In the renovated warehouse of my family home—no, now a proper research room—
We spread out the ancient texts we had gathered.

“…Look at this, Kanon!”

Neel pushed a dust-covered tome toward me.
On its cover, written in old script: “On Reincarnation and True Names.”

I opened a page, and it read:

“A True Name is the mark inscribed upon a soul through cycles of reincarnation.
Every living being possesses one, but monsters, in particular, carry their tempered power into the next age.
When souls intertwine, their True Names resonate, becoming one.
This bond is called synchrony, most often formed between counterparts known as mates.”

“…Mates…?”

“It means a pair. A counterpart,” I murmured.

Rabbichu—Arnea—perched on my shoulder, flicking her ears.

“Kyu… (So that’s what it meant…)”

“Then… Arnea and I synchronized as counterparts?”

“That’s why your bond is so strong,” Neel said with a grin.

But then, as I glanced at Sarius, I froze.

“…Hey, Sarius.”

“What is it?”

“…I swear I’ve seen your face somewhere before…”

The firelight illuminated his profile—his refined features.
I remembered: in the capital, I had seen that same face in an old royal portrait.

“…You look a lot like the former king.”

Sarius’s eyes narrowed.
A pause. Then, lowering his hood slightly, he gave a bitter smile.

“…So, you’ve noticed.”

“No way…”

“It’s true. My mother bore royal blood. I am a bastard son… a branch of the royal line.
That is why I chose to step aside, free of the throne and the Academy’s leash.”

“You can just… decide to be a researcher?”

“With the title of Royal Inspector, yes.”

At that, Rabbichu and Neel both exclaimed, “Eeeh!?”

“Kyu… (So he really was someone important…)”

“But still… royal blood or not, as long as you’re Sarius, I’ll walk with you.”

“…An honor, Kanon.”

Then we set our next goal.

“What about Heatdran’s True Name? How do we find it?”

Sarius thought for a moment, then answered.

“…Heatdran’s lineage is one of the guardian dragons bound to the royal family.
The only records of its True Name would lie… in the Royal Tomb.”

“…The tomb?”

“Yes. There is a Hall of Names, where the family’s history is carved.
If anywhere, Heatdran’s name will be there.”

I stroked Rabbichu’s head and patted Heatdran’s neck.

“…Let’s go. Together, we’ll find your name.”

“Kyu!!”

“Gruuurrr!”

At dawn—

We rode upon Heatdran’s back, cutting through the winds.
Beside me, Sarius, Rabbichu, and Neel, all bound for the same horizon.

In the far distance lay a mist-shrouded place—the Royal Tomb.

Sarius spoke lowly.

“…Within it lie the royal family’s secrets. Perhaps even my own past.”

“Then I’ll be your witness. Together, with my partners.”

Rabbichu flicked her ears and called out:

“Kanon… friend… forward…!”

Heatdran roared, shaking the skies.

“GRUOOOOOO!!”

Toward the Royal Tomb.
In pursuit of the secrets of True Names.
And to uncover the truth of Sarius himself.

Once again, we entrusted ourselves to the winds of our journey.