The last debt wasn't written on paper.
There was no contract, seal, or signature. Even so, it was the heaviest of all. The kind that drags behind decisions, influences choices, and even when ignored, keeps charging invisible interest.
The notice arrived in the morning, simple and direct. An old intermediary wanted to see us. Nothing urgent. Nothing threatening. Just a reminder of something still pending.
Vespera read the message and gave a sideways smile. "They always show up when things start getting better."
"Or when they're about to get worse," Elara replied.
Liriel looked at me in silence. She already knew what it meant.
"We'll settle this today," I said.
The place was outside the city, near an old secondary road. A neutral point, used by people who preferred not to be seen. The path was far too familiar for my taste. Many bad decisions had started in places like that.
The man was waiting for us, sitting on a wooden crate, posture far too relaxed for someone who dealt in information and favors. His face was aged by time and caution.
"Takumi," he said. "I thought you'd already forgotten about me."
"I don't forget debts," I replied.
"Good to hear."
He explained without beating around the bush. One last favor. Recover something that had been taken by an opportunistic group. Nothing directly related to the demons, but dangerous enough to justify caution.
"After this, we're even," he assured us.
Elara analyzed the details. "This wasn't in the original agreement."
"Neither is the world the same after a General appears," he replied.
We accepted.
The mission led us to an abandoned structure, too old to have strategic value, but well positioned for ambushes. We advanced carefully. Adjusted. Precise.
Vespera was the first to signal movement. "Four. Maybe five."
"No rush," I murmured.
The confrontation was quick, but not careless. No excesses. No unnecessary spikes. Every action calculated.
When it was over, the object was recovered. No serious injuries. No losses.
When we returned the item, the man confirmed the symbolic payment. A gesture more important than the value involved.
"Now yes," he said. "We're even."
On the way back, I felt something different. Not relief. Closure.
"This was important to you," Liriel said.
"It was," I replied. "Even if it didn't seem like it."
Elara nodded. "Old debts distort future decisions."
Vespera smiled. "Now you owe nothing to the past."
I looked at the road ahead. For the first time in a long while, I felt that something had been left behind.
It didn't mean freedom.
But it meant focus.
And, at that moment, that was worth more than any coin.
And, for the first time, I understood something with frightening clarity.
If I continued down this path, there would be no return to what I once was.
But maybe that wasn't what mattered most.
Maybe what mattered was being ready when there was no more room to retreat.