Saito slowly opened his eyes.
The light above him felt soft and distant at first, like it didn't fully belong to his world yet.
"…Ugh…"
His head throbbed slightly as he tried to sit up.
A familiar voice immediately reached him.
"—oh thank goodness, you're awake."
Saito turned his head slightly.
Feina was sitting beside him, her expression visibly relieved.
"…Feina?"
He blinked once.
"Where am I…?"
Feina gave a small smile and gently helped him steady himself.
"Come on. Walk with me."
Saito hesitated, then slowly stood up.
His body still felt heavy, like it was pulling him down with every step.
Feina guided him out of the room.
The moment they stepped onto the balcony—
Saito froze.
Below them—
The entire open square of Lorum Village was filled.
Not just Lorum villagers.
But also people from Bypass Village, Hiraki Village, Grizzly Village, and Kor Village.
Each group stood together, crowded across the square.
At the front—
Their mayors stood in a line, waiting.
The moment Saito appeared—
Silence lasted for half a second.
Then—
The entire crowd erupted.
"—SIR SAITO!"
"He's awake!"
"Our protector is alive!"
Cheers exploded across the village like a wave.
Some shouted in relief.
Some cried openly.
Some just lowered their heads in gratitude.
Saito stood frozen at the balcony railing, staring at them.
"…This many people…"
Feina stood slightly behind him, watching quietly.
Below—
Takashi, John, Rick, Fein, and Gein all looked up.
Each of them smiled slightly.
Relieved.
Proud.
Takashi gave a small nod.
John raised a hand in greeting.
Rick exhaled in relief.
Even Fein and Gein—despite their usual pride—looked noticeably calmer.
Saito then noticed movement to the side.
Kaito and Takeru stood near the edge of the crowd.
Both looked up at him.
Kaito gave a short, tired nod.
Takeru simply crossed his arms and closed his eyes briefly.
Respectful silence from both.
Saito slowly exhaled.
Then—
His gaze shifted further back.
Near the village gate.
A group stood slightly apart from everyone else.
Kuro.
Still injured, but standing.
His gang behind him.
Kuro raised one hand.
A clawed glove lifted slightly in acknowledgment.
No words.
Just a quiet gesture.
Saito stared at him for a moment.
Then slowly lowered his head.
A silent thank you.
Kuro smirked faintly.
Turned his back.
And began walking toward the gate.
His gang followed behind him.
One of them spoke while walking.
"So… where is our territory?"
Kuro let out a light chuckle.
"…Heh."
Without looking back, he answered.
"…That can wait."
He continued walking.
"…Now we travel."
The gate slowly closed behind them.
Saito stayed on the balcony, watching until they disappeared.
The crowd below continued cheering.
But for a moment—
Saito only watched the empty road where Kuro had gone.
The next day—
Lorum Village felt peaceful again.
Children ran through the streets laughing loudly while chasing each other between market stalls.
Villagers worked the fields outside the walls, their voices carrying gently through the warm air.
Merchants called out proudly while selling vegetables, tools, clothes, and fresh bread.
Near the gates—
Wolfbeasts stood guard alongside human guards.
Some carried supplies.
Others helped villagers move heavy crates across the roads.
The atmosphere no longer felt like a struggling village.
It felt alive.
Thriving.
Inside Lorum Mansion—
The meeting room was far calmer than before.
Sunlight poured through the windows onto the long table where the mayors sat together.
Saito sat at the front while Kaito and Takeru stayed nearby.
Takashi organized several papers quietly beside them.
Saito looked around the table.
"…So."
"How are your villages doing?"
Rick smiled first.
"Our crops are thriving again."
He folded his hands calmly.
"We've already sold several large shipments."
"The land completely recovered."
Saito nodded slightly.
"Good."
Fein leaned back in his chair afterward.
"Kor Village is thriving through trade now."
"Our port deliveries have increased a lot recently."
Even his tone sounded less hostile than before.
Gein crossed his arms proudly.
"Our blacksmiths have sold hundreds of weapons to nearby villages."
"Hiraki Village's reputation is growing again."
John grinned brightly beside him.
"And your idea worked perfectly."
Saito looked at him.
"The flame shows?"
John nodded enthusiastically.
"Every night."
"Tourists keep coming from all over Jokun City."
"Our inns are completely full."
Takeru let out a quiet whistle.
"…Not bad."
Takashi adjusted his glasses slightly before speaking.
"Lorum Village's harvest is also increasing steadily."
"As the major village among the territories…"
He glanced at the reports.
"…our growth speed is now matching the other developed villages nearby."
Saito listened quietly to all of them.
Then smiled faintly.
"…Congrats, you all."
Fein let out a small scoff.
"Well… it's not bad."
He leaned back slightly in his chair.
"Now every gangster in Jokun City is cautious of a newbie rising this fast."
Saito blinked.
"…Wait."
"How do they even know about me?"
Gein calmly reached into his coat and placed a folded poster onto the table.
"Because of this."
Saito picked it up.
The moment he unfolded it—
His own face stared back at him.
A dramatic illustration of him holding his sword while standing in front of a ruined battlefield.
At the bottom, large words were written boldly:
The One Who Defeated The Former Gangs Of Jokun City
The room fell quiet for a second.
Saito stared at the poster in disbelief.
"…Ughhh…"
He rubbed his forehead immediately.
"At least blur my face a little…"
He lifted the poster closer.
"…What is this expression I'm even making?"
Kaito leaned slightly to look.
"…You look constipated."
Takeru immediately looked away, trying not to laugh.
John failed completely and burst out laughing.
Saito slowly lowered the poster.
Then narrowed his eyes at everyone around the table.
"…Did one of you spread this around?"
Rick raised both hands slightly.
"Definitely not me."
Fein shook his head.
"I have better things to do."
Gein crossed his arms.
"Hiraki Village doesn't waste time making celebrity posters."
Takashi adjusted his glasses calmly.
"…I already deal with enough paperwork."
Saito slowly turned toward John.
John blinked.
"…What?"
Then suddenly paused.
"…Wait."
His expression shifted.
"I remember something."
Everyone looked at him.
John pointed at the poster.
"A group of gangsters was handing these out to tourists during the carnival."
Saito frowned slightly.
"…Gangsters?"
John nodded.
"Yeah."
"They all had a claw symbol on their clothes."
Silence.
Then—
Saito froze slightly.
A small smile slowly formed on his face.
"…That old man…"
Kaito immediately understood too and sighed through his nose.
"…Sounds like him."
Takeru crossed his arms with a grin.
"…Kuro really has too much free time."
Saito suddenly paused mid-conversation.
"…Wait."
"I forgot something."
Takashi looked at him.
"…What now?"
But Saito had already stood up.
Three hours later—
The gates of Lorum Village opened once again.
Kuro walked through alongside several members of the Claw Gang.
His hands rested casually inside his coat while his sharp eyes moved across the village.
"…Well…"
He looked around at the streets filled with villagers and merchants.
"…That kid really took good care of this place."
Some villagers noticed him immediately and became tense.
Others whispered quietly among themselves.
The former ruler of Lorum Village had returned.
Kuro ignored the stares and continued walking calmly toward the mansion.
At the entrance—
Saito and Takashi waited for him.
Kuro stopped a few steps away.
"…I'm here."
He glanced between them.
"So what's the occasion?"
Saito crossed his arms slightly.
"…We had a deal, didn't we?"
"You helped me."
"So I'll give you some territory."
Kuro stared at him for a second.
Then smiled faintly.
"…I don't really need that anymore."
He shrugged lightly.
"I'm more of a wandering gangster now."
"Hard to rule a village while traveling around."
Takashi immediately spoke without hesitation.
"Don't be so dramatic."
He handed over a folded paper.
Kuro blinked once before taking it.
It was an official territory document.
Takashi pointed toward the map attached.
"East side of the village."
Saito nodded.
"…For now, that territory belongs to you."
"I hope you take good care of it."
Kuro looked down at the paper quietly.
Then smiled again.
Smaller this time.
"…Well."
"You really helped me a lot, newbie."
He folded the document and tucked it into his coat.
Then looked up toward the massive mansion behind them.
"…So this is the famous mansion, huh?"
"I don't remember this village having something like this back when I ruled here."
Takashi narrowed his eyes slightly.
"…You also never gave us anything."
Kuro's expression stiffened for a second.
"…Sorry."
The apology sounded strangely genuine.
Saito looked between them and laughed lightly.
"…Come on in."