The small room was quiet, save for the soft patter of Elmira's tears and the occasional sigh of Shoda as he paced in frustration. Elmira sat on the edge of the bed, fidgeting slightly, her hands folded neatly in her lap, while Shoda stood, fists clenched, jaw tight.
"Uhh… when were you going to tell me?" he muttered, his voice rising in pitch, almost pouting.
Elmira's cheeks flushed crimson, and she looked away, flustered. "I… I can't… talk with you this close, Shoda," she whispered.
Shoda blinked, took a slow step back, and exhaled, trying to regain his composure.
"Thank you," she said softly, a small, grateful smile breaking through her fluster.
"Geez," he said, shaking his head with a grin. "Don't do that… you're so cute when you do that."
Elmira couldn't help but return the smile, her eyes glimmering with warmth.
Shoda took a deep breath and said gently, "I won't rush you. Just… tell me everything you can remember."
Elmira hesitated. "Even I… don't remember it clearly. I was five. Papa told me about my mother… but he said after I was born, she left. I don't know where she disappeared to."
Shoda's eyes widened. "Do you… have any idea where she might be?"
Elmira stood, her posture calm yet firm. "As you can see… I don't. And, honestly… I'm starting to get annoyed."
Shoda's eyes lit up, suddenly full of energy. "When you were born… was your father already living in the estate?"
"Yes," Elmira answered calmly.
"Then maybe… Charlotte might know someone!" he said, his excitement bubbling over.
Elmira tilted her head. "Miss Charlotte? I'm not so sure she'd know. She's always stayed in her library—no, her laboratory—working on experiments. She never poked her nose into family matters."
Shoda's mind raced. "If I can get out of this barrier and reach Charlotte at the mansion… maybe—"
Elmira's lips curved into a small, wistful smile. "My mother… she was the best. Or so Father says," she murmured. Her eyes glistened. "She always was kind, but because of her reputation as a Devil Sister, people despised her. One day, she became pregnant… and when I was born, she left. She told Father and me to be happy together, that staying would bring unwanted attention to our home. Then she left."
Shoda's chest tightened as her words sank in.
"When I was four… I found Lucky," Elmira continued, her voice trembling. "He was my companion. We talked, we played, and he helped me stay sane… but I still longed for human connection. It hurt. I wish Mom were here. I wish Father were here. Father spent most of his time managing the kingdom, searching for her… but he never succeeded."
Shoda's heart clenched. He stepped forward and pulled her into a tight embrace, careful not to crush her but enough to give strength. "I understand, Elmira," he whispered. "My father left my mother… and then my mother out of depression of losing her love left me at an orphanage. Later… she was caught in an accident, put into a coma. But you have to stay strong. Everyone who is here today—fight. Fight until your last breath, until you collapse. Fight Fight Fight… when you fall and you feel you can't get up rise rise slowly and if you still fall rise again."
Elmira wiped her tears, a faint glimmer of determination appearing. "Oh… Shoda, you should've become a motivational speaker."
"Oh really? I'm awesome, aren't I?" he teased.
Elmira giggled softly. "Don't get full of yourself, mister."
Shoda leaned back, stretching, and his mind wandered back to the first day they met—the roadside, his blood and pain, her hands reaching out in kindness.
The moment dissolved, and reality returned.
---
The parlor of Anruin Palace was chaos incarnate. Shun, Lysa, Mira, Hector, Gatling, and Shoda all stood ready as the angry mob of Anruin surged toward the palace. Stones flew, torches were raised, and the shouts of hundreds filled the air.
Shoda activated the telecom crystal, voice calm but firm. "Citizens of Anruin, testing… testing. I know you are aware of the Immaculate Circle priest, the lockdown, and the dangers your city faces. But rest assured… Elmira will complete the trail at the Axis Mundi Tree."
A murmur rose from the crowd.
"What if she completes it? Will the priest leave?"
Shoda exhaled. "You're right. But we'll manage. Someone strong will come to save us if needed. But first… I want you to meet someone."
Elmira stepped forward, chest high, determination burning in her eyes. "I am Elmira Cain. Daughter of the King of Nordovia. I am a simple princess, and though my mother is a Devil Sister, I have never met her. I will not be judged for her actions. What I want you to know is this: I will complete the Trail, chase out the priest and his creature, and liberate this city."
The crowd erupted into cheers and applause. Gatling's frown deepened, and he turned to leave. Shoda chuckled and joined the applause, clapping loudly for her.
Together, Shoda, Elmira, Hector, Lysa, Mira, Shun, Gatling, and the people of Anruin marched toward the Trail Tree.
There, waiting, was a man in white robes, his eyes hidden behind a blindfold.
"Ahahahaha! You all made it… and you brought the half-devil with you," he sneered.
Elmira's eyes narrowed. "Do not call me that. I am ready to complete the Trail under one condition— there is no corpse here and you will leave the people of this city unharmed and disappear for good."
The man chuckled. "Good… but the aura of the Devil Sister still lingers in this tree. I can feel it. She is here."
Shoda crossed his arms, suppressing a laugh. "Yes… you lunatic. Just let her do the Trail and get out."
He strode confidently to the Black Death, laying atop the dragon as it lowered itself, wings sweeping the ground. "Do go on," he said, a smirk tugging at his lips.
Then Shoda says "you can do this yes you can you can.... Liberate this city'
Elmira drew a deep breath. "Yes. I can… I will… I will liberate this city."
Mira shook her head. "Quit your childish behavior and proceed."
Shun added, "Yeah… that was pretty cute, but enough now."
The Tree responded, glowing with crystals and gems of brilliant blue. Elmira stepped inside, disappearing into a vast, cavernous interior.
Hector muttered, "Legend says anyone who enters this Trail faces pasts they never had, presents they do not want, and futures they fear. Accept and forgive all… or you are lost."
Shoda glanced at him. "How do you know this? Thought this tree had been inaccessible for 500 years."
"I studied it," Hector said matter-of-factly. "And something feels wrong at your mansion. You should check it."
Shoda's heartbeat raced. "Who… are you?"
Hector turned with a sly smile. "I am… but the King's assistant."
Shoda's eyes narrowed. He remembered—Elmira had left her pendant behind. Without hesitation, he rushed inside the Trail Tree.
The Tree's light blazed around him, illuminating the cavernous interior in stunning blue radiance. He froze.
"Elmira?" he called desperately.
She lay unconscious on the floor.
"Elmira! Wake up! Wake up!"
A voice echoed through the cavern, hollow and chilling:
"Witness a past you wish you never had…"
The world tilted violently, and Shoda felt himself go dizzy. His vision blurred, darkness consuming him—and then… nothing.