Ivan balanced precariously on a branch, reaching upward with a thin stick, the star-shaped fruit dangling just a breath beyond his fingertips. "Come on, you stubborn little—" he growled under his breath, leaning so far forward that it was a miracle gravity hadn't already claimed him.

Below, one of Ivan's clones stood holding open a makeshift basket fashioned from his shirt, eyes fixed upward, waiting obediently for the fruits to fall.

Kaiser approached silently, observing with detached amusement. He paused, glanced briefly at Sama, who was already rolling her eyes, and then leaned forward, whispering just behind the clone's ear, "Boo"

The reaction was instantaneous. The clone yelped in surprise, vanishing into thin air in a small puff of smoke. Startled, Ivan swung his stick wildly, knocking the starfruit free—and abruptly losing his own balance. In a messy tangle of limbs and curses, Ivan tumbled backward, plummeting toward the grassy earth below.

Kaiser's gaze flicked upward as both Ivan and the fruit descended. In a split second, he made his decision, extending one hand and smoothly snatching the falling fruit from the air. Ivan landed heavily on his backside with a dull thud and a grunt of pain, staring up indignantly.

"You chose the fruit?!" Ivan wheezed, disbelief and betrayal fighting for dominance on his flushed face.

Sama doubled over, laughter exploding from her chest. "Holy moss, that was brutal! Worth working this boring ass day, just for that!"

Ivan's eyes widened in alarm as a shadow suddenly stretched over him. He barely had time to brace himself before a strong, leather belt cracked sharply against his shoulder, wielded by a fiercely scowling Sila. "You reckless brat! What do you think you're doing, disturbing my orchard?!"

"Ow! Wait! Stop! I was—Ow!—just hungry!" Ivan tried to shield himself from the stinging blows, crawling backward and sputtering apologies between each snap of the belt.

"I don't care if you're starving, you plant-tormenting pest!" Sila fumed, eyes blazing green fire. "Sit your ass down and stay put or I swear I'll put you into the ground myself!"

Sama collapsed onto the nearest stone bench, holding her sides, tears of mirth in her eyes. "I take back everything nasty I've said, this is the first time I haven't hated my shitty job!"

Kaiser calmly took a bite from the starfruit, savoring the sweet, tangy juice that burst onto his tongue. He glanced down at Ivan, who was now thoroughly humbled and rubbing his bruises, then raised an eyebrow. "How's your rest going, by the way? I heard you were sleeping."

Ivan scowled up at him, still smarting. "I got hungry. Clearly a mistake in this house." His eyes shifted nervously toward Sila, who stood with the belt still gripped tightly, like a general guarding the battlefield.

Kaiser raised one hand gently toward Sila, his gesture calm yet commanding, voice steady but laced with mild amusement as he said, "All right, Sila, that's quite enough; he's learned his lesson."

Sila paused mid-swing, the belt hanging ominously above Ivan, whose eyes were wide with alarm as he shielded his face from the anticipated blow, and she sighed deeply, her expression shifting from righteous fury to clear exasperation as she turned her gaze toward Kaiser, eyeing him carefully. "I'll stop only if you personally promise me, Lord Kaiser, that this little pipsqueak won't lay a single destructive finger on my garden ever again," she said firmly, each word dripping with authority and pointed disdain, eyes narrowing sharply toward Ivan as she emphasized her conditions.

With an exaggerated sigh, Kaiser placed a hand over his heart, inclining his head slightly as though making a sacred vow before royalty, his voice rich with humor but tempered by seriousness as he replied, "You have my word, Sila; I'll personally ensure that your garden remains impeccably untouched."

He reached down, effortlessly helping Ivan to his feet, brushing away a few persistent flecks of dirt from Ivan's shoulder with a casual motion, and Ivan murmured his reluctant thanks, still casting wary glances toward the now thankfully lowered belt gripped in Silas hand.

Ivan rubbed at a sore spot on his side, his face flushed and sullen, and he muttered in an offended, petulant tone, "For maids tasked with hospitality, you two certainly have a screwed up way of welcoming and treating your guests."

Sila arched a eyebrow, an amused, somewhat incredulous smirk crossing her lips, while Sama audibly snorted, crossing her arms tightly over her chest as she fixed Ivan with a mocking glare. "Guests?" Sama scoffed disdainfully, her voice dripping with derision, "You sure as hell aren't nobility, short-stack, no matter how much you trick yourself into believing otherwise."

Ivan's cheeks flushed an even deeper shade, indignation sparking behind his eyes as he squared his shoulders—trying, with limited success, to reclaim some semblance of dignity he'd lost only moments before. "Lady Celestine herself gave you all clear orders," he said, his voice tightening with a mix of stubbornness and wounded pride. "She told you to treat us with the same respect you show Kaiser and Elsie, not… whatever this is."

Sama burst out laughing , throwing her head back with unrestrained mirth as she pointed accusingly toward Ivan. "The rest of you? You're talking about the group of people who spent the battle quivering and pissing themselves like frightened kittens during a thunderstorm while the adults did their job?" she mocked, wiping imaginary tears of laughter from her eyes, her grin fierce and mocking as she continued mercilessly, "Let me tell you something, little man—just because her ladyship ordered us not to boot your sorry behinds out onto the street, doesn't mean for one second that I'm going to pretend you're worth even two shits."

Ivan visibly deflated at her words, hurt showing briefly in his eyes before he had a chance to mask it, but before he could muster another reply, Sila swiftly stepped forward, her fingers pinching his cheek firmly, capturing it between her thumb and forefinger in an unyielding grip. "Enough, you little brat," she said sharply, voice stern as she tugged Ivan forward, his protests turning into stammered pleas for mercy, "You've caused quite enough trouble here already."

"Ow—wait, stop! You're tearing my face off!" Ivan whimpered, stumbling helplessly forward as Sila dragged him roughly toward the exit, her steps brisk and purposeful.

Once again, Kaiser spoke up, his tone carrying quiet authority, clear enough to cut through the commotion with ease. "Sila, that's enough. Let him go."

Surprisingly, Sila halted immediately, releasing Ivan's reddened cheek from her iron grip, causing him to stagger backward, rubbing his face ruefully while muttering quiet, indignant curses. Sila cast a questioning look toward Kaiser, clearly awaiting an explanation for his intervention.

"Ivan's presence will be quite valuable to me," Kaiser clarified calmly, his voice resolute and thoughtful, "And I'd very much like a moment to speak with him."

Sama shot Kaiser a puzzled, faintly skeptical glance, evidently failing to see whatever hidden value Kaiser found in Ivan, but refrained from vocalizing any objection this time.

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Sila pressed her lips into a thoughtful line, then nodded decisively. "Very well, Lord Kaiser," she agreed evenly, her voice carefully measured, "But he's your responsibility. I expect you to keep him in line, just as you have promised."

"Of course," Kaiser assured her smoothly.

Satisfied at last, Sila turned sharply on her heel, her verdant hair fluttering gracefully behind her as she announced, "Since I'm not burdened by sightseeing duties today, I'll be tending my plants in the central greenhouse. Should you require anything further, that is where you shall find me."

Sama called after her departing sister with fond venom, not bothering to hide the affectionate disdain in her voice, "Yeah, go whisper to your roses, moss-brained garden goblin!"

Ivan sighed in profound relief, rubbing tenderly at his cheek as he murmured sheepishly toward Kaiser, "Thanks, Kaiser—I owe you one."

However, before Kaiser could acknowledge Ivan's thanks, Sama jabbed an accusing finger directly at Kaiser, her tone shifting from amusement to outraged disbelief. "Wait a damned second, chief—there's absolutely no way in hell I'm babysitting this whining piss-baby," she declared hotly, eyes blazing with irritation. "You? Sure, fine, I can manage you—you're tolerable, mostly. But him? No way in all the cursed, pissed-on hells am I tolerating this brat for more than two seconds."

Ivan scowled fiercely at her, bristling at her blatant dismissal. "I'm literally standing right here, you know."

Sama shrugged dramatically, rolling her eyes with exaggerated contempt. "Oh, trust me—I'm painfully aware, and that's exactly the fucking problem."

Kaiser, lips twitching with the barest hint of amusement, made a subtle gesture forward. "Both of you. Walk with me."

Ivan, ever eager to please and perhaps to get away from Sila's warpath, fell in beside Kaiser with alacrity, matching his stride without hesitation. Sama, despite herself, found her boots moving almost in sync, trailing just a half step behind as if tethered by some invisible string. She scowled at her own compliance.

Kaiser glanced sidelong at Ivan, studying his features with that cool, dissecting gaze. "So tell me, Ivan, how did you end up here? Last I heard, you were supposed to be resting, yet you're here."

Ivan tried to play it cool, stretching his arms lazily as if the question bored him. "I just walked in, same as anyone. Doors aren't exactly guarded by dragons."

Sama snorted so hard it was practically a bark. "Nu-uh, cut the crap, shrimp. I saw you with my own two eyes—swallowing that little sleeping green resting pill. The one that costs more than my annual wage by the fucking way."

Ivan flashed a mischievous grin and, with a flourish, produced the exact pill from his pocket, rolling it between his fingers like a magician flaunting a trick. "That's where you're wrong, redhead. I made my clone take the pill, and then kept it as a souvenir after."

For a moment, Sama stared at him deadpan, the gears turning as she processed what this meant. Then, all at once, her face twisted in outrage. "You little rat! Do you have any idea how expensive those things are?" She launched herself at Ivan, arms swinging, only for him to leap aside and toss the pill skyward with a mocking laugh. "Catch, genius!"

A clone shimmered into existence beside him, but before it could even move catch it, Kaiser's hand darted out with unhurried precision. He snatched the pill midair, not breaking stride, the action so effortless it was almost lazy. He tucked it away in his pocket, and the two bickering brats fell instantly, if reluctantly, silent, as if the gesture itself demanded obedience.

Kaiser didn't look at either of them. "Seems the medicine didn't have its intended effect, even tho you took it." he said, voice smooth as glass. Ivan opened his mouth to protest, but Kaiser's tone brooked no argument. "Must have been a bad batch."

Sama scoffed quietly, muttering, "Bullshit," under her breath, while Ivan, now a little abashed, just shrugged. "You just put it in your pocket…" he said, trying to salvage some dignity. Kaiser only repeated himself, as if that closed the matter completely: "It didn't work on Ivan, even tho he took it. That's all anyone needs to know."

He let the silence hang for a few steps before turning his attention to Sama. "Where are we, exactly?" he asked, his tone lighter now, almost playful.

Sama, rolling her eyes as if she couldn't believe she'd been stuck with these two, shot back, "What, you got dementia or something? You seriously don't remember you're in Lady Celestine's house?" She jabbed a thumb at the large mansion, as if the answer was obvious and everywhere.

Kaiser turned to look at her, expression unreadable. "That much I gathered. I was asking which Liberatorium we are in. The Southern?"

At that, Sama gave a quick, sharp nod. "Yeah, boss. Southern. Freest patch of ground in the world. Only place that would let someone like me work anywhere near royalty."

He let that settle in, mind already moving far beyond the little squabble over pills or Sila's garden. For a moment, all the noise faded—Sama's griping, Ivan's mumbling, even the distant hum of the birds behind them. He let the facts click into place, sifting the details like stones in a river.

Somewhere behind him, Sama was still loudly mourning the cost of the lost pill, threatening bodily harm if Ivan so much as breathed on her again. Kaisers thoughts drifted instead to the game board sprawling out before him, every piece newly rearranged, every rule waiting to be learned and explored in detail.

Kaiser paused beneath the shifting green shade, his gaze drifting toward the horizon—and then catching, sharply, on a single impossible thing. In the near distance, half-hidden among more ordinary trees, loomed a gigantic sculpture of nature: a tree so immense it seemed to bend perspective, its trunk broader than most houses. Even more arresting were the ten bulbous knots jutting out along its trunk, each the size of a garden shed, spaced with a symmetry that could not possibly be natural.

He pointed it out, letting his finger hang in the air for a long moment. "That tree… It's unlike anything I've ever seen." His words were quiet, but the edge of calculation in his tone was impossible to miss.

For a moment he was distracted by the size of the garden itself, vast, lush, but contained, more a pocket of forest than the endless sprawl he had imagined. He scanned the boundaries, his mind running through the map Glunko had shown him, through every fact and rumor about the Southern Liberatorium he had heard up until now. By all accounts, it should have been a land without end, full of people. Yet here… it was just trees and sky, the distant cityscape nowhere to be seen. He narrowed his eyes, suspicion flickering in his chest. "Are we in some remote part of the Liberatorium? Far from the its center, perhaps?"

Sama's answering grin was demonic, the look of someone who finally gets to hold a secret over a king. "Remote? Ha! Try the fucking sky, chief. This is The Noble Concordia, the floating islands of the south! We're high above the center of the Liberatorium, up where the birds shit pure silver and the wind'll snap your tongue clean off if you stick it out too far. And that tree? That's my place. Been mine since before I even had a name... But I do have to share it with my sisters, so I guess it's more ours then mine."

Ivan's eyes went wide as coins, his mouth falling open in a perfect picture of awe. "You mean… the real Noble Concordia!? I saw paintings of them in Arkhold—whole books about how they were built. I didn't think they were real!"

Sama snorted. "You bet your ass they're real. Most secure patch in the whole damn Liberatorium too. You can't even sneeze up here without someone asking if you got the right paperwork. You have to be invited, formally, mind you, or else the alarms go off and the entire Liberatorium's military will come down on your skull before you finish your second thought."

Kaiser barely heard them. His attention had zeroed in on that immense tree, on the ten distinct bulges in its bark. The memory of Regulus's voice echoed through his mind—'Grounded are born from the land, not from flesh. Their origins are in the world itself. To kill one, you must destroy the place that birthed them.' His eyes narrowed, running a quick tally. Ten sisters, ten knots. Obvious, if you were willing to see it. And Sama… Sama was giving him that information for free. Or rather, she was boasting, feeling invincible. No one could reach her place of origin—not here, not unless they tore apart the capital itself.

But for now, she was a friend, or as close as anyone got in a world like this. He studied her sideways, weighing her cocksure attitude, the brazen curses she tossed out like candy. No trace of deceit, or at least not the sort he could spot. If she had an ulterior motive, it was buried deep, and wrapped in far too much noise for him to hear.

But why would she reveal this so easily? Unless, of course, she felt absolutely untouchable here. He suppressed a smirk, letting a rare spark of genuine interest flicker behind his eyes. Perhaps it was time to test her, just a little.

"Sama," he called, his voice suddenly sharpened with intent.

She twisted around, one hand on her hip, a look of lazy irritation crossing her face. "Yeah, what now, boss? Are you gonna ask me about something basic shit again?"

Kaiser's lips curled ever so slightly. "Not quite. I have a deal I want to make with you."

That got her attention. She straightened, eyes glinting with suspicion and a dash of curiosity. "A deal, huh? What'cha have in mind, and what's in it for me?"

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