The desolate city stretched before them, eerily silent and devoid of life. Lyra turned to Yoshi, her expression resolute, and handed him the Relic of Time. Without hesitation, Yoshi grasped the ancient artifact, channeling its immense power to undo the catastrophic time blast that had wiped everything away. A brilliant glow enveloped the city as the fabric of reality shifted. Slowly, people began to reappear—friends, foes, and even the minions of the archdemon who had wreaked havoc upon the land.
The city, once lifeless, buzzed with astonishment. Whispers of disbelief and joy spread as people examined themselves and embraced loved ones thought lost forever. Allies and enemies alike stood amidst the reborn streets, their faces reflecting a mix of awe and confusion.
Before chaos could erupt, Lyra stepped forward. With a wave of her hand, she unleashed a surge of magic, vanquishing the monsters instantly. Her power then swept through Kochi, repairing the battle-ravaged city, restoring its splendor as though the horrors had never occurred.
Only those influenced by the Relic of Time were restored to existence.
In the aftermath, the streets filled with life once more. As Yoshi, Lyra, and Joseph regrouped near the city square, a delegation of council members approached them. Leading the group was Kokoro Minamoto, her calm demeanor commanding respect. When her gaze met Joseph’s, a small smile passed between them, a silent acknowledgment of the bond they shared.
Among the council stood warriors, travelers, and citizens of Kochi—some who had fought alongside Yoshi and his companions, and others who had survived the harrowing ordeal. A former citizen of Kochi who had journeyed with Yoshi and his companions was also among the gathering. Before long, travelers and allies from neighboring regions joined them, forming a diverse and spirited assembly.
As they gathered, Kokoro stepped forward, her voice clear and steady.
"Please allow me to introduce the council members of Kochi City," she said, gesturing toward the group.
One by one, the council members expressed their heartfelt gratitude. They praised Yoshi and his companions for their bravery in defeating the archdemon and his minions. Around them, citizens crowded the streets, eager to hear what would come next for their city. Their murmurs of curiosity grew louder, their gazes filled with hope and uncertainty.
Sensing the growing tension, one of the council members raised a hand. "We should continue this discussion in the council hall," he suggested. "The people deserve answers, but we must first determine the path forward."
The group agreed, and the gathering made their way to the hall. The grand chamber, though intact, bore the marks of the recent battle—a reminder of the archdemon's destruction. As they took their seats, the council members once again expressed their gratitude, but their expressions soon grew somber.
One of the councilors leaned forward, his voice heavy with grief. "There is something we must share." He paused, his eyes meeting those of his colleagues. "During the attack, we witnessed the death of our city lord. He fought valiantly but was overpowered by the archdemon."
Gasps echoed through the chamber. Even amidst the restoration and relief, the loss of the city lord was a devastating blow. The council members explained how they had hidden themselves during the chaos, powerless to intervene as their leader fell.
A heavy silence filled the room as the weight of the revelation sank in. Yoshi, Lyra, and Joseph exchanged solemn glances, understanding that their victory, while significant, had come at a great cost. The fate of Kochi now rested not just in their hands, but in the resilience of its people and the unity of its leaders.
"However," a council member began, his voice cutting through the heavy atmosphere, "a new city lord—or lady—must take the late lord's place. The citizens of Kochi will need a ruler to guide them, especially in these trying times."
The council members exchanged hushed whispers, their voices blending into a murmur of deliberation. At last, a consensus was reached. They turned as one toward the traveler who had once journeyed with Yoshi and his companions, the one who had led them to aid the city.
"Shizue Izawa Shin," a council member said, her voice ringing with clarity.
The traveler stepped forward, her calm demeanor masking a flicker of hesitation. It was at that moment Joseph realized her full name for the first time. But what followed was even more shocking to him—though not to Yoshi or Lyra.
"She’s the daughter of the late City Lord," another council member announced, his words sending a ripple of surprise through the room.
The female council member continued, her tone firm yet reverent. "You’ve been faithful and helpful to the city, serving loyally under your father before his passing. The time has come for you to take his place. Shizue Izawa Shin, of the house of Shin, you are the rightful heir. You will become the new City Lady of Kochi."
Joseph’s breath caught in his throat. His eyes widened in disbelief as he stared at Shizue. A royal? All this time, royalty had been traveling alongside them, sharing their hardships without ever revealing her identity. He turned sharply to Yoshi and Lyra, pointing briefly at Shizue as if to confirm he wasn’t imagining things.
“Compose yourself, Joseph, and stop embarrassing us,” Lyra said telepathically, her tone dry but tinged with amusement.
Joseph let out a small sigh, forcing himself to calm down, though his mind was racing. Memories of their journey together resurfaced—particularly the times he had flirted with her, utterly unaware of her noble bloodline. He’d even once come close to asking her to share a more personal connection, but she had declined his advances with kindness and grace, never revealing the truth about her lineage.
Now, standing before her as the council declared her the new ruler, Joseph felt a strange mix of embarrassment and admiration. He couldn’t help but recall her words to him during one of their conversations:
"One day, I’ll have to face my responsibilities," she had said with a shy smile, her tone hinting at a burden she hadn’t wanted to name.
Back then, he’d thought she was simply avoiding the idea of settling down or committing to something mundane. Now, everything made sense. Despite his initial shock, Joseph allowed a faint smile to cross his lips. Shizue had been running from her destiny, but now, standing tall before the council, she was finally ready to embrace it.
The room buzzed with quiet murmurs of approval as the council formally recognized Shizue’s ascension. Joseph glanced at her once more, and this time, his awe was laced with respect. She wasn’t just a noble or a royal—she was a leader who had earned her place, both on the battlefield and in the hearts of her people.
This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.
The council hall was alive with deliberation as Yoshi and his companions sat with Kochi’s leaders to discuss the city’s future. The council members spoke at length about the plans for Shizue Izawa Shin’s coronation as the new City Lady, ensuring that the event would reflect the city’s resilience and honor her late father’s legacy.
They also turned their attention to a grave matter: the archdemon’s chilling revelations of the future. The council agreed to take his visions seriously, devising strategies to ensure his dark prophecy would never come to pass. Defensive measures were proposed, alliances with neighboring regions considered, and the city’s forces reorganized to strengthen its defenses.
As the discussion neared its conclusion, Yoshi stepped forward. From his satchel, he retrieved the Relic of Time and the Relic of Enhancement, the powerful artifacts that had played a pivotal role in the battle. “These relics should remain here, safeguarded by the city,” he said solemnly. “Let them be entrusted to Shizue upon her coronation. They belong with the leader of Kochi, a symbol of her responsibility to protect this city and its people.”
The council members accepted the relics with deep gratitude and vowed to keep them secure until the coronation. Shizue, who had been quietly listening, rose from her seat and bowed slightly toward Yoshi and his companions. “Thank you,” she said softly. “For everything. Not just for saving our city, but for showing me what it means to face one’s destiny.”
She turned to Joseph, her expression warm. “And thank you, Joseph, for the adventures we shared. They will remain with me forever.”
Joseph, slightly taken aback by her sincerity, nodded with a small smile. But something gnawed at him. Clearing his throat, he said, “Shizue… I feel I owe you an apology. For my… well, less-than-noble behavior toward you when we first met.”
Shizue chuckled lightly, her smile unwavering. “There’s no need, Joseph. I understood your intentions, even if they were a little mischievous. Let’s call it water under the bridge.”
Her words, accompanied by her gentle demeanor, lifted the weight from Joseph’s shoulders. He smiled back, this time with genuine relief.
Shizue then addressed Yoshi and the others. “Please, stay in Kochi for the day. I’d be honored if you could attend the coronation tomorrow.”
Yoshi nodded graciously. “We would be happy to.”
An escort led the group to their quarters, but Joseph’s attention was soon caught by a familiar figure in the bustling street below. Kokoro Minamoto stood among a group of warriors, her vibrant energy unmistakable. Turning to Yoshi and Lyra, Joseph pleaded, “Do you mind if I explore the city a bit? I’d like to spend some time with Kokoro and the others.”
Yoshi and Lyra exchanged a knowing glance before nodding. “Go ahead,” Yoshi said, though his tone was firm. “But don’t stay out too late. We have a long journey ahead of us.”
“Got it!” Joseph grinned, already hurrying down the street.
He quickly joined Kokoro and her group, who were delighted to have him along. Kokoro took it upon herself to show Joseph the hidden gems of Kochi—its serene gardens, vibrant markets, and cherished landmarks. They visited local eateries, shared laughter over bowls of steaming noodles, and admired the city’s beauty as the sun dipped below the horizon. By the time they parted ways, Joseph felt a deep connection to the city and its people.
The next day, the coronation began at noon, drawing crowds from every corner of Kochi. The air was filled with excitement as Shizue, clad in ceremonial robes adorned with the crest of the House of Shin, stood before her people. The council members presented her with the Relic of Time and the Relic of Enhancement, symbols of her authority and responsibility.
As she accepted the relics, the crowd erupted in cheers, their voices echoing through the city. The celebration that followed was grand and joyous, a testament to Kochi’s resilience and unity.
As evening approached, it was time for farewells. Shizue, now officially the City Lady, stood with Kokoro by her side, flanked by a small group of warriors. They accompanied Yoshi, Lyra, and Joseph to the city’s gates.
“Thank you again,” Shizue said, her voice steady but filled with emotion. “For everything.”
“We should be thanking you,” Yoshi replied with a smile. “This city has a strong leader now. Take care of it.”
Kokoro gave Joseph a playful nudge. “Don’t forget us, traveler.”
“Never,” Joseph said with a grin.
With that, the companions departed, their figures silhouetted against the fading light of the horizon. Kochi was safe, its future in capable hands, and their journey continued—filled with hope for what lay ahead.
After the coronation and festival, inside the council hall, the atmosphere felt heavy and tense as the meeting drew to a close, leaving only Shizue alone in the dimly lit room. Her heart raced as she gazed into her future, her thoughts clouded with the same ominous fate foretold by the archdemon. Outside, the storm raged on, its violent winds howling through the cracks of the ancient stone building. The sky was a dark canvas of swirling clouds, and the occasional flash of lightning illuminated the hall, casting eerie shadows on the walls, deepening the sense of foreboding that gripped Shizue’s soul.
The scene was hauntingly silent, the dim light of the council hall flickering as the storm outside raged on. Shizue sat in the high-backed chair of the City Lady, her slender fingers gripping the armrests as though seeking some form of strength. The words of the archdemon reverberated in her mind, their ominous tone filling her with dread:
"Betrayed by someone I trust, my leadership torn from my grasp, cut short. A cruel, twisted fate that I cannot escape."
The storm’s thunder roared, shaking the very walls of the hall, and lightning illuminated the room in brief bursts of clarity. As Shizue gazed into the darkness, her heart heavy with fear, a flash of light revealed a figure at the doorway.
Kokoro Minamoto stood silently, her sword glinting faintly in the dim glow of the storm. There was something unsettling about her posture, her aura far removed from the warmth and loyalty Shizue had always known. The look in Kokoro's eyes, shadowed and unreadable, sent a chill down her spine.
Summoning every ounce of courage, Shizue met her friend's gaze. Her voice trembled, but only slightly, as she spoke. “So, it comes to this. I never thought I’d live to see the prophecy fulfilled, much less by someone I trusted with my life.”
Lightning struck again, and for a moment, Kokoro’s silhouette vanished, the air itself seeming to shift. Before Shizue could react, Kokoro was behind her, her blade resting cold against Shizue’s throat.
Shizue froze, her breath catching in her chest. Tears welled in her eyes but did not fall. “I never expected it to be you,” she whispered, her voice laced with sorrow. “You, my best friend… my sister in all but blood.”
Kokoro said nothing. Her grip on the sword tightened, and with one swift, merciless motion, she slit Shizue’s throat. Blood spilled freely, staining the floor as Shizue collapsed from her seat, her lifeless body crumpling in a pool of crimson.
Kokoro stood motionless, her hand trembling as she stared at her blade, slick with the blood of the only person who had ever truly trusted her. Her expression was unreadable, but a single tear slipped down her cheek as memories flooded her mind.
She saw herself and Shizue as children, running through the fields outside the city, laughing and dreaming of the future. She remembered Shizue’s kindness, her unwavering belief in Kokoro’s potential, and her promise that they would always face the world together.
“Forgive me, Shizue,” Kokoro murmured, her voice breaking. “I didn’t want it to end this way. But the path to power is never without sacrifice.”
Steeling herself, Kokoro’s gaze hardened. She knelt and pried the Relic of Time and the Relic of Enhancement from Shizue’s still form, their faint glow reflecting in her eyes. Standing tall, she gazed down at the lifeless body of her friend one last time.
The relics pulsed in her hands, their power coursing through her veins as she assumed Shizue’s form. With a quiet incantation, she invoked the power of the Relic of Time, erasing all traces of Shizue’s death from the hall. When the transformation was complete, Kokoro—now disguised as Shizue—took her place on the throne.
She closed her eyes, allowing the storm’s roar to mask the turmoil within her heart. The memories of her childhood faded into the shadows of her ambition, though they never truly left her.
“This is my destiny now,” she whispered, her voice cold and resolute. “For the sake of the city… and for my own survival.”
With one last glance at the hall where her betrayal had taken place, Kokoro’s expression grew determined. She would rule Kochi, no matter the cost, and she would wield the power of the relics to secure her place.
But deep within her, the faint echo of a friendship long lost lingered—a reminder of the price she had paid for the throne.