They turned and left the chamber. Fumiko lingered behind, her head bowed. Tears welled and fell as she stood before them, trembling. She bowed low, voice breaking. “I… I am sorry! You showed me kindness, and I repaid it with betrayal.”

“Don’t cry, Fumiko,” Goro said gently. “We accept your apology. We know how the Kyofu clan enslaves people, forcing them into servitude or making them spies. This was never your fault.”

Kenta added softly, “You have a kind heart, Fumiko. I know you never wished to do this—you simply had no choice. Don’t worry.”

Karna grabbed Kenta by the collar, glaring. “Kenta, you bastard. How dare you steal my line.”

Before Kenta could respond, Gyoda blurted out, “You are, and always will be, our friend!”

Karna whirled on him instantly. “You moron! Stop stealing my lines!”

They moved back toward the hall, Gyoda retrieving his staff with a huff.

At the far end stood Pikari, conversing quietly with Adheera. Goro and the others approached.

“Pikari,” Goro called, “why didn’t you search for Kashi?”

Pikari’s expression darkened, his tone heavy. “We searched everywhere. But Kashi… he’s not merely hiding. He’s been evading us at every turn, slipping through every net we cast.”

“Not even you?” Goro’s voice carried a sharp edge of surprise. “With all the influence the Kyofu clan commands?” His eyes narrowed. “If even you couldn’t locate him… this will not be easy.”

Pikari continued. “You may use Mawang-sama’s influence as you see fit—and the resources of my underlings.”

“That’ll be invaluable,” Goro said with a nod. “Thank you.”

Gyoda, frowning, broke the tension. “By the way, Kenta… how did you figure out Fumiko was their spy?”

Karna’s gaze sharpened, a quiet edge to his voice. “How dumb are you, Gyoda? Oh, I apologize—I was expecting too much from an idiot.”

“I’ll kick you for that!” Gyoda shot back.

Karna ignored him, voice steady. “Fumiko claimed she knew nothing of the Ashijiki clan, yet she asked about my clan being slaughtered when I was five. We never told her. Not a word.”

Tears slipped down Fumiko’s cheeks.

Reiko smacked both of them on the head. “Cut it out! You’re making her cry!”

Karna’s gaze softened, unwavering. “Don’t worry Fumiko. Once I find the answers, I promise… I’ll protect you, no matter what.” A spark ignited in his eyes—a silent, unbreakable promise.

Outside the mansion, the team walked away, the weight of their new quest settling over them. Through a massive window, Mawang stood, tall and imposing, his figure framed from floor to ceiling, watching them. On his desk lay a letter:

"If I die tonight, save the Twilight and find KASHI HORIMI to uncover the cause of my death and why the Ashijikis were slaughtered.
Loving Brother,
– Masato Kyofu"

Meanwhile, Goro released a letter via eagle. Its message read:

"We met Mawang Kyofu. He had no part in ordering the Ashijiki massacre—the command came from higher up. Our next lead is Kashi Horimi."

The bird soared across the land, eventually reaching an old man—a solitary figure working in the fields. He paused, reading the letter, his face shadowed by the brim of his conical hat.

With the next lead set, Karna and his team embarked on a new journey, determined to find Kashi Horimi.