Inside Focus Act, countless Cloud Houses stood in formation, lights glowing beneath them, ready to lift into the sky. The area was completely empty except for those floating structures.
Some carried jute bunny bags packed with rice and grain.
After a while, they reached Farms Origin, where many jute bags were already prepared for loading.
As the Cloud House descended, the Lightlinger controlling it stopped using his Divine Scar. The green outline on his chest faded.
Lights assigned to Farms Origin immediately began loading the jute bags into each Cloud House.
One by one, the Cloud Houses rose into the sky. Lights with green-outlined Divine Scars forced gravity itself to obey them.
Days passed.
Time never stopped moving. It never did. No matter who someone was, time never cared. Everyone had time. Some less. Some more. Some… who knows.
Light's Mansion overflowed with life.
Guests wore their finest garments, colors softened beneath candlelight as they chatted and gossiped. Round banquet tables filled the courtyard, each surrounded by chairs draped in white cloth.
Candleholders stood on every table, illuminating the courtyard as if a second sun had descended.
The mansion itself wasn't overly decorated.
Security, however, was tight. On the rooftops, Lightrozers stood watch, their gazes sharp, reading every movement below.
At one table sat Akarum, Kashime, Flint, and Asami. None of them held wine, though everyone else indulged freely. For a brief moment, the atmosphere felt like heaven.
Akarum wore a black shirt and pants, the top button undone.
"So uncomfortable," Kashime muttered, tugging at her green gown. "It's too sharp. I'm not used to this."
She waved her hands for air, but the heat didn't ease.
"You shouldn't have worn it in the first place," Flint said, turning toward her. His polished black coat gleamed under the light.
"Akarum suggested it," Kashime accused, pointing at him before dropping her hand in irritation. "I'm never wearing this again."
"Then why ask him?" Asami chuckled softly. Her outfit matched Flint's perfectly.
"I was confused about what to wear," Kashime said quietly. "So I asked him. He said it looked good."
A faint blush crossed her face.
"Change it if you hate it that much," Akarum said flatly, clearly annoyed.
"Oh, I will."
She stood, gripping her gown's sleeves, and stormed inside.
Inside, the mansion was quiet. Only the distant chatter of guests echoed faintly from outside.
Edi sat on the stairs, wearing a simple T-shirt and loafers.
Kashime didn't interrupt him. She walked past, muttering under her breath, irritation spilling out in fragments.
Scene Shift: Fate's Domain
Houses made of polished wood surrounded a circular plaza, each carved with different textures and colors. A fountain stood at the center.
Denu and Belly stood together in the middle.
People dressed in white formed a circle around them. Some wore blindfolds. Some didn't.
Denu wore a fitted brown-black leather jacket with a fur-lined cap. Beneath it, a dark high-collared tunic and a tailored inner vest gave him a formal, expensive appearance.
He held Belly's hand.
She wore a matching brown-black leather jacket trimmed with fur, shaped to her shoulders. Beneath it flowed a long dark dress, layered with a fitted vest, ceremonial and restrained.
The white-clad figures chanted prayers. With every passing moment, Belly's grip tightened instinctively, as if fear lingered beneath her calm.
Ordinary people watched from behind their windows. No one dared step outside.
In one house, Aeni watched quietly with Nao beside her.
"So the Ruler married a simple woman," Aeni whispered.
She turned toward Nao.
"Who is she? I've never seen her before."
"Belly," Nao replied calmly. "She was a Rot-Human. A slime, in simple terms."
"What?!" Aeni gasped. "Then why did the Ruler marry her?"
She glanced back outside as the white-robed figures placed five blue flowers around Denu and Belly.
"I don't know," Nao said. "She turned human afterward. The reason's unclear. Now he's marrying her. That's all."
"Mama… how do you know so much?" Aeni asked, gripping Nao's hand like a child.
"It's a secret." Nao placed a finger on her lips. "I'll tell you tomorrow."
"Okay."
Aeni nodded and returned her gaze to the window.
"Fate is with you both," said the white-robed officiant, lowering the letter after finishing the incantation. "Your lives will be filled with peace and happiness."
The crowd stepped aside.
"You may proceed to complete the remaining rituals," he said, gesturing toward the exit of Fate's Domain.
Denu and Belly began walking.
Belly's heart raced. Every step felt eternal.
She glanced at Denu. His calm composure only deepened her nervousness.
"And most importantly," the officiant added, waving, "keep holding hands. Fate walks with you."
The gates opened.
"Why are you so calm?" Belly muttered. "It irritates me."
Denu didn't answer. He only chuckled.
That simple sound carried everything he meant to say.
As they walked side by side, Belly's nervousness slowly faded, replaced by a wordless warmth. Thoughts crowded her mind. Memories pressed forward. None escaped.
Before she could speak—
"Belly…"
Denu looked at her. "There's something I want to ask you. Something I've been holding onto for a while."
Her expression softened.
"What is it?"
Scene Shift: Light's Mansion
Inside a quiet room, Mio sat on her bed, wearing a red gown. Her expression was calm, unlike her usual self.
She sighed.
"Let's do it. I'm bored."
She stepped outside.
Stopping at the center of the courtyard, her gaze swept across every table, every guest. Finally, it settled on Akarum, Kashime, Flint, and Asami.
Kashime has replaced her green grown with a dark green wrap dress. Simple and comfortable.
"Those four," she murmured.
A dangerous smile curved her lips.
"I am the owner of this field."