Governor Newark let out a heavy sigh as he tenderly stroked a letter carved into his desk. "...No, Noctis. If I have to choose an enemy, you're by far the most compassionate. You won't go after my family."

"Hah!" Nova's laugh cut through the quiet room. "Your king might have killed many, but it is incomparable to the ocean of blood I've left in my wake. I'm not above seeking justice through familial bonds."

'Or at least that's what I want you to think.'

"Gods, you can go to hell!" Newark burst up from his chair, knocking it back against the stone wall behind him. The crash echoed off the high ceiling. "Everything was fine until you showed up! Why did you come here?! Why not go to one of the hundreds of other cities in this kingdom?!"

'I could tell you, but then you might not leave this room alive. Or rather, I could show you.'

"...You really want to know?" Nova's voice turned deadly quiet.

"Yes! What did I do to deserve you?" Newark slammed his fists on the desk. Sweat beaded on his forehead as his chest rose and fell with rapid breaths.

"Very well." Nova released his grip on the shadows. They peeled away like smoke as he stepped into view. Moonlight poured through the tall windows, turning his white hair silver and casting a long shadow across the floor.

Then he unleashed his Soul Power. Raw energy pulsed through the room in waves, making the candlelight flicker and papers rustle on the desk.

"Y-You... What?" Newark stumbled back a step.

"I was born here." Nova's small frame seemed to grow larger as power rolled off him in waves. "In your child-killing facility."

The color drained from Newark's face. His mouth opened and closed without sound, like a fish gasping for air. After several breaths, he found his voice. "A child? How can you be just a child?"

"This is my ninth life." Nova met his gaze with eyes that sank too deep, too old for his young face. "And I must say, you've made this one my worst yet. At least up until this point."

"...You're one of the immortals?" Newark nearly whispered the words, like he was afraid of uttering them. "But they're not supposed to be born down here…"

'Another person talking of these immortals… And 'down here'? Is this world comprised of several planes? Either way, I can probably use this.'

"Now do you understand what you're up against?" Nova bluffed, trying to get the governor back on his side. "I'm not being unreasonable. All I need is your cooperation, not open rebellion."

"Cooperation with what? Handing you all the children?" Newark gripped the edge of his desk for support. His words were still defiant, but his actions showed how trapped he felt.

"You will be paid in Soul Power, exactly like in our previous agreement. And, to make it easier to hide, I'll take the children at the time they're supposed to be harvested. That way you'll avoid questions from staff."

"...That sounds acceptable. You'll pay for this first month as well?"

"No, that's still on you. But this way, the overseer will leave, the children will be saved, and you keep your position." Nova could see the gears turning in the governor's head, slowly weighing his options. "Everyone wins."

Newark sank back into his chair. The wood creaked under his weight as he rubbed at his temples. "I feel like I have no real choice here."

"You do. But trust me when I say that agreeing is the best one."

A long silence filled the room. The candle flames wavered in a draft from the window, making shadows twist across Newark's tired face. "Fine. Fine, I accept your terms." He straightened in his chair. "If nothing else, you did alleviate Liz's symptoms until she was cured."

"Good." Nova clasped his hands together behind his back. "But this time, I won't be satisfied with a verbal agreement."

"...What do you mean?" Newark's eyes narrowed as he tracked Nova's movement.

"We're going to make a magical contract. Don't worry—it only works if both parties agree fully and freely. Complete fairness is built into its nature."

Newark seemed unconvinced. "Magical contracts break easily enough. I've seen it done."

"Not this one." Nova's eyes reflected the candlelight like mirrors. "Even the Cardinals of the Church couldn't break free once they agreed. And believe me, they tried."

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'Shivere especially. As long as our contract is still intact, I think I can assume it's unbreakable. She will definitely try to get rid of it.'

"...What kind of lives have you lived in the past?" Newark asked, shaking his head with a defeated look.

'Well, that thing only happened a few days ago, but there's no way I'll make him believe that.'

Golden light bloomed beneath Nova's feet as he traced the contract formation. The intricate patterns spread across the floor, stretching to encompass both him and Newark behind the heavy desk.

"I promise not to harm you or your family." Nova's voice rang clear in the stillness. "Unless they take innocent lives. And I won't reveal your part in this to anyone who would harm you because of it."

Shadows danced across the walls as the formation's light pulsed. Newark leaned forward, studying the glowing runes with wary eyes. He nodded once, then spoke: "I will help you save the children. None shall die while I assist your efforts—at least not by my doing. As long as you provide monthly payment in Soul Power, that is." His fingers drummed against the desk. "And I will not reveal your identity to anyone who is not already aware."

"Good." Nova traced another line in the formation. "But you must stop bringing in new children. No more deals with Nihil."

A sharp laugh burst from Newark's throat. "That won't be hard. But what happens when we run out of children in the gardens?"

Nova's eyes narrowed in thought. "...If we get that far, I'll continue supplying you with Soul Power as if there are still children remaining. But it will be your responsibility to ensure that none of your staff will reveal anything. We cannot handle a visit from the overseer in a few years time."

"What do you mean by 'if we get that far'?"

"If we get to that point, five years in the future, and the king still sits in power. But judging by these past few weeks, he likely won't."

'My growth in power has been meteoric. I will consider it a failure if I still haven't dealt with him in that long."

"I see…" Newark's shoulders relaxed slightly. "In that case, I think we've reached an agreement."

The formation pulsed once, bright enough to cast Newark's shadow against the wall behind him. Golden light wrapped around both participants before bursting into countless motes that drifted upward like sparks from a fire.

"Good." Nova brushed a stray flicker of light from his shoulder. "In that case, I won't mind revealing that your captain is one of my allies."

"Ah, Larena?" A knowing smile crossed Newark's face. "I would be an idiot if I didn't suspect something, especially after she disappeared earlier today. I didn't think it was a coincidence that you suddenly showed up."

"She will handle the transport of the children from her office, with my help." Nova's voice hardened. "Make sure nothing stands in her way."

"Of course." Newark leaned back in his chair. The wood creaked softly. "And you make sure the overseer doesn't smell any part of this plan."

"As I said, I'll be there personally." Nova glanced at the stone walls. "If it comes down to a fight, I'll try not to break too much of your castle."

"Thanks for the consideration." Newark's mouth tightened. "But you surely understand that fighting him is out of the question?"

"I understand that killing him needs to be a last resort, yes. But many things can happen after a fight." Nova moved back to the shadows, standing near the window he had entered through. "Goodbye, Governor."

"Forgive me if I don't see you out."

"Of course." Nova's lips curved slightly. "Next time, perhaps I'll use the front door."

"I look forward to it."

Nova paused at the window. "Oh, and if you get the chance—ask your granddaughter if she ever saw my lighthouse in the darkness. Or a girl her age named Jenny."

Before Newark could form a response, Nova melted into the shadows. Only the gentle flutter of papers in the night breeze marked his passing.

The governor stared at the empty space where Nova had stood, mouth agape. "...She talks too much about the lighthouse… Ah!" His eyes widened with sudden realization. "And the little white haired child who saved everyone…" His voice dropped to a whisper. "So it really was he who saved her."

Nova traced a path through the city's shadows, each jump carrying him closer to Quinn's shop. The night air felt cool against his skin as he slipped between patches of darkness.

The shop's second-floor window stood open to the night breeze. Nova landed silently in the shadow inside the house, listening to the silence. It was a peaceful silence, with the occasional sound of sleep.

'I forgot to make a proper barrier before leaving... It will have to wait until tomorrow. No one should be after us right now, so there's little point in rushing.'

He walked to the bedroom, opening the door to find Annelie under a blanket on the floor. Her grey eyes caught the faint light as she watched him enter. Millie had taken the bed, and was already sleeping soundly.

Nova felt his lips curve into a knowing smirk. 'So the princess was too late, forced to sleep on the floor.'

Annelie's eyes narrowed at his expression, but she still scooted to the side to give him room on the small carpet.

The white church robe slipped from Nova's shoulders. He folded it carefully, hoping this would be the last time he'd need to wear the silky fabric. Then he laid down beside Annelie, letting out a sigh.

She turned to face him in the darkness. One eyebrow rose in silent question, asking how his meeting had gone.

Figuring he would have to speak, Nova cast a silencing barrier around the two of them, letting Millie sleep in peace. The formation shimmered faintly in the moonlight before fading to invisibility. "Newark is back on board. I revealed my appearance to him, but we've got a contract in place now, so it won't be an issue."

Through the thin curtains, clouds drifted across the moon, casting shifting shadows on the wooden floor. Annelie pulled the blanket closer against the night's chill. "Oh, good. Him knowing what you look like doesn't matter much when there is a contract in place. But I guess you had to promise his safety?"

"Yeah..." Nova watched dust motes dance in a beam of moonlight. "He'll live, as long as he cooperates. His death doesn't serve our plans, however much he deserves it."

"I'm glad you came to that conclusion."

"Complete justice is a privilege for the strong. We're not there yet."

"Not yet. But we're growing fast."

"Oh, speaking of which, did you finish absorbing the heart?"

A smile spread across Annelie's face—too wide, too eager. Her eyes remained cold and calculating in the darkness. The contrast sent a chill down Nova's spine.

"We should do some sparring when we have time. I think you'll be surprised." Her voice was filled with confidence. More than Nova liked.

'I wonder how that confidence fares against my Unification skill. And my ten year old body.'

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