Sebastian stood up again. Patrick looked out, only to see that the silhouette standing at the end of the hallway didn't resemble anything along the lines of Kania.

They were slim and rather old from deduction. Their gaze was warm, however, and Patrick couldn't say the same thing about the person he seemingly despised.

Then again, his heart skipped a beat, and Asmem's grin broke because of this.

Kashmir put both hands behind his back, smiling rather dubiously.

"What's he doing here?" Asmem asked.

"That's quite funny, Monarch." he chuckled. "You are so interested in Demonears, yet, didn't find the very reason why that throne was empty."

"You, of all people?" Ciel asked. "Why him?"

Sebastian breathed out, swallowing through a cough. "It'd only make sense to ask the very head of the Demonear organization to make amends concerning the things you seemingly don't want to address."

"Bullshit." Asmem hissed. "You're all talk now but stayed silent when it mattered."

"Because I'm not one to make the decisions, especially concerning the things you talked about. It's him." he pointed. "Kashmir Zenon, now dubbed the head of the Demonears. Taking Bancho's or Axel's title, at least, for the time being."

Kashmir quickly bowed in his direction, before walking around the table and finding the throne. He stared at it for a while longer, as gazes were focused on his.

Turpin closed his eyes. Asmem focused in anger. Linno looked at his empty paper, and Sebastian slowly nodded.

"I'd rather stand at the side if it hurts you so much," Kashmir muttered.

"You're supposed to take the throne," Ayasa answered.

"If all expectations land on my dear friend here, I wouldn't have the heart to take his spot."

Sebastian sighed.

"Besides, it's trivial matters, of course. You want to preach about Demonears not being involved, but then again, you can't have a hammock if you don't build it first. What I'm trying to say is, whether you accept it or not, we don't have a reason to pass another right to ban Demonear activity across the Mainland. Rather, I'd be glad to stay out of your way."

"So it's a compromise?" Asmem asked.

"No, not really. I'm just here to say that all has been said and done, and to hopefully bring in some reassurance since that's what you seem to lack out of all people."

Bart chuckled lightly, quickly slapped by Florian. Asmem raised a brow, and seemingly furrowed the other one.

"Though, I doubt it, since what you want to have is control. Then again, won't you tell me who thinks they have all that power in the world to continue to wreak even more havoc than the ones fighting against it?"

Asmem stumbled on their words for a few seconds.

"Demons." Kashmir finished his statement. "You're bound to bring down a few walls to build a castle."

"Stop it with the metaphors." Ciel budged in. "What do you mean all is said and done?"

"I don't need any other words when it comes to asking myself if what I'm doing is right. I know what Bancho would say, and then again, it's been the last few months of discussion between me and Master Quanzi, who couldn't accept the invitation for things to work out. Are any of you familiar with the Paladin?"

"Oh, spare me." Mako huffed. "That book?"

"Perfect Quest is what I'm saying. Lunen arranged everything for the Paladins to set out from the Mainland while finding companions along the way to battle the dragon. Yes, there were mishaps along the way, and yes, the path split into many more over those six months. I can't assure you that everything will go the way it's supposed to, but in the end, if we were to follow the same idea, we'd make it."

"Surely that's enough reassurance," Turpin commented.

"I haven't gotten to that part yet." he cleared his throat. "Quanzi and the other mentors have formed an impressive body of proof when it comes to sheer power. Much more than a few Paladins back then. However, like in that book, there is one catalyst which will form the reasoning for the future to take place. I assume you've seen the very face pasted on the newspapers all around the countries."

"Morio Frisks," Sebastian added, with a cough moving out afterwards. Patrick leaned closer, and Bartholomew looked in the same direction. "A Demonear from Mistwick."

"Mistwick?" Linno muttered. "Where's their mayor?"

"It was Bancho," Ayasa added. "Though, no replacement for that one yet."

"So you're talking about some frail Morian now? Oh please. Every other fool here could've seen Shi Hon if he had enough temper in himself to save them."

"Did it happen to you, though?" Zenon asked. "Did you ever even fathom the idea of coming this close to their beacon of power?"

"No, but-"

"Remain silent." Zenon continued. "I could still sit on the throne, but I choose not to. No one here should dare talk about anything regarding stereotypes, because from what I've seen, it was this boy amongst others that became the reason why we're even considering the idea in the first place. You might doubt an Eran, in this case, though, tell me, Asmem, would you stand by your words if Bancho were here?"

The Tributal raised their finger, wanting to say something, though, they halted. With a quiet huff, they moved back in their chair, as Kashmir swiftly shuffled a few papers Sebastian's way.

The King picked them up, and even though he was well aware of the contents, he stopped to scan them.

"It was declared during the meeting before heading to the Star Sun Cave. The only unaffected survivors were Morio Frisks, Jyuzou Junya, Chyuuichi Gamma, Atomu Turon and Rowan Sven."

Asmem raised a brow, before breathing out.

"We like to call them the Apex," Zenon added. "Though it started as a joke between me and Quanzi, we have a good reason for its existence. If they were pushed out of the hell created down there by the strongest of demons and curses, it meant that there was a reason why. Four of them were granted the pass by me, though, I'm sure you've heard Rowan's name appear here and there for various reasons. Even Zack of the Kabun Clan named them one of the best Demonears we have, spare for the obvious choices."

Eryk gulped, clenching his fist. "All in my town, too," he whispered, with Mako raising a brow.

"This wasn't luck. From what we've heard, Bancho launched his powers into their hands, as if knowing they were fit to make those final amends. Especially Morio." he turned back to the papers. "Here's an excerpt, as written down by one of the Tributals there."

"M-Me?" Morio repeated.

"You're the only one that can stand a tiny chance against Shi Hon."

"Tiny," Ciel commented. "The word speaks for itself."

"Why, though? What's so special about someone from Mistwick?" Asmem snarked.

Inigius breathed in, Mako scratched his head, while Eryk smiled lightly.

"I know the reason, though it's only speculation." Zenon continued. "You wouldn't doubt Bancho's word, again."

"Whatever." Asmem hissed. "There's nothing else here that points to them being anything special."

"I'm not done, Monarch," Sebastian added. "Jyuzou Junya rose in the eyes of Royals when it was he who managed to coordinate them during the ceremonies of last year. Likewise, Atomu, Chyuuichi and Rowan were the final nail in the coffin for the Demonear ban, but then again, the reason why it all came undone too. I could give you the individual papers for all that if words speak more than the actions all already told you of."

"What makes them so great except survivability?" Ayasa raised her hand. "Not to be too snarky; I'm just curious. I know Sandy's name from shooting that arrow last year, not theirs."

"Standing against all odds to make things right, I suppose. Strength too, even though it might seem they're not too unlike the other Demonears, they show so much more in wit and finding a different solution. The last thing I heard from Bancho's account, they scaled through the caves of Mount Aria, making it to Shi Hon's chamber and igniting some spark for the Star Sun Cave decision. If you were to leave this to luck, then I don't know what to tell you."

"It's too shallow of an answer." Asmem shook their head.

"Then why don't you see it for yourself, Monarch?" Kashmir proposed. "It's the Apex directly heading for the demon's den. They know their way, that I'm sure of, and if it's just one boy with those odds, then I'm sure five will be able to snap some lines."

"Then again, I've heard that Shi Hon has many temples to his name. They won't be able to kill him head-on." A man added.

"True." Another continued. "Also, just Shi Hon? There are thousands of demons out there willing to protect him? If we put all eggs into one basket, we'll be ambushed like back then."

"That's where all the other Demonears are to come into play," Kashmir muttered. "Three divisions, to be precise. Protectors, seekers and attackers. The first will be tasked to stay behind certain outposts around the Mainland in case things were to go astray. The second will be those travelling to various places suspected as the gigaliths protecting Shi Hon's well-being, finding a solution to the puzzle left behind. As for the attackers, they're the group who'll head for the other demons, straight into the source."

"Morta?" Linno asked. "Hasn't it been agreed that we mustn't venture there for thousands of reasons?"

"Not Morta, but rather, the cocoon itself, as we like to call it. Mount Aria connects itself to four countries of the Mainland, even with some tunnels heading into the Cirim and Mirillis caves. It's bound to be there, on account of everything that we've seen or heard around the world. More than enough people are willing to take on the task, and in a week, it'll be the first effort to battle against the tide, instead of letting it swallow you whole. Yes, there might be havoc, but in the end, isn't it worth sacrificing something?"

"Tsk." Asmem clicked their tongue. "The only thing you're battling is your damn wit. It seems to me that the Demonears of nowadays have lost their minds."

"Better to be sick and strong than healthy and preferring to stay weak." he chuckled. "I can see which direction you picked, Monarch."

With those words, some tension snapped. A raised brow quickly changed into the Monarch standing up, sliding the chair towards the table, and heading for the exit.

"M-Monarch-" a guard raised her voice. "You can't just leave right now...!"

An almost awkward silence filled the room.

"Anything else to add before Sebastian takes the throne?" Kashmir asked, strutting about.

"So you're just doing it? Without anyone's permission?" Ciel replied with a question.

"I haven't seen anyone here oppose my stance," Zenon added. "I'd say it's a battle of minds. It'll be quite interesting to see which army comes up with the more perfect plan to defeat the other. Of course, if you can think of any other safety measures, I'll be glad to consider them."

A few rulers turned to their papers, before scribbling something down.

One Morian woman eventually raised her hand, fixing her glasses and smiling lightly.

"How old is Morio?"

"Fourteen."

"...and how old was he when it all started?"

"Eleven. Though, I can assure you that his age is just something that only proves his willingness."

"It surely does, yes. Though, aren't you putting too much burden on the boy?"

Kashmir blinked a couple of times.

***

As Quanzi unearthed the blade, Morio breathed in through his nose. He waited, trying to focus on the right thing through the plethora of sounds downstairs, either muffled or escaping through the windows.

The Master's hand landed on a sheet of paper, with an inked feather resting in the other and an eye focused on the bird waiting by the windowsill.

Morio hesitated, seemingly. Zhen blinked a couple of times, before the Morian sat back down, closing his eyes.

"It won't hurt now, will it?" he asked.

"I..." Zhen shook his head. "I don't know."

"I need my weapon. Not just for killing demons. Mama made it, after all." he gulped. "If I lift again and find it as powerful as it was, won't our training be worthless, then?"

Zhen wasn't sure, once more, though the Master's hand landed on Morio's shoulder.

"Nothing you've learned here is worthless, even though it might not be much in hindsight," Quanzi reassured him. "It's your decision. You pick up the blade. You're here to tell the whole world that you're ready."

It's been six months since the last thing that rested in Morio's sheath was only a remnant of the training he did back in Mistwick. Compared to what he had now, it was nothing.

Then again, his mama's weapon was right there. His heart skipped a beat, thinking about it all, once more.

He wanted to smile. Zhen noticed it, and so did Quanzi, backing away ever so lightly.

His shaking hand rested above the sheath, inching closer.

"That... the two of you are connected."

He wondered what that meant. Was Gloria ever this strong to face Shi Hon, perhaps wound him to create the katana laid on the same sheets as back then?

Strong enough to power through the world and fight Shi Hon himself. Maybe that's what Bancho meant, back then.

He promised himself to become the strongest Demonear. Even though it could hurt, even though the road was full of mishaps, havoc and misfortune... there was a reason why he kept fighting.

...why everyone did.

Would it hurt if he tried to find even more answers?

Morio's hand landed on the sheath, as his grip around it tightened. A smile appeared, and Zhen nodded.

***

Kashmir flashed a beam.

"Morio's ready."