"Could we really say the incident was settled... I wonder?"
"It’s complicated. The city is peaceful now, but it's hard to take that at face value."
A few days had passed since the night Yugo and Ryuga had stood against the Magic Armor Beasts and cast them down.
In the interim, a dizzying succession of events had reshaped the city’s landscape in ways that defied simple explanation.
The Society of Friends of the Night no longer rampaged in the name of justice, yet the atmosphere was far from peaceful. It wasn't the kind of happy ending anyone had envisioned.
Yugo and Sakura walked through streets that felt fundamentally the same, yet were underscored by a subtle, unsettling shift. They came to a halt when something caught their eyes.
They stood before a bulletin board, their expressions darkening as they scanned the extra edition newspaper pinned to its surface.
"'Kurotobari Slain by Heinous Criminal from Yamato!'... Quite the sensationalist headline, isn’t it?"
The newspaper pinned to the center of the board contained the details regarding the death of Kurotobari, the man who had plunged the city into the depths of fear.
It revealed his true identity as Garando of the Security Force, how he had performed nightly extrajudicial lynchings on former convicts due to his past... and how he had finally been killed by the heinous criminal from Yamato, Zaraki.
The source of the leak remained a mystery.
Jinba had mentioned that the Security Force intended to release details with extreme caution; there was no reason for them to divulge this much all at once.
Yugo’s face clouded with frustration. He suspected the masterminds Ryuga had mentioned—the ones who had ordered Zaraki to silence Garando—were pulling the strings. To him, Sakura spoke.
"While it is true this report put an end to the Society’s madness, it leaves a foul taste in one's mouth, does it not...?"
As Sakura said, the followers had been shattered by the news. Their idol, the embodiment of absolute justice, had been snuffed out by a common criminal.
Moreover, with Garando’s defeat at Ryuga’s hands, his power had withered. The transformation ability he’d bestowed upon his flock had vanished along with him, leaving the members in a state of total, soul-crushing despair.
A simple arrest likely wouldn't have sufficed. They might have protested, rioted, or turned to terrorism to liberate their "hero" in the name of justice.
But because Kurotobari—a figure they revered as a god of justice—had been slain by "Evil," the very thing he was meant to conquer, their movement had collapsed instantly.
The fact that Glonas was no longer there to direct them played a part, but for the rank and file, it was as if their entire world had ended.
As Zaraki had said after killing Garando, any lingering threats had been severed. For most citizens, it was a relief, but Yugo and his companions couldn't bring themselves to celebrate.
"...Justice is such a hollow, difficult concept. I think I finally understand what you meant, Yugo-dono."
Kurotobari had gained a following by judging evil, only to let that justice spiral out of control until he became the villain of his own story.
Conversely, the heinous criminal Zaraki was undeniably evil, yet his actions had restored order to the city, allowing people to sleep soundly once more.
Justice and evil could trade places in a heartbeat. Acting on one's convictions was no guarantee of a righteous outcome.
Sakura looked downcast, the weight of the realization heavy on her shoulders. Yugo let out a soft sigh.
"True, it's messy, and it hurts to think about. But... there's still plenty to be happy about, right?"
Yugo looked toward their destination with a small smile.
He pushed open the door, which bore a "Reserved for Private Party" sign. Inside, a warm glow spilled out as friends and staff greeted them.
"Welcome! The food's almost ready!"
"Hey, En. You’re looking well. Batz, you seem to be doing better too."
"Ahaha... sorry for causing so much trouble again."
"Don't sweat it. I'm just glad to see you back on your feet."
En had been discharged from the hospital and had already returned to her shifts. Batz, seeing her well again, had finally shaken off his gloom. Yugo’s smile was genuine.
"Sakura... thank you for... well, everything."
"It’s good to see Mary-dono getting along so well with Lord Gaut. It puts my mind at ease."
Mary and her father were both in high spirits. Lord Gaut’s wounds were nearly healed, and the sight of the father and daughter’s closeness brought a warm smile to Sakura’s face.
"Hey! The pies are out of the oven! Coming through!"
"Not everyone's here yet, but we shouldn't let it get cold. Shall we dig in?"
The Cafe Master and Sanga—wearing aprons that looked surprisingly natural on them—began lining the table with steaming pies. The group sat down to celebrate the recovery celebration for En and Lord Gaut, their laughter and lighthearted conversation filling the room as they savored the delicious meal.