"It looks like that's Sumin," Keifer said.
The two of them climbed up the steep hill, struggling with every step until they finally reached the tree.
"Ugh… I'm exhausted," Keifer groaned.
Haru was panting as well. Both of them were completely worn out from the climb.
"What happened to you two?" Sumin asked, staring at them.
"Can't you see? We've been walking for so long," Keifer replied, slightly annoyed.
"That's all it took for you to get tired? Impressive," Sumin said, eyeing them sharply.
Then, under his breath, he muttered, "What a strange guy…"
"What did you say? I didn't hear you," Sumin asked.
"Oh, nothing… I was just talking to myself."
Haru, still catching his breath, walked over and sat beside Sumin. He reached into his pocket and pulled out the same coins, holding them out to him.
"What's this? You didn't buy anything, Haru?" Sumin asked, slightly surprised.
Haru quickly turned his bag toward him, showing the books neatly placed inside.
"Oh… I see," Sumin nodded. "Mr. Yazawa didn't take the money, did he? That sounds like him."
He paused for a moment, then gently pushed Haru's hand back.
"You don't need to return this. Keep it. Consider it a reward for climbing all the way up here."
Without waiting for a reply, Sumin slipped the coins back into Haru's bag.
Just as he turned away, Keifer shot him a side glance.
"If you've forgotten, I climbed up here too," he said dryly. "So by that logic… I should get paid as well."
Sumin didn't even look at him.
"No. You're not getting anything," he replied calmly. "And besides… I'm 'strange,' right? Strange people don't give things to other strange people."
Keifer went silent.
He walked over and sat on the other side of the tree, clearly annoyed.
"I seriously don't understand how much longer I have to deal with this guy…" he muttered under his breath.
"It's getting late. We should head back to the castle now," Sumin said, glancing at the fading light. "And don't fall asleep here… lazy commander. Get up."
"Wait, Haru—not this way," he added, stopping him. "We'll go from the other side. There are stairs there."
Haru quietly moved toward Sumin.
Without wasting any more time, the three of them began making their way back, taking the alternate path as they descended toward the castle.
They spent the night within the castle walls, where silence lingered like an unspoken promise.
At the first light of dawn, as the sky slowly shifted from darkness to gold, they prepared for their departure.
The deal had been sealed.
With the gold now in their possession, they set out without delay—leaving the towering castle behind as they began their journey back to their kingdom.
The road ahead was long… and whatever awaited them next, none of them spoke of it.
On the other side, the kingdom was as lively as ever, its usual vibrance untouched by time.
After two long days, they finally returned.
At the castle gates, the prince stood waiting, accompanied by several guards.
"I'm glad to see you've all returned safely," Prince Shikuza said.
With a single gesture, he ordered the guards, "Take everything from the carts and store it in the royal treasury."
As the men carried out his command, the group began walking toward the castle.
"Sumin, was everything well there? How was their king?" the prince asked.
"Yes, my prince. Everything was in order," Sumin replied calmly.
"And you, Keifer?" the prince turned to him with a faint smile. "How did it feel… going back there again?"
"Maybe you shouldn't ask him," Sumin interrupted.
The prince let out a soft laugh. "You two never miss a chance to bother each other, do you?"
Keifer smirked slightly. "It was actually great. I had a lot of fun… and Haru and I even tried a new dish there. It was really delicious."
"Wait… where did Haru go? I completely forgot to ask him," the prince said, glancing around.
"I'm not sure," Sumin replied. "He suddenly got off his horse and disappeared."
A faint smile appeared on Keifer's lips. "If I had to guess… he's probably already buried in his books. He couldn't wait to read them."
The prince let out a soft chuckle. "We've known Haru since childhood… and he hasn't changed at all."
Keifer smiled, a rare warmth in his expression.
"Yeah… that's exactly why I appreciate him so much."
The prince suddenly stepped forward, then turned back toward Keifer and Sumin with a spark of excitement in his eyes.
"For tonight… forget that I'm the prince," he said, his voice lighter than usual. "Forget your ranks as commander and captain."
A faint smile formed on his lips.
"Tonight, we will sit together as friends… just like we used to. We'll relive old memories and enjoy ourselves—just like we did in our childhood."
He paused for a moment, then asked with a grin,
"So… are you two ready for tonight?"
Sumin and Keifer exchanged a brief glance, surprised—yet a genuine happiness lit up their faces.
Then, almost at the same time, they looked back at him.
"Of course," they replied. "Tonight… we celebrate as friends."
"Make sure to inform Haru, Hani, and Aela as well," the prince called out as he walked away. "I'll be waiting for all of you tonight. Let's meet on the castle rooftop."
For a moment, silence fell.
Keifer's expression shifted—almost as if an invisible weight had settled over him.
"Go tell Hani," sumin said casually, casting a side glance at keifer. "I'll inform Haru and Aela."
"I'm not going there," Keifer added quickly, clearly irritated. "That room of hers is filled with herbs… it smells terrible."
Sumin stepped closer, a faint smirk playing on his lips.
"Oh? So that's the problem?" he said in a teasing tone. "Is it really that unbearable, Keifer?"
There was something in his voice—light, mocking… almost enjoying Keifer's discomfort.
"What if you had to spend your entire life surrounded by those herbs?" Sumin said, stepping back with a teasing look. "Go on… answer me."
Keifer shot him an irritated glance.
"What kind of nonsense are you even talking about?" he snapped. "I'm going already—before you completely ruin my mood with your ridiculous questions."
He turned to leave, then paused for a second, glancing back with a smirk.
"And for the record… if I were the king, I would never make someone like you a captain."
With that, he made a mocking face at Sumin and walked off.
"Stop dreaming and just get going already," Sumin called after him, his voice calm yet edged with mockery.
As Keifer disappeared from sight, the faint smirk on Sumin's face slowly faded.
Now… where would Haru be? And Aela as well…
He let out a quiet breath, his gaze drifting for a moment.
"Looks like this is going to waste more of my time than I expected…"
With that, he straightened, his expression returning to its usual composed calm before stepping forward.