Gyotaro and Haruki reached the top of the volcano. A silver light was radiating from a single point—where Haruki spotted an egg. As they approached, they saw one of the seven eggs shimmering faintly. The egg began to crack.
With a soft shimmer, the shell broke open, and a gentle light spilled through the cracks like liquid moonlight. From within emerged a delicate figure, no taller than a human palm. Her skin glowed with a soft silver hue, as if it were dusted with stardust. Gossamer wings—still damp and gently folded—sparkled with each small movement.
Her eyes, wide with wonder, reflected the colors of dawn: a swirl of blush pink and soft gold, alive with magic. Strands of translucent hair floated around her like fine silk caught in a breeze. As she took her first breath, the air around her shimmered with an ancient, melodic hum.
Haruki and Gyotaro stood frozen in awe. They had never seen anything like this.
The tiny fairy flew closer to Haruki and gently perched on his shoulder. She was new to the world—fragile, curious, and alone. Her mother was nowhere to be seen.
Seeing her, Haruki and Gyotaro exchanged glances. A thought struck both of them: her mother must be connected to this place.
Haruki remained by the fairy's side, while Gyotaro searched the surrounding area. But no other being like her could be found.
Haruki decided to take all the eggs from the top of the volcano—he knew they weren't safe there. But as soon as he touched one, he realized the eggs were extremely hot and fragile. Even a little extra force could break them.
"Leave them here," Gyotaro said calmly. "If their mother comes looking and finds them gone, that could be dangerous."
Haruki paused, then nodded. He thought for a while, then came up with a plan.
"I'll build a new village east of the volcano," he said. "For now, I'll stay nearby to protect the eggs. Once it's safe, I'll move the village farther away. This volcano is too dangerous for ordinary people."
Haruki and Gyotaro descended from the volcano with the tiny fairy perched on Haruki's shoulder. When they returned to the crowd, Haruki raised his voice and declared, "This is where we will build our new village."
The people looked at each other, then at Haruki—and they trusted him. They believed in his strength.
And so, the construction of a new village began.
In the six days that followed, something miraculous happened—each day, one egg hatched, and a new fairy was born under Haruki's protection. By the seventh day, all seven fairies had emerged, each as radiant and otherworldly as the first.
On the seventh day, something else changed—the fiery heart of the volcano went silent. Its glow dimmed, and the lava cooled. Slowly, the once-deadly volcano transformed into a black mountain.
Seeing this, the people decided not to move the village. They felt it was fate—this place was meant to be their home.
Gyotaro gave names to the fairies, from eldest to youngest: Anya, Ronan, Isara, Sora, Elara, Cassi, and Torvin.
Together, they were known as "The Seven Angels."
Soon after the village was founded, Yuki—Haruki's wife—arrived and joined him. Life began to settle. Not long after, Gyotaro returned to his homeland, trusting Haruki with the future of this new village.
Meanwhile, people from the eastern lands, who had been living in fear, began migrating to Haruki's village. The population grew steadily, and the barren land began to thrive.
To the fairies, Haruki and the people of the village were more than just protectors—they were family. The bond between them was pure and unbreakable. The fairies' growth was nothing short of miraculous. In just five years, they matured from palm-sized beings to full human size. However, once they reached that form, they stopped growing physically.
Haruki stayed in the village for ten years. During that time, many demon attacks occurred—but Haruki alone was enough to defend the people every time. Under his guidance, the village flourished. He established an academy, a grand library, and many other institutions, earning the village the name: Land of Wisdom.
As the years passed, the seven fairies—now known as The Seven Angels—grew stronger, wiser, and deeply connected to the village. When Haruki saw that they had matured enough to protect the land, he entrusted its security to them.
With confidence in their strength, Haruki and Yuki quietly left the village, knowing it was in the safest hands.
Flashback ends.
Yakushi watched as Haruki quietly stepped out of the old house. Eran, standing beside him, immediately noticed.
"Is this… Haruki's house from when he lived here?" Eran asked, his voice low with curiosity.
Yakushi nodded. "Yes, this is where he stayed when he built the village."
Haruki approached them and gave a subtle glance—silent but clear: Let's keep moving.
But Eran, unable to hold back his curiosity, turned to him and asked,
"Haruki… why did you leave this village back then?"