The carriage rolled steadily beneath the night sky.
Inside, the Blue Scarf crew slept peacefully.
The only sound was the steady rhythm of the horses.
Then—
Creek...
Crunch!
The carriage suddenly lurched.
Thud!
Saito's eyes snapped open.
"...Huh?"
He looked around sleepily.
"Are we there already?"
Outside, the driver's voice called out.
"Sorry, sir!"
The carriage came to a complete stop.
Saito climbed out, rubbing his eyes.
"What's wrong?"
The driver knelt beside one of the wheels.
His face turned pale.
"...Oh no."
Saito walked over.
The wooden wheel had nearly split in half.
Several cracks ran through the rim.
The driver sighed.
"I think..."
"...I hit a large rock."
Saito looked around.
They were surrounded by an open grassland.
The road stretched into darkness in both directions.
He glanced up at the moon.
"...It's almost midnight."
Just then—
another carriage approached from the opposite direction.
Unlike Henry's carriage, this one was far more luxurious.
Gold trim decorated its sides.
A large emblem of a crown crossed with a sword was displayed on the door.
The elegant carriage slowed to a stop beside them.
Its driver climbed down first.
Then the carriage door opened.
A young girl stepped out.
She wore a beautiful blue dress decorated with countless sparkling accessories.
She looked at the broken wheel with concern.
"Are you all okay?"
Saito scratched the back of his head.
"...Not really."
"Our wheel broke."
The young girl covered her mouth.
"Oh no..."
Henry's driver stared at her in disbelief.
"...Princess Martha?"
The young girl smiled warmly.
"Hello."
Saito blinked.
"...Wait."
"Princess?"
Martha nodded.
"That's right."
"My name is Martha."
Saito scratched his head.
"...Oh."
Before he could say anything else—
the carriage door behind him opened.
Kaito stepped out first.
"...Why did we stop?"
Bomb climbed down after him, still yawning.
"Are we there?"
Rin followed, rubbing one eye.
"I was having a good dream..."
Princess Martha's eyes suddenly settled on the blue scarf around Saito's neck.
She pointed at it.
"...Wait."
"Blue Scarf..."
Her eyes widened.
"You're Blue Scarf Saito..."
"...the gangster."
Saito gave an awkward smile.
"...Uh..."
"Hi."
The royal guards immediately stepped forward.
Clang!
Several spears were lowered toward the four men.
Without resisting—
Saito, Kaito, Bomb, and Rin slowly raised their hands.
"...Easy."
Rin curiously reached out and touched the tip of one spear.
"Hmm."
"Sharp one."
One of the guards tightened his grip.
Princess Martha quickly raised her hand.
"Hey!"
"Stop it."
The guards immediately stepped back.
"It's okay."
"They're in trouble."
She looked back at Saito.
"How about this?"
"You ride with us."
Saito blinked.
"...Wait."
"What?"
Martha smiled.
"As for your carriage..."
"I'll buy you a new one."
Saito looked back at his own carriage.
Then at his crew, most of whom were still half asleep.
He let out a small laugh.
"...Well."
"This is good timing."
He looked at Kaito.
"Kaito."
"Go wake up Fanny and Alya."
Kaito gave a single nod.
"...Alright."
He turned and climbed back into the carriage while the royal guards cautiously watched the Blue Scarf crew, still uncertain what to make of the infamous gang standing peacefully in the middle of the road.
A few moments later—
Fanny and Alya stepped out of the carriage.
Fanny rubbed her eyes.
"...What's going on?"
Alya yawned.
"Did we arrive already?"
Saito shook his head.
"No."
He smiled and gestured toward the young woman standing beside the royal carriage.
"You two..."
"This is Princess Martha."
Fanny froze.
"...Princess Martha?"
She immediately lowered her head in a respectful bow.
"Your Highness."
Martha laughed softly.
"It's okay."
"You don't have to be so formal."
Fanny slowly straightened up, still looking a little nervous.
Alya smiled politely.
"It's nice to meet you, Princess."
Martha returned the smile.
"It's nice to meet all of you."
Kaito looked toward the royal carriage.
"Let's get in."
Everyone nodded.
One by one, the Blue Scarf crew climbed aboard the spacious royal carriage.
Meanwhile, Henry's driver spoke briefly with Martha's driver.
After a short conversation, he climbed up beside him on the driver's seat.
The horses began moving once again, carrying both the royal party and the Blue Scarf crew together through the quiet night toward Roma Village.
The royal carriage rolled quietly through the night.
For a few minutes, no one spoke.
Then Martha smiled at Saito.
"So..."
"What brings you to Roma City?"
Saito leaned back in his seat.
"We came here for a vacation in the first place."
He smiled.
"And now..."
"We want to see the show."
Martha tilted her head.
"You mean..."
"Roma Spotlight?"
Saito blinked.
"Is that what it's called?"
Before Martha could answer, Fanny nodded enthusiastically.
"Roma Spotlight is the biggest performance in all of Roma City."
"It's part of our culture."
She looked out the window as she explained.
"On that day..."
"Citizens stop their work."
"They leave their shops, businesses, and homes..."
"...and gather in Roma Village to celebrate."
She smiled.
"It's also known as..."
"...Roma City Day."
Martha nodded.
"And every year..."
"The royal family attends the celebration."
Saito let out a low whistle.
"So..."
"It's a pretty big performance."
Martha smiled proudly.
"It is."
"It's the day our entire city celebrates together."
The carriage continued its journey beneath the moonlight as the conversation turned from broken wheels and unexpected meetings to the festival awaiting them in Roma Village.
Saito smiled.
"...Maybe we should do something like that in our city."
Kaito nodded in agreement.
"I agree."
He looked at Saito.
"But..."
"I'm not giving another speech."
Bomb burst out laughing.
"Haha!"
"You still remember that?"
Rin grinned.
"Our great speaker lasted five minutes."
Kaito sighed.
"...Never again."
Even Martha laughed.
"You all are from Jokun City, aren't you?"
Saito nodded.
"That's right."
Martha's eyes brightened.
"I've always wanted to visit."
Saito tilted his head.
"Really?"
She nodded enthusiastically.
"Jokun City is surrounded by so many beautiful villages."
"It may not have as many famous attractions as Roma..."
"But..."
"The scenery is wonderful."
She smiled.
"I've also heard about the Fire Invokers' fire performances."
"And..."
"It's the home of a Primordeus."
Saito nodded.
"You mean Felin?"
Martha blinked.
"...Yes."
"How did you know?"
Saito smiled casually.
"He's a friend of mine."
Martha stared at him in surprise.
"You're... friends with a Primordeus?"
"...Wow."
Saito shrugged.
"Well..."
"If you're interested..."
"You should come visit Jokun sometime."
Martha smiled warmly.
"I'd like that."
"Maybe one day, I will."
The conversation continued as the carriage rolled through the peaceful countryside, the gap between a royal princess and a group of gangsters seeming much smaller than either side had expected.
The royal carriage continued along the quiet road.
One of the royal guards looked back toward Martha.
"Your Highness..."
"Where should we drop them off?"
Martha rested a finger against her chin.
She thought for a moment.
Then smiled.
"How about..."
"You all stay with us at the royal mansion."
Saito blinked.
"...Oh."
"We can't just—"
Martha gently interrupted him.
"Please."
"I insist."
She smiled warmly.
"Besides..."
"I'd love to hear more about your journey."
Saito looked at his crew.
Then shrugged with a smile.
"...Well."
"If you say so."
Fanny's eyes lit up.
"A night at the royal mansion..."
"That's amazing!"
Kaito leaned back in his seat.
"Welcome to our crew."
"The place where the unexpected always happens."
Bomb nodded.
"That's true."
Rin nodded as well.
"I've stopped being surprised a long time ago."
The carriage continued toward Roma Village, carrying an unlikely group of guests who had just accepted an invitation to spend the night at the royal mansion.