"Promise?"

Akane smiled, "Promise."

"Remember, you promised!" She ran off, her small legs taking her off like the wind.

"That girl is quite a handful," a hard-working, middle-aged man laughingly commented as he hefted a bag filled with seeds. "See you at the festival!"

Akane warily smiled and continued on her way.

It wasn't long before she arrived at the Elders' Hall. It was a gigantic tree with a hollowed inside. There was no door and the plantlife wildly grown indoors, freely but without a hint of weeds around.

It had a grand and natural feeling that left one feeling awed and at peace. Akane slowly walked in to see two older men inside. One of which was Elder Hiroji, and the other was a man with a firm gaze, straight back, and his hands clasped behind his back. Unlike the others, he seemed somewhat battle-hardened and wizened to worldly difficulties.

He had indigo hair and ears, dressed in a Yutaka with fox-tail designs. Behind him flickered six tails that went left and right without a particular rhythm.

"Akane, I heard from Elder Hiroji that you and Akio left the Bordered Grounds and went out?" He looked fierce, despite not revealing an angry appearance.

Akane bowed her head slightly, "Yes, Elder Neji. I wanted Akio to see a little more about our world. I ask for forgiveness for my dangerous and youthful desires."

Elder Neji's brow twitched. How could he bear to punish her when she directly apologized in such a manner, not shying away from the truth, and her reasoning was ordinary and filled with good intentions. He sighed softly, his gaze softening as a result.

"It's fine. It's good to have the desire to explore and broaden the view of your siblings, but do take some guards if you wish to retake such actions. Okay?" He helplessly said.

"Akane understands and will follow Elder's suggestion."

Elder Hiroji smiled, "Let's move on now that that is dealt with. The festival is soon. Have you made preparations? Chosen a partner?"

Akane's eyes flickered but she only softly shook her head, "I've made all preparations, but I haven't decided on my partner. Please forgive me. I hope I can-"

Elder Eiji interrupted, "I know what you want to say, but the Clan Lord will not like it."

Elder Hiroji laughed as his old bones seemed to creak, "who cares what that brat has to say? Akane, you're free to do as you please. I'll take responsibility."

"You…" Elder Neji was in disbelief. When did Hiroji suddenly become so kind-hearted and brave?

Akane's eyes brightened, and she heavily bowed, "Thank you, Elders."

"Hm?" Elder Neji didn't know if he should cry at this situation. What did you need to thank him for? He shook his head, decidedly choosing to be mute at this moment. However, both Hiroji and Akane knew that he agreed with this arrangement.

"Prepare for the festival thoroughly. Nothing must be out of place." Elder Hiroji swatted his hand as he sent her out. His smile was endless and filled with warmth.

When she left, Elder Eiji found his words, "This will cause some issues...you know?"

Laughing carelessly, Elder Hiroji responded, "We have such a limited time in this world, why bother being so careful? We should help the younger generation a few times withstand the wind and rain a little, no?"

"Haha, I guess you're right. To think you sound braver than me. How things change." However, Elder Eiji looked at the door.

'She's our clan's future...so doing this is fine, but...why do I feel uneasy?'

-----

Hundreds of thousands of kilometers away, a castle that floated in the sky existed. It was pitch-black and filled with an essence of darkness. In fact, if one looked at it, it seemed insubstantial and two-dimensional like a shadow produced by the rays of the sun.

The castle was tens of thousands of meters high and within the castle was a grand hall. It had decorations and various furniture, but most notable was a round table that seemed made from pure white jade. No windows existed here and not a shred of light poured in from any location. But the white jade table was a sharp contrast from the black decor, flickering with traces of white light.

A group of eighteen men, addressed in full-body black armor, wielding various forms of mortal weapons, sat at this table. They drank wine and chatted endlessly, their words airy and fleeting like shadows.

Bang!

A door to the hall was opened abruptly. The members of this table turned towards the source.

A man with a jester's crown and black robe walked in. When he got deep enough into the hall, he kneeled heavily on the floor. "My lords, I've found it!"

A clamoring uproar raged as many different voices clashed. A singular voice that seemed to overpower the rest sounded, "Finally."

The eyes of everyone followed towards this voice to see a jade white throne at the highest point in the hall. It was covered in a hazy shadow. A face revealed itself with dark eyes and white teeth. It was sinister to the extreme as its other features were indiscernible, "The day shall be ours again."

A toothy smile filled with an ill-aura formed at that shadow.

"The day shall be ours!" The eighteen simultaneously shouted with vigor and excitement. The jester's body trembled, tears leaked from his dark eyes and fell to the ground. That droplet hit the ground and faded away in dark mist.

In his heart, he shouted with his entire being, "The day shall be ours!"