Ogai and Riga set out in search of Shiro that very day. They had to leave the city center through the western gate of the kingdom. They walked for long hours, passing through fields dappled with barley, corn, wheat, and rye before emerging into fallow fields neglected by the Arcadians, marked only by a rickety wooden fence, darkened by time, separating the path. The route was well-indicated, and when unsure of the way, they asked the few locals they encountered.
The western part of the kingdom was a natural reserve for magnificent wild horses. Hundreds of animals roamed these vast, uncultivated fields, awaiting the royal guard to come and take one to serve as a mount in Ragan's army.
The stallions trotted calmly in the tall grass, where a pleasant summer breeze rippled the poppies. The manes of the wild beasts gleamed under the sun, already high in the sky. None paid attention to the intruders, except for one – a splendid dappled horse – resting its head on the wooden fence, looking dully at the visitors crossing its territory.
The mill stood atop a hill, on an open plain. Its blades turned slowly, steadily in the wind, although their fabric was considerably worn by time. Inside a barn, a man with golden hair was stacking bags of wheat.
"Shiro?"
The man turned slowly, then asked in a gruff tone:
"Do we know each other?"
Ogai was surprised – not by the man's unfriendly tone but by the expression on his face: his eyes reflected an immense sadness. Furthermore, Shiro's way of responding clearly signaled that the visitors were unwelcome. He hadn't even paused his labor, appearing entirely absorbed in his task. Beads of sweat dripped from his thick, golden beard and down his body like rain. Time had slightly aged the man, who seemed to be nearing forty. Still, one could easily guess that he had been very handsome in his youth.
The blacksmith was not disheartened:
"I've seen you before, long ago."
"What do you want?" Shiro asked curtly.
"I need your help," Ogai replied.
"My help? Do you need wheat?"
"No, it's not that. In fact, the last time I saw you was over twenty years ago. I saw what you are capable of. I need your strength."
The miller paused for a moment. His gaze was both sad and sharp. They sized each other up.
"For what, exactly?" he said, turning his head and resuming his work.
"You must know that a terrible plague is decimating the Arcadians. Between you and me, Ragan certainly won't change anything. It seems the source of the affliction is in the Arubi Forest, but since I don't know exactly what it is, I believe that if strong warriors accompany me, I will have a great chance of eradicating it."
"You're wasting your time," he retorted. "I stopped fighting long ago. Ask someone else to help you; I'm sorry. And I won't set foot in the Arubi Forest."
"Yes, I will also seek help from others, but I truly want you to come with me."
"Leave!" he shouted at them unceremoniously.
"Our destinies are linked, Shiro. I only had to look into your eyes to see that our paths cross. You must have a mark on your body that makes you unique, right?"
Shiro stopped his work. Now he was attentive. He turned again to the man speaking to him.
"How do you know that?"
"Look."
Ogai lifted the lock of hair on his forehead. Shiro was speechless. He then removed his clothes to reveal his muscular body. On the right side of his chest, three marks could be clearly seen: white, blue, and red. Riga also revealed his own mark.
"What does this mean?" Shiro asked.
"It means that among the billions of stars in the sky, we are the brightest, and destiny has chosen us to ensure that others can thrive in peace."
"Are you saying our destiny is to help others?" Shiro asked, perplexed.
"Yes, but not just that. We must help some and save others. It is both a great privilege and a grave duty entrusted to us. I saw you in action. I observed you only once, twenty years ago. And among the onlookers, I heard your name: Shiro. From that moment, I gauged the potential of your strength just by looking into your eyes. I know very well the kind of person I'm dealing with."
Ogai grabbed a bag of wheat and added it to the pile, then clapped his hands to shake off the dust and continued:
"All my life in Arcadia, I have only helped the Arcadians. Destiny separated me from those I loved and from what I loved to do, but now it has brought us back together. Now, I will strive to complete the work I began."
Shiro looked at his guest without saying a word, then sat on a stack of bags.
"You have a powerful look," Shiro said honestly. "And sincere. Are you a king?"
He smiled before continuing:
"I once led a tumultuous life. My superhuman strength made me arrogant to the point of disgrace."
The man lowered his head, bitterly staring at the ground.
"I committed an unforgivable mistake," he finally said. "Since then, I have withdrawn to live a peaceful life at this mill. I have a wife and two children whom I love more than anything in the world. But… honestly, I miss the action. My muscles crave exertion, and my heart urges me to return to battle," he admitted, clenching his fists. "I, too, used to help the Arcadians, but deep down, I only did it for myself. I lived only for myself, for my glory and satisfaction. People died because of me. I am remorseful. So much so that I've always thought about repaying my debt to Arcadia, though I never knew when that moment would come."
He turned to Ogai, glowing.
"It must be destiny that brought you here. I have been waiting for you, after all…"
Shiro stood up, smiling at Ogai. His face, both sad and gentle, expressed great respect.
"Ogai," he said, shaking the hand Ogai extended to him. "My name is Ogai. And this is my son Riga."
Shiro shook his hand too, albeit somewhat absentmindedly. He seemed particularly struck by the name he had just heard.
"Ogai…"
"Follow me to my home so I can explain clearly what I plan to do," the former mercenary declared.
The miller bid farewell to his wife and two children, entrusting them with the maintenance of the mill. He would be off for a few weeks.
Ogai and his new companion talked throughout the journey back, while Riga remained silent as usual.
In front of the Coral and in the deepening twilight, a man was sitting on the rock. The last rays of the sun seemed to pierce him from all angles. From time to time, he raised his hand to his mouth and appeared to be waiting for someone. Thus, when Ogai, Riga, and Shiro arrived, his weariness seemed to vanish. Ogai sighed with a mix of satisfaction and relief because that man was Shahin. Without saying a word, Ogai took him by the shoulder and led him inside.
They talked all night to get to know each other and went to bed very late. The next morning, the sun was already burning in the sky.
"Do you really want to enter the Arubi Forest? " Shiro asked. "But I tell you, if we go too deep, we'll never get out."
"If we find Pegasus," Ogai said calmly, "we will get out."
"But Pegasus is nowhere to be found," Shiro retorted. "As soon as he's seen, he vanishes."
"Someone who knows animals well might be able to approach him," Ogai said, sitting on the window ledge. "I've heard of a shepherd named Akimitsu. It's said that all animals like him, even wolves eat from his hand."
"Very well," Shiro said with a sigh. "Let's go visit him."
"Where does he live?" Shahin interjected.
"He lives at Hankari Farm," Ogai replied.
"That's in the northwest of the kingdom, right?" Shiro asked.
"Exactly," Ogai added.
"Then let's go!" declared Shahin.