Two weeks had passed since Leroy promised Elysius he would visit Starlax at Stargate.

  He never came.

  Instead, he remained in the underground chamber beneath the Pristine House. Stacks of ledgers and loose papers covered the table before him. Several Tallymasters from Unus Bank sat nearby, helping him fill out financial reports. Ink-stained fingers moved across parchment while numbers were whispered, corrected, and written again.

  Leroy barely lifted his head.

  Across the room, at a smaller table set apart from the work, Lisa and Cheng played cards. A few coins clinked between them with each hand. Cheng was already half drunk, his eyes heavy, his movements slow.

  Three hours passed. Leroy did nothing but write, check figures, and consult the bankers.

  Cheng let out a loud belch.

  “Do you think he’s pretending to be busy or is he actually that busy?”

  Lisa did not answer. She simply watched Leroy from across the room, her expression unreadable.

  “You know, Lisa,” Cheng went on, lifting his bottle, “that Rufus problem needs to........Call all leaders.”

  Lisa leaned back in her chair, folding her arms.

  “If we move against a Vanguard, the others might interfere. Even worse Lucretius might step in. We’ll wait until Leroy isn’t busy.”

  “I spoke with Nolan, Aira, and Zargoz,” Cheng said. “Their men are scared. Like mine.”

  Lisa rested a hand on her rifle.

  “Sometimes it’s our own men who start the trouble. I don’t even know what to tell them anymore.”

  “We nine leaders need to agree this time,” Cheng muttered, face flushed from drink. “Balthazar. He’s good at smuggling… or making people disappear.”

  Lisa’s eyes hardened.

  “Madness. It’ll only make Leroy’s position worse. Don’t act unless he orders it.”

  Cheng mumbled something incoherent, then let his head drop onto the table. He was fully drunk now.

  Above them, in the main hall of the Pristine House, D’Hertz arrived alone. He walked to the bar and took a seat.

  “Boss Lisa and Cheng are downstairs with the First Brother,” the bartender said, pouring him a drink.

  “I’ll stay here,” D’Hertz replied, wrapping his fingers around the glass. “Let them handle the work below.”

  “By yourself?” the bartender asked while polishing a row of cups. “Where’s Councilman Elysius?”

  “He’s at Cogworks.”

  D’Hertz lit a cigarette. Smoke curled around his face as he leaned back, trying to quiet his thoughts.

  A Weapon Master sitting beside him spoke up.

  “Boss, have you ever been to Cogworks?”

  “Once. A long time ago. Why?”

  The man shrugged.

  “We’re not allowed any contract with Cogworks. Makes me wonder what’s really in there.”

  D’Hertz reached over, took the man’s bottle, and drank from it without asking. He swallowed, then set it down again.

  “Trust me,” he said quietly, “you’re better off here than that place.”

  The Weapon Master beside D’Hertz fell silent after that.

  Outside, a sudden stir broke the usual rhythm of the street. Voices rose. Footsteps gathered. People drifted toward the front door and pressed against the windows to see what was happening.

  Curiosity spread like fire. One by one, more patrons abandoned their seats and joined the crowd near the entrance.

  D’Hertz did not move. He stayed where he was, cigarette between his fingers, eyes half closed.

  The bartender, however, leaned forward to look past the others.

  “Pathetic,” D’Hertz muttered. “Probably just two fools fighting in the street.”

  Outside, a luxurious carriage had stopped before the Pristine House. Its polished surface reflected the lantern light like liquid gold. The door opened, and a graceful figure stepped down.

  The crowd at the entrance froze. Some of them stopped mid-step. Others stood with mouths slightly open, as if their thoughts had simply vanished.

  The woman approached the door. It was opened for her at once.

  Every man and woman in the room seemed caught in the same spell. Some still held their glasses. Others clutched relics or cards in their hands. All wore the same expression of quiet astonishment.

  She walked forward without hurry. Calm. Unbothered. A noble presence moving through a sea of noise and smoke.

  Whispers followed her steps.

  “What’s a noblewoman doing here?”

  “So it’s true. She really is that beautiful.”

  “Why would she come to this place? Is she here for the First Brother?”

  D’Hertz still did not look. The Pristine House changed moods every few minutes. Chaos was part of its nature. He had seen too many strange scenes to be surprised anymore.

  The woman took the empty seat beside him and removed her blue gloves with careful fingers.

  “Bring me your finest drink,” she said.

  The bartender, still stunned, needed a moment before he moved. His hands trembled slightly as he poured.

  “So,” the woman said, turning to D’Hertz with a small smile, “how have you been?”

  He did not look at her.

  “Fine.”

  Then he noticed the unfamiliar presence beside him. Slowly, he turned his head.

  His eyes widened. His mouth fell open. He jumped back from the stool, nearly stumbling, and dropped his cigarette.

  You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.

  “Star… Starmist? Why are you here?”

  The Weapon Masters who had been admiring her from a distance now reacted to his shock. Murmurs spread again.

  “Looks like Boss D’Hertz is in trouble.”

  “Maybe he owes House Star money. Lady Starmist came to collect it herself.”

  “Lucky man. The most beautiful woman in the All Realm came straight to him.”

  The bartender set a glass before Starmist. The brown liquid inside glowed under the lantern light. She did not drink. She only held the glass, watching it quietly.

  D’Hertz waved his hands at the nearby Weapon Masters, shooing them away.

  “Give us some space.”

  He picked up his fallen stool, set it upright, and sat beside her again. He cleared his throat.

  “Starmist… it’s rare to see you here. Those fools behind us have probably never seen extraterrestrial noble before.”

  “Hey, who are you calling a fool?”

  “Boss, at least say something nice about us in front of Lady Starmist.”

  Their voices were low, yet in the heavy silence of the room, every word carried.

  D’Hertz ignored them. His attention remained on the woman beside him.

  “So,” D’Hertz said, still trying to sound casual, “how are Lord Star and Lady Star? And your nephew, Starfall. And little Starlax. Are they all well now?”

  “I know he’s here,” Starmist replied.

  Her voice was calm, cold, and final.

  A chill crept down D’Hertz’s spine. Sweat gathered at his temples. His mouth opened again, words tripping over each other.

  “Starmist, forgive Leroy. He does want to see you, but he’s been buried in work.”

  “He’s in the lower floor, isn’t he?” she said.

  The same cold tone. No anger. No warmth. Just certainty.

  D’Hertz hesitated, unsure what to say next. At last, he pushed himself off the stool.

  “Wait here. I’ll bring him to you.”

  He hurried off, boots pounding against the wooden floor, then down the stairs toward the underground chamber, leaving Starmist alone at the bar.

  Below, Leroy and the Tallymasters were still working. Papers covered the table like fallen leaves. Many still needed signatures, especially the documents concerning the industrial guarantees for the Cogworks factories.

  Leroy lifted his pen and pointed it toward Lisa and the slumped figure of Cheng.

  “If you two want to leave, it’s fine. I’ll be here until morning.”

  “No problem,” Lisa said. “We don’t have task tonight.”

  Heavy footsteps echoed outside. A moment later, the door burst open. D’Hertz stumbled in, face pale, eyes wide with panic.

  Everyone in the room looked up, except Cheng, who remained unconscious on the table.

  Leroy stood.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “Leroy, this is bad. A disaster. There’s a—”

  Before he could finish, a gentle hand pressed against his shoulder and moved him aside.

  Starmist stepped into the room.

  She had grown tired of waiting.

  Her eyes met Leroy’s. Calm. Cold. No smile. Not a hint of softness. Lisa and the Tallymasters froze, caught in the tension hanging between them.

  Leroy glanced awkwardly around the room.

  “Sorry. Let us end for tonight. You’re all may leave.”

  The Tallymasters began gathering their papers at once. Lisa slapped Cheng’s cheeks, trying to wake him. Amid the small rush of movement, Starmist never took her eyes off Leroy. He kept looking away.

  “No need to leave,” she said.

  Her words stopped everyone.

  Leroy looked back at her. Her gaze had not changed. The people in the room shifted their eyes between them, waiting for a command.

  After a moment, Leroy spoke.

  “Sit back, please.”

  They obeyed.

  “I’ll wait for you in the attic,” Starmist said.

  She turned and left without another word, climbing the stairs.

  Leroy swallowed.

  “I told you,” D’Hertz muttered, leaning against the door with folded arms, “you should’ve gone to Stargate. But I never thought she’d come here herself.”

  Lisa stood from her seat.

  “Leroy, if you avoid her again, I’ll shoot you myself.”

  Cheng, hearing the threat in his haze, slipped off the table and collapsed to the floor, still unconscious.

  Leroy dismissed the Tallymasters with a gesture and finished the drink in his hand. Then, without another word, he walked out of the room and headed up the stairs.

  The noise of the Pristine House faded as he climbed.

  Everyone inside the building watched in silence. They knew what this meant, and none of them were important enough to interfere in the affairs of the council.

  Leroy pushed open the attic door.

  Starmist sat on the low wall at the edge of the rooftop. Above her stretched a sky heavy with stars, a dark ocean of light scattered across the night. In the distance, the glow of a night market shimmered, lanterns swaying like fireflies. The faint sound of music and laughter drifted upward with the wind.

  Her white hair moved gently in the breeze. Even seated on the narrow ledge, she looked calm and composed, as if the height meant nothing to her.

  Leroy walked toward her. At first his steps were quick, almost determined. Then they slowed. By the time he reached her side, his pace had turned hesitant, uncertain.

  He stopped beside her, restless, unable to keep still. Starmist did not look at him. For several minutes, neither spoke. They listened to the wind, the distant cheers from the market, the quiet murmur of footsteps below.

  “Starmist,” Leroy said at last, “it's been a while, how.....”

  “Elysius cannot keep doing this forever,” she replied. “Sometimes he looks exhausted and Bjorn need him.”

  Her eyes remained on the distant lights. She had not answered his question.

  Leroy drew a long breath and let it out slowly.

  “Honestly, I only know that from you. He always tells me he’s fine.”

  “He doesn’t want to look weak in front of the council’s leader,” Starmist said. “We all place high expectation on him.”

  Leroy nodded, though she could not see it.

  “Bjorn is requesting a private transmitter line for the council. It should ease things once it’s approved.”

  He spoke in circles, words stumbling over each other. His hands kept lifting the beret from his head, then putting it back again.

  “Starmist… I… I’m sorry.”

  He gripped the hat and lowered his head.

  “I have no issue with you,” she said, voice cool. “Why apologize?”

  “I… if not for my idea back then, maybe we’d all still be together now.”

  He swallowed.

  “And I should’ve come to see you for advice, like usual.”

  Starmist exhaled slowly.

  “Didn't think to visited Amaterasu and Lucretius first?”

  “I… I…” Leroy stammered.

  “You’ve always been like this,” she continued. “Thinking you must carry everything alone. Ignoring the people willing to help.”

  “It’s not like that,” Leroy said, placing the beret back on his head. “I’m just not ready to face them yet.”

  “In times like these, you used to come to me,” she said. “I never turned you away. So why is it so hard for you to come now?”

  She still had not looked at him.

  “I thought you’d come last week. But it seems you had no intention of seeing anyone."

  “Starmist…” he said weakly.

  “I’ve heard you rarely leave this place. You even bring your work into the bottom floor.”

  Leroy’s shoulders trembled. The confession pressed against his chest until it burst out.

  “Fine. You’re right,” he said, voice rising, shaking. “I was wrong. I should’ve gone to all of you sooner. As the council’s leader, it’s my duty to bring everyone back together.”

  “I’m ready to stop the cloning program,” Leroy said, voice unsteady. “If that’s what it takes to bring everyone back.”

  His hands rested on the stone edge. He lowered his head, staring at the streets far below.

  For the first time, Starmist glanced at him.

  “You, Bjorn, and Elysius have already agreed to the program,” she said. “Cygnus is still uncertain, but he can be convinced.”

  Leroy looked up, confusion in his eyes. He straightened.

  “If Cygnus agrees,” she continued, “then the outcome is already decided.”

  “And you?” Leroy asked. “What about you, Starmist?”

  “After everything that has happened to the council… and to my family… I need more proof before I can trust this program.”

  Her blue eyes met his. The coldness in them had softened, though the tension remained.

  “Then what should I do?” Leroy asked. “I want to hear your advice now.”

  “Not you,” she said. “Us.”

  A gentle wind passed between them. The clouds drifted away from the moon, revealing its full, silver shape. The light spilled across the rooftop, across their faces, across the distance that had grown between them.

  Leroy found no words.

  Starmist stepped down from the ledge and walked toward the door.

  “We’ll let Elysius continue his duties,” she said. “Cygnus and Bjorn will remain with their factions. Amaterasu and Lucretius can stay in their silence for now. But you and I… we’ll do what we used to do when we were young.”

  “You mean… travel across the All Realm again?” Leroy asked. “Helping commonfolk?”

  “Yes.”

  She reached for the door.

  Before she could open it, Leroy caught her hand. His grip was gentle, uncertain. Hope flickered in his eyes.

  “Starmist… about what Lucretius said back then… I—”

  She looked away. Her gaze dropped toward the stairs. Slowly, she slipped her hand free.

  “I’ll wait for you at Stargate. Three days from now. You must come.”

  Then she was gone, her footsteps fading down the stairs, leaving Leroy alone beneath the moon.

  A moment later, he looked over the edge of the rooftop. Below, the carriage doors closed, and Starmist departed into the night.

  For so long, the Green Wraith had carried everything alone.

  This time, the road ahead would still be heavy.

  But he would not walk it by himself.