Looking around, his thoughts drifted away from the concerns of the actual ceremony. As everyone in the crowd turned their attention to their King, he again felt obliged to accomplish something to deserve that title.

Either way, he had to keep going. With one hand subtly covering a cough, he moved on to the next topic. "I assume all of you know why we have gathered here today." he nodded.

"Of course!" someone raised their voice.

"...and I wouldn't have to explain if it wasn't for the fact that I may have purposely left a bit of the truth right back in the shadows." he wagged his finger. "Mainly because I didn't know much myself either if I were, to be honest."

The expressions of the audience began to shift.

"But I figured, telling you the truth might've been a better answer than leaving a lie to fly." he nodded. "You never know how far a simple word can go. Atop the whole world asking me to lead a simple ceremony, I already had so many things to do. So, please excuse me if I step over any unsure line." he bowed, pressing his hand below his heart.

This time, the reactions were mixed. Sebastian was convinced of making the right choice, but deep inside, felt shaken up by his sentences instead. Stress came as well. Where was the bloody crown and who was supposed to receive it, amongst the sea of Royals in the square, clapping their hands and smirking impolitely?

He looked down, before Xard ran up to him, whispering something.

"Really?" The King's voice echoed across Oldenklow.

"Put that Echoer away, King!" Xard whispered, politely snatching the tool out of his hand. He took another step forward, getting close to his ear.

Sebastian nodded a few times, and after a few more seconds, he cleared his throat, looking forward with another, awkward smile.

"I've been told to stop wasting everyone's time," Sebastian admitted, Xard facepalmed himself, and, oddly enough, people began laughing.

Xard folded his arms, only for Lamon to wave to him and whisper something.

"What?!" Xard uttered.

"Patrick's idea. The King approved." Lamon muttered.

"Ough." Xard rolled his eyes. "We are NOT ready for any of this!"

"In the upcoming days, together, amongst royalty and townsfolk, it shall be decided who gets to bear the Holy Crown," Sebastian said, followed by handclaps of approval.

The King stared forward. Even if he doubted himself at that moment, he knew Bancho. As a friend, or perhaps, a very strange human.

His smile disappeared.

"Mentioning that, let's leave a minute of silence for the man who allowed us to be here together," Sebastian stated. "Amongst celebration and new opportunities, we mustn't forget the legacy of Bancho." he put his hand on his chest, right near his heart.

Jyuzou listened. His voice echoed inside as well.

"For many, he was a friend or... a role model. I assume, more likely when Demonears were still welcome. But I have no say in what everyone mutually agrees on. That being said." he turned to the guards left and right, as they signalled for the bands to keep it down.

"Let's hush."

...what followed was silence. Unlike in Prope Portam, there was no song about life to accompany one's passing, even if it wasn't Bancho's body.

Everything inside the halls or the outside squares, Willia, Eggre, and Mokota went completely deaf.

It felt as if life froze for an entire minute there. The King only stared forward, thinking, and so did Jyuzou.

The Morian swore he had already heard a passing sentence or two, but brushed it off as rumours, amongst many. Now, when the head of Saphrith he hadn't seen uttered it with such seriousness, it all came crashing down.

He wasn't angry at Koyote. He understood why it had to happen. He was angry that he couldn't have somehow prevented this, even if he was so close by.

Then, when the hush completely seeped into his ears, a few words chimed in as well.

"Remember that you're there for each other, through thick and thin."

It was always Morio and Jyuzou, learning about everything. I guess the reason why Jyuzou didn't cry is because Morio didn't know.

He ground his teeth, frustrated. Koyote must've done a pretty good job if he rarely thought of someone like him in Galliath.

Would Bancho be proud of how far the two have gone?

Jyuzou wouldn't know. The minute passed by now, and the almost eerie silence turned into a bell's deciding ring.

He put one hand on his head, covering his eyes.

Chyuuichi gave a small punch to Atomu's shoulder. "Cheer up, will ya?"

Atomu slowly shook his head, before fully turning to the Mirillian.

"He might come back one day." Chyuuichi smiled.

Atomu wanted to doubt his words, but then again, there was a reason why they carried his body as far as Orania. Sometimes, it'd be better to enjoy the stupid explanation amongst smart ones, so that's exactly what he vowed to choose, without actually answering.

"Now, let's give a warm welcome to all the Royals present!" The King informed, and soon, the cheers resumed.

Kania put his hands on his hips, one eye turning to Ranpa, who seemed frustrated with the crowds. Then again, you'd find him sticking his head out, trying his best to take a peek at the King.

"Shouldn't we be in the castle if you're his son?" Ranpa quickly asked.

"Nah," Kania smirked. "I'm going to the bar after this, and you're coming with me."

Ranpa rolled his eyes. "C-Cool."

"Hm? It didn't seem like you were enjoying yourself."

"Lots better than standing here right now."

"But you're peeking. Either you're lying about being interested or still hoping for some miracle of my old man to save ya." he chuckled. "Wouldn't count on that buddy."

Ranpa perfectly knew. Kania being his son only meant more trouble along the way and proving one's innocence with the knife was an idea long left behind. He didn't even care for that item anymore but wondered if his royal roots meant being eligible to receive the crown.

That being said, if they stood so far away, he wouldn't count on it, especially with Kania's plan already set in stone.

"Yeah," Ranpa added, with no particular tone in his voice. Kania took a few steps back, before sighing.

"It's weird, though. I never met Bancho." Kania said. "He always came to visit, but I've never seen the man. Only heard stories of how great he was without any proof given." he shook his head, and Ranpa turned to him, raising an eyebrow. "Maybe it's the exact reason why the crown should land in my hands, but I guess there won't be room for questions once we find it."

Ranpa looked tired. Repeating the same statement that he had no clue where the crown could be was meaningless at this point. Kania seemed to drag him everywhere he went either way. "Why do you think it should?"

"Maybe because he already knew from the very beginning." Kania continued, cracking another smile. "There was someone perhaps even more powerful than him worthy of that prize."

"Surely." Ranpa snickered.

"I don't have to prove it to you, Ranpa," Kania uttered. "I'm making sure it lands in my hands, no matter what."

"Why do you care so much?" Ranpa shook his head. "Is brute force and power all you want? What would that crown even give you?"

Kania turned. "I knew a guy when I was younger. I watched him kill a lenos in Harabara without even blinking twice. I can't remember what he said, but I was sure of it back then. If you have the strength, you'll have everything else."

"I didn't ask about your backstory." Ranpa stuttered. "I asked why do you want that strength."

Kania chuckled. "Maybe if you strived for the same thing you'd understand."

Ranpa shook his head. Despite the simplicity of the conflict, it felt as if Kania didn't understand himself either. Ranpa thought about it for a while, before turning his attention back to the crowds.

***

Hakate stepped back into the town of Windsdale, delightfully carrying his weapon in one hand, with Gloria resting in the middle of his other grip.

The people all around carried on with their day-to-day routines. The markets were filled with sellers and warm smiles, and the edges of the ocean were occupied by fishermen sitting on the port. Some jumped in, managing to catch seafood, while others chatted about the weird birds surrounding the town.

Hakate noticed them as well. The sound that always permeated the surrounding atmosphere was rather strange, and the first time he stepped into Windsdale it wasn't present. It came with time, and surprisingly, coincidentally when the Demonear ban became a semi-worldwide phenomenon.

Nature came back to a town already filled with people connecting with the sea, as well as various deities in the churches surrounding the town. The hunters kept everything in order, smiling, waving towards passing citizens and reminding them to make sure and report any nearby commotion.

Maybe the birds were a reward for their great actions. Their great humanity.

"I never understood why someone would want to step towards that demonic side." Hakate thought. "Humans are already so powerful. Becoming a Demonear is simply admitting to your weakness." he shook his head, looking around the market.

The dead fish were on display, amongst crabs or other seafood cooking in the pot.

"Weaker than you. Other creatures may have sharp claws, survival instincts or some shiny gems sold for a lot hidden inside their mouths. But humans can think. Critically, as well. It's what differentiates us, there's always a reason behind why we're doing something."

"Mr Hakate!" A voice came from his right, and another Hunter stormed in, with a polite smile. Hakate beamed back, ever so lightly. "Did you catch the Demonears?"

"Yes." he lied, nodding his head in full approval. "I served them justice."

"I see. Thank you for your contribution." the other continued.

"I should be thanking you." he bumped his shoulder. "You're the only few amongst the lower levels that understood my point of view. What was his name again, Mark?"

"M-Mark, exactly."

"He too went for a spin and got himself killed. Just like my brother." Hakate lied.

"Precisely. I urge for the world to never side with those devils again!" The other bowed. "Thank you!"

"Thank the Hunters." Hakate grinned, with a lowly voice. Soon, the other disappeared, running towards another stand selling fried fish.

"Stupid monkey." Hakate thought, his expression easing back out. "Or just a stupid human, I'd never compare him. His mind is in the right place but there's only simplicity behind his actions. Life is never that simple."

The sun carried rays onto the port, and Hakate put both hands in his pockets, hiding his weapons. There was a ship soon setting sail, with a line of Harans, and a few Paladians ready to leave.

"I have to remind myself. Humans too, find themselves to be weaker or stronger. The latter is capable of fabricating a lie if it means that the roads will curve in their favour. My brother never died, and the Morians are still loose. To myself, I'm willing to admit that mistake, but to the others, I wonder how they'd portray me."

"Do you have a ticket?" someone asked, with Hakate quickly passing a stash of silver earned in Gambino.

"Should be enough." he chuckled.

"Well, sir, step on."

"Lies are a certain proof of power. I don't remember the first time I tainted the truth for things to go my way." Hakate shook his head, fixing his hat and looking out to the sea.

Clouds started forming above the distant lands of Lignoria.

"Lies make me feel bad, but I'm certain that it's nothing more than a past activity for a demon. I, on the other hand, make the conscious decision. Stress makes me grow stronger, life pushes me forward. If I fail, I can get up again. I can lie again, I can run, I can face it head-on."

He breathed out.

"In one way or another, I can slay the Morians."

***

What occurred after the King's words was a simple competition meant to rule out certain Royals when it came to the question of who would end up receiving the crown. In Xard's whispered words of advice, a good aristocrat is someone devoted to the country, a fighter, someone intelligent and willing to lead their people towards a sure victory. Essentially, a person you'd typically dub a leader.

Sebastian felt as if his words were some subtle personal attack, but either way, the first test that occurred was tasking every Royal present to sing out a specific song, namely, The Wide-Eyed Burning Fox. Its lyrics talked about the role one had and used complicated synonyms to describe this sort of poetic feeling that came with the bourgeoisie.

In short, it lasted seven minutes and consisted of six verses. At least, Sebastian never learned them, because it seemed that every Royal down there was proud and joyful about the simple idea of putting on the best performance, and some started wondering if this entire part of the ceremony should be moved elsewhere. Sebastian subtly cursed Xard for bringing this idea up, but then again, Xard did not expect anyone to know the full thing.

So, while the King sat still on his throne eventually learning the song from how much it was repeated, eyeing glances towards the band members that started crying after the tenth loop, he rolled his eyes.

The crowds, unsurprisingly, started getting smaller, and the day that came with excitement quickly turned rather sour. One would expect such boredom coming with everything that spelt out aristocracy, some would even say it's all numbers, money, and politics, but it seemed that even the one held in the highest regard was getting tired of this whole shtick.

People moved back into bars, and other parts of Oldenklow to celebrate. A few hours passed since then and even Eryk got to sing, failing miserably at the second verse and stepping down in embarrassment, only for Zuimu to reassuringly pat him on the back and then giggle when he wasn't watching.

Through this distraction and the strange fact that the Royals were interested in this boring form of competition, lots of them moved out of the dining hall, eventually leaving it empty. That was when Chyuuichi and Atomu legged it. They scanned the list from Xard and realised there was virtually no need to do anything else since the others were distracted.

Meanwhile, Sam started huffing. His earlier attempts at trying to sneak through the crowds or spotting Ranpa in the middle of all the Royals were unsuccessful. He ended up chasing around the audience, but in the end, caught a great big heap of nothing.

He decided, after a while. If it wasn't going to be Ranpa, then he was going to learn why his brother's name casually appeared in a newspaper detailing the main suspect behind Bancho's death.