"Precisely those words too, Morio." The King added. "...and about the olden spirits... if the lot doesn't come here, we'll have you do the job."

"That's why you were called inside too." Kashmir continued. "If you're strong and stubborn enough to push the tide, why not... nudge it a little further?"

"I'm so confused, I'm sorry." Atomu sighed, and Chyuuichi patted his shoulder.

The King trod, before making it past a few bookshelves. "Rowan, if you may."

The door on the other end opened, with the Tributal's hand busy with a book, and the other supporting the baby. Both Morians made a very strange expression, while Chyuuichi muttered something about the name Jonathan and the Paladian disagreed.

Rowan pushed the others away and placed the lecture in the middle of the wooden table.

"Is it yours-" Jyuzou pointed.

"No." Rowan quickly answered.

"Man, a good few hours have passed and ya still haven't found them better blankets?"

Rowan turned to Chyuuichi, fixing their glasses.

"Human." Chyuuichi gasped. "Did ya at least get the milk?"

"Shut up." they continued. "This isn't about the baby."

"Who's the lucky... person?" Morio asked.

The Tributal let out a pronounced sigh, before opening the book smack-dab in the middle, pointing their sharp finger around a map.

"As far as I can recall, Malikan is home to everything that was called strange in our world. Strange, but at the same time, of some key reason. The first Demonear outposts were built here, below the river splitting towards the Orange Mountains and later on, Hakh-Nivena." they stopped tracing right near a red dot below their fingernail.

The four inched closer.

"Past Axel's church and a few stray houses here and there lies the new headquarters of the Ainan people."

"Ainan?" Atomu asked, while Jyuzou and Morio simultaneously raised opposite brows.

"Or, as most stories from the country describe them, the Kabun Clan."

"The Kabun Clan?!" Morio and Jyuzou yelled out, simultaneously, shushed by some other guard trying to enjoy a lecture a few bookshelves away.

Rowan raised their hand, instinctively silencing any of Chyuuichi's words before they could come out. "Did Bancho tell you?"

"Surpirisingly, not only him!" Morio added. "We've heard the name passed around in Taigase and... Shin." he chuckled. "It was something one old guy in the bar wanted us to find."

"Such were the olden spirits. Many cowards will try and rekindle their bravery, but as said, they'll need the push." Kashmir added.

Jyuzou glanced at Morio. Likewise, with the story of the flowers, it felt like something didn't make sense in the words he chose. A drop of sweat rolled down his cheek, making it obvious.

He knew that the reason for their interest was different. Either way, it was a secret both shared.

"The Kabun Clan is an example of things changing in our modern world. I've heard stories from all around Errarion, and I especially trust the few my children investigated back then. Apparently, the legendary Demonear outpost of theirs was responsible for the attack on Hakh-Nivena a few months before Bancho's visit." Sebastian added.

"So are they good or bad guys?" Chyuuichi blinked.

"We can't be sure," Sebastian muttered. "Although, as Bancho told me once beforehand. Zhen wouldn't do something like that."

"It's what Zenon said too." Rowan breathed in. "I've had a few encounters with the head of the clan when I was younger. They're not the type of people, but all this Demonear ban and shifting blame formed one solution in their world. A strong beam of energy was locked in that crimson-red tower, and I doubt anything will change otherwise." they shook their head, fixing the baby's head closer to their shoulder.

Morio glanced at Gloria's blade, for a second there, before stuffing it back into its sheath.

"So, when everything else takes place, we're to..." Morio spoke.

"Set out?" Jyuzou finished.

"If you're worried about any potential minor demon attacks, I've got you covered with my Guardian Demon," Zenon reassured.

Sandy took a deep breath, before fixing his hat. "...and so do I!" he yelled out, sprinting towards the others with a big smile that pushed through some obvious anxiety.

"Heh, right." Sebastian shook his head. "Through the fervour of preparations, we almost forgot to tell you the big news. Sandy, why don't you do the favours, then?"

"Haha!" Sandy raised his clenched fist, before spinning around and presenting something resting in both hands.

"Isn't that a part of the Great Weapon?" Atomu asked.

"The main crossbow, precisely. However, now it became something even GREATER!" he raised his voice.

"THE GREATER WEAPON?!" Chyuuichi yelled.

"I WISH, BUT NO! A GUARDIAN DEMON!"

"What?!" Jyuzou fixed his glasses, while Morio only seemed slightly confused.

"How would that ever work?" the white-haired Morian asked, while the other three carefully analyzed the tool in Sandy's hand.

"He had enough proof of its power, and I'd even say that demon seed, even if only temporary, is a big step towards creating a good new chunk of Demonears. He has yet to see what class he belongs to and check his element out, but we're pretty sure a week's time is good enough. Eh, Sandy?" Zenon asked.

Sandy slowly turned, giving him a weary thumbs-up.

"Are there any forgers qualified for this in Saphrith?" Morio continued.

"Closest is Malikan with an elderly Tributal citizen and then a few in Magna. Worry less, however, since Sandy said he's willing to do all of that himself." Zenon brushed some sweat off his forehead with a fancy napkin. "...or with his buddies, Miss Judy and whatnot."

"S-So... on top of creating Guardian Demons for the test..."

"Yep."

"He will also become a forger and do all the neat tricks of one?"

"He was very enthusiastic about the idea."

Sandy signalled something again. The Morian chuckled as if exhausting some of the second-hand stress, while the four wandered away, with a few questions thrown.

"I have yet to see the element!" Sandy explained.

"No, but listen, I was thinking if it's demon seed of all different guys it's going to be something even MORE powerful than that!" Chyuuichi implied, as their words echoed.

"I doubt it works that way. Besides, are you willing to reapply the dust atop over and over again?" Atomu asked.

"I'm working on that!" Sandy said.

"What about magic? You're not binding yourself with any particular demon!" Jyuzou continued.

"I'm ALSO working on that!"

Rowan shook their head, before taking a seat next to Morio, leaving the other four in some silence. Sebastian adjusted the few colourful flowers atop the desk and the Tributal closed the book, before passing it over to Morio.

"Heard you were good with navigation." they smiled, patting the baby's head, as it woke up with a small smile. "Jyuzou showed me some of your maps. Might be a neat idea to share what Malikan looks like when you come back."

"You're not coming?" Morio blinked.

"As you can probably see, my hands are kind of tied." they rolled their eyes. "Atop taking care of the little being, I'll have the courtesy of tending to Ambrosia and trying to find a possibly better guardian. You've asked, right?" they glanced up.

"Xard said he'll send the message around the districts." Sebastian nodded.

"Thank you, King. As for the rest of the road, I'm leaving it up to you." they turned to Morio. "I can't dare to come back to Malikan, but I'd love to hear the stories."

"Man..." Morio sighed out. "Here I thought I'd get to share a spot with the Klakunhoi!"

They adjusted their collar, clearing their throat. "One day, Morio." they chuckled, before slowly taking the leave and waving to the others.

When the door was open for that split second, conversations were halted by the Tributal's presence alone, and when they waved back closed, it was silent again.

Morio glanced at the few flowers, with the King's smile meeting him there and then. He beamed back, quite obviously, but not for too long since something came up at the back of his mind.

"Sir King, you do seem to recall a lot of what Mr Bancho said. Y-You too, Mr Zenon." Morio spoke up.

"Hmm?" Sebastian turned.

"Has he ever mentioned anything about Frisks or any creature that could potentially steal a surname?" he chuckled. "S-Seriously, though."

"Stealing surnames? Can't say I have the exact answer, but I did have a dream once." Sebastian put his leg up. "It concerned something along the lines of me finding my way through the darkest caves, with only a few crystals at the sides serving as my light. Then, they transformed into little creatures, just constantly calling out Filhemon, over and over again."

Morio inched closer. Zenon raised a brow.

"But then, when I was about to reach the exit, I woke up in my very own bed. Just like that."

"So just a dream, huh?" Morio muttered, furrowing a brow and hiding the wooden twig below his sleeve.

Kashmir's eyes shifted focus. "What's that you're hiding there, Morio?"

"Ah." he blinked a couple of times. "Just something I found in Orawood. Heh, thought it looked a little like the wands you'd hear all about in witchtales. Stupid little me."

"I've heard a lot, though." Zenon continued. "About mythical tales that became reality. Things that are much deeper than they seem at first glance. I wouldn't say I'm a firm believer about this specific piece of wood, but what's the harm in believing?"

Morio clenched the twig, before sliding it back into his sleeve. "Right." he smiled. "I can cast magic if I believe hard enough."

"That's surely a start." Kashmir nodded.

***

A few hours after the announcements and when evening knocked on the door and turned into the thick of the night, most Paladians found themselves celebrating the occasion, similarly to how they always excused drinking as a way to cheer on whatever could've occurred.

A Royal Pig was no different, after all, and unlike the other King's sons, who muttered here and there about who would be brave enough to attend the course, Kania found himself right there, sitting across the bar.

A small smirk appeared, but a few could tell some stress had come through.

"In a week? Means you have to stop drinking every day!" Lady Mama reassured, sliding one in.

"I'm getting there, Mama, but you're not helping." Kania shook his head.

"You said it yourself. One last time going out with a bang before putting it all into preparations. Even though, a few days ago, you argued that you were strong enough to defeat a mermaid."

"I am but you didn't believe me!" he slammed the table, closing one eye. "So, becoming a Demonear will be the final proof."

"I don't need words or actions to convince me. You remember, don't you?" she asked, as Kania inched closer, and all the other commotion, music on guitars and a few pompoos, conversations consisting of screams and whatnot grew seemingly muffled. "The first time you stumbled in here, you got rid of all that trouble and that Paladian never came back again."

"Least I could do for the meals you served." he shook his head. "...and a bed you offered."

"Heh. Twelve years flew by so fast and look at you now. Despite your position, you're still trying for more. My mama was the same with her cooking, back then." she shook her head. "Always at the top eventually meant trouble before she found her calling."

"Are you implying anything?"

"Just saying." she chuckled. "You should take a breather once in a while and ask yourself if you're satisfied."

Kania squinted, before slamming the table with both hands and raising himself up. "I'm gonna take a five-minute break for a breather."

"No, I meant-"

"I'll be back in a few!" he waved, before leaving the bar, allowing a few more people to come in, while the other drunken Paladians were either pushed off the street or moved towards music elsewhere along Oldenklow.

A few patrolling guards sighed and talked about trying their best in the test. However, Kania wanted to escape that topic, as Lady Mama inclined him to do. Maybe it was his drunken understanding of the words, but when he circled the bar and found himself where most sounds were, once again, silent, he sat down on the ground and pondered, for a few minutes more.

Of course, he couldn't just move on. The intruder almost slipping past the gates was proof that he needed to work on at least something, but then there was the other thing.

Reciting backstories was enough fun until they circled back to Hakate. Even though he has been buried along all those bad memories in the Shaiti Temple, clenching his fist, Kania thought that a lot of those conversations were unspoken and unresolved.

In the end, he never did manage to fulfil his part of the agreement. Killing a person would've been hard, especially if such were a Demonear way above his level.

That's why he needed to grow stronger. To rise above that, perhaps without the brutality. One last glance back into the bar forced him back in.