The dim glow of a flickering lantern barely illuminated the room.
Three figures sat in silence.
The wooden chairs creaked faintly under their weight, and the air felt heavy—thick with unspoken intentions.
Inside Malvek's modest house, the night seemed quieter than usual… as if even the world itself was listening.
Misashi leaned back slightly, his sharp eyes shifting between the two boys in front of him.
There was confusion in his gaze.
And suspicion.
"…Why do you need me?"
His voice was calm, yet carried a hint of disbelief.
"I can't do anything special. I'm just a swordsman."
Nobu opened his mouth to respond, but before he could say a word—
Malvek spoke.
And when he did, the atmosphere changed.
His voice wasn't loud.
But it carried weight.
"We're building something."
Misashi's eyes narrowed slightly.
Malvek continued, his tone steady.
"A clan."
Silence.
For a moment, the word itself seemed too heavy for the room.
Misashi let out a faint scoff.
"A clan? You?"
But Malvek didn't react to the mockery.
Instead, he spoke again—calm, unwavering.
"A place… where people like us can live freely."
Nobu glanced at him.
He had heard this before.
But every time Malvek said it… it sounded different.
Stronger.
"People who have nothing," Malvek continued, "people who were abandoned… used… broken…"
His eyes darkened slightly.
"…They deserve a place where they can choose their own lives."
Misashi stared at him.
This time, he didn't interrupt.
"…Why?"
The question came after a pause.
"Why do you care about others?"
His voice turned colder.
"Why not just live your own life… peacefully?"
Malvek fell silent.
For the first time since he started speaking… he didn't have an answer.
Or perhaps—
He didn't want to say it.
The room grew quiet again.
Then—
Nobu spoke.
"He's different."
Misashi looked at him.
"…Different?"
Nobu nodded slowly.
"Yeah."
His eyes shifted toward Malvek.
"This guy… he didn't have anything."
His voice softened slightly.
"No family… no safety… nothing."
A brief pause.
"…Except his sister."
Misashi's gaze flickered.
Nobu continued.
"They lived a life worse than most people can imagine."
His fists clenched slightly.
"He knows what it feels like to be powerless… to be treated like nothing."
The air turned heavy again.
"And that's why," Nobu said firmly, "we're building this clan."
"A place where no one has to live like that again."
Silence.
This time, it wasn't uncomfortable.
It was… meaningful.
Misashi exhaled slowly.
Then—
A faint smile appeared on his face.
"…I see."
He leaned forward slightly.
"So," he said, his tone now carrying interest, "what do you need from me?"
Malvek finally spoke again.
"We need your palace."
Misashi's expression froze.
"The place where you used to train your students."
Malvek's eyes sharpened.
"That will be our base."
A brief silence followed.
Then—
Misashi shook his head.
"…I don't own it anymore."
Nobu frowned.
"What do you mean?"
Misashi's expression darkened.
"When I was captured by the Hiroshima Clan…"
His voice turned colder.
"…bandits took over."
Malvek's eyes narrowed.
"They didn't just take it," Misashi continued.
"They settled there."
"…And they captured my students."
The room went silent.
Nobu's eyes burned with anger.
"Then we take it back."
His voice was sharp.
"We free your students… and wipe those bastards out."
Misashi shook his head immediately.
"It's not that simple."
His tone turned serious.
"There are too many of them."
"How many?" Malvek asked.
"…At least five hundred."
The number hung heavily in the air.
"And we are only three."
Misashi's gaze turned grim.
"Even if we rescue my students… they won't be able to fight elite bandits."
"…It would be suicide."
Silence fell once again.
Even Nobu couldn't argue this time.
But then—
Malvek spoke.
"…Then we won't fight them alone."
Both Nobu and Misashi looked at him.
"There are two more people we need."
Misashi raised an eyebrow.
"…Who?"
Malvek's lips curved slightly.
"The prince and princess of the Demon Clan."
For a moment—
The room froze.
Then—
Misashi burst out laughing.
"Kid… do you even know what you're saying?"
His laughter echoed in the room.
"They're royalty."
"They live far beyond your reach."
"And why would they ever join a clan that doesn't even exist?"
Nobu looked at Malvek, confused.
"…What are you planning?"
Malvek's eyes turned cold.
"There's chaos inside the Demon Clan."
Both of them fell silent.
"There are people who want to kill the prince and princess… and take control."
Misashi's laughter slowly faded.
"If we approach them…"
Malvek continued,
"…as servants…"
"…and expose the truth—"
"They'll trust us."
Nobu's eyes widened slightly.
"And when they do…"
Malvek's voice dropped.
"…we won't need them."
"We'll need their power."
Silence.
Complete silence.
Misashi stared at him.
For the first time—
He felt something unexpected.
Shock.
"…This kid…"
He thought to himself.
"…is far more dangerous than he looks."
After a long pause, Misashi finally spoke.
"…When do we leave?"
Malvek shook his head.
"Not you."
Misashi frowned.
"…What?"
"You'll stay here."
Malvek's voice was firm.
"They might recognize you."
"…It's too risky."
He glanced toward the inner room.
"Stay here… and protect my sister."
Misashi didn't respond immediately.
Then—
"…Fine."
Nobu nodded.
"Then it's decided."
That night—
For the first time—
They shared a meal together.
Not as strangers.
But as something more.
Something that had just begun.
Later that night…
The house fell silent.
Misashi and Hana had already gone to sleep.
But outside—
Under the cold night sky—
Two figures sat quietly.
Nobu and Malvek.
The wind brushed past them gently.
"…You really think this will work?"
Nobu finally asked.
His tone was calm… but uncertain.
"The Demon Clan isn't a joke."
"…This is dangerous."
Malvek smiled.
Not a forced smile.
A genuine one.
"…Why would I be afraid?"
He turned his head slightly.
"…When I have you with me?"
Nobu froze.
For a moment—
Time seemed to stop.
And in that moment—
He saw something.
Not Malvek.
But someone else.
Someone from his past.
"…Beru…"
A name echoed in his mind.
The same trust.
The same unwavering belief.
"…You idiot…"
Nobu muttered softly.
Then—
He smiled.
A rare… genuine smile.
"Yeah."
He stood up slowly.
"You don't have to fear anything."
He looked at Malvek.
"…Because I'll always be by your side."
The wind grew stronger.
The night deepened.
And somewhere in that darkness—
A bond was forged.
Not of blood.
But of trust.
And with that—
A new chapter of their journey began.