"Captain, the rest of the Resistance is still living on Watatsumi Island. Since there's no war now, most of the brothers returned to farming. Only a few stay in the barracks full-time."
"But that doesn't mean the Resistance has disbanded. If the time calls for it, we'll pick up our weapons again."
"That's right! The will of the Resistance will never fade. We'll keep the three Commissions in check and speak for the people of Inazuma."
"Now that Lord Kael is with the Yashiro Commission, Inazuma will only keep getting better."
They scrambled to speak one after another, tripping over each other just to report their current situation before anyone else could.
Teppei had already stolen the spotlight earlier. They absolutely couldn't lose to that guy.
Kael couldn't stop smiling at the lively scene in front of him.
Everyone here had lived through brutal battles and watched close companions fall.
Yet now, the grief of the past had settled, and their faces shone with hope for the future.
During his third life simulation, Kael had spent nearly the entire run trapped in Text Mode.
But looking at these people… he suddenly understood his simulated self.
This was what the Kael in that world fought for.
After so many storms, Inazuma was finally on the path toward light.
They talked for a long time. When it was finally time for the Resistance members to leave, every one of them looked reluctant.
"Lord Kael, maybe you're not part of the Resistance anymore, but you'll always be our general."
"That's right. If you need anything, say the word. Every brother here will fight for you without hesitation."
Kael nodded, his expression firm.
"Thank you. I'll visit Watatsumi Island soon. When that day comes, we'll drink together until none of us can stand."
"Alright!"
---
Kael's life in this simulation had finally settled into a routine.
Every day he worked at the Yashiro Commission handling paperwork and affairs.
Every evening he went home to take care of Kamisato Ayaka, spending quiet nights together with her.
He counted the days.
He had already lived in this world for more than half a year.
[Kamisato Ayaka's corruption value has dropped to 50. Because her personality contains obsessive traits, anything short of complete clearing may cause a rebound. Once her corruption value reaches zero, the Host may return to the real world.]
Kael felt a spike of anxiety.
Usually, life simulations ended with his death.
If he died again… wouldn't Ayaka spiral back into darkness?
"System, once Ayaka's corruption value reaches zero, how exactly am I supposed to leave this world?"
[Originally, I planned to copy your consciousness and keep it inside the body, so the world could continue functioning and I could keep absorbing its energy.]
[However, Kamisato Ayaka is extremely perceptive. She would notice the difference between a true consciousness and an empty shell.]
[Thus, there are now two methods to end this world.]
[1. Once her corruption drops to zero, completely shut down this world. That prevents any complications.]
[2. The Host continues simulating this world until Kamisato Ayaka's natural death, or until the Host ends the simulation in a way that won't trigger her corruption again.]
[Additional note: If the Host chooses option 1, the simulation ends with no rewards.]
[Option 2 will grant rewards depending on how willing the Host is to suffer for the story.]
Kael could hear it clearly — the System preferred option 2.
Option 1 meant wasting the entire run.
Option 2 offered rewards… but also endless risk.
If he stayed, he'd have to walk on eggshells. One wrong move, and Ayaka might darken again.
Sensing his hesitation, the System added:
[The Host may wait until Kamisato Ayaka's corruption value reaches zero before choosing.]
Alright.
"Then I'll decide later."
He still had time to think. Maybe he could find a way to achieve both goals — no corruption, and a good ending.
But before the simulation ended, there was one thing he still wanted to do.
A regret left in this world, one he wanted to fix properly.
He wanted to propose to Kamisato Ayaka.
Their arranged engagement had been forced by Lady Kayo's dying wish.
Even in the simulation, his past self had never been truly willing.
Marriage was one of the most important things in a woman's life.
Even if Ayaka never knew what he'd felt back then…
A girl as wonderful as her deserved a proposal that came from genuine love.
Since the purpose of this simulation was to heal Ayaka…
He should give her the perfect ending.
Kael made his way to Naganohara Fireworks.
Behind the counter, Yoimiya sat calculating material ratios, completely absorbed in her work. When she heard someone enter, she lifted her head.
"Welcome—"
She froze.
The world seemed to stop.
In Yoimiya's eyes, everything turned black and white, except for him.
His figure alone remained bright, dazzling, and painfully vivid.
After she'd been arrested by the Tenryou Commission, her Vision had been confiscated.
She had forgotten everything about fireworks.
She had also forgotten the person she kept hidden deep in her heart…
Until the Vision Hunt Decree ended and her Vision was returned, memories slowly came back.
And she finally remembered.
That precious person.. the one she had buried deep inside her soul... was the very man standing before her now.
If only she had been more cautious.
If only she had kept her head down.
Maybe she never would've been arrested.
And the White Crane Young Master wouldn't have challenged the Shogun in a duel for her sake, only to die beneath her blade…
Once her memories returned, Yoimiya lived each day in quiet, unbearable pain.
To others, she was still the bright, cheerful owner of Naganohara Fireworks.
But at night, she couldn't sleep.
All she could do was relive that moment again and again…
Under a sky full of fireworks, with Kael standing beneath the brilliant light, gazing up at the heavens — gentle, steadfast, unforgettable.