"Fourth day since I came back and Sandy's still not here," Ranpa commented, stretching, before putting his hand on his tensed-up spine, groaning. "I'm starting to think all that leaves business was for nothing at all."

Sam stared at him for a second. "How old are you again?"f

"Twenty-four. Almost twenty-five, actually."

"Why do you have back pain?"

"If you expect me to help out with all of your work without an ounce of sleep that's what you end up getting, Sam! Seriously, the waterfalls?" he raised his voice. "We really have to go back to Prope Portam after we're all done with this so we can all go back to having the same amount of pain on our shoulders again."

"Sandy's not gonna be here for a few more days, I suppose," Judy added, putting on gloves and a jacket in similar patterns over her light clothing. Ronpi and Katha struggled to wiggle the armour back onto themselves, while Tenor wore a hat he found on a rack.

"Do I look cool?"

"You're still not a part of the team." Judy pointed.

"What are you all dressing up for?" Ranpa asked, leaning against the table, with Sam sharing the same confused expression.

"The reason for Sandy's absence. I'd tell you off for that lack of knowledge but considering you've been stuck creating the same crook for the past few weeks, it makes some sense." she chuckled. "You might have interest in leaving the premises, then. The King has an announcement that may or may not involve those words you said."

"Which ones?" Ranpa asked.

"Going back to Prope Portam," she added, and such was followed by Ranpa's pronounced sigh and Sam's eyes shining up a little.

"Is this... what I think it is?" he asked.

"I can never read Paladian thoughts." she strolled over to the door. "Might as well be the answer. Get dressed, you two."

"How about this hat?" Tenor continued.

"YOU'RE NOT TAKING ANY OF MY STUFF!" Judy yelled.

***

...and so it was set to begin, like on any other day. Bells rung across town, and voices were raised in the dubious middle gates overtaken by the people in Oldenklow, the said markets thrived a few hours beforehand, before hastily following through towards all the other events deadpan in the centre.

Music echoed through the marbled street, while the sky was as blue and cloudy on the few other days that led towards the middle of Dear. Such also served as a reminder, for the sun soon set and the colder days were to approach this side of Errarion.

Either way, even if they were to appear now, the general warmth that weaved through the air could've combated anything of those words.

At noon and a few hours before any announcement was made, the four Demonears and a few other people made it into the castle upon the King's request.

"Meet a good few before any agreements are made." Jyuzou read again, scanning the paper. "Wonder what for? We're barely back in town and I can only assume that we're going to have to run some strange errand again, isn't that right, Morio?"

Morio clenched his fists, glancing back and forth at everything that made the various, well-lit corridors, with the browns meeting the whites.

"Morio?"

"I'm gonna meet the King!"

"Didn't you already-" Jyuzou raised a finger. "Okay, not personally, but I didn't think it'd end up being something you're excited about."

"With what happened the past few days I learned to appreciate the smaller things in doses, you know? It was cool flying around with Kithanth before he decided to dip the second we got close to the Munau Shore." Morio explained.

"Most certainly agreeing with you here."

"...and atop all the business that you did without telling me a single word and even now we still don't have money."

"Ekhem. Pretty sure we've been accommodated in Eggre."

"Adding to that, I still have yet to find what those fricking Frisks are, but yet... it's the little things. I don't care if he sends us on some gruelling task if it means that I'll at least see his chamber!"

"The paper says we're meeting in the library." Jyuzou pointed. "Look here!"

"Shh!" Morio put his finger on his lips. "Don't spoil the moment!"

"F-Fine." the other chuckled a little. "Back to that other question which you avoided with an entourage of meaningless words."

"I know you just made that word up."

"What?"

"Entoubag."

"No, that's... gah! Any clues?!" he raised his voice, as they turned the corner.

"Oh." Atomu gasped, with the four figures meeting right near a few doors.

"Oh!" Morio jumped up, and Chyuuichi did pretty much the same, although more energetically.

"Morin, Jyuso! Wise seeing ya here around these hours! Shouldn't ya be goofing around the ceremony instead?"

"Sure, but the King requested to see us beforehand."

"Same thing here, then." Atomu blinked a couple of times, passing on the paper Rowan gave him, with Jyuzou quickly skimming through both.

"Any idea as to what it might be?"

"Rowan said it's some Demonear schmuckamadoo, and here I come asking why someone of their position gets more info than the ones that are THEE Demonears who saved THEE Saphrith!" he raised a finger.

"I-In the end though, they told us we're stupid because it's obvious and they'll meet us later because they're gonna have their hands busy asking people about a certain problem."

"What problem, I wonder...?" Jyuzou scratched his thinking chin.

"Too long of a stupid story!" Chyuuichi waved.

"Stupid because you're telling it?" Morio grinned.

"EVEN YER PLOTTING AGAINST ME?!"

All of a sudden, someone shushed the Mirillian, sticking their hand from a door left ajar, leading right into a warmly lit, large hall-like room.

"Oh, there it is!" Chyuuichi pointed. "We were meant to find the library, right?" he turned to Atomu.

"Strange that it's here and not any other place." Atomu rubbed the back of his head, as the group took a few steps.

"Really makes you think," Jyuzou muttered, fixing his glasses. In reality, he didn't process most of what anyone could've implied, as his gaze immediately shifted upon him being the first two to enter through the doors.

When they were open, the grand library revealed itself, with the restored bookshelves almost creating mazes in the esteemed silence. The balconies above stretched for the few Royals quickly gathered to leave.

"I wish I got to see the King's room, though," Morio muttered.

"Right." Atomu nodded. "It has a cool bed."

"Oh, man." Morio sighed. "Beds are the coolest."

"Seriously?" Jyuzou continued. "I'd say, a place like this is a much more needed investment for my eyes. It looked so much different just a few months ago!"

"...and who do we thank for the spark in those changes, dear Morian?" Before walking out from behind an adjacent bookshelf, Sebastian spoke, holding a few pieces of parchment. "Everyone's story is the precise reason why things are the way they are today. Stubborn, strange to the eyes of some, but just the perfect Demonears they were back then. I'm inclined to think that I like this newer design much more. Some good, some bad."

Jyuzou covered his flushed face, Morio flashed a shaky grin before hiding behind the Paladian, Chyuuichi struck a pose and Atomu scratched his head, before taking the role of the leader and stepping forth.

"G-Glad to see you again, King Sebastian." he bowed.

"Oh, really, it is my utmost pleasure that you're here. I was worried those sparrows Bancho spoke of wouldn't do their job and I'd have to rely on Xard to deliver the news. He's a very trusty guard of mine, but I swear, sometimes he can't keep secrets."

"W-What do you mean by that, Sir?" Jyuzou stepped forth, fixing his glasses.

"Rumours already moved through town, as I can assume, but if someone were to confirm them, what would be the point of our announcements? I'm talking something bigger, and a reason as to why a dear friend of yours is looming just around the corners, still fixing things up."

"Huh." Chyuuichi raised his nonexistent brows before his gaze met Morio, who trembled.

"Any clues, dear Demonears?" he asked, wearing a proud smile.

"Oh, my. Answers are exactly what we're trying to seek here, King." Atomu shook his head.

"I'm with stupid." the Mirillian pointed to Atomu, who immediately turned, shocked and hurt.

"S-Sorry, Sir. Not a clue." Jyuzou continued.

"Morio, then?"

"Ah!" the Morian jumped up at the word, before quickly turning to face the King.

"Oh, I'm sorry." Sebastian shook his head. "It's strange, isn't it? We haven't met face to face beforehand, and I'm already jumping out with such ridiculous claims."

"Ridiculous?" Morio chuckled, brushing sweat off his forehead. "Mama once said that asking someone a ridiculous question is the best way to get to know them." he gulped. "So, my answer, it's gotta be something related to Demonears."

Sebastian rubbed his cheek.

"Morio," Jyuzou muttered, shaking his hand. "Obviously."

"Why else me, then?" Morio asked, whispering.

"Why you?" an unknown voice spoke, with a few steps echoing through the dimly lit hall. The four turned, seeing a figure dressed in green satin and grey hair longer than they had seen beforehand. "A certain someone told me you were one in a million. Of course, it'd make sense to ask you."

"M-Mr Kashmir?" Morio asked, smiling from ear to ear.

"Who else, dear boy?" he chuckled. "Long time no see."

Jyuzou fixed his glasses, nervously.

"I guess you could say I owe the lot a few explanations." he strutted over, moving towards a wooden desk in the middle, with Sebastian following his steps and sitting in a comfy armchair nearby. "Disappearing over the period when Demonears weren't treated as kindly, keeping a silent front all over the wars that happened in our world. In the end, however, I couldn't be like all those other cowardly Demonears. At the request of a certain someone, I stepped through."

Zenon glanced at him, and the other nodded.

"Of course," Atomu uttered. "Who else but you, Sir?"

"Even though a few of you might say my methods were quite... peculiar?"

"I passed either way," Chyuuichi whispered, quickly slapped by Jyuzou.

Kashmir in turn laughed, softening out. "Back then, through Bancho's words, something demonic was on the rise. You recall, don't you? Not many like-minded people, so we really needed those true warriors back then. True... it's a certain word because I believe that every human can lift a weapon if they're determined enough to spark a change." he glanced up, and Sandy shuffled around in the darkness, now noticed by the others.

"That's precisely why I asked the four of you to gather here," Sebastian spoke, with the eyes turning towards his words. "The people out there don't need convincing to become someone like you."

His eyes drifted towards Zenon, as the other coughed out. The four tensed up, accordingly.

"Y-You don't mean...?" Morio took a step forward.

"The world can't deny it anymore, can they?" Kashmir laughed. "For the first time in ten years in Lignoria, and almost three since your attempt, there's going to be a Demonear Test held here in Saphrith."

"S-Seriously?" Atomu inclined, gulping.

Jyuzou raised a brow and Chyuuichi grinned, since such seemed the right response.

"You're acting as if you're not Demonears already." Sebastian chuckled.

"N-No, but-"

"I know, I know." the King continued. "Sandy told me the whole story back then. He and the people he knew could've been stronger if they had this opportunity. If I wasn't coughing out my lungs on the daily, I'd probably be there too, trying my best. I can only assume that the olden spirits share the same story. That's why people gather here, right in front of the gates." he stood up. "So they can all zip as fast as that arrow or strike at the horde with words or weapons as strong as."

"Olden spirits?" Morio asked.

"Do you remember Bancho's words, Morio?"

"Shin, I'd be a liar if I said I don't repeat some of his tales to fall asleep faster!" he giggled.

"The other ones," Kashmir added.

The three looked at him, and Sebastian glanced at the balconies above.

"That... I'm the only one who can stand a small chance against Shi Hon. Right?" he gulped, before forcing a smile.

"Now that we have proof in our hands, why not push it a little further?" Kashmir proposed.

"I say this as both a good friend of Bancho, as well as the king of Saphrith," Sebastian muttered. "We need people. We need strength, but all in all, we need all we can have to stand even a tiny chance against Shi Hon."

"Y-You mean?" Jyuzou blinked a couple of times.

"The test is there to see if we're ready, and in the end, that will wager. We're not forcing any of you to make this choice, but just know..." Kashmir spoke, before hesitating on his own words.

His eyes were glued to Morio's shaking, clenched fist, before the boy stared up, with a tight smile.

"I'll do it."

"Ahh." Atomu breathed in. "Ehh?"

"He wouldn't agree as quickly back in Galliath," Jyuzou whispered.

"I know you just made that word up." the Mirillian answered.

"I promised Mr Bancho back then and I'm not going to give up so soon." he chuckled. "Even if it may take years before anyone is ready. I'm strong enough, after all! We're all strong, and going to be even stronger!"

"When did we agree?" Jyuzou whispered.

"Always!" Chyuuichi added. "It's all so exciting!"

"What is?" the Morian blinked.

"...and that's the answer I wanted to hear," Kashmir muttered, with Sebastian chiming in.