Morning broke over the mansion, golden light spilling through the windows and casting a soft warmth over the rooms. Ryuto stirred, blinking as the light touched his face. For a brief moment, the memory of the previous day's victory filled him with a sense of peace, as if the weight of Xyldrin's shadow had finally lifted. But as he sat up, he felt a faint undercurrent of tension in the air, an unspoken knowledge that their journey wasn't over yet.
As he dressed and made his way down to the dining hall, he found his companions already gathered, their expressions a mixture of satisfaction and anticipation. The table was filled with an array of food, freshly baked bread, fruits, and warm porridge, prepared by the mansion's caretakers, a luxury they seldom enjoyed.
Roland glanced up from his plate, his gaze sharpening as Ryuto entered. "Morning. I trust you're feeling ready?"
