Kaito's gaze dropped to the ground.
Among the scattered debris—
A torn piece of cloth.
White.
He bent down and picked it up, brushing off the dust with his thumb. His eyes narrowed slightly as he studied it.
"…Saito."
Saito turned to him.
"…We need to head back to the village."
Saito frowned slightly.
"Why?"
Kaito held the cloth up just enough for him to see.
"…Looks like I just found a clue to this problem."
Saito's expression shifted.
More serious now.
He nodded once.
"…Alright."
He turned toward John, who was still overseeing his people restoring the area.
"John."
John looked over.
"…Yeah?"
"Thanks for welcoming us."
John gave a small smile.
"…It's alright."
Then his tone softened slightly.
"Be careful on your way back."
Saito nodded.
"…We will."
He glanced at the others.
Takeru. Feina. Tina.
Then spoke clearly—
"Let's head back to the village."
The festival lights flickered behind them as they began to move.
And this time—
The mood was no longer just for fun.
Night settled quietly over Lorum Village.
The warmth and noise of the carnival were gone now, replaced by the calm silence of the mansion halls.
Inside the meeting room—
Saito, Kaito, Takeru, and Takashi sat around the table.
The atmosphere was heavier than before.
More focused.
The torn piece of fabric rested at the center of the table under the dim light.
Kaito leaned back slightly in his chair, arms crossed.
"…Based on this fabric," he said calmly, "I think we just ran into the Gold Gang."
Saito frowned immediately.
"…Gold Gang?"
He looked genuinely confused.
Takashi answered before Kaito could.
"…A gang that works for nobles."
His expression darkened slightly.
"They capture people… turn them into slaves… then sell them to nobles and wealthy buyers."
Silence settled over the room for a second.
Saito's eyes narrowed.
"…That's cruel."
Takeru's ears twitched slightly as his expression hardened.
"So they came there searching for slaves."
Kaito nodded once.
"…Most likely."
He tapped the fabric lightly with one finger.
"Their methods fit."
A pause.
"Bypass Village was probably their first target."
Saito crossed his arms.
"But they failed."
Kaito's gaze shifted toward him.
"…Yeah."
His tone stayed calm.
"But gangs like that usually don't stop after one failure."
The room quieted again.
Takashi leaned forward slightly.
"…Do you think they'll attack another village?"
Kaito didn't answer immediately.
Then—
"…If they think there's profit in it."
Takeru clicked his tongue softly.
"…Cowards."
"Targeting civilians instead of fighting properly."
Saito looked down at the torn fabric again.
His expression slowly sharpened.
"…Then we stop them before they try again."
The next morning—
Saito and Kaito arrived at Kor Village.
The atmosphere was tense the moment they stepped through the gates.
Guards stood watch more carefully than before, hands near their weapons as villagers whispered anxiously among themselves. Fear spread quietly through the streets like smoke after a fire.
Near the entrance—
Fein waited for them with several guards beside him.
The old mayor looked irritated the moment his eyes landed on Saito.
"…A protector," Fein scoffed.
His tone carried open doubt now.
"…I knew you were just big talk."
Saito stayed calm.
Fein continued anyway.
"Last night, three villagers were kidnapped."
His expression hardened.
"My guards confirmed the attackers weren't from this city."
Kaito narrowed his eyes slightly.
"…Gold Gang."
Fein crossed his arms.
"Whatever they are called… they took my people."
Saito stepped forward slightly.
"Don't worry."
His voice stayed firm.
"We'll try to save them."
Fein stared at him for a long second.
Then let out a quiet, bitter laugh.
"…An advice from the old generation."
He turned away slightly.
"Don't make yourself look pathetic with your empty promises."
Without waiting for a response—
He walked away with his guards following behind him.
Silence lingered near the gate.
Kaito watched Fein leave, unimpressed.
"…Well."
"He's even more pathetic."
Saito exhaled lightly.
"…We don't have time for that, Kaito."
His expression sharpened as he looked deeper into the village.
"…We have lives to save."
Kor Village remained restless.
Guards moved constantly through the streets while worried villagers gathered near their homes, whispering quietly to one another. Fear lingered heavily in the air after the kidnappings.
Around the village outskirts—
Takeru and several wolfbeasts searched carefully for clues.
One wolfbeast crouched near disturbed dirt while another sniffed around broken grass and footprints.
Takeru stood nearby, arms crossed.
"…Anything?"
One of them shook his head.
"Only scattered tracks."
Another wolfbeast frowned.
"They covered their trail well."
Takeru clicked his tongue softly.
"…Damn it."
Meanwhile—
Deeper in the forest—
Kaito moved silently between the trees.
His eyes stayed fixed on the ground.
Broken branches.
Pressed footprints.
Dragged marks.
He followed each sign calmly, piece by piece, like a hunter chasing prey.
The forest around him was quiet except for the sound of leaves shifting beneath his steps.
Then—
He stopped.
His eyes narrowed slightly at a deeper footprint pressed into the mud.
"…Found something."
—
Back at Lorum Mansion—
The meeting room was filled once again.
Saito sat at the front of the table while Takashi stood beside him holding several documents.
Across from them sat John, Fein, Gein, and Rick.
The atmosphere was serious.
No casual conversation.
No teasing remarks.
Only tension.
Saito looked around the table.
"I need all of you to warn your people."
His voice stayed calm but firm.
"Tell them to stay inside their homes whenever possible."
He paused briefly.
"And I need every village to strengthen security immediately."
The mayors listened quietly.
Then Saito turned toward Gein.
"And if you will, Mayor Gein…"
His eyes sharpened slightly.
"I want you to lend your army for this."
Gein leaned back in his chair with a faint scoff.
"Oh yeah?"
"Maybe I should just keep them in my own village instead."
Rick frowned immediately.
"Now isn't the time to argue, Gein."
His tone grew firmer.
"We need all the help we can get."
Gein clicked his tongue softly.
The room stayed silent for a moment.
Then he sighed heavily.
"…Fine."
"I'll order them."
Saito nodded once.
"Thank you."
He looked across the table again.
"We're in a dangerous situation right now."
A pause.
"I know some of you still don't like me."
His gaze briefly met Fein and Gein.
"But right now…"
"We need to stand together to protect innocent lives."
Silence settled over the room.
Fein and Gein exchanged a glance.
Neither looked happy about it.
But eventually—
Both sighed.
"…Fine."
Fein crossed his arms.
"We'll follow you."
John raised his hand slightly.
"If I may…"
Everyone looked toward him.
"I'll send some of my invokers to help guard each village."
Saito's expression softened slightly.
"…That would help a lot."
Rick nodded afterward.
"And if anyone needs resources… food… supplies…"
He placed a hand against his chest.
"Just ask."
"I'll send whatever I can."
Saito looked around the room one more time.
Then gave a small smile.
"…Thank you."
At Hiraki Village—
The sound of marching boots echoed through the streets.
Rows of soldiers moved in formation, armored figures carrying spears and swords across the stone roads.
Gein stood at the front gate with his arms crossed, watching them prepare.
One of the captains stepped forward.
"Mayor Gein, the troops are ready."
Gein nodded once.
"Good."
His expression stayed firm.
"Split them between the villages."
"No delays."
"We don't know when those bastards will strike again."
The captain straightened immediately.
"Yes, sir!"
Gein looked toward the road leading out of the village.
For a brief moment—
His usual arrogance faded.
"…Don't make me regret cooperating with that kid."
The soldiers began moving.
Fast.
Disciplined.
Lines of armed men marched out from Hiraki Village toward the surrounding territories.
Dust rose behind them as they disappeared down the roads.
At Kor Village—
The atmosphere had completely changed.
The once lively streets were now tense and quiet.
Fein stood near the center square, gripping his cane tightly.
"Everyone inside!"
His voice echoed across the village.
"Do not wander outside after dark!"
Villagers hurried into their homes.
Doors shut one after another.
Guards moved into position around the walls and gate, weapons ready.
One guard approached Fein.
"Mayor Fein, additional patrols have been deployed."
Fein nodded slowly.
"Good."
His eyes narrowed slightly.
"…No mistakes."
At Lorum Village—
Takashi stood on top of the gate wall overlooking the village.
Below him, both humans and wolfbeasts moved together.
Some carried supplies.
Others reinforced barricades.
The wolfbeast guards spread across the perimeter with sharp eyes and alert ears.
Takeru walked beside a group of wolfbeasts, giving orders calmly.
"Two squads on the east side."
"Rotate every few hours."
"If you hear anything strange, report immediately."
The wolfbeasts nodded.
"Yes, Lord Takeru."
Nearby—
Pyvi guided villagers carrying food and water toward the guards.
"Careful with that."
"And bring more blankets to the west side."
Takashi watched everything quietly.
Then exhaled.
"…Looks like everyone's finally moving as one."
At Grizzly Village—
Rick stood near the restored fields.
The wind moved gently through the healthy crops.
But nobody relaxed.
Villagers carried crates toward storage while guards reinforced the entrances.
Fiona crossed her arms beside her father.
"…Do you really think they'll attack here too?"
Rick stayed silent for a moment.
Then nodded slowly.
"If they're searching for people…"
"…every village is a target."
Fiona looked toward the gate.
Her expression tightened slightly.
"…Then they better not come."
At Bypass Village—
Lanterns still glowed across the streets from the carnival.
But the cheerful atmosphere had changed.
Now—
Flames burned with purpose.
John stood before a group of invokers gathered in the center of the village.
Men and women dressed in red and black uniforms stood in rows.
Fire flickered around their hands.
Some shaped flames into spinning rings.
Others coated their fists in heat.
John looked across them proudly.
"This day…"
He raised his hand.
"…we protect our people with our flames."
The invokers answered immediately.
Fire erupted into the air around them.
WHOOSH!
The streets glowed orange and gold.
Determined faces stared forward.
Ready.
John smiled slightly.
"Spread out."
"Support every village you can reach."
"And if those kidnappers appear…"
Flames swirled around his palm.
"…burn them down."
The invokers nodded sharply.
"Yes, Mayor John!"
Then they moved—
Streams of fire lighting the roads as they departed into the night.