The council couple climbed the steps of Takamagahara as the Mythos parted to make way. In the lower grounds of the palace, they passed several nobles who had come there on retreat for meditation.

  They offered congratulations while the pair continued ascending the hundreds of steps. The sun stood directly above them, phoenixes circling across the sky.

  “So she agreed to meet both of us?” Leroy asked.

  “Susanoo told me Amaterasu has returned from the cave and is willing to meet us,” Starmist replied.

  “I hope she accepts our proposal this time,” Leroy said, anxiety clear on his face as he kept glancing toward the palace gates.

  “We talked about this all night. I’m sure she’ll at least listen,” Starmist answered.

  Leroy nodded, tightening his grip on Starmist’s hand as they neared their destination.

  Suddenly, lightning struck the ground in broad daylight just a few steps ahead of them. Starmist instinctively tightened her hold. The Storm Samurai descended with a wide grin.

  “Hey!” he shouted.

  He tossed a bottle down the stairs, where it shattered and spilled its contents, then strode toward them with his hand outstretched.

  “Starmist, congratulations on your engagement.”

  “Thank you, Susanoo. I hope you find your life partner soon as well,” Starmist replied, clasping his hand with both of hers.

  He placed his hands on his hips. “Well, I once had a choice… but that option is no longer available.”

  “A choice? Who?” Starmist asked, tilting her head in confusion.

  Susanoo didn’t answer. His expression flattened as he glanced at Leroy. Their eyes met in a tense exchange, though Leroy felt uneasy beneath the gaze.

  Susanoo shook Leroy’s hand again before pulling him into a hug.

  “Congratulations on your engagement, Green Wraith.”

  “Thank you, Storm Samurai,” Leroy replied, patting his shoulder.

  Susanoo leaned close and whispered, “If you fail or hurt Starmist, the storm will come for you.”

  Yet when he stepped back, his face showed a sincere smile. Leroy simply nodded.

  Susanoo turned and descended the steps, calling out to them.

  “Come, follow me. She won’t speak inside the palace.”

  They arrived at the Sanctuary’s rubber plantation. Farmers were tapping the bark of the trees, collecting latex while watching the superhumans walk past.

  The land was unique. Several types of bamboo had been hollowed out irregularly, each with different-sized holes. When the wind blew through them, they produced a natural melody—sounds that helped the workers remain alert. Some even claimed sudden changes in the wind could be heard through the bamboo, allowing them to return home quickly or take preventive action.

  The three walked while chatting and joking. Susanoo’s sentence was nearly over, and he was eager to fight in the colosseum again.

  “Starmist, your nephew Starfall—when will he be released?” Susanoo asked.

  “You’re impatient to fight him, aren’t you? But you should lose on purpose next time,” Starmist replied.

  Susanoo laughed. “I’ll pretend to lose, as long as Lord Star pays me well.”

  “So you really are aiming for five consecutive victories?” Leroy asked.

  “Of course. After the recent incident, there hasn’t been a champion, right? My record still stands,” Susanoo said, spreading his arms toward the trees.

  “You sound like someone lacking challenges,” Starmist teased.

  Susanoo slowed his pace, then draped his arms over both of them, his tone turning serious.

  “Listen, Leroy. Out of the fourteen Vanguard still sane, only Starfall, Dryskull, Druganda, and that damned water god are interesting opponents for me.”

  “If you don’t mind, I’ll ask Lucretius to face you in the finals,” Leroy joked, returning the embrace.

  “Bring it. Even if it’s the Four Horsemen of the Abyss, I’m not afraid,” Susanoo replied.

  They laughed together while walking toward a table in the middle of the forest—usually used by workers to place tools or rest, but now deserted.

  “You two wait here. I’ll call the hothead,” Susanoo said, chewing a blade of nut grass.

  “I thought you’d join us,” Starmist replied.

  “I hate politics,” he answered, stretching.

  Starmist laughed softly behind her hand. “Susanoo has always been free-spirited.”

  The Storm Samurai grinned. “You really know me well, Starmist.”

  He then cast another sharp glance at Leroy before walking away, leaving the former council leader confused. After several dozen steps, lightning struck again, and Susanoo vanished.

  You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

  Leroy blinked, gripping Starmist’s shoulder. “I think he liked you too.”

  The couple watched the workers from afar—the scent of latex, the sound of blades slicing bark, and mythic creatures appearing cautiously around them as they waited.

  Less than five minutes later, flames descended from above. Amaterasu landed and immediately embraced both of them, congratulating them. Her expression remained fierce, but she looked refreshed—perhaps from being away from council affairs for so long.

  The three sat down: Leroy beside Starmist, Amaterasu across from them.

  “Amaterasu, how have you been?” Leroy asked.

  “What have you been doing lately?” Starmist added.

  Amaterasu rested her head on her hand. “I’ve started getting bored—hunting monsters, playing the flute, even trying to paint… which I don’t even like.”

  “But what matters most is how my two friends are doing, the ones who are finally getting engaged.”

  “We’re doing well,” Starmist replied. “Better than ever.”

  “So when’s the wedding? I’ll definitely be there,” Amaterasu said impulsively. It was the first time they had met again since the council’s fracture.

  Leroy and Starmist exchanged a glance before answering.

  “Well… actually…” Starmist began softly, playing with her nails.

  “We agreed to postpone it until after the cloning program,” Leroy added, cutting in.

  Amaterasu’s smile faded for a moment. She leaned back against the wooden bench, and the three of them fell silent as the sound of bamboo melodies drifted through the air.

  “I see,” the Flame Goddess said with a nod. “So who has signed?”

  “Me, Leroy, Bjorn, and Elysius,” Starmist answered quickly.

  “That sorcerer?” Amaterasu asked with a cynical expression.

  “Cygnus hasn’t signed yet, but he’s still participating in the testing,” Leroy said, fidgeting with his nails.

  Amaterasu slapped her palm against the table. “Actually, what does he want? He’s always so mysterious.”

  “But if either of you feel something strange, don’t hesitate to ask for my help,” she added.

  Leroy tapped his fingers on the table and looked at her. “Amaterasu, if you say that, doesn’t that mean you’re getting involved in the cloning program too?”

  She leaned back again and pointed at him. “No. But I will act if it concerns the two of you.”

  “Alright. We truly appreciate that,” Starmist replied.

  They nodded, and Amaterasu continued, “Bjorn contacted me a few days ago—offering a rotating leadership position between me and Shogun. I’m still thinking about it.”

  “Why hasn’t Shogun returned yet?” Leroy asked, glancing around.

  “That annoying told me he’s finally enjoying years of wandering after a dark period—but this is too long,” Amaterasu complained.

  “The transmitter can’t reach him and the last sighting report was minimal.”

  “It’s alright. We can wait,” Starmist said, holding her friend’s hand.

  Leroy added, “Lucretius’ return has also been delayed. But Cygnus and Bjorn have started preparing Samartian as a temporary replacement.”

  Amaterasu burst into laughter. “Elysius and Samartian at the same table? Starmist, your job is about to get much harder.”

  Nearby workers startled at the sudden laughter, glancing toward the forest to make sure everything was fine.

  “What worries me is that if Shogun doesn’t return soon, the council might mobilize all its resources to find him,” Starmist said, biting her lower lip.

  “I actually think he needs solitude,” Amaterasu replied. “But if that idea comes up again…”

  “I’ll search for him with Susanoo first.”

  A while later, several Mytos arrived carrying light snacks and drinks for them, then quietly left once everything had been served. They also mentioned that Susanoo had gone to the cattle ranch in the mountains—he and the Earth God had made plans to guard the livestock before harvest or perhaps simply to show off their strength.

  “Let him be,” Amaterasu said about her brother. “Once he’s free, the colosseum will become his next target.”

  Leroy and Starmist exchanged nods. Starmist took a breath, steadying herself before speaking.

  “Amaterasu… honestly, I was hoping you would return to the council,” she said.

  “I’ll be the only woman there soon. It would feel reassuring if you were with me.”

  Amaterasu finished her drink, looking between her two friends before replying, “Starmist, I’ve caused you trouble for a long time. You always had to calm me down.”

  “We won’t force your faction to participate in the cloning program,” Starmist assured her. “What matters is that you return.”

  Leroy added that after discussing it with Starmist, he had a solution that would allow the Elementalist faction to contribute without using their members as test subjects. As the faction with the strongest individual combatants, they could serve as security—intervening if cloned subjects behaved unpredictably or if the program were misused.

  Powerful artificial individuals would require even stronger guardians.

  Amaterasu stabbed a boiled potato with her fork. “And how did the others respond to that idea?”

  “Bjorn and Elysius will definitely agree—I can guarantee it,” Starmist said. “Cygnus likely won’t object as long as every faction participates and Lucretius would probably follow along.”

  The Flame Goddess fell silent. “I…”

  “Take your time to think about it, Amaterasu. Just keep in touch with us,” Starmist said gently.

  She nodded. “Alright. I’ll need time to decide, I must speak with the others first. You know how difficult it is for us to gather, especially without Shogun.”

  They all agreed, then shifted to lighter conversation, reminiscing about their past as the sun slowly began to set over the forest.

  The three superhumans left the forest behind them. The trees thinned, their shadows loosening their grip as the open sky revealed itself beyond the treeline.

  Amaterasu slowed her steps, glancing toward the fading path of the woods.

  “Well then,” she said at last, brushing a loose strand of silver hair from her face, “I’ll return to the factory. Bjorn has other matters to attend to tomorrow.”

  Leroy inclined his head slightly, already preparing to depart.

  Before the two could separate, Amaterasu suddenly reached out and caught Starmist by the hand. The gesture was swift but gentle, enough to halt her.

  “Leroy,” she called.

  The Green Wraith paused.

  “May Starmist stay in Takamagahara with me for a few days?”

  Leroy gave a small shrug. “That depends on her. If she wishes to, I have no objection.”

  Amaterasu’s eyes narrowed immediately. She stepped forward and jabbed a finger against the center of his chest.

  “I asked you because you are going to be her husband,” she said sharply. “You should be grateful I even bothered to ask.”

  Starmist laughed softly beside them, the sound light as falling snow.

  Leroy lifted both hands in surrender.

  “Very well. You have my permission.”

  Amaterasu scoffed and turned away.

  “You truly need to learn a few things from Lord Star.”

  With that the moment dissolved. Leroy gave a final nod before rising into the air. Emerald light gathered around his form, and in the span of a breath he was already cutting across the sky, heading back toward the distant lands of Downland.

  Amaterasu and Starmist remained behind.

  They walked slowly through the open field where tall grass bent with the wind. The air was cool and fragrant, untouched by smoke or machinery. Above them the clouds drifted like pale continents across a burning sky, and the sun was sinking now, its reflection spilling across the world in molten gold.

  For a while neither spoke.

  The silence was easy.

  At last Amaterasu broke it.

  “Do you truly believe it was the right choice?” the Flame Goddess asked. “For him to leave the Council while you remain.”

  Starmist’s fingers brushed through the tall grass as she walked. The blades whispered against her skin.

  “Yes,” she said. “We argued about it many times. More than you might imagine.”

  Amaterasu raised an eyebrow.

  “About who should stay?”

  Starmist nodded faintly.

  “Both of us insisted the other should remain.”

  A faint smile crossed Amaterasu’s lips, though it carried little amusement.

  “Without you,” she said, “the others might begin doing far more reckless things.”

  The wind moved again across the plain, sending ripples through the sea of grass.

  They continued walking until the open fields gave way to rising cliffs of white stone.