Shizu

"Vesta," King Gazel Dwargo's voice echoed through the solemn halls of the royal court, cold as steel. "Never show yourself in front of me again. And I have one last thing to say to you…"

He turned his back without waiting for a reply. "Thank you for your service."

With that, the King departed, his crimson cloak trailing behind him like a flame doused in ash. The silence left in his wake weighed heavily on the courtroom.

Soon after, we were escorted from the capital of Dwargon under heavy guard. Kaido led the procession, his expression taut with restraint.

"Take care of yourself, Bro," Kaido said, offering Kaijin a firm handshake and a smile that masked deeper feelings.

Kaijin nodded, carrying his pack with Garm, Dord, and Myrd trailing beside him, each burdened with both luggage and the sting of exile. "Sorry for all the trouble. Take care of yourself, too."

Kaido turned to me, offering a look both respectful and slightly uncertain. "Arceus, I'm entrusting him to you."

I smiled, calm and steady. "You have my word."

Kaido stepped back. "In accordance with the King's judgment," he declared, "Kaijin and his companions are hereby exiled. Leave at once."

With that, the great iron gates of Dwargon shut behind us.

I turned to Kaijin. "Shall we go? My companions are waiting inside the forest."

Kaijin exhaled slowly. "Right."

We walked into the descending light of the sun, the golden meadow brushing against our ankles, heading toward a future uncertain but free.

Though many things were lost, one goal had been accomplished—I had secured talented craftsmen for our cause.

---

Back within the mountain-palace of Dwargon, King Gazel stood at the foot of the throne steps, eyes narrowed in thought. The amber glow of the torches did little to warm the cold in his gaze.

From the shadows, an elf clad in black stepped forward, his face hidden behind a smooth porcelain mask.

"Have you apprehended the proxy?" Gazel asked, his voice low.

"Yes," the elf answered. "He has been restrained."

"Punish him. Severely."

The elf bowed his head.

"And observe that man's movements. Arceus… It is unthinkable that such a creature wears the skin of a man."

"As you command."

"Do not be noticed," the King warned, his voice cutting like tempered steel. "No matter what it takes."

The elf vanished, swallowed by shadow.

Gazel clenched his fist. "That man is a true monster… just like the Storm Dragon, Veldora."

---

Far to the west, in the Kingdom of Blumund, inside the Free Guild headquarters...

"There's no sign of movement from the Eastern Empire," Guildmaster Fuze muttered, rolling up a parchment before setting it aside on the table. His weary eyes studied the three adventurers seated before him. "Not yet, at least."

"The Intelligence Bureau is continuing to monitor them," he added before leaning forward. "Now, how did it go in the Great Forest of Jura?"

The adventurers looked like they'd been dragged through a battlefield and back. Mud-stained cloaks, worn boots, and exhausted expressions said enough.

"It was a disaster," grumbled Kaval, a tall man with tousled blond hair. "A little appreciation would be nice. We almost died."

"Let's hear the report," Fuze said flatly.

"Seriously?" Kaval groaned.

"I need a bath…" Eren murmured, the young mage girl looking barely upright.

"You think you had it bad?" Gido snapped, adjusting the red band tied over his spiky hair. "I had to listen to you two bicker the entire time."

Fuze arched an eyebrow, unamused.

Kaval sighed in surrender. "Fine. While in the cave, we confirmed that Veldora is indeed gone. We searched the cavern… but found nothing."

"Nothing?" Fuze repeated, his voice sharp.

"Not even a scale," Eren confirmed.

Fuze leaned back in his chair. "I understand. You're cleared for three days' rest."

All three adventurers blinked in shock.

"Huh?"

"But after that," Fuze continued, "you're heading back out. This time, search the forest. With Veldora gone, the balance has likely shifted. Be thorough. Search every nook and cranny."

Groaning, the three dragged themselves out of the building—only to be greeted by a figure wearing white with a mask over her face.

Kaval stepped forward, cautious. "Who are you?"

"You're going to the Great Forest of Jura, are you not?" she asked, voice soft and oddly melodic.

"What if we are?" Kaval replied warily.

"May I accompany you?"

"Sure!" Eren smiled brightly.

"Hey!" Kaval shouted. "I'm the leader, remember?"

"Traveling's better with friends. Life's better with compassion," Eren answered with a grin.

Eren gestured between them. "This is Kaval, Gido, and I'm Eren. What's your name?"

"Shizu," the woman said simply.

"Welcome aboard, Shizu!"

---

By the banks of the Ameld River, silver-blue waters shimmered under the noon sun. I stood with Ranga by my side.

"Watch closely, Ranga. I'll teach you one of my origin spells."

Ranga's tail wagged eagerly.

I raised my hand. "Orinthal."

Silver-white lightning crackled from my fingertips, forming a spiraling lasso of raw power before launching toward a boulder in the center of the river. The spell struck like judgment itself—obliterating the stone in a flash of light and thunder.

"Silver lightning… You never cease to amaze me, Master!" Ranga barked.

We soon rode across the fields, Ranga's pace swift and sure. Cresting a high cliff, the Goblin village came into view—larger, livelier, and brimming with growth.

Several weeks had passed since Kaijin and the dwarves joined us.

Kaijin stood by the forge, laughing heartily. "Strike while the iron's hot, boys!" he shouted, guiding eager goblin blacksmiths.

Garm demonstrated leatherwork, while Dord shared secrets of metal shaping. Myrd had already begun laying out blueprints for buildings and fortifications.

What began as a village was becoming a town.

More goblins arrived—about five hundred—seeking shelter and purpose.

In the training grounds, Gobta shouted, "Watch and learn!" as he summoned his Tempest Wolf from his shadow, leaving the new goblins gasping in awe.

I smiled quietly, walking the village paths until Rigurd rushed over.

"Great Arceus!"

I stopped. "Is something the matter?"

"We received word from Rigur. There are humans in the forest—unfamiliar and possibly scouting."

"Humans?" I asked. "Are they armed?"

"Unclear. They may be from a foreign nation hoping to expand into our domain."

---

Deep within the forest, the three adventurers—and Shizu—were under siege.

"This is your fault, Kaval!" Gido yelled. "Why stab an ant nest?!"

"Shut up! Stop blaming your leader!"

"I told you it was a nest!" Eren yelled.

Red ants, giant and hostile, gave chase—until Shizu turned, blade in hand. Flames erupted along her sword as she danced through the swarm, burning and cleaving through them with grace and fury.

The others stopped and gawked—until one final ant rose behind her.

"Shizu! Behind you!" Eren cried.

Shizu turned, but a strange pulse surged through her—weakening her. She dropped to one knee, using her sword for support.

The ant lunged.

But before it could strike, a bolt of silver lightning crashed from the sky—obliterating the creature in a single flash and blowing off Shizu's mask.

Smoke curled as I stepped forward, mask in hand.

"Are you alright?" Eren asked, helping Shizu up.

"Y-yes," she whispered, voice faint.

"What was that?" Gido asked, eyes wide.

"Silver lightning," Kaval murmured.

"I apologize for the fright," I said gently. "Here. This is yours, isn't it?"

I handed Shizu her mask, kneeling to meet her gaze.

She blinked, then smiled faintly. "You saved me. Thank you."

Our eyes met.

I recognized her at once—the woman from the crystal ball, the one whose fate was tied to mine.

"I met her sooner than expected…" I thought.

The storm had passed.

But the true story was only beginning.