The doors of the royal mansion opened.
King Marquis stepped inside with Queen Aria beside him.
The moment Martha saw them—
"Dad!"
She rushed forward and wrapped her arms tightly around Marquis.
"I was so worried!"
Marquis laughed as she squeezed him.
"M-Martha..."
"You're hugging me too hard..."
"I can't breathe..."
Martha quickly let go.
"Oh!"
"Sorry!"
Marquis took a deep breath and smiled.
"It's alright."
Martha turned toward Saito and the Blue Scarf crew.
"Thank you..."
"All of you."
Saito smiled and scratched the back of his head.
"No problem."
Queen Aria looked at the guests with a gentle smile.
"Well..."
"Since you're already here..."
"What about your stay?"
Before Saito could answer—
Martha spoke up.
"Don't worry."
"I already invited them."
Marquis looked at his daughter.
"Martha..."
"You know you shouldn't allow strangers into this mansion."
Martha lowered her head slightly.
"I know..."
Marquis looked toward Saito and his crew for a moment.
Then he smiled.
"But..."
"This situation is different."
"They saved my life."
"So..."
"I'll let it pass."
The guards relaxed, and the atmosphere inside the royal mansion grew warm once again as the King formally accepted the Blue Scarf crew as honored guests.
Inside the royal mansion, everyone gathered in the living room.
Servants brought fresh tea before quietly leaving.
Marquis sat down and looked at Saito.
"So..."
"Where are you all from?"
Saito answered politely.
"We're from Jokun City."
Marquis nodded slowly.
"Oh..."
"I see."
A small smile appeared on his face.
"I was once an ally of Mayor Harpy..."
"...long before he passed away."
"So..."
"I know a little about your city."
Saito smiled.
"Small world."
Queen Aria looked at Martha with an amused smile.
"Our daughter here..."
She playfully pinched Martha's cheeks.
"...has always wanted to visit Jokun."
"Mmm..."
Martha gently pulled away, rubbing her cheeks.
"Mom..."
Queen Aria laughed softly.
"She's talked about it for years."
Martha smiled sheepishly at Saito.
"I've always wanted to see Jokun with my own eyes."
Marquis smiled as he looked at Martha.
"Martha has always wanted to meet..."
"...Primordeus Felin."
"The God of Sovereignty."
Saito looked around curiously.
"So..."
"There isn't a Primordeus here?"
Marquis shook his head.
"No."
"Roma City is still a relatively new city in this region."
"So..."
"No Primordeus has made this place their home."
Saito nodded.
"I see."
Marquis turned his attention back to Saito.
"And..."
"I heard you're friends with that god."
Saito nodded casually.
"Yeah."
Marquis raised an eyebrow.
"...Hmm."
"How does a gangster become friends with a Primordeus?"
Saito chuckled.
"...It's a long story."
Bomb laughed.
"A very long one."
Kaito took a sip of his tea.
"You'd be here all night listening to it."
Marquis smiled with growing curiosity.
"...Then perhaps..."
"I'll have to hear that story another time."
Marquis set down his teacup.
"Anyway..."
"Are you all here for the Roma Spotlight?"
Saito nodded.
"We are."
Marquis smiled warmly.
"Then during your stay..."
"Please enjoy yourselves."
Saito returned the smile.
"We will."
Just then—
Knock.
The doors opened.
A tall man in polished silver armor entered the room.
He immediately bowed.
"Your Highness."
Marquis looked up.
"Oh."
"General Darren."
Darren straightened and turned toward the Blue Scarf crew.
His eyes narrowed.
In one swift motion—
Shing!
He drew his sword.
"Why are they here?"
The room fell silent.
Marquis calmly raised a hand.
"It's alright."
"They're not a threat."
Darren didn't lower his blade.
"Your Highness..."
"This is the Blue Scarf Gang."
Marquis nodded.
"I know."
"But nothing has happened here."
"They've caused no trouble."
Darren stared at Saito for another moment.
Then he let out a quiet sigh.
Shing.
He returned the sword to its scabbard.
"...Understood."
Rin smirked.
"Feisty one."
Marquis chuckled.
"Everyone..."
"Meet my general."
"Darren."Marquis looked at Darren.
"So..."
"What brings you here?"
Darren stood at attention.
"I have a report."
"Several bandits have been seen gathering outside the village."
Marquis frowned.
"I see."
"Send more guards to patrol the area."
Darren shook his head.
"Your Highness..."
"How about we attack their base instead?"
Marquis leaned back.
"A fight?"
"But tomorrow is Roma Spotlight."
"We can't start a war on the eve of the festival."
Darren remained firm.
"Your Highness..."
"This is for the safety of our people."
Marquis thought quietly for a moment.
Then he sighed.
"...Fine."
"But be careful."
Darren nodded.
"Understood."
Marquis then pointed toward Saito and the Blue Scarf crew.
"And..."
"Take them with you."
Darren blinked.
"...What?"
Marquis smiled knowingly.
"I've known you for a long time, Darren."
"You were planning to storm their base alone, weren't you?"
Darren stayed silent.
Marquis chuckled.
"I thought so."
He looked at Saito.
"Take them with you."
"At least..."
"You'll have some backup."
Darren glanced at the Blue Scarf crew.
Though he still looked unconvinced, he gave a respectful nod.
"...As you wish, Your Highness."
Bomb stood up from his chair and stretched.
"Well..."
"Looks like it's time for some training."
Kaito nodded once.
"Let's go."
Rin grinned as he rested his scythe on his shoulder.
"Now..."
"This sounds fun."
Saito stood as well.
Before heading for the door, he looked at Alya and Fanny.
"You two..."
"Stay here."
Alya blinked.
"What?"
Fanny frowned.
"But, Saito..."
Saito shook his head.
"Don't worry."
"It'll be over fast."
Alya and Fanny looked at each other.
Then both of them pouted at the same time.
Saito sighed.
"...That doesn't work on me."
Bomb laughed.
"Nice try."
Even Martha couldn't help but giggle at the two disappointed expressions.
"Looks like you'll have to wait until they come back."
Fanny folded her arms with an exaggerated huff.
"...Fine."
"But you all better come back in one piece."
Saito smiled.
"We will."
With that, Saito, Kaito, Bomb, Rin, and General Darren prepared to leave the royal mansion while Alya and Fanny remained behind with the royal family.
The group walked out of the royal mansion.
The cool night air greeted them as they headed toward the front gate.
General Darren led the way.
Without looking back, he spoke.
"Listen carefully, Blue Scarf."
"You follow my rules."
"That's it."
Saito blinked.
Then shrugged.
"Sounds good."
Darren continued walking.
"I don't know how you managed to earn His Majesty's trust..."
"But if any of you start causing trouble..."
"...I'll deal with it personally."
Saito walked past him with his hands behind his head.
"Man..."
"Relax."
"Like I said..."
"We're not here to cause any trouble."
Darren glanced sideways at him.
"...I'm not convinced yet."
"But..."
"For now..."
"I'll take your word for it."
The two continued walking side by side, their first meeting filled with caution rather than trust as they headed toward the bandits' territory.
The group walked through the forest in silence.
After several minutes—
Darren suddenly raised a hand.
"There."
Everyone looked ahead.
Hidden among the trees stood a wooden fortress surrounded by rough barricades.
Torches burned along the outer walls.
Saito nodded.
"Good."
"So now—"
Darren interrupted him.
"I already know what you're thinking."
He looked directly at the Blue Scarf crew.
"And no."
"You all stay here."
"I'll go in myself."
Without waiting for a response, Darren drew his sword and walked toward the bandit base alone.
Bomb watched him go.
"...Damn."
"I hope that guy gets himself killed or something."
Kaito folded his arms.
"Don't worry."
"He'll probably be screaming for help any minute."
Rin smirked.
"And when that happens..."
"...let's leave him there."
Saito sighed and shook his head.
"Guys..."
"Stop that."
"He's a royal general."
"We can't just let him die."
Bomb shrugged.
"...Worth a try."
The four remained hidden among the trees, watching Darren march toward the bandit stronghold alone while the torches flickered against the night sky.