After dinner, Adam and the Ambassador returned to the hotel and went to their respective rooms for the night.
Early the next morning, Adam woke up and made his way to Sakar's house. When he arrived, Asklot was getting ready for school. Adam joined them for breakfast, and after Asklot left, Sakar's wife prepared for work.
She owned a store that sold data crystals to Charm Bracelet, and Adam accompanied her to help set up for the day. Business was slow, giving Sakar's wife time to share more about Sakar with Adam.
Hours later, she received an unexpected call from Asklot's school. Adam immediately offered to go in her stead, but she insisted that it was impossible. Without hesitation, she closed the store, and the two of them headed to the school together.
When they arrived at the school, Sakar's wife went to speak with Asklot's teacher while Adam waited in the hallway. He paced back and forth, glancing at the closed door, wondering what had happened.
After some time, Sakar's wife emerged, looking frustrated. She sighed and turned to Adam. "Asklot got into a fight," she said. "He's been suspended."
Adam frowned. "A fight? With who? Why?"
Sakar's wife shook her head. "I don't have all the details yet. Let's go home and talk to him."
Without another word, they left the school, both deep in thought.
When they arrived, Sakar's wife went to speak with his teacher while Adam waited in the hallway. Later, she told Adam that Asklot had been in a fight and was now suspended. The boy Asklot had beaten was three times his size.
"This isn't the first time he's fought in school," she said, her voice filled with concern. "Please, Adam, talk to him."
Adam agreed.
When he found Asklot, he asked, "How did you manage to beat that boy? He was way bigger than you."
"I don't know," Asklot shrugged. "I just punched him in the face, and he went down."
Adam sighed. "Listen, you shouldn't be fighting in school. You're here to learn. There will always be people you don't agree with, but you have to find a way to handle things without violence. Fighting should always be the last resort."
That night, they were having dinner when a knock echoed at the door. Sakar's wife stood to answer it. A moment later, she returned to the table.
"It's for you," she said, sitting back down.
Adam frowned and pushed his chair back. When he opened the door, he found Spam standing there. The sight of him made Adam chuckle—then, without hesitation, he slammed the door in Spam's face.
But Spam caught it with his foot. "Just listen…" he said.
Before Adam could respond, Sakar's wife appeared behind him. "Please, come inside," she said.
Adam hesitated, then stepped aside. Spam nodded in thanks and walked past them. He joined them for dinner, eating in silence. But after the meal, he approached Adam.
Their minds connected.
In an instant, Adam saw himself seizing Spam by the throat, chaining him in shiroki steel—the unbreakable metal that could sap a man's will. He forced Spam to experience what he had endured.
"I'm sorry," Spam whispered, hanging by his arms in their shared vision. Two years bound in shiroki—just a moment in reality, but long enough for him to feel its effects.
Adam thought the apology was for him—until Spam leaned in to kiss him.
He recoiled. Who did Spam think he was?
Then it dawned on him.
After learning that the Mistress was dead, Adam felt an unexpected pang of pity. He released Spam from the mental chains and let him go.
"Sern sent me to find you," Spam said. "You're our only hope of reviving the Bekanna. Sern has ascended, but the council refuses to let us into Ombrathrax because they say we're tainted. The procedure most of the Bekanna underwent to make us stronger is now our weakness. They claim Low E can manipulate us because of the nullfire in our bodies. Sern wants you to receive the Bekanna seal."
Adam narrowed his eyes. "I don't understand half of what you just said, but I'll go with you—on one condition. I want this planet to be free. No strings attached. No affiliation with the Circle or the Galactic Order."
Spam hesitated, then nodded. "I'll talk to Sern."
The next day, he returned. "I spoke with Sern. He agreed to pull some strings."
That night, as Adam returned to his hotel, the Ambassador was waiting for him.
"It seems you have powerful friends," the Ambassador said. "Tomorrow, we will hold a ceremony. The people will know they are free."
The next morning, a knock at Adam's door startled him awake. When he opened it, a group of women barged inside, moving with practiced efficiency. Some began spreading out, others reached for his clothes.
"Hey! Who are you? What's going on?" Adam demanded, pushing them away.
The Ambassador appeared in the doorway, calm and composed. "They are here to prepare you for the ceremony. If you want the planet to be free, this is how it's done."
Adam exhaled sharply but allowed them to continue. They undressed him, guided him into a steaming bath, and washed him. When they were finished, they dressed him in Eppa's traditional clothing—a white shirt beneath a gold vest, with a long white cloth wrapped around his waist, secured with a hidden tie. A golden sash was fastened over it like a belt. Finally, they handed him a golden mask—a solemn face wearing a crown.
Later that day, the ceremony was broadcast across the entire planet.
"We gather here today to announce that the planet Eppa is now free," the Ambassador declared. "The designation of 'waste planet' has been removed. All previous sanctions and bans have been revoked. And there is one person responsible for this progress. I present to you—your new Emperor, Adam."
The crowd, which had been cheering moments ago, fell silent. Then, as Adam stepped onto the platform, the silence turned to outrage. Boos erupted. Objects flew through the air, pelting his new guards, who quickly formed a shield around him.
"Get him inside!" one of them barked. They hurried Adam back into the building, slamming the doors shut behind them.
Adam turned on the Ambassador. "What the hell is this?!"
The Ambassador smiled. "I told you—this was the only way."
Adam's eyes narrowed. "You set me up."
"Of course. Now the Order won't have to dirty their hands. Your own people will do it for them." The Ambassador bowed mockingly. "I don't know who you are, but you crossed the wrong people. See you at your funeral, Emperor."
Laughing, he turned and walked away.