Yun Shi stopped walking.
The Astral Word pulsed again in his palm.
His expression hardened.
"…A most-wanted criminal escaped."
He exhaled slowly.
"Monsters bypassing borders.
The colosseum nearly collapsing.
A relic going out of control.
Black market activity rising everywhere…"
He looked up, almost annoyed.
"What exactly is going on in this world?"
Rose adjusted her outfit beside him.
"…Also," Yun Shi added flatly, "why did you choose that?"
Rose blinked.
"It hides my face."
"Yes," Yun Shi said, deadpan, "and somehow makes you look funnier."
People nearby were already staring.
Rose sighed.
"…They are."
Yun Shi looked away.
"After the festival. After the Odyssey's safety is confirmed… then we deal with everything."
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Rose nodded.
Then, quieter—
"Yun Shi… do you think Shura might be the one from the prophecy?"
Yun Shi paused.
"…What prophecy?"
Rose frowned.
"Exactly. We don't even know who created it. Or when."
Yun Shi shook his head.
"I don't even know if the Surface truly exists."
Then, softer—
"But I trust my father."
Rose smiled faintly.
"I feel bad," she admitted.
"I didn't give him shelter. Or comfort. Or safety."
Yun Shi glanced at her.
"If he stayed comfortable," Rose continued, "he might've lost his way."
Silence fell between them.
"…We're emperors and empresses," Yun Shi said at last.
"Are we really doing the right thing?"
Rose let out a tired breath.
"Maybe not," she said.
"But moments like this—"
She looked toward the festival lights.
"—this is the only time we're free."
The festival glowed.
Lanterns swayed.
Laughter drifted.
Music mixed with the sound of water near the lake.
Yet everyone stood in their own world.
Shura couldn't take his eyes off Yura.
She wasn't doing anything special—just standing there, looking at the lights reflected on the lake.
Golden waves danced across her eyes.
Shura didn't realize he was staring until his chest felt tight.
Zenkyou pressed her fingers to her temple.
A dull ache throbbed behind her eyes.
Too much noise. Too many people. Too many signals overlapping.
Something wasn't right.
Orin kept glancing around the crowd.
"…She's late," Orin muttered.
Emma was never late.
Ren sat quietly, elbows on his knees.
The festival noise faded for him.
His thoughts drifted somewhere else—
to someone far away, or maybe someone he hadn't faced yet.
Itsuki hid in the shadows between stalls, eyes scanning every face.
Not enjoying the festival.
Not blinking.
Where are you…
Where Yua walked carefully beside Master Juro, her steps small but determined.
Juro slowed his pace to match hers, never letting go.
Fuji laughed with his wife while his daughter tugged at his sleeve, pointing excitedly at a vendor.
For once, he wasn't a warrior.
Just a father.
Izumi stood still.
The lights blurred as tears filled her eyes.
"Hey, Izumi… I'll always protect you."
Her brother's voice echoed in her mind.
"…Why did you do that?" she whispered.
Hayate sat alone, watching nothing in particular.
Himari sat somewhere else, doing the same.
Neither spoke.
Neither smiled.
Beast clenched his fists.
The fight still burned in his chest.
Not pain—frustration.
Haru and Aika sat quietly, listening to the festival sounds without reacting.
The Black Knight stood near the edge of the crowd.
No helmet.
No sword.
Just guilt.
Yun Shi stood beside Rose.
He scanned the crowd. She scanned him.
For once, neither spoke.
Jiyan laughed too loudly.
Dante sighed beside him, arms crossed.
"…You're embarrassing," Dante muttered.
High above, in the palace, Empress Sora studied reports under dim light.
Eyes sharp.
Mind restless.
Osuki didn't come to the festival.
Tsuyoshi moved through the crowd, searching.
"…Orin?"
She wanted to say thank you.
She was nowhere to be found.
Mio sat with her family, smiling softly.
For tonight, that was enough.
Thousands of people.
One festival.
One light.
And beneath it all—
something waited.
