The day before council meeting

  Leroy went to District Three, though this time he did not head toward Pristine House. Instead, he entered the night market where commonfolk gathered with their children, immersed in simple joy.

  He avoided drawing attention. The arrival of a council leader alone in such a place would create unnecessary commotion. A long cloak concealed his costume and face. Several times he discreetly handed coins to candy vendors, asking them to give their sweets to the children crowding around the stalls.

  He moved toward the edge of the night market. Near the outer gate stood an amateur fighting ring held in the open air. Spectators from all walks of life watched from wooden benches arranged in a circle. Behind it stood an old orange warehouse, its entrance marked by paint depicting the Weapon Master faction emblem.

  Before Leroy could enter, two large bald guards stopped him, axes resting in their hands as they blocked his shoulder. When he revealed the gold council emblem pinned to his cloak, their confidence faltered instantly. They stepped aside, already recognizing who stood before them.

  Inside the warehouse, fighters sat while being treated, training, or waiting for their turn in the ring. When Leroy removed his cloak and discarded the disguise, every activity halted. The name First Brother echoed through the room as he greeted the fighters with quiet familiarity.

  One fighter approached and guided him away from the crowd gathering around.

  "I heard this is Mia the Tangerine base. Is that correct?" Leroy asked.

  The fighter swallowed nervously. "First Brother, has Mia done something wrong?"

  Leroy shook his head. "I want to see her. Tell her not to avoid me. I know she is here."

  Unable to refuse the Green Wraith, the fighter asked Leroy to wait and went upstairs. Leroy returned to speaking with the others inside the warehouse, their admiration evident. He remained an inspiration to them all.

  After ten minutes, the fighter returned and gestured for Leroy to follow.

  "What is it like being led by her?" Leroy asked while climbing the stairs.

  "She can be harsh at times, but also kind. Though we often cause trouble for her," the fighter replied with a laugh.

  Leroy smiled at the answer.

  They stopped before an orange door trimmed with white paint along its edges. The fighter left Leroy alone outside. He did not enter immediately, his hand resting on the door handle for several seconds.

  At last he turned it and stepped inside.

  The room smelled pleasant and appeared carefully arranged. It did not resemble a fighter’s quarters but rather a comfortable loft meant for quiet gatherings.

  "Mia?" Leroy called softly while stepping further inside. He searched the room, glancing left and right, yet saw no sign of the Tangerine.

  Leroy’s eyes fixed on a framed photograph hanging on the wall. Mia stood beside her brother Mateo in a forest, surrounded by their troops.

  Without warning, a woman leapt from above, her leg aimed directly at Leroy’s face.

  The Green Wraith reacted instantly, green energy flaring around his hand as he blocked a barrage of kicks from the woman, whose body shimmered within an orange shield-like aura. Leroy did not retaliate. He only defended. Then she lowered her stance, pivoted, and swept his legs out from under him.

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  The impact echoed loudly against the wooden floor, the sound reverberating below. The fighters downstairs merely glanced upward, none daring to interfere.

  Leroy, lying on the ground, raised both hands in surrender. "Mia. It is me."

  Mia halted, standing upright as she brushed back her long hair. Her cold gaze lingered on Leroy before she stepped past him and walked toward her table, pouring herself a drink.

  Leroy rose behind her, a strange smile forming despite the tension.

  "It has been a long time. How have you been?"

  Mia held her glass without turning. "I heard you have caused quite a few problems in the council."

  Leroy scratched his head, wondering how she knew. D'Hertz or Cheng the Pale Dragon was the obvious answer, but he chose not to pursue it. Instead, his gaze wandered across the room.

  "I am glad to see your achievements, Mia. You have become one of the leaders now."

  Mia ignored the topic, shifting the conversation without looking at him.

  "Honored council leader, thank you for the tribute you sent. I apologize for not attending."

  Leroy closed his eyes briefly, steadying his breath as he followed the direction of her words.

  "Mia, next time you must attend if there is no mission. There are many matters I need to discuss personally."

  She nodded. "Understood, council leader."

  Leroy walked toward the wall covered with colorful paintings. Mia remained silent, holding her glass while staring out the large window overlooking the lively night market.

  "Mia, you still find time to paint?" Leroy asked, gesturing toward the wall.

  Her voice rose suddenly. "What is your purpose in coming here?"

  Leroy fell silent. He removed his green beret and sat down.

  "It has been a long time. Is it wrong to ask about your well-being? You are my faction."

  "I must attend my subordinates matches. I do not have much time," Mia replied sharply.

  Leroy felt the weight of exhaustion settle over him. His thoughts were already crowded. He had hesitated to come, yet D’Hertz, Cheng, and Lisa had insisted.

  "Mia, I will be engaged to Starmist," Leroy said quietly.

  Mia’s hand stopped turning the glass. Her response was cold and brief.

  "Congratulations on your engagement."

  She emptied her drink.

  "I hope we can remain on good situation after this," Leroy said.

  "Of course. What existed between us is the past," Mia replied.

  Leroy nodded and stood. He offered a few final words, expressing pride in Mia’s achievements earned through her own effort. Yet she had not looked at him once during their conversation. Leroy turned the door handle.

  Before he could step out, Mia turned sharply and slammed her glass onto the table. Her voice rose, though anger did not fill it.

  "You promised my late brother that you would protect me."

  The words halted Leroy’s steps. He walked back slowly and closed the door. Mia faced him with an expression tangled between resentment and disappointment.

  Leroy remained silent, his face unreadable, while Mia finally released the frustration she had restrained.

  "You always easy to read. Even when we were together and you fought beside Starmist in Vanguard, I could see you felt something more for her."

  "Starmist was my first friend then. She helped me master this relic. I remained loyal to you. Do you remember what happened afterward?" Leroy asked, his voice rising slightly.

  "You chose that war over me," Mia replied, her tone lowering.

  "War against the League of Transcendent placed the entire All Realm at stake. Because of us, Vanguard, Mainland and your home remained safe," Leroy answered quickly.

  Mia fell silent, her gaze dropping. Her body swayed faintly as she struggled against the tension.

  "While I was away on duty, you left with another man. That is what happened," Leroy continued.

  "I told you, I was forced. He held people in Mainland hostage while you Vanguard cared only about the greater battle. None of it would have happened if you had stayed beside me," Mia replied, her breathing growing uneven.

  Leroy turned his eyes away. "Betrayal is betrayal. There is no apology for that."

  "And you fighting beside Starmist while I was gone, was that not betrayal as well?" Mia asked, gripping her glass tightly.

  Leroy looked back at her. "For the last time, I did not love her then. None of us even had time to think about love during that war."

  "Liar," Mia replied, her gaze sharp as the white of her eyes reddened.

  The Green Wraith shook his head. "Let the past remain the past. Call it the foolishness of youth. I believe we have both grown since then."

  Mia stopped speaking. Their eyes locked in silence. She slowly rubbed her nose with her hand.

  "So this is goodbye?" she asked.

  Leroy turned toward the door. "Yes. To what we once were."

  As he grasped the handle, Mia threw her glass toward his feet. It shattered nearby without striking him. She had not intended harm.

  Fragments of glass scattered beneath Leroy’s boots. When he looked back, anger was absent from his gaze.

  Mia had already turned away, arms folded as she leaned against the table, staring out the window. Neither spoke again.

  Leroy opened the door and left.