Candessa lifted her wine glass and gently tapped its rim with a silver fork.

  The clear chime rang through the ballroom, slicing cleanly through the hum of conversation. One by one, voices quieted, heads turned, and dozens of candlelit eyes focused on the platform.

  Candessa smiled, radiant and composed.

  “May I have your attention, please.”

  A hush fell over the room.

  She turned slightly toward Yukio, her expression softening.

  “It’s been a truly wonderful night. We’re grateful for your presence and support.”

  Then, with a flourish, she gestured toward him.

  “And before we conclude our celebration…”

  Yukio took a breath and nodded.

  He stepped forward, lifting a small, elegant ceramic container into the air. The moonlight filtering through the tall windows caught the glaze, making it shimmer faintly.

  “We’d like to unveil our second newest product,”

  He said, his voice calm but carrying across the room.

  “The Moonpetal Dew Cream.”

  Murmurs rippled through the crowd.

  “It’s a skincare product,”

  Yukio continued.

  “Designed to moisturize, repair damaged skin, reduce scars, and promote long-term restoration. No magic required.”

  Candessa snapped her fingers.

  Almost instantly, servers emerged from the edges of the ballroom, each carrying silver trays stacked with smaller versions of the container. They flowed smoothly through the guests, offering samples with practiced smiles.

  Candessa addressed the room again.

  “As a token of our appreciation, we’re providing free samples to everyone here tonight.”

  Her eyes glinted with confidence.

  “We guarantee your satisfaction.”

  The reaction was immediate.

  Applause erupted, polite at first, then swelling into genuine enthusiasm. Several nobles were already examining their samples, murmuring to companions, expressions bright with intrigue.

  Yukio and Candessa bowed slightly together.

  The formal portion of the evening came to a close, but the energy in the room lingered, buzzing with speculation, excitement, and more than a few scheming minds.

  Upstairs, in a quiet sitting room away from the noise, the trio collapsed onto plush couches like survivors of a battle.

  Candessa leaned back, crossing one leg over the other, and smiled knowingly.

  “I can tell,”

  She said,

  “That none of you are particularly used to social gatherings like that.”

  Yukio stared up at the ceiling, arms folded behind his head.

  “Never been a fan to begin with.”

  Kaede lay sprawled across the couch beside him, one arm hanging dramatically over the edge.

  “I’m with you, Yuki-boy. Way too many smiles. Way too many fake compliments.”

  Michibiki exhaled softly, adjusting the folds of her gown.

  “Compliments can be enjoyable,”

  She said.

  “But being surrounded and pestered constantly becomes… exhausting.”

  Candessa chuckled.

  “You handled it better than most seasoned nobles.”

  Before any of them could reply, the door opened quietly.

  Allen entered, balancing a tray of steaming teacups with impeccable posture.

  “Your tea is ready, Lady Candessa.”

  She turned, smiling warmly.

  “Thank you, Allen. Please, set it down.”

  He did, then hesitated briefly before adding,

  “I’ve prepared enough for everyone.”

  Kaede sat up immediately.

  “Uh, I’m not a big fan of tea.”

  Yukio groaned.

  “Same. Got any coffee?”

  Michibiki shot them both a flat look.

  “You two are impossible. Drink it and be grateful.”

  Candessa laughed outright, lifting her cup.

  “Trust me. You’ll want this.”

  Yukio accepted the cup reluctantly, sniffed it once, then took a careful sip.

  “…Okay,”

  He admitted.

  “This is actually good.”

  Kaede followed suit, grumbling but compliant.

  As they relaxed into the cushions, a subtle shift passed through Yukio. His eyes narrowed slightly, unfocused not on the room, but on something deeper.

  Threads.

  If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

  Faint, nearly invisible strands shimmered briefly at the edges of his perception. Most were calm, gently drifting, but one set pulsed faintly with tension.

  Red.

  He frowned.

  Michibiki noticed instantly.

  “Yukio?”

  He blinked, refocusing.

  “Sorry. Just… got a weird feeling.”

  Candessa tilted her head.

  “Weird how?”

  “Like,”

  Yukio hesitated, choosing his words carefully,

  “Someone’s already planning their next move.”

  Candessa’s smile didn’t falter but it sharpened.

  “That’s business,”

  She said calmly.

  “Success invites resistance.”

  Down below, in the fading warmth of the ballroom, Lucien Aurovine stood near a window, swirling the wine in his glass as he watched the last guests depart.

  One of his attendants leaned in.

  “Shall we proceed with phase one, sir?”

  Lucien smiled, smooth and elegant.

  “No need for crude sabotage,”

  He said softly.

  “We’ll let the market turn against them on its own.”

  He raised his glass slightly, eyes gleaming.

  “After all… liquid gold flows best when guided carefully.”

  Above him, unseen, the Threads of Fate trembled.

  And the night quietly shifted toward something far more dangerous.

  Morning came quietly to Candessa’s mansion.

  Soft light filtered through the curtains, casting faint golden streaks across the room.

  Yukio blinked awake.

  The first thing he saw was Michibiki’s face far too close to his own.

  “…Why are you breathing on me?”

  Before she could answer, he turned his head.

  And found Kaede sleeping on his other side, arms folded, expression completely peaceful.

  There was a long, silent beat.

  Then,

  “OUT. BOTH OF YOU. NOW.”

  Yukio grabbed his pillow and smacked them both at the same time.

  Michibiki burst into laughter, rolling off the bed gracefully.

  “Good morning to you too.”

  She headed for the door, waving over her shoulder.

  “I’ll be back tonight.”

  Kaede groaned, sat up, and retaliated by whacking him square in the face with her own pillow.

  “Rude,”

  She muttered.

  “You woke me up right when my dream was getting good.”

  She hopped off the bed and stalked out.

  Yukio lay flat on the floor afterward, staring at the ceiling.

  “…Morning chaos as usual.”

  Downstairs, the dining room was quiet.

  Michibiki and Kaede sat at the long table, waiting.

  Kaede had her head slumped on the wood, cheek pressed flat.

  “He’s taking forever. You sure he didn’t burn down the kitchen?”

  Michibiki smiled faintly.

  “No. He said he’s making something that reminds him of home.”

  A moment later, Yukio rolled in from the kitchen pushing a metal cart.

  On it sat neatly arranged plates each stacked with five thick, golden pancakes, topped with honey and fresh fruit.

  He set them down with a proud grin.

  “Enjoy.”

  Kaede blinked.

  “I’ve never seen pancakes like these before.”

  She poked one suspiciously.

  “They’re… fluffy.”

  Michibiki leaned forward, examining hers.

  “They don’t look half bad.”

  Both took a bite.

  Their shoulders visibly relaxed.

  Kaede froze mid-chew.

  Michibiki’s eyes softened slightly.

  The pancakes melted in their mouths, warm, sweet, comforting in a way neither of them expected.

  Yukio sat down across from them.

  “So?”

  Michibiki swallowed and said calmly,

  “Decent.”

  Kaede cleared her throat.

  “Waste of resources.”

  They continued eating anyway.

  Yukio sighed.

  “You two are impossible.”

  Without a word, both slid their empty plates toward him.

  “…Seconds, please.”

  Yukio laughed.

  “Okay, you ungrateful brats.”

  Later that morning, the trio stood inside the Guild Master’s office.

  Zarukatsu Stormrend handed over a sealed letter along with an official request document.

  “A city to the north has requested assistance,”

  He said.

  “Extermination and investigation. There are underground ruins near their city that have become… problematic.”

  He folded his arms.

  “As A-Ranks, you’re perfect for the job. Other parties are already deployed. You’re the only ones I can rely on.”

  Michibiki scanned the document, smiling.

  “We’ll be happy to help.”

  Kaede stretched her arms overhead.

  “Sounds like light work. I need some exercise anyway.”

  Yukio grinned, tucking the papers away.

  “Then let’s head out.”

  A new road awaited.

  And beneath it, something old was stirring.

  Candessa’s office buzzed with its usual energy, papers stacked neatly across the wide desk while enchanted ledgers floated in slow orbits, numbers updating on their own. The scent of ink and polished wood filled the room as Yukio, Michibiki, and Kaede stepped inside.

  Candessa noticed them instantly.

  Her eyes lit up, and she bolted from behind her desk, nearly tackling Yukio in a hug.

  “Sales are exploding!”

  She announced happily.

  “The lighter is selling faster than we can restock it. I’ve already quadrupled production and sent shipments to my other firms across the kingdom!”

  She spun on her heel, hands clasped together.

  “We’re going to be rich.”

  Kaede pinched the bridge of her nose.

  “…I hate when she gets like this.”

  Yukio, on the other hand, was already grinning ear to ear. He grabbed Candessa by the waist and spun her around, laughing.

  “That’s my business partner!”

  Candessa laughed with him, only barely keeping her footing before Michibiki cleared her throat.

  “We’re heading north,”

  Michibiki said calmly.

  “A city called Aurumspire. We just stopped by to drop off the new crates of cream.”

  Candessa froze mid-laugh and turned to Yukio, eyes sparkling.

  “…How many crates?”

  Yukio tilted his head smugly.

  “One hundred. Five thousand containers total.”

  Candessa stared at him.

  “…What?”

  He shrugged casually.

  “You’re not the only one who increased production.”

  For a moment, she was silent.

  Then she laughed, delighted.

  “How did you even manage that?”

  Yukio tapped the side of his head with a grin.

  “I’ve got a little helper.”

  Inside his mind, Vaelora smiled proudly.

  Candessa shook her head in disbelief, then hurried back to her desk. She grabbed a sheet of fine parchment and began writing swiftly, sealing it with a gold-stamped emblem moments later.

  “Since you’ll be in Aurumspire anyway,”

  She said, handing the letter to Yukio,

  “This is for the manager of my branch there. Use whatever resources you need while you’re on this quest. Supplies, contacts, storage, anything.”

  Yukio accepted it with a nod.

  “Thanks.”

  She smiled softly, watching him for a second longer than necessary.

  “Be careful up there,”

  She added.

  “Aurumspire sits on old ground. Very old ground.”

  Kaede stretched her arms behind her head.

  “Sounds like fun.”

  Michibiki folded the letter and slipped it safely into her pocket.

  “We won’t be long,”

  She said,

  “But if something’s stirring beneath the city…”

  Yukio smiled, a familiar spark lighting his eyes.

  “Then we’ll deal with it.”

  Candessa watched them leave, resting her chin in her hand.

  “…I really did find a hidden gem,”

  She murmured.

  And somewhere far beyond Primordia, in the golden halls of Aurumspire, fate began to shift once again.

  The wind rushed past them as they cut through the sky.

  Michibiki flew steadily, mana swirling beneath her feet as she carried Yukio with ease. Below and just ahead, Kaede sprinted across invisible platforms of compressed air, her laughter carried by the breeze as she leapt and ran like it was a game.

  “I’ve never been to this city before,”

  Kaede said cheerfully, glancing ahead.

  “Hope it’s not boring.”

  Michibiki smiled faintly.

  “The Guildmaster said Aurumspire is a rich fortress city, built on ancient ruins. There’s supposed to be a lot beneath it, old structures, sealed chambers, forgotten tunnels.”

  Her eyes glinted with curiosity.

  “Maybe we can explore a little after the job.”

  Yukio’s eyes lit up immediately.

  “I hope there’s a casino somewhere,”

  He said.

  “I haven’t played cards in forever.”

  Michibiki flicked his forehead without warning.

  “Hey!”

  Yukio protested.

  “What did I say about gambling?”

  She scolded.

  “It’s a bad habit. And habits like that can turn into addictions.”

  Yukio rubbed his forehead, grinning anyway.

  “But is it really that bad if I always win?”

  Kaede laughed loudly.

  “Then we’ll just have to test that theory.”

  Michibiki let out a long sigh.

  “Please don’t encourage him.”

  The city came into full view then and Yukio went quiet.

  Aurumspire rose from the land like a monument to wealth and defense. Massive golden-hued walls encircled the city, reinforced with layered stone and glowing sigils. Towering guard towers stood at equal intervals, banners snapping proudly in the wind. At the center of it all, spires of polished stone and gilded rooftops climbed skyward, reflecting sunlight like molten gold.

  “…Whoa,”

  Yukio breathed.

  “Now that’s a city.”

  Kaede smirked.

  “That’s not just a city. That’s a fortress.”

  Michibiki slowed her descent, eyes scanning the area.

  “Let’s land at the main entrance,”

  She said,

  “No need to draw unnecessary attention.”

  They touched down just outside the massive gates, the ground beneath them etched with ancient runes worn smooth by centuries of use. Armored guards stood watch, spears gleaming, their expressions alert but controlled.

  As the trio approached, several guards straightened, eyes narrowing slightly as they took in the unfamiliar faces and the unmistakable presence of A-Rank adventurers.

  One of them stepped forward.

  “State your business in Aurumspire.”

  Yukio smiled easily, producing their guild papers.

  “Adventurers,”

  He said.

  “Here on official request.”

  The guard scanned the documents, then glanced up, surprise flickering across his face.

  “…A-Rank,”

  He muttered, before nodding sharply.

  “Welcome to Aurumspire.”

  The gates began to open with a deep, echoing rumble.

  As the city revealed itself beyond the walls, the air felt… heavy.

  Old.

  And somewhere beneath the stone and gold, something forgotten stirred.