him.
Neither of them spoke.
They didn't need to.
Everything they wished to say...
Was already reflected in their eyes.
Deep within the dream...
Aizen desperately tried to move.
"No!"
"Stop!"
His voice echoed through the darkness.
But once again...
He remained nothing more than a spectator.
Unable to save them.
Unable to change history.
Unable to stop the tragedy that had already been written by fate.
And the leader's thumb...
Finally pressed the button.
The tiny click echoed throughout the warehouse.
It was almost silent.
Yet...
To Raizen...
It sounded louder than thunder.
For a single heartbeat—
Everything froze.
The rain outside.
The trembling gang members.
Even the wind seemed to stop.
"..."
Raizen looked at Miyako.
She stared back at him, tears streaming endlessly down her face.
"No..."
She whispered weakly.
"Please..."
Without another thought—
Raizen ran.
Not toward the exit.
Toward her.
The gang leader's eyes widened.
"What are you doing?!"
Raizen ignored him completely.
His battered body screamed in agony with every step.
His wounded shoulder burned.
His legs felt ready to collapse.
But none of it mattered anymore.
There was only one person he wanted to reach.
"Miyako!"
She struggled desperately against the ropes still hanging loosely around her wrists.
"Raizen!"
"Don't!"
"There's no time!"
"I know!"
He smiled.
Even now...
He smiled.
"I made you a promise."
"I said..."
"I'd always protect you."
At that moment...
The first explosion erupted.
BOOOOOM!!
The entire warehouse shook violently.
Steel beams groaned overhead.
Walls cracked apart.
Flames burst through the wooden floor.
Gang members screamed as debris rained down around them.
"It's exploding!"
"Run!"
"GET OUT!"
Panic consumed everyone.
But Raizen never slowed down.
He finally reached Miyako.
Without hesitation—
He wrapped both arms around her.
Holding her as tightly as he could.
She buried her face against his chest.
"...You idiot..."
She sobbed.
"...You really came."
Raizen chuckled softly.
"...Didn't I tell you?"
"I always keep my promises."
Another explosion.
BOOOOOOM!!
The ceiling collapsed.
Fire swallowed the warehouse.
The world disappeared beneath light...
Heat...
And deafening sound.
Outside...
A pillar of flames pierced the night sky.
The abandoned warehouse vanished beneath an enormous explosion.
The shockwave shattered nearby windows.
Rain hissed violently as it struck the burning ruins.
Everything...
Became silent.
...
Deep within the dream—
Aizen stood frozen.
His golden eyes reflected nothing but fire.
"...No..."
His voice trembled.
"...No..."
He took one step forward.
Then another.
But the burning ruins continued fading farther away.
Like a memory slipping beyond his reach.
He reached out desperately.
"Raizen!"
"Miyako!"
"Please..."
But no one answered.
Only ashes drifted through the darkness.
Then...
A single voice echoed faintly.
Gentle.
Warm.
The same voice Raizen had protected until the very end.
*"Thank you... for finding me."*
The dream shattered into countless fragments of light.
And darkness swallowed everything once more.
Darkness.
An endless darkness stretched in every direction.
No sky.
No earth.
No sound.
Aizen slowly opened his eyes.
"...Where am I?"
His voice echoed through the endless void before disappearing into silence.
The flames...
The explosion...
Raizen...
Miyako...
Everything had vanished.
Only emptiness remained.
Aizen looked down at his hands.
They trembled.
"...Why..."
"Why does it hurt so much?"
He slowly clenched his fists over his chest.
The pain wasn't physical.
It was something much deeper.
His heart felt as though it had lost someone precious...
Someone he had never even met.
"...Those weren't just dreams."
"They felt..."
"...real."
A gentle breeze suddenly swept across the darkness.
Countless glowing lights slowly drifted around him like tiny stars.
Each one carried another forgotten memory.
Laughter.
Footsteps.
Conversations.
Training beneath the morning sun.
Family dinners.
School festivals.
Cherry blossoms dancing in the wind.
Every fragment belonged to Raizen Hayashi.
Yet somehow...
Aizen could understand every emotion within them.
Without warning—
One brilliant light floated toward him.
Unlike the others...
This one shone with a soft violet glow.
The moment Aizen reached toward it—
The light transformed.
Standing before him...
Was Miyako Mizaki.
She wore the same school uniform from the dream.
Her long black hair swayed gently in an invisible breeze.
Her beautiful purple eyes looked exactly as they had before the explosion.
She smiled warmly.
"...Hello."
Aizen froze.
"...Miyako..."
She slowly nodded.
"Not quite."
"I'm only what's left behind."
"A memory."
"A lingering fragment."
Aizen stared at her in silence.
"So..."
"Raizen really..."
She lowered her eyes.
"...Yes."
"We both died that day."
Silence filled the endless void once again.
Aizen couldn't find the words.
He had only witnessed fragments of another person's life.
Yet...t
The grief felt as though it belonged to him.
Miyako smiled gently.
"You don't need to cry."
Aizen blinked.
Only then did he realize tears had begun running down his cheeks.
"...I..."
"I don't even know why I'm crying."
She stepped closer.
"Because..."
"You inherited his heart."
Aizen looked up.
"My..."
"...heart?"
Miyako nodded.
"The soul called Raizen Hayashi never truly disappeared."
"It simply began another journey."
"You."
She placed a hand over Aizen's chest.
"Are living the life he never had the chance to finish."
The moment her fingertips touched him—
His Golden Heart beat once.
THUMP.
A brilliant golden light erupted throughout the endless darkness.
The countless memories surrounding Aizen began shining even brighter.
One after another...
The fragments slowly returned to him.
Not completely.
But enough for him to understand one thing.
Raizen Hayashi...
Had truly existed.
And Aizen Arcime...
Was not merely dreaming.
He was remembering.
The golden light slowly faded.
Silence once again filled the endless void.
Aizen remained motionless, his hand resting over his chest where his Golden Heart continued to beat steadily.
Thump.
Thump.
Thump.
Each heartbeat echoed throughout the darkness like a distant bell.
He slowly lifted his head toward Miyako.
"...If Raizen... was my previous life..."
"...Then why was I reborn here?"
"Why this world?"
"Why become... Aizen Arcime?"
Miyako looked into the endless darkness surrounding them.
Her gentle smile remained unchanged.
"I don't know."
"No one truly understands how souls travel."
"Not even I."
She looked back at him.
"But..."
"I believe every soul is guided somewhere for a reason."
Aizen remained silent.
"A reason..."
He quietly repeated her words.
She nodded.
"Raizen's journey ended."
"But yours has only just begun."
"You've met people he never had the chance to meet."
"Seen places he could never imagine."
"And..."
She smiled knowingly.
"You've already found someone worth protecting."
Immediately...
A single image appeared within Aizen's mind.
Silver-white hair.
Ocean-blue eyes.
A gentle smile.
Lyra Subaru.
Without realizing it...
Aizen smiled.
"...Lyra."
Miyako noticed the expression on his face and giggled softly.
"So that's her name."
Aizen scratched his cheek awkwardly.
"...She's my companion."
"We've survived a lot together."
"She's... important to me."
"I don't want to lose her."
Miyako nodded gently.
"I know."
"The way you looked at her..."
"It reminded me of someone."
Aizen blinked.
"...Raizen?"
She smiled.
"Yes."
"He looked at me with the same determination."
"He would throw himself into danger without thinking..."
"...just to protect someone precious."
She took a small step closer.
"But promise me something."
Aizen straightened instinctively.
"What is it?"
"Don't repeat our mistake."
He looked confused.
"Our mistake?"
Miyako lowered her eyes.
"Raizen always carried everything alone."
"He smiled."
"He laughed."
"He acted strong."
"But deep inside..."
"He never let anyone carry his burdens."
She looked directly into Aizen's brilliant golden eyes.
"You have people beside you now."
"Trust them."
"Lean on them."
"You don't always have to fight alone."
Those words struck Aizen harder than any weapon ever could.
Without realizing it...
He remembered every battle he had fought since arriving in Tellus.
The massacre of the Black Lions.
The endless dungeon.
Garroth's betrayal.
His determination to grow stronger.
Every single time...
He had only thought about protecting others.
Never himself.
"...Maybe..."
He whispered quietly.
"...I really have been doing the same thing."
Miyako smiled proudly.
"Then you've already taken the first step."
The endless darkness around them suddenly began trembling.
Tiny cracks of white light spread across the void.
The dream was beginning to collapse.
Miyako looked upward.
"...It's almost morning."
Aizen felt it too.
His consciousness was slowly returning to his sleeping body.
"...Will I ever see you again?"
he asked quietly.
Miyako remained silent for a moment before smiling one last time.
"You don't need to."
"You've already remembered enough."
She slowly stepped backward.
Her body gradually dissolved into countless glowing particles.
"But whenever you protect someone..."
"Whenever you choose kindness instead of hatred..."
"And whenever you keep moving forward..."
A warm breeze swept through the endless darkness.
"...A part of Raizen..."
"...and a part of me..."
"...will always be with you."
The golden particles floated around Aizen one final time.
Then...
Everything disappeared into blinding white light.
Light.
Warm, gentle sunlight filtered through the fabric of the tent.
The distant songs of birds echoed throughout the forest.
The soft murmur of a nearby stream replaced the endless silence of the dream.
Aizen's eyes suddenly opened.
"...!"
He inhaled sharply, his chest rising and falling rapidly.
For several moments...
Morning sunlight slowly filtered through the canvas of the tent.
The peaceful sounds of the forest replaced the chaos of the nightmare.
Birds sang somewhere high among the towering trees.
The nearby stream continued flowing gently over smooth stones.
"..."
Aizen slowly opened his eyes.
For several seconds...
He simply stared upward.
His breathing was uneven.
His Golden Heart still beat faster than usual.
Thump.
Thump.
Thump.
The dream...
No.
The memory.
It still lingered vividly inside his mind.
Raizen Hayashi.
Sarah.
Grandfather Takano.
The Hayashi Dojo.
Twenty delinquents.
Miyako Mizaki.
The warehouse.
The explosion.
Every scene felt so real that he could almost smell the smoke.
"..."
He quietly closed his eyes.
"So..."
"I really wasn't dreaming."
Before he could think any further—
"Aizen!"
A familiar voice called from outside.
"Aizen! Wake up!"
He blinked.
Lyra.
He quickly sat upright.
Outside the tent, Lyra was already kneeling beside the campfire.
Her long silver-white hair had been tied neatly into a ponytail, gently swaying in the morning breeze.
Since she wasn't using magic, her eyes had returned to their calm ocean-blue color.
The aroma of freshly baked bread drifted through the air.
Warm butter slowly melted across its golden surface.
A pot of vegetable soup simmered quietly over the fire.
The peaceful scenery contrasted sharply with the nightmare he had just experienced.
Lyra immediately noticed his expression.
She stood up and hurried toward him.
"Aizen..."
She frowned.
"You're sweating."
Her voice became noticeably softer.
"Did you have a bad dream?"
Aizen instinctively froze.
His hand unconsciously reached toward his chest.
The Golden Heart continued beating calmly now.
"..."
He couldn't tell her.
Not yet.
How could he explain memories from another world?
Even he barely understood them himself.
He forced a small smile.
"...No."
"It wasn't anything serious."
"I was just..."
He hesitated.
"...dreaming about my family."
Lyra's expression softened immediately.
"...I see."
She smiled gently.
"You must really miss them."
Aizen lowered his eyes.
"...Yeah."
It wasn't exactly a lie.
He had seen his family.
Just...
Not the one Lyra believed.
Raizen's family.
Not Aizen's.
Lyra quietly placed a wooden plate into his hands.
"Come eat."
"You'll need your strength."
"And..."
She smiled teasingly.
"Don't make me worry like that again."
Aizen laughed awkwardly.
"Sorry."
"I'll try not to."
They sat together beside the campfire.
For several peaceful minutes...
Neither of them spoke.
Only the sounds of nature filled the silence.
The warm bread was soft.
The butter melted perfectly across each slice.
Simple.
Yet delicious.
Aizen quietly enjoyed every bite.
His thoughts, however...
Never truly left the dream.
"...Miyako..."
The name quietly echoed inside his mind.
When breakfast ended...
The two packed away the camp.
Lyra stored the cooking utensils inside her storage ring.
Aizen folded the tent before placing it into his own.
Within minutes...
They had resumed their journey toward the Dragon Kingdom.
The forest slowly gave way to rolling hills covered in vibrant green grass.
A gentle breeze swept across the open fields.
Far in the distance...
Towering mountain ranges pierced the clouds.
Somewhere beyond those mountains...
Lay the Dragon Kingdom.
Their destination.
They walked side by side.
Occasionally exchanging small conversations.
Sometimes...
Simply enjoying the peaceful silence.
Lyra noticed him glancing toward her several times.
"...Is something wrong?"
she asked curiously.
Aizen immediately looked away.
"...No."
"...It's nothing."
She tilted her head.
"...You're acting strange today."
"...Am I?"
She nodded.
"You've looked at me at least five times already."
Aizen scratched the back of his head awkwardly.
"...Sorry."
"I guess..."
He quietly looked toward her once more.
"...You reminded me of someone."
Lyra blinked.
"...Someone?"
He nodded slowly.
"A girl."
"I saw her..."
"...in my dream."
He didn't say anything more.
He couldn't.
Even he wasn't certain whether it had truly been a dream.
Lyra smiled faintly.
"...Should I be jealous?"
Aizen's eyes widened immediately.
"W-What?"
Lyra covered her mouth, trying not to laugh.
"I'm joking."
Aizen sighed in relief.
"You almost gave me a heart attack."
She giggled.
The sound carried gently across the hills.
For just a brief moment...
Aizen unconsciously compared it to Miyako's laughter.
...
No.
They're different.
Miyako had soft purple eyes.
Lyra's eyes were now a calm ocean blue.
Miyako had long black hair.
Lyra's hair shone like silver beneath the sunlight.
Even their personalities were different.
"...What am I thinking?"
he muttered quietly to himself.
Lyra looked over.
"Hm?"
"...Nothing."
He smiled.
"Let's keep moving."
Unknown to Aizen...
Lyra quietly watched him from the corner of her eye.
"...He's definitely hiding something."
She didn't ask.
If Aizen wished to tell her someday...
He would.
For now...
She would simply stay beside him.
The peaceful journey continued.
Until—
Rustle.
Rustle.*
The tall grass surrounding the hill suddenly shook.
Aizen's ears twitched.
His expression immediately changed.
"...Lyra."
She instantly understood.
"...I know."
Several shadows emerged from behind the rocks.
Then another.
And another.
Within seconds...
Over twenty armed beastmen surrounded the two travelers from every direction.
A large hyena beastman stepped forward, grinning viciously.
"Well, well..."
"Looks like we've found ourselves a pair of rich little travelers..."
The peaceful morning...
Had come to an end.
The beastmen slowly tightened their encirclement.
Steel swords glimmered beneath the morning sunlight.
Axes rested heavily upon broad shoulders.
Several archers quietly climbed nearby rocks, already drawing their bows.
They had come prepared.
The large hyena beastman standing at the front licked his lips before letting out an unpleasant laugh.
"Heh..."
"I can smell valuable equipment from here."
His yellow eyes swept across Aizen's black spear before stopping on Lyra.
Then...
A disgusting grin spread across his face.
"And what do we have here?"
"A noble girl?"
"Looks like today's our lucky day."
Several of the other bandits burst into laughter.
A scarred cat beastman stepped forward, twirling a dagger between his fingers.
His single remaining eye shamelessly stared at Lyra from head to toe.
"Forget the supplies."
"I'll be taking the girl."
He grinned arrogantly.
"Pretty ladies like her don't belong wandering around forests."
"They belong with us."
Another beastman—a large dog with worn leather armor—began laughing loudly.
"Yeah!"
"She'll make a perfect wife!"
The surrounding bandits roared with crude laughter.
Lyra's ocean-blue eyes instantly grew cold.
She slowly tightened her grip around the wooden staff resting in her hand.
"...Disgusting."
Her quiet voice carried surprising sharpness.
The hyena shrugged.
"Suit yourself."
"We can always force you."
Before Lyra could answer—
Aizen quietly stepped forward.
He positioned himself between Lyra and the surrounding bandits.
His expression had completely changed.
Gone was the calm traveler who had shared breakfast only moments earlier.
His bright golden eyes had become frighteningly emotionless.
"...Lyra."
His voice remained calm.
"I'll handle this."
She looked toward him.
"There are over twenty of them."
"I know."
"They're armed."
"I know."
"They might have mages hiding nearby."
"I know."
She hesitated.
"...Be careful."
Aizen smiled gently.
"I will."
Then he slowly turned back toward the bandits.
The hyena leader laughed.
"What?"
"Planning to protect your girlfriend all by yourself?"
More laughter erupted.
Aizen remained silent.
His hand slowly reached behind his back.
The bandits frowned.
"...What's he doing?"
The next second—
A ripple distorted the air.
A long black spear appeared as though materializing from thin air.
Its jet-black shaft reflected the sunlight while faint silver engravings glowed softly across its surface.
The surrounding bandits immediately stiffened.
"A storage artifact...?"
"No..."
"I didn't even see him take it out."
"What kind of weapon is that?"
Aizen calmly rested the spear upon his shoulder.
His golden eyes never left the hyena leader.
"You've made one mistake."
The hyena raised an eyebrow.
"...Oh?"
Aizen's voice remained frighteningly quiet.
"You insulted my partner."
The smile vanished from the hyena's face.
"...Partner?"
Aizen slowly lowered his spear.
The tip pointed directly toward the ground.
A gentle breeze swept across the hill.
His black hair swayed softly against the wind.
For just a brief moment...
He remembered another promise.
"I always keep my promises."
Raizen's words echoed faintly inside his mind.
Aizen quietly smiled.
"...I suppose some things really never change."
He planted one foot forward.
The ground beneath him cracked ever so slightly.
"You wanted our belongings."
"You threatened Lyra."
"You even thought about laying your hands on her."
He slowly lifted his spear.
"So..."
His golden eyes narrowed.
"I'll only say this once."
A terrifying pressure spread across the hill.
Even Lyra instinctively took a small breath.
The beastmen felt it too.
An invisible weight settled upon their shoulders.
Their instincts screamed at them.
Danger.
"Run."
Aizen said calmly.
"Because after this..."
"I'm not showing any mercy."
The beastmen stared at one another.
Then—
They burst into laughter.
"Hear that?!"
"He told us to run!"
"What a joke!"
The hyena leader wiped a tear from his eye as he laughed.
"You've got guts, kid."
"But guts won't save you."
He pointed his curved blade toward Aizen.
"Kill him!"
The hill exploded into motion.
Over twenty beastmen charged simultaneously.
Some rushed from the front.
Others circled around the sides, hoping to overwhelm him with numbers.
The pounding of countless footsteps shook the grassy hillside.
Dust rose into the air.
Several archers quickly nocked their arrows.
"Fire!"
Whoosh!
A volley of arrows shot toward Aizen from multiple directions.
Lyra's eyes widened.
"Aizen!"
She instinctively raised her staff.
Before she could cast—
Aizen moved.
"...Too slow."
His figure disappeared.
The arrows struck nothing but empty air.
The bandits froze.
"W-Where did he go?!"
The next instant—
Clang!!
One swordsman felt something collide with his weapon.
His eyes slowly widened.
Aizen was standing directly in front of him.
Impossible.
No one had seen him move.
"So fast—"
He never finished his sentence.
Slash!!
A black streak flashed across the air.
The bandit's sword shattered into dozens of pieces.
A second slash followed immediately.
His body collapsed before he even realized he had been defeated.
The surrounding beastmen stepped backward instinctively.
"What...?!"
The tiger beastman growled angrily.
"Don't panic!"
"He's only one person!"
"We still outnumber him!"
With a roar, nearly ten beastmen attacked together.
Axes.
Spears.
Swords.
Claws.
They attacked from every direction at once.
Aizen calmly exhaled.
"...Golden Heart."
THUMP.
Blue energy erupted from his body.
Electricity crackled faintly around his black tail.
His bright golden eyes shone like miniature suns.
The wind surrounding the hill suddenly changed.
It began circling around him.
Faster.
Stronger.
The grass bent beneath the pressure.
The bandits instinctively slowed.
"...What is this pressure?"
Lyra watched silently from behind.
A small smile appeared on her face.
"...He's gotten even stronger."
Without another word—
Aizen vanished once again.
Only a violent gust of wind remained where he had been standing.
The massacre...
Was about to begin.
The first beastman never even saw him.
Slash!!
A razor-thin arc of wind swept across the battlefield.
The charging wolf beastman froze in mid-step.
A thin red line appeared across his chest.
"...Huh?"
His weapon slipped from his hands.
A moment later—
His body collapsed onto the hill.
Silence.
Then—
"HE'S BEHIND US!"
Another bandit screamed.
Too late.
Aizen's black spear danced like flowing water.
It wasn't wild.
It wasn't reckless.
Every movement was precise.
Every thrust targeted a vital point.
Every slash carried just enough force to end the fight in a single strike.
Slash!
A boar beastman's axe split cleanly in half.
Before he could react—
Aizen struck him in the stomach with the butt of his spear.
BOOM!
The impact launched him several meters through the air before he crashed into a large boulder.
The rock shattered upon impact.
"...Monster..."
another bandit whispered.
Fear slowly spread through the group.
The tiger beastman gritted his teeth.
"STOP HESITATING!"
"ATTACK HIM!"
"If we hesitate, we'll die!"
Five more rushed forward.
One attacked from above.
Two from the sides.
The remaining two charged directly ahead.
Aizen calmly shifted his footing.
His golden eyes followed every movement.
To him...
They looked painfully slow.
He lowered his body.
Then—
He spun.
Whoooosh!!
A powerful burst of wind exploded outward.
The force alone threw several beastmen off their feet.
Leaves, dirt, and shattered weapons scattered across the hillside.
Before anyone recovered—
Aizen had already moved again.
His spear pierced one shoulder.
He twisted.
The attacker was thrown aside.
He reversed his grip.
The spear's shaft struck another across the jaw.
Crack!
The beastman spun through the air before collapsing unconscious.
A tiger lunged from behind.
Aizen didn't even turn around.
His tail crackled with blue lightning.
Using only instinct—
He leaned slightly to one side.
The tiger's claws missed him by mere centimeters.
Without hesitation—
Aizen drove his elbow backward.
BAM!!
The tiger's ribs caved inward.
He crashed to the ground, gasping for breath.
The remaining bandits finally stopped advancing.
"...Impossible..."
"He's reading every attack..."
"No..."
One older beastman slowly shook his head.
"...He's predicting them."
Cold sweat rolled down countless faces.
Only moments ago...
They had believed they were hunting two helpless travelers.
Now...
They realized the truth.
They had surrounded a predator.
And they were the prey.
Aizen slowly lifted his spear.
Black clouds began gathering around its blade.
The air itself grew heavier.
A cold wind swept across the hilltop.
He looked at the frightened bandits with calm, unwavering eyes.
"...I warned you."
"You should have run."
His grip tightened around the spear.
A faint current of lightning coiled around the black weapon.
Then, in a voice barely louder than a whisper...
He spoke the name of the technique he had refined during the three years inside the hidden sanctuary.
"Meltz Wind."
The world exploded into motion.
The wind screamed.
Not around Aizen—
But from him.
WHOOOOOOSH!!
A violent surge of compressed air erupted from the tip of his black spear, sweeping across the hill like a raging storm.
The earth trembled.
Grass and loose stones were torn from the ground and hurled into the sky.
The charging bandits instinctively shielded their faces.
"W-What is this?!"
"I-I can't breathe!"
The storm wasn't ordinary wind.
It carried countless invisible blades.
Thin.
Sharp.
Deadly.
The first beastman was struck before he could even scream.
Slash!
A deep cut opened across his chest.
Then another.
And another.
Within seconds, his armor had been shredded into ribbons.
"Aaagh!!"
He collapsed onto the bloodstained hill.
The others tried to retreat.
"Run!"
"It's a monster!"
"Get away from him!"
But the wind was faster.
Invisible blades danced across the battlefield.
Slash! Slash! Slash!
One by one, the bandits were struck down.
Weapons snapped apart.
Shields split in half.
Armor crumbled as though sliced by invisible swords.
The hyena leader desperately swung his blade through the raging storm.
"Come out!"
"Fight me properly!"
His roar was answered only by silence.
Then—
Aizen appeared directly before him.
The hyena's pupils shrank.
"...Impossible."
He hadn't heard footsteps.
He hadn't sensed mana.
Aizen had simply... appeared.
His golden eyes reflected no anger.
Only resolve.
"You threatened the one who saved my life."
His voice was calm.
"But more than that..."
He slowly raised his spear.
"You chose this path yourself."
The hyena gritted his teeth and swung with all his strength.
"Die!"
The blade never reached its target.
Clang!
Aizen effortlessly deflected the attack with the shaft of his spear.
The impact echoed across the hill.
Before the hyena could recover—
Aizen stepped forward.
His spear moved only once.
A clean, precise thrust.
Thud.
The black spear pierced straight through the bandit's chest.
The hyena looked down in disbelief.
"...I..."
Blood trickled from the corner of his mouth.
His weapon slipped from his trembling fingers.
"I... lost..."
Aizen slowly pulled the spear free.
The hyena collapsed without another word.
Silence returned to the hill.
The wind gradually calmed.
The black clouds surrounding Aizen's spear faded away.
All around him...
Bodies lay scattered across the once-green hillside.
The fresh grass had been stained crimson.
The peaceful hill that had greeted the morning sun...
Had become a battlefield.
The few surviving bandits who had hidden at the rear stared at Aizen with absolute terror.
"N-No..."
"We can't beat him..."
"Run!"
Without waiting for orders, they turned and fled into the forest as fast as their legs could carry them.
Aizen watched them disappear into the trees.
He made no attempt to chase them.
"...Let them go."
"They've already learned their lesson."
Behind him, Lyra slowly lowered her staff.
A soft sigh escaped her lips.
"...That was..."
She looked around at the devastated battlefield before smiling wryly.
"...a little excessive."
Aizen scratched the back of his head with an awkward laugh.
"...Maybe."
"But..."
He glanced back at her, his bright golden eyes softening.
"I wasn't about to forgive anyone who threatened my partner."
Lyra blinked.
For a brief second...
A faint blush colored her cheeks.
"...Partner..."
She quietly repeated the word to herself.
For some reason...
Hearing Aizen say it so naturally made her heart skip a beat.
She quickly looked away before he noticed.
"T-Thank you..."
she murmured softly.
Aizen tilted his head.
"Hm?"
"Oh—"
Lyra immediately shook her head.
"N-Nothing."
She cleared her throat and forced herself to regain her usual composure.
"I simply meant..."
"Thank you for protecting me."
Aizen smiled warmly.
"You don't have to thank me."
"We've been traveling together ever since the Trial Dungeon."
"I promised we'd watch each other's backs."
"So protecting you is only natural."
Lyra couldn't help smiling.
"...You're hopeless."
"And you're too kind."
She quietly walked beside him as they continued along the forest path.
The morning breeze gently rustled the trees overhead.
Birds gradually returned after the sounds of battle had disappeared.
Nature slowly reclaimed its peace.
Neither of them spoke for several minutes.
Aizen's thoughts, however...
Hadn't left him.
Without realizing it, his eyes drifted toward Lyra.
Her long silver-white hair shimmered beneath the sunlight.
Her ocean-blue eyes reflected the clear sky above.
She looked ahead calmly, occasionally brushing a loose strand of hair behind her ear.
For just a single heartbeat...
Another face overlapped with hers.
Long black hair.
Gentle purple eyes.
A warm smile.
"...Miyako..."
he whispered unconsciously.
Lyra looked toward him.
"Did you say something?"
Aizen blinked.
The illusion disappeared.
Standing beside him was still Lyra.
"...No."
"I was just thinking."
He gave a small smile and continued walking.
No.
They're different.
Miyako Mizaki belonged to another life.
Another world.
Another time.
Lyra Subaru was here.
Walking beside him.
Sharing his journey.
Sharing his burdens.
"...I shouldn't compare them."
He quietly reminded himself.
Still...
The dream from the previous night lingered within his heart.
Raizen Hayashi.
Miyako Mizaki.
The Hayashi Dojo.
Sarah.
His grandfather.
None of them felt like strangers anymore.
They felt...
Like family.
Aizen gently clenched his hand.
"I'll remember."
He whispered so quietly that only the wind heard him.
"I won't forget any of you."
Lyra glanced at him once more.
She didn't know what thoughts filled his mind.
But she could tell something inside him had changed.
His expression seemed calmer.
More mature.
As though he had finally accepted a part of himself that had long been missing.
A faint smile appeared on her lips.
"...Whatever happened..."
"I'm glad you're alright."
The two continued walking toward the distant mountains.
Far beyond those peaks...
Lay the Dragon Kingdom.
The land ruled by the Dragon King Zelfhar.
Neither of them knew that their arrival would eventually shake the entire Green Continent.
Nor did they realize...
That countless lives would soon become intertwined with their own.
For now...
They simply walked side by side beneath the vast blue sky.
Two young travelers.
One carrying the burden of a forgotten past.
The other carrying the secrets of a royal bloodline.
Together...
They continued toward the destiny that awaited them.
A full year quietly passed as they journeyed across the vast Green Continent.
With every battle they fought...
Every village they visited...
And every hardship they overcame...
The bond between Aizen Arcime and Lyra Subaru grew stronger than ever.
Their true adventure...
Had only just begun.
The wind carried the scent of fresh grass as four seasons quietly passed across the vast Green Continent.
Nearly a year had gone by since Aizen Arcime and Lyra Subaru had left the hidden sanctuary within the Ancient Forest.
Every village they visited...
Every mountain they crossed...
Every monster they defeated...
Only strengthened the bond they shared.
The once-inexperienced children who had escaped the Trial Dungeon had grown into capable young adventurers.
Aizen's spear techniques had become sharper.
Lyra's mastery over magic had become more refined.
Together, they had overcome countless dangers that would have easily claimed the lives of ordinary travelers.
Now...
After months of traveling—
The towering trees of the Ancient Forest finally began to thin.
Sunlight poured through the gaps between the branches.
Fresh air, no longer heavy with ancient mana, greeted them from beyond the forest.
Aizen stepped forward first.
His bright golden eyes widened ever so slightly.
"...We made it."
Before them stretched endless green plains.
Rolling hills danced beneath the gentle wind.
Far in the distance...
Small columns of smoke rose peacefully into the sky.
Villages.
Human settlements.
The civilization they hadn't seen for years.
Lyra stepped beside him.
Her silver-white hair fluttered softly in the breeze while her calm ocean-blue eyes looked toward the horizon.
"We've finally left my father's domain."
She smiled faintly.
"The Human Territories begin here."
Aizen slowly nodded.
"So we're finally outside the Ancient Forest..."
Lyra pointed toward the distant smoke.
"If I remember correctly..."
"That village should be Mayana."
"Our first stop."
Aizen smiled.
"I could definitely use a proper bed again."
Lyra laughed quietly.
"I thought you liked sleeping outside."
"I do."
He scratched his cheek awkwardly.
"But a roof every once in a while wouldn't hurt."
The two continued walking along the worn dirt road leading toward the village.
Peace surrounded them.
Birds sang cheerfully.
The warm afternoon sun illuminated the endless fields.
For the first time in a long while...
Everything felt ordinary.
Then—
"...!"
Aizen's lion ears suddenly twitched.
His smile disappeared instantly.
"...Lyra."
She noticed his expression immediately.
"What is it?"
He slowly closed his eyes.
The wind carried distant voices.
Children crying.
Adults shouting.
The sound of horses.
Running footsteps.
And desperate screams.
His golden eyes snapped open.
"...Someone's in danger."
Without another word—
Aizen disappeared.
BOOM!!
The dirt beneath his feet exploded as he launched himself forward with terrifying speed.
A violent gust of wind followed behind him.
"Lyra! I'll be right back!"
"Little kids are in danger!"
Lyra's expression immediately became serious.
"I know!"
"I'll catch up!"
Blue mana gathered beneath her feet as she sprinted after him.
Several hundred meters ahead—
Seven armed beastmen surrounded two terrified children.
One of the bandits grabbed a little girl's wrist while another attempted to seize a young boy.
Both children struggled desperately.
"Let us go!"
"Big sis!"
The beastmen only laughed.
"No one's coming to save you."
The wolf beastman leader tightened his grip.
"You're worth a fortune."
Then—
A shadow appeared before him.
Without warning...
A hand caught his wrist.
Firmly.
The wolf's eyes widened.
"...What?"
Standing before him...
Was a young man with jet-black hair.
Bright golden eyes.
And an expression so calm...
It was terrifying.
Aizen slowly tightened his grip.
"You should let them go."
The wolf beastman swallowed nervously.
"...Who..."
"...are you?"
Aizen didn't answer immediately.
His golden eyes remained fixed on the wolf beastman.
Calm.
Steady.
Almost emotionless.
The little demon girl looked up at the stranger who had suddenly appeared before her.
Her crimson-red eyes sparkled with hope.
"H-He..."
Before she could finish—
The wolf beastman tried to pull his arm free.
He couldn't.
"...W-What?"
His expression changed from confusion to panic.
The young man's grip felt like solid iron.
No matter how much strength he used...
His wrist refused to move even an inch.
A bead of cold sweat rolled down the wolf's forehead.
"Tch!"
With his free hand, he drew the curved sword hanging from his waist.
"You little brat!"
"I don't know who you are—"
"But you're dead!"
He swung the blade directly toward Aizen's neck.
The little angel boy gasped.
"Mister!"
Clang!
Aizen raised his free hand.
His fingers caught the flat side of the blade.
The sword stopped completely.
"...!"
The wolf's eyes nearly popped out of their sockets.
"W-What?!"
He pushed harder.
The blade refused to move.
It was as though he were trying to cut through a mountain.
Aizen let out a quiet sigh.
"...You're surprisingly persistent."
Crack.
The steel sword bent beneath the pressure of his fingers.
Another crack followed.
Then—
SNAP!!
The weapon shattered into several pieces.
Fragments scattered across the dirt road.
The surrounding beastmen froze.
"...He..."
"...He broke it..."
"With his bare hand...?"
Fear slowly spread through the group.
The wolf beastman stumbled backward the moment Aizen released his wrist.
He hurriedly grabbed another weapon from his belt.
"W-What are all of you standing around for?!"
"Attack him!"
"There are seven of us!"
"He can't possibly fight all—"
His words suddenly stopped.
A familiar pressure washed over the area.
Heavy.
Overwhelming.
Like standing before a wild beast at the top of the food chain.
Aizen slowly reached behind his back.
Ripples of space shimmered beside him.
From within the invisible storage ring...
A long black spear appeared in his hand.
Its dark shaft gleamed beneath the afternoon sunlight.
Silver engravings stretched from one end to the other, faintly glowing with magical energy.
The little demon girl's eyes sparkled.
"...So cool..."
Beside her, the little angel boy stared with his mouth hanging open.
"Mister..."
"...You're amazing."
Aizen smiled faintly without taking his eyes off the bandits.
"Stay behind me."
"I'll end this quickly."
At that exact moment—
Lyra burst through the trees behind him.
She slowed to a stop beside Aizen, her silver-white hair flowing gently in the wind.
Her ocean-blue eyes immediately took in the situation.
Seven beastmen.
Two frightened children.
Aizen standing between them.
She smiled knowingly.
"...Looks like you started without me."
Aizen chuckled.
"I couldn't exactly ask them to wait."
Lyra covered a small laugh with her hand.
"I suppose not."
The wolf beastman looked back and forth between the two young travelers.
One carried an ominous black spear.
The other wore elegant white robes while holding a finely crafted staff.
Neither looked frightened.
If anything...
They looked mildly inconvenienced.
The wolf clenched his fists.
"...Who in the world are these two?"
The wolf beastman's instincts screamed at him.
Run.
Every fiber of his body told him the same thing.
The young man standing before him wasn't someone he could defeat.
And the silver-haired girl beside him...
She carried herself with the elegance of nobility.
Neither of them looked like ordinary travelers.
Unfortunately...
His greed was stronger than his instincts.
He gritted his teeth and pointed toward Aizen.
"Tch!"
"I don't care who you are!"
"We've got the numbers!"
He glanced at the six beastmen behind him.
"What are you all waiting for?!"
"Kill them!"
The other bandits hesitated.
"...B-Boss..."
"I've got a bad feeling about this..."
"Did you see what he did to your sword?"
The wolf glared at them.
"Cowards!"
"He's only one person!"
"And that girl's just a mage!"
"We'll overwhelm them!"
His words barely convinced the others.
Slowly...
The six beastmen tightened their grips on their weapons.
A tiger beastman spun a pair of axes.
A large boar beastman slammed a massive hammer against the ground.
Two fox beastmen drew curved daggers.
The remaining wolf and leopard beastmen unsheathed their swords.
Seven against two.
Under normal circumstances...
It should have been an easy victory.
Aizen quietly sighed.
"...Lyra."
"Hm?"
"You don't mind if I handle this alone?"
Lyra smiled knowingly.
"I was going to ask if you wanted me to help."
Aizen smiled back.
"I appreciate it."
"But I'd like to stretch a little."
She nodded without the slightest concern.
"Very well."
"I'll watch over the children."
The little demon girl blinked several times.
"...You're really not helping him?"
Lyra gently placed a hand on the girl's head.
"He'll be fine."
The little angel boy tilted his head.
"...But there are seven bad guys."
Lyra's smile widened ever so slightly.
"To Aizen..."
"They might as well be seven scarecrows."
The bandits heard every word.
Veins bulged across the wolf leader's forehead.
"...You're looking down on us!"
Aizen calmly twirled his black spear once before resting it across his shoulder.
"No."
"I'm simply stating a fact."
The tiger beastman roared.
"I've had enough!"
He charged first, both axes raised high above his head.
The others followed immediately.
Their battle cries echoed through the forest.
Aizen remained completely still.
The distance closed.
Twenty meters.
Fifteen.
Ten.
Five.
Then—
He smiled.
"...Let's finish this."
With a single step forward—
The ground beneath his feet shattered.
BOOM!!
His figure disappeared like a gust of wind, leaving behind only a cloud of dust.
The charging bandits' eyes widened in horror.
"...He's gone!"
The tiger beastman instinctively swung both of his axes.
SWISH!
They sliced through nothing but empty air.
"...Where?!"
A cold breeze brushed against the back of his neck.
Before he could react—
A calm voice echoed beside his ear.
"I'm right here."
The tiger's pupils shrank.
Aizen stood at his side.
His movements had been so fast that none of the bandits had seen him relocate.
"No—!"
THUD!
Using the blunt end of his black spear, Aizen struck the tiger squarely in the abdomen.
The impact knocked every bit of air from the beastman's lungs.
His eyes rolled back.
His massive body flew several meters before crashing into the trunk of a large tree.
CRACK!
The tree splintered from the force.
The tiger slid to the ground unconscious.
"...One."
Aizen muttered quietly.
The remaining six beastmen froze.
"W-What just happened?"
"He sent Goran flying with one hit!"
The boar beastman roared in anger.
"Don't stop!"
"We attack together!"
He raised his enormous war hammer and charged.
The wolf and leopard followed closely behind while the two fox beastmen split apart, attempting to surround Aizen from both sides.
The wolf leader grinned viciously.
"Now!"
"He's trapped!"
Four attacks descended at once.
The hammer crashed downward.
Two swords slashed toward his sides.
Twin daggers lunged toward his back.
To anyone watching...
Escape seemed impossible.
Even the little angel boy covered his eyes.
"Mister!"
Lyra simply folded her arms.
"...Watch carefully."
The instant the weapons were about to connect—
Aizen lowered his stance.
His golden eyes flashed brilliantly.
"...Wind Step."
A gentle breeze circled around his feet.
Then—
He vanished.
Every weapon struck only empty space.
BOOM!
The hammer smashed into the ground, leaving a deep crater.
The swords collided with one another.
The fox twins stumbled as their daggers nearly struck their own allies.
"W-Where did he go?!"
The answer came from above.
Aizen appeared in midair, silently descending behind them.
"...Too slow."
He swung the shaft of his spear in a wide arc.
BAM!
The leopard beastman was struck first, spinning through the air before crashing into the wolf leader.
The two tumbled across the dirt together.
Without pausing—
Aizen twisted his body.
The butt of his spear slammed into the boar's shoulder.
CRACK!
A sickening sound echoed through the clearing.
The enormous hammer slipped from the beastman's hands as he collapsed onto one knee, crying out in pain.
The two fox beastmen finally realized what was happening.
"This isn't a fight!"
"It's a massacre!"
Panic spread across their faces.
One dropped his dagger entirely.
"L-Let's run!"
The other nodded frantically.
"I don't care about the reward anymore!"
Before either of them could take a single step—
Aizen calmly pointed his spear toward them.
"You should have made that decision..."
"...before you tried to kidnap innocent children."
The wind around the clearing began to stir once again.
The battle...
Was already over.
A gentle breeze swept across the clearing.
Leaves drifted quietly through the air.
The two fox beastmen froze where they stood, unable to move.
Fear had completely replaced the confidence they possessed only moments earlier.
The black spear in Aizen's hand remained lowered.
Yet somehow...
It felt far more terrifying than if it had been pointed directly at them.
One of the foxes slowly raised both hands.
"W-Wait!"
"We surrender!"
"We won't do it again!"
The other nodded repeatedly.
"Please!"
"Spare us!"
"We were only following orders!"
Aizen's golden eyes remained calm.
"Following orders..."
He quietly repeated the words.
"So if someone orders you to kidnap children..."
"You'll obey?"
The fox's mouth opened.
No answer came.
Because there wasn't one.
Aizen sighed.
"...Exactly."
Without another word—
He disappeared.
A violent gust of wind erupted across the clearing.
The foxes' eyes widened.
"W-Where—"
BAM!
The shaft of Aizen's spear struck the first fox squarely across the stomach.
The beastman folded over before being launched several meters backward.
Before the second fox could even react—
THUD!
Aizen's elbow struck his neck with pinpoint precision.
His eyes rolled backward.
The fox collapsed unconscious without making another sound.
Silence.
Only the rustling of leaves could be heard.
The remaining beastmen stared at the scene in complete disbelief.
Seven opponents.
Not one of them had managed to land a single hit.
The wolf leader struggled to push himself off the ground.
His entire body trembled.
"...Monster..."
he whispered.
Aizen slowly turned toward him.
"No."
"I'm simply someone who refuses to ignore people in need."
The wolf's breathing became uneven.
"W-We..."
"We only needed money..."
Aizen looked toward the two frightened children behind him.
The little demon girl was protecting the angel boy with both arms.
Even now...
They were still shaking.
He returned his gaze to the bandits.
"So you decided to steal someone else's future..."
"...to save your own?"
The wolf lowered his head.
Unable to answer.
Lyra quietly walked forward until she stood beside Aizen.
Her ocean-blue eyes swept across the defeated beastmen.
"...They're finished."
Aizen nodded.
"Good."
He rested the black spear against his shoulder.
"I don't enjoy killing."
"But I also won't allow people like you to hurt innocent lives."
The wolf slowly closed his eyes.
He finally understood.
The young man standing before him wasn't showing mercy because he lacked strength.
He was showing mercy...
Because he chose to.
There was a difference.
A huge one.
The clearing fell silent once more.
Behind Aizen...
Two small pairs of eyes watched him with complete admiration.
The little demon girl slowly tugged on her younger brother's sleeve.
"...Theo..."
The angel boy looked up.
"...Yeah?"
She smiled brightly.
"I think..."
"...a hero really does exist."
Aizen heard the quiet whisper.
He couldn't help but smile awkwardly.
"I'm not a hero."
He looked back at the two children.
"I just happened to arrive at the right time."
Yet somehow...
Those simple words only made the admiration in their eyes grow even stronger.
The journey that had begun with only two travelers...
Was quietly about to become a journey shared by four.
The little demon girl slowly released the tight grip she had on her younger brother's hand.
Although the danger had passed...
Neither of them stepped away from each other.
Years of being chased had taught them one lesson above all else.
Never lower your guard.
Not until you're absolutely certain it's safe.
Aizen noticed the hesitation in their eyes.
He slowly knelt so that he was at their eye level.
His voice became noticeably gentler.
"...It's alright now."
"They won't hurt you anymore."
The little angel boy cautiously peeked out from behind his sister.
His white wings trembled slightly.
"...R-Really?"
Aizen smiled and nodded.
"I promise."
The boy looked toward the unconscious beastmen scattered around the clearing.
Then back at Aizen.
"...You beat them all..."
"...by yourself."
Aizen scratched the back of his head.
"I suppose I did."
Lyra stepped forward with a soft smile.
"You two don't need to be afraid anymore."
"We'll stay with you until you're somewhere safe."
The little demon girl's crimson eyes widened.
"...You'll really help us?"
"Even though..."
"...you don't know us?"
Aizen answered before Lyra could.
"Does helping someone require a reason?"
The girl blinked.
For a long moment...
She simply stared at him.
Then...
Her small shoulders began trembling.
Tiny tears gathered in the corners of her eyes.
"N-No..."
she whispered.
"I've just..."
"...never heard anyone say that before."
Without warning...
She burst into tears.
"W-Waaah!"
The little angel boy immediately hugged his older sister.
"Mika..."
"D-Don't cry..."
"I-I'm crying too..."
Within seconds...
Both children were sobbing together.
Aizen and Lyra exchanged awkward glances.
"..."
"..."
Neither of them had expected that reaction.
Lyra quietly knelt beside the children.
She gently placed a hand on the little demon girl's head.
"You've been through a lot..."
"...haven't you?"
The girl nodded repeatedly while trying to wipe away her tears.
"We..."
"...we thought..."
"...we were going to disappear too..."
The little angel boy buried his face against his sister's shoulder.
"No one..."
"...ever came before..."
A heavy silence settled over the clearing.
Aizen slowly clenched one hand.
He had seen that look before.
The same hopelessness.
The same loneliness.
It reminded him of himself...
Standing alone beneath the burning ruins of the Black Lion Estate.
He understood those eyes all too well.
His expression softened.
"...You're safe now."
"I won't let anyone take either of you."
Those simple words carried no arrogance.
No dramatic declaration.
Only quiet certainty.
For some reason...
The children believed him immediately.
The little demon girl sniffled before giving a tiny nod.
"...Thank you..."
"...Mister."
The angel boy quickly nodded as well.
"T-Thank you..."
Aizen smiled warmly.
"You're welcome."
Lyra stood once more, brushing the dirt from her white robes.
She looked toward the unconscious bandits.
"...What should we do with them?"
Aizen glanced back.
After a brief moment of thought, he answered calmly.
"We'll tie them up."
"Then leave them for the village guards."
"They'll receive a proper trial."
Lyra nodded approvingly.
"...That's probably the best solution."
Unlike many adventurers...
Aizen didn't believe every enemy had to die.
If justice could be carried out without more bloodshed...
He preferred that path.
As the morning breeze drifted gently through the trees...
The two frightened children finally allowed themselves to smile.
For the first time in what felt like forever...
They no longer felt alone.
Using the ropes and supplies scattered around the clearing, Aizen quickly tied the unconscious beastmen one by one.
Each knot was firm enough that none of them would escape before someone discovered them.
The wolf leader remained unconscious.
The others groaned faintly but were in no condition to move.
Lyra quietly watched from nearby, gently lowering her staff.
"...You're surprisingly skilled at tying people up."
Aizen chuckled awkwardly.
"I figured leaving them here without restraints would only put someone else in danger."
He tightened the final knot before standing back up.
"There."
"That should be enough."
Lyra nodded in agreement.
"The village guards should find them eventually."
"They'll answer for what they've done."
Aizen glanced at the defeated bandits one last time.
"...Hopefully they'll learn something from this."
He never enjoyed taking lives.
If there was another way to stop someone...
He preferred it.
After all...
Strength wasn't meant only for destruction.
It could also protect.
A gentle breeze drifted through the clearing.
The little demon girl slowly gathered her courage before stepping toward Aizen.
She hesitated for a moment.
Then bowed politely.
"...Thank you..."
"If you hadn't come..."
Her voice trembled.
"...Theo and I would've..."
She couldn't finish the sentence.
Instead...
She tightly held her little brother's hand.
The angel boy lowered his head as well.
"...Thank you, Mister."
Aizen smiled gently.
"You don't have to thank me."
"I simply did what anyone should have done."
The little demon girl looked at him with surprise.
"...Anyone?"
Aizen nodded.
"If someone is in danger..."
"And I have the strength to help..."
"Then I'll help."
"It doesn't matter who they are."
The children stared at him quietly.
Neither of them had ever heard someone say those words so naturally.
Lyra smiled to herself.
"...That's exactly like him."
Always helping others without expecting anything in return.
Sometimes...
He didn't even realize how kind he was.
The little demon girl suddenly remembered something.
She straightened her posture before giving another polite bow.
"My name is Mikaela."
She gently nudged the boy beside her.
"And this is my little brother..."
"Theodore."
The angel boy quickly bowed as well.
"N-Nice to meet you..."
Aizen blinked.
"So your names are Mikaela and Theodore."
He smiled warmly.
"They're wonderful names."
Mikaela's small tail wagged happily.
"T-Thank you!"
She looked curiously toward Aizen.
"...Mister..."
"What's your name?"
Before Aizen could answer...
Lyra softly laughed.
"I suppose we should introduce ourselves properly."
Aizen rubbed the back of his head.
"...You're right."
He placed a hand against his chest.
"My name is Aizen Arcime."
"I'm just a traveler."
He then gestured toward the silver-haired girl standing beside him.
"And this is Lyra Subaru."
Lyra smiled gracefully.
"It's a pleasure to meet both of you."
Mikaela's crimson eyes sparkled.
"Lyra..."
"That's such a beautiful name."
Then she looked back at Aizen.
"And Mister Aizen..."
"You're really strong."
Aizen laughed awkwardly.
"I still have a lot to learn."
Theodore tilted his head innocently.
"So..."
"Can we travel with you?"
Both Aizen and Lyra looked at one another.
Neither of them answered immediately.
But somehow...
They already knew what the other's answer would be, A quiet silence settled between the four of them.
Theodore waited patiently, his bright blue eyes filled with hope.
Beside him, Mikaela clasped her hands together nervously.
Unlike her younger brother...
She understood that asking to travel with strangers was no small request.
Aizen glanced toward Lyra.
She met his gaze almost immediately.
Neither of them needed to speak.
After everything they had experienced together over the past several years...
A single glance was enough to understand each other's thoughts.
Lyra smiled faintly before giving a small nod.
Aizen let out a quiet laugh.
"...Looks like we came to the same conclusion."
Lyra folded her hands behind her back.
"I was never going to leave two children alone in a forest."
Aizen nodded in agreement.
"Neither was I."
He looked back at the twins.
"If you're willing to travel with us..."
"...then we'll gladly have you."
For a brief second...
Neither Mikaela nor Theodore moved.
It was almost as if they couldn't believe what they had just heard.
Then—
"Really?!"
Mikaela's eyes sparkled with excitement.
"We can really come with you?"
Aizen smiled.
"Of course."
"But..."
His expression became slightly more serious.
"You'll have to listen to us while we're traveling."
"The forest is still dangerous."
"If we tell you to hide..."
"You hide."
"If we tell you to run..."
"You run."
"Understood?"
Both children nodded vigorously.
"Yes!"
"We understand!"
Lyra knelt in front of them with a warm smile.
"And one more thing."
"If either of you gets hurt..."
"You have to tell us immediately."
"No trying to act brave."
Mikaela puffed out her cheeks.
"I'm already brave!"
Theodore nodded enthusiastically.
"Big Sis protects me!"
Lyra couldn't help but giggle.
"I'm sure she does."
"But from now on..."
She gently placed a hand on each of their heads.
"You won't have to face everything by yourselves."
The twins looked up at her.
For the first time in years...
They felt something they had almost forgotten.
Safety.
Aizen looked toward the forest path stretching into the distance.
"The village shouldn't be too far now."
He adjusted the black spear resting across his shoulder.
"If we keep walking, we should reach Mayana Village before sunset."
Mikaela suddenly gasped.
"Oh!"
"I almost forgot!"
She hurried over to a small cloth bag that had been dropped during the attack.
After rummaging through it for a few moments, she carefully pulled out several folded pieces of paper.
She held them up proudly.
"We were heading there too!"
"The people who raised us said we should go to Mayana Village if we were ever separated."
Aizen accepted the papers and unfolded them carefully.
Although slightly worn, the writing was still readable.
The destination written across the top was unmistakable.
Mayana Village.
He looked back at the twins.
"So we were already heading to the same place."
Mikaela nodded enthusiastically.
"Yep!"
Theodore smiled brightly.
"That means we were supposed to meet!"
Aizen chuckled.
"...Maybe."
Lyra glanced toward the clear blue sky filtering through the trees.
"Or perhaps..."
"...it was fate."
For a brief moment...
None of them spoke.
The gentle breeze carried the scent of pine and wildflowers through the forest.
Ahead of them...
The road toward Mayana Village waited.
And without any of them realizing it...
This unexpected meeting would become one of the most important turning points in all of their lives.
Before leaving the clearing, Aizen took one final look at the unconscious bandits.
"...They should wake up in a few hours."
Lyra nodded.
"By then, someone from the nearby village will probably find them."
Aizen rested his spear against his shoulder once more.
"Let's go."
The four travelers continued down the forest road.
The atmosphere felt completely different from before.
Only a few minutes earlier...
The path had been silent.
Now...
Small conversations gradually filled the air.
Theodore walked beside Aizen, occasionally glancing up at the towering black lion beastman with obvious admiration.
His white wings fluttered excitedly behind him.
"...Mister Aizen?"
"Hm?"
"...How did you become so strong?"
Aizen smiled awkwardly.
"I trained."
"A lot."
Theodore blinked.
"...That's it?"
Aizen laughed.
"Pretty much."
"I wasn't born this strong."
"I simply kept improving little by little."
The little angel stared at him with sparkling eyes.
"...Then..."
"I'll train too!"
"So one day..."
"I can protect Big Sis!"
Mikaela smiled proudly as she ruffled her brother's hair.
"My little brother's finally acting brave."
Theodore puffed out his chest.
"I've always been brave!"
"You cried when a squirrel surprised you."
"T-That doesn't count!"
The two siblings immediately began arguing.
Lyra couldn't help but laugh softly.
"...They're adorable."
Aizen smiled.
"...Yeah."
"It's been a while since I've heard people laugh this much."
The forest seemed brighter somehow.
Even the birds sang more cheerfully overhead.
As they continued walking, Mikaela suddenly moved closer to Lyra.
She looked up curiously.
"...Miss Lyra?"
"Yes?"
"...Are you really a dragon?"
Lyra smiled gently.
"I am."
Mikaela's crimson eyes sparkled with excitement.
"I've never seen a real dragon before!"
"I thought dragons were scary."
Lyra giggled.
"Some are."
"But not all dragons are the same."
"Just like humans."
"Or beastmen."
"Or demons."
"There are kind people..."
"...and cruel people."
Mikaela slowly nodded.
"So..."
"It depends on the person."
"Exactly."
Aizen glanced toward Lyra with a small smile.
"...That's a good way to explain it."
Lyra smiled back.
"It was my father who taught me that."
For a brief moment...
A trace of nostalgia crossed her face.
But it disappeared just as quickly.
She chose not to dwell on it.
Instead...
She looked ahead toward the winding forest road.
Sunlight filtered gently through the leaves above.
The peaceful scenery almost made it difficult to believe that only moments earlier...
A battle had taken place.
Several hours passed peacefully.
The towering trees gradually became less dense.
The narrow forest trail slowly widened into a proper road.
Fresh wagon tracks became visible beneath their feet.
Aizen noticed them immediately.
"...We're getting close."
Lyra nodded.
"These are merchant tracks."
"There must be a settlement nearby."
Just then...
A gentle breeze carried something new through the air.
The smell of freshly baked bread.
Smoke from cooking fires.
And the distant sound of people talking.
Mikaela's ears perked up.
"...Do you smell that?"
Theodore sniffed the air enthusiastically.
"...Food!"
Aizen laughed.
"I think we've finally reached civilization."
Beyond the last line of trees...
The rooftops of a peaceful village slowly came into view.
Wooden fences surrounded fields of wheat that swayed gently beneath the afternoon breeze.
Children could be seen running along the dirt roads.
Farmers worked the nearby fields while merchants guided horse-drawn wagons through the village gates.
A wooden sign stood beside the entrance.
Beautifully carved into the aged oak were two familiar words.
Mayana Village.
After years of surviving the dangers of the Ancient Forest...
Aizen and Lyra had finally arrived at the first village of the Human Domain.
Neither of them knew it yet...
But this peaceful little village would become the place where four lonely lives would begin forming a family unlike any other.
End of chapter 8.5