Okhma City.
Mydei stood on high ground, looking down at the blacksmith's shop below.
"That person said I might be able to get some advice from the Great Craftsman."
"Hatonus..."
Inside the smithy, Hatonus was crouched before the forge, silently watching the flames burn.
"Great Craftsman, have you been well lately?" Mydei's voice came from behind him.
Hatonus slowly rose to his feet. "King of Xuan Feng, it is you..."
"I had a feeling you would come."
"You knew I would come?" Mydei asked, puzzled.
"I heard about what happened to you."
Hatonus's gaze was calm.
"The path forward, you seek it."
"Questions, you have many."
"But before that—this, take it."
Hatonus took out a ring and handed it to Mydei.
"This is...!"
Mydei accepted it blankly, seemingly never expecting to touch this ring again.
"Xuan Feng's royal signet ring. It belonged to your mother," Hatonus explained.
"Reforged, repaired... by me."
"But... Mother clearly threw it into the Nether Sea." Mydei was confused.
"Yes." Hatonus nodded.
"Nikadori, after its defeat, salvaged. It took a long time."
"Very fortunate, we were."
Mydei was somewhat moved.
"To retrieve such a tiny signet ring from the Nether Sea... I cannot imagine how much patience and courage that took."
"I owe you a favor."
"No need, thanks." Hatonus shook his head. "Your kindness in saving my life, I must repay."
"Questions, you brought them."
"Speak. Now."
"..." Now that the moment had come, Mydei found it difficult to speak.
But after struggling for a long while, he finally spoke.
"The fate I have always rejected has finally come knocking."
"I should take up the Authority of Strife."
"That way, everyone will be satisfied."
"The Chrysos Heirs, the Elder Council, the Xuan Feng tribesmen, the two outsiders, and the bards who compose their poems..."
"But