The cart halted before a monumental structure carved from white stone. Majin Hyutetsu stepped down first, his cloak fluttering in the wind. Behind him followed his son, Arashi, his eyes wide with curiosity.

A butler in fine uniform emerged from the monument and bowed deeply.

“Greetings, Race Leader Majin. I am the butler of Leader Krot. The hall is this way.”

Majin nodded and turned to Arashi. “You should go to the art hall, Arashi. There’s nothing for children in the meeting.”

Arashi nodded obediently. As Majin followed the butler inside, two figures were already seated in the hall — **Leader Kustav** and **Leader Makrov**. They greeted each other with formal nods before Majin took his seat among them.

---

Meanwhile, in the art hall, Arashi wandered along the grand walls adorned with ancient paintings and golden manuscripts. The air smelled faintly of old ink and burning candles.

As he gazed at a painting of an old battle, he suddenly bumped into someone.

“Ouch!” both voices said at once.

Arashi blinked and found himself face-to-face with a girl his age. She rubbed her forehead and frowned.

“Hey! Don’t you have eyes?”

“I–I’m sorry!” Arashi stammered, cheeks turning red.

The girl’s expression softened. “It’s okay. I’m Fost Hera. What’s your name?”

“Arashi Hyutetsu.”

For a moment, they both smiled — then laughed, rubbing their heads again. A small spark of connection flickered between them, unnoticed by the rest of the hall.

---

Back in the council chamber, all the leaders were now seated — except for one. The door creaked open, and a tall man with silver armor stepped in. His presence silenced the murmurs instantly.

“I, **Leader Krot Hera**, declare this Pact meeting in session,” he announced, his voice sharp and steady.

One of the men rose. “Leader Krot, the **Scorpion Pact** has begun attacking our **Tiger Pact**. We must act before they consume our borders!”

Another stood in agreement. “He’s right! They’ve already taken two villages from us.”

The room buzzed with anger and urgency.

Krot raised his hand, restoring silence. “The Tiger Pact is made up of seven villages. Once, we offered alliance to the others — but they refused. They formed their own Scorpion Pact against us. Now, they seek to take the rest of Pantra’s southern lands for themselves.”

He paused, his eyes glinting with resolve.

“We will not allow that. Our pact lies in the southern corner of Friera’s Pantra region. The Scorpion Pact has taken the northern side — but soon, we will strike back. Our forces will attack five of their strongholds simultaneously. No mercy.”

The hall echoed with the leaders’ agreement as the plan for war was set in motion.

---

In the art hall, unaware of the storm gathering among their elders, Arashi and Fost were surrounded by six other children. One of them sneered.

“Hey, Fost, why are you hanging out with *him*? Come play with us instead.”

Fost looked at Arashi, then back at the boy. “No. I don’t want to play with you.”

The air grew tense until the butler appeared once more.

“Children, why not visit the guest hall? There are plenty of snacks waiting.”

At once, the group’s expressions brightened. “Snacks? Let’s go!” one of the boys shouted.

They all rushed toward the guest hall — even Fost and Arashi followed, laughing. The long tables were filled with sweets, fruits, and golden plates. For a while, laughter replaced the silence of politics.

---

By evening, the great monument began to empty. Leaders and families prepared to depart. As the Hyutetsu clan’s horse cart stood ready, Fost ran up to Arashi.

“We’ll always be friends, right?” she said with a bright smile.

Arashi blushed, nodding shyly. “Yes… why not?”

They both laughed, and as the cart began to roll away, Arashi looked back one last time — Fost waving in the orange light of sunset. He waved back, a small smile lingering on his face.

…To be continued.