Jay spent the time talking with Kyrai, the two of them reminiscing about small, ordinary things—memories from before everything went wrong. For the first time in days, Jay felt something close to normal.

Later, Noa arrived with her parents.

They stood awkwardly at the door, guilt written clearly on their faces.

“We’re sorry,” Noa’s father said, bowing his head. “We should never have let you stay alone. What happened to you… it’s our responsibility too.”

Jay shook his head slowly. “It’s okay. I forgive you.”

Noa scoffed and lightly smacked his head with a book. “Here, idiot. Because of your kidnapping, I couldn’t read the new volume of The Beginning. So I bought it for you.”

Jay laughed. “You’re awful.”

“When you’re discharged, we’re competing,” she said proudly.

“I accept.”

Kyrai smiled quietly.
Everything feels normal again.

They spent the afternoon together, laughing, reading, and pretending—just for a while—that the world hadn’t changed.

Meanwhile, Poul sat alone in his office, buried in paperwork.

A knock echoed against the door.

“Good evening, Captain Poul. May we enter?”

“Of course.”

Two Royal Knights stepped inside and took their seats.

Poul frowned. “Shouldn’t you be guarding His Majesty?”

“He is currently visiting his son… along with our Holy Saint.”

Poul stiffened. “The new Saint is in the Forest City?”

The knight nodded. “She came to bless your son. The King wished to see him as well.”

Poul exhaled slowly. “Then what is this meeting about?”

The knight’s expression turned grave.

“We have come to inform you of an impending war.”

Poul’s fingers tightened around the desk.

“This battle will decide the fate of the continent. If we lose, every city outside the capital may fall.”

“Where?” Poul asked.

“The City of Hell. The Wall City. A battlefield between humans and giants.”

The knight met his eyes. “You may die in this war, Hyou Poul. Do you understand?”

Poul stood and saluted. “Yes. I understand.”

As the knights left, Poul remained still.

So… I’m returning home.

At the same time, Saint Clarice made her way through the crowded halls.

Why is everyone treating me like this? she thought.
I’m only ten… I just want to be loved for who I am.

She stopped in front of Jay’s room and gently knocked.

Inside, Jay was reading, tears streaming down his face.

“TB is peak,” he muttered. “What a masterpiece.”

Clarice blinked. “…What?”

Jay noticed her and straightened. “Oh—sorry. Who are you?”

She placed a hand on her chest. “I am Saint Clarice. I came to see how Captain Poul’s son is doing.”

Her ruby-red eyes and white hair made Jay’s heart skip.

Wait… an elf? This isn’t supposed to happen until I’m older…

“I’m Hyou Jay,” he said, trying to sound calm. “Nice to meet you.”

She smiled softly. “Nice to meet you too.”

I feel… comfortable around him.

“May I read with you?” she asked.

“Sure,” Jay replied easily. “Just ignore the lazy ones sleeping over there.”

She blushed and sat beside him.

They read together quietly.

“What does ‘is peak’ mean?” Clarice asked.

Jay smiled. “It means it’s the best.”

She nodded seriously. “Then… it truly is peak.”

Jay laughed. Very few people shared his taste like that.

“When I’m discharged, I want to go buy books,” he said casually. “Want to come with me?”

Clarice froze. “Does that mean… we’re friends?”

Jay looked at her, surprised. “We’ve been friends since you sat down.”

Her eyes sparkled. Instead of taking his hand, she hugged him tightly.

“Yes! I want to go with you!”

Jay hugged her back.

At that moment, the door opened.

King Valerius Adelio and Poul entered mid-conversation.

“Poul,” the King chuckled, “why didn’t you tell me your son was such a charmer?”

“Your Majesty… I had no idea,” Poul replied.

Jay panicked. “I-it’s not what it looks like!”

Clarice squeaked and quickly dragged the King out of the room, red-faced.

Poul smiled faintly.

Jay looked at his sleeping friends and whispered, “Maybe… I deserve a little happiness.”

A whisper echoed in his mind.

Why did you kill me?

Jay clenched his fists.

Later, Poul returned.

“Jay,” he said quietly. “Two things.”

Jay looked up.

“You’ve been discharged.”

Relief flashed across Jay’s face.

“And…” Poul hesitated. “I will be joining the next war.”

Jay froze.

“What…?”

His heart sank.