The palace gates loomed behind him like quiet sentinels, their gilded frames glimmering faintly beneath the lantern light. The air outside was sharp and cool, the kind that carried the smell of rain even when none had fallen. Kazuo exhaled slowly, trying to let go of the weight that still clung to his chest. His jacket stuck to his back with sweat; the night breeze brushed against his skin like a small mercy.
He didn't make it far before a familiar voice cut through the quiet. "About time you showed up."
Setsuna leaned casually against the pillar, a rice cracker between his fingers, its edge catching the moonlight.
Kazuo stopped in front of him, unsure where to begin. "You were waiting for me?"
"Obviously," Setsuna said, biting into the cracker. "You walked out of there looking like you wrestled with a ghost. So? What happened inside?"
Kazuo hesitated, then told him everything — the deal, the words exchanged with King Cedric, and the wish that changed the board between them. Setsuna didn't interrupt once. He listened, arms crossed now, his expression unreadable in the shifting light.
When Kazuo finished, silence hung between them. Only the wind moved, sweeping gently through the courtyard.
Setsuna finally sighed and ran a hand through his hair. "You're a moron sometimes, you know that?"
Kazuo blinked. "You think I don't know?"
"I said sometimes, not always." He cracked another rice cracker between his teeth, the sound echoing faintly in the still air. "Still, I get it. In your position, I might've made a similar move myself. But you do realize what you've done, right? You're still in the claws of the royal family. Cedric doesn't let go of what he owns."
He tilted his head slightly, eyes narrowing. "That princess you mentioned—Lady Elyria—I told you she was dangerous. But from the way you described her tonight, she sounds even more problematic than I thought. So promise me one thing."
"What?"
They started walking into the pale night.
"No more gambling stunts," Setsuna said flatly. "Not in the palace, not in life. One wrong hand, and they'll fold you like a bad card."
Kazuo gave a small, tired smile. "You sound like Gramps."
Setsuna was about to retort, but his gaze shifted toward the night sky. His tone grew quieter. "Still… something's strange."
"What do you mean?"
Setsuna folded his arms, his voice thoughtful now. "Why would King Cedric even allow this? He has the power to nullify your wish, the authority to undo anything you did in that hall. Yet he didn't. Why?"
Kazuo's steps slowed. "Unless…?"
Setsuna didn't answer right away. His eyes lingered on the glowing palace spires in the distance. Unless he truly wants to know the truth behind your eyes too, he thought. This way, he can keep you close, study you without risk, and maintain control of his kingdom while pretending to grant freedom. It's a perfect trap disguised as mercy.
He caught himself and shook his head lightly. "Ah, it's nothing," he said aloud, forcing a grin. "Just overthinking again. Bad habit of mine."
Kazuo didn't press further, but the faint crease between his brows remained.
Setsuna slipped his hands into his pockets. "While you were busy playing chess with the king, I had to explain to Sora and Tetsu what that stupid stunt of yours was supposed to accomplish. They wouldn't stop yapping until I broke it down for them. In the end, my conclusion was similar to yours — they both understood."
Kazuo caught up beside him. "So they're not mad?"
"They were dumbfounded" Setsuna replied. "Just less than before. But listen—" he glanced sideways, his tone softening, "—for your own safety, try staying in your lane from now on. I'm not saying don't think for yourself. Just don't give the nobles another reason to execute you."
Kazuo slowed his pace. "I understand." He bowed his head slightly. "And… sorry for worrying you."
Setsuna snorted, though his smirk hid something genuine. "You think I lose sleep over you? Please. I just don't want the paperwork when you die."
Kazuo chuckled quietly. "Right."
They reached the gate of the lower street, the lamps ahead glowing faintly through the mist. Kazuo drew in a deep breath, feeling something rare — the weight lifting, the leash loosening. For the first time since his capture, he could walk freely through the capital. No chains. No orders. Just open streets and night air.
Setsuna caught the small smile that formed on Kazuo's face and raised an eyebrow. "Oh no. Don't tell me you plan to disappear now."
Kazuo turned toward him, half amused. "I was actually going to see Gramps and Rei in the Lower Crescents."
Before he could take another step, Setsuna reached out and caught him by the back of his collar. "Not so fast," he said, tugging him back with effortless strength. "If I let you go now, Sora and Tetsu will haunt me for days. You have no idea how annoying those two are."
Kazuo twisted his head, giving him a puzzled look. "So what are you planning?"
Setsuna's grin widened. "What do you think? We're going to the tavern."
The streets of Yurelda glowed beneath rows of hanging lanterns, their glass shells shimmering in pale amber. Music drifted through the night air — the kind born from loosened lips and overflowing mugs. Kazuo followed Setsuna through the narrow stone paths until the sound grew louder, laughter rising over the melody.
A heavy wooden sign creaked in the wind ahead: The Golden Horn Tavern.
"You're serious?"
"Dead serious," Setsuna said, pushing the door open. "Think of it as therapy."
Inside was chaos — cheerful, unrestrained chaos. Tables were crowded, tankards clattered, and someone was already passed out in the corner. A large banner hung from the ceiling: 'To surviving the impossible!'
As soon as Kazuo stepped in, a loud voice shouted, "There he is!"
Sora leapt up from her chair, a mug of ale in one hand and her tail flicking behind her. "About time! The dumb tournament's over! You only made it this far thanks to me!"
Kazuo smirked. "Oh really?"
Sora narrowed her eyes. "Don't test me, Kazu"
Tetsu, sitting beside her, adjusted his glasses with surprising ease, a half-empty cup in front of him. "Celebration was overdue."
Other squads had gathered too — members from Shiranami's female unit, Garou's beast-warrior squad, and even a few from Jin's team, who kept mostly to themselves. Kaya was notably absent. Garou, of course, stood out immediately — already half-drunk, a massive mug in each hand, his laughter booming over the music. Foam clung to his chin like war paint.
When his eyes spotted Kazuo across the room, they lit up. "There's the man of the hour!" he bellowed. In two strides he was beside him, throwing one thick arm around Kazuo's neck and nearly crushing him in a bear-like grip. With his other hand, he slapped Kazuo's back so hard the sound echoed through the tavern.
"Drink, boy!" Garou roared. "I knew you'd take down that Aoi brat! You've got enough magic in you to rival even me — but you still lack the muscle power!"
Kazuo coughed, managing a strained smile. "Thanks… I'll work on that. But I think I'll pass on the drink."
Garou gave a loud snort. "What you got a weak liver?!" He tossed back his mug, emptied it in one gulp, and stomped toward the captains' table.
At the far side of the room, Setsuna, Shiranami, and Garou soon sat together. Shiranami rested her chin on one hand, her violet eyes sharp and unimpressed. "For the record," she said coolly, "I'm only here because Lyria insisted on coming."
Setsuna leaned back in his chair, one arm draped lazily over the backrest. "She's, what, twenty? Why not let her come alone?"
"Because," Shiranami replied without hesitation, "I'd rather not have her catch your squad's idiocy. It spreads faster than poison."
Setsuna laughed under his breath. "Can't argue with that."
Garou grinned, raising his mug. "Then let's toast to idiocy. Seems to keep us alive longer than logic ever did."
Even Shiranami smirked at that, though she hid it quickly behind her glass.
Across the room, Lyria slipped quietly through the crowd, holding a glass of something golden. She stopped beside Kazuo's table, glanced at the seat next to him, then sat down without asking.
Kazuo blinked. "Didn't expect you here."
She crossed her arms, looking away. "Don't get the wrong idea. I just didn't want to leave Shiranami alone you."
Sora leaned forward, grinning. "Sure, sure. And yet here you are."
Lyria's cheeks flushed faintly, but she hid it behind her glass. "Be quiet, cat."
Sora ignored her and leaned closer to Kazuo.
"You know, Setsuna explained your little ordeal with that wish of yours. I still think it was a missed opportunity. You could've asked for riches, or better gear, or—" she paused, tapping her chin with mock seriousness, "—some gadgets for me."
Tetsu pushed up his glasses, joining in with surprising enthusiasm. "I second that. Funding new research equipment would've been a far more logical investment."
Lyria glanced between them, her tone sharper than she intended. "Forget gadgets—what I want to know is whether you actually meant it… when you said you'd marry Lady Elyria."
Kazuo blinked, startled by the sudden edge in her voice. Sora smirked, sensing the shift.
He rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly. "I can't talk about my reasons openly," he said carefully. "I'm sorry — my lips are sealed." He met Lyria's gaze. "But I can assure you all of one thing. I never intended to marry her. I knew she'd refuse before I even said it. That's all I can say."
Lyria's shoulders eased. She looked down at her glass, tracing its rim with a finger. "Good," she muttered. "That would've been stupid."
Sora burst out laughing. "Oh, so that's what this is about."
Lyria shot her a glare, but the faint smile tugging at her lips betrayed her. The tension broke, replaced once again by laughter and the warm, chaotic comfort that filled the Golden Horn Tavern.
At the captains' table, the laughter quieted for a moment as Shiranami glanced toward Kazuo. "You know," she said, her tone almost grudging, "we're not allowed to know what exactly happened in the throne hall… but that stunt he pulled was something else. Even I didn't see it coming."
Garou nodded with a booming laugh. "You should've seen Vaskel's face! He looked like someone stole his slaves and his dignity."
Setsuna nearly choked on his drink. "Now that's a sight I regret missing."
Kazuo, watching them, couldn't help smiling. For once, he wasn't the outcast or the pawn — just another face among comrades, sharing food, warmth, and laughter.
The music swelled, the lights glimmered, and for the first time in what felt like years, his chest felt light. The burden had eased.
Tonight, he was just Kazuo. And Tomorrow he will finally be able to decend to the lower crecent and see Gramps again. The last time he saw himw as when he left into the hollow veins.