The souls once bound by Malakar were finally free. They drifted upward like whispers in the wind, and the gentle light they left behind slowly faded, leaving the chamber quiet… and at peace.
Amina smiled through her tears, wiping them away with her sleeve. I'm just so glad they can finally rest. I mean… imagine being trapped for centuries like that.
Aladdin turned to her, his tone solemn. "Yes, Lady Amina… I can't begin to imagine the horror they endured—unable to pass on."
Ryo crossed his arms, eyes squinting in thought.
"Hey, Mr. Grim… You gave me some seriously overpowered skills. So how come you didn't just fight Malakar yourself? Your powers are insane."
He smirked proudly. "I mean, I literally shot my FOOT down from the edge of space and splattered Malakar's gut."
Silence. Utter, absolute silence.
Amina and Aladdin slowly turned to Ryo—eyes wide, jaws dropping, pupils shrinking into tiny dots.
Then—
Amina, grabbing Ryo's shoulders and violently shaking him.
"YOU DID WHAT?! YOU SHOT YOUR FOOT DOWN FROM THE EDGE OF SPACE?! WHAT KIND OF ANIME SUPERHERO NONSENSE IS THAT?!! ARE YOU EVEN HUMAN?!"
Ryo's brain went full panic mode as his body rattled like a maraca. "W-Wait! Calm down! I'm still exhausted! I lost my powers earlier, remember?!"
Amina froze. Then, realization struck, eyes widening again. "…Wait a minute… That earthquake earlier—was that YOU?!"
Aladdin let out a tired chuckle, rubbing the back of his head.
"At this point, Sir… I've stopped being surprised. With you, every new sentence sounds like a plot twist."
Inside Ryo's head, as he slouched in defeat. "I should've just kept my mouth shut…"
Mr. Grim sighed, shaking his skull in slow disappointment. "You were most reckless, mortal detective"
With regal calm. "As to why I could not face Malakar myself. My powers do not belong in the realm of the living. That is why they were entrusted to you, and only for a time. Had you failed to cast him into the gate, I would have reclaimed them regardless."
Ryo, still recovering from Amina's interrogation, gave a nod and a tired smirk. "Heh… Well, I'm just glad I'm not stuck with them forever."
After the moment settled, Aladdin turned, curiosity in his eyes.
"Umm Mr Grim… If you don't mind me asking… what are you, truly? Are you really the Ancient Jinn the legends spoke of?"
Mr. Grim gave a slow shake of his skull head.
"No… I am not the Ancient Jinn. That title was born of fear and misunderstanding."
"Once, long ago… I was a man. A mortal, like all of you. But I was cursed—wrapped alive in this cursed crimson cloak. The priests sealed me in a tomb, and there, I died… but my soul was never allowed to pass."
"Over time, my flesh decayed, but my spirit endured… until I became this—a Reaper of souls, bearing the very cloak that cursed me. For centuries, I have guided the good and the innocent souls to their eternal peace."
The Amina and Aladdin stood in stunned silence. Then, Ryo stepped forward, hands in his coat pockets. He glanced at Aladdin on one side, then Amina on the other, his voice steady.
"That's why everyone's been wrong about him. All the tragedy, all the sacrifices, all those lives lost across time—they weren't his doing."
"It was Malakar. All of it. Every death, twisted by that lunatic's revenge…"
He motioned subtly toward Mr. Grim. "And him—he's just been cleaning up the mess. Doing his job, even though he's got no say in it."
Amina looked at Mr. Grim with softened eyes, her heart clearly moved.
"Then… the tales were wrong. You're not the monster the world feared. You're the guardian the souls never knew they had."
She placed a hand to her chest, sincere.
"I'll tell the Sultan myself. The people need to know the truth. You're not the Ancient Jinn of destruction—you're the Grim Reaper of peace."
Mr. Grim raised a bony hand, shaking his head lightly. "You need not go to such lengths, Lady. Let sleeping myths remain in shadow."
But Amina smiled gently and stood firm. "No, the kingdom deserves to know. And you deserve better than fear and silence."
Mr. Grim sighed, lowering his hand in quiet defeat, and said softly. "Very well… I thank you."
And for the first time, though his skull could not smile… his voice almost did.
Then, he spoke with regal firmness. "Now then, this Black Pyramid must vanish from the reach of mortals. I shall sink it deep beneath the earth along with this accursed gate, so that no fool may ever attempt to continue what Malakar began once again."
Ryo rubbed the back of his neck with a dry smirk. "Great… a breathtaking magical sight I'll probably never get to post on social media."
Amina chuckled softly at Ryo's complaint, before her expression turned serious.
"He's right though. We should go. This place is too dangerous to leave as is. Who knows if there's another vengeful idiot out there as psychotic as Malakar, just waiting to pick up where he left off."
The trio gave one final bow to Mr. Grim.
Ryo smiled as he looked up at the towering skeletal figure. "Well… I guess this is goodbye, Mr. Grim."
Aladdin, standing at Ryo's side, glanced up as well. "Will this be the last time we see you?"
Mr. Grim's voice echoed with solemnity, ancient and final, as he spoke calmly.
"I am not meant to walk among mortals. My role is to guide lost souls to the afterlife—and tend to duties beyond this world, this realm."
"Only Malakar's interference forced my hand to appear. Now that balance is restored… this is, indeed, farewell."
Amina placed a gentle hand over her chest, a bittersweet smile on her lips. "I see… Then farewell, Sir Grim Reaper."
There was a subtle pause—Mr. Grim's head tilted slightly, as if quietly pleased.
And with dry amusement..
"How dignified that sounds… 'Sir Grim Reaper'. A far nobler title than the absurd nickname I've been forced to endure from this mortal detective."
Ryo let out an awkward laugh, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Ha… ha… ha… sorry about that… it kinda stuck."
They turned around as Aladdin extended his hand, and his magic carpet swiftly floated over to their feet like a loyal companion answering its master's call. With a graceful sweep of his arm, Aladdin invited Amina and Ryo aboard.
They climbed on, now facing the entrance of the chamber—their way out.
Before they took off, Ryo glanced back one last time. He raised his hand in a casual salute toward Mr. Grim. The Reaper gave a solemn nod in return—no words, just a silent exchange between two very different men who had somehow fought side by side.
As the carpet hovered a few feet off the ground, Amina noticed something near the entrance.
She chuckles lightly. "Too bad you never used your parachute."
Ryo grinned. "Hey, that was my backup plan in case Aladdin decided to go full stunt pilot again. Remember that first flight?"
Aladdin rubbed the back of his neck with a sheepish chuckle. "Apologies, Sir… I kinda panicked. Never flown with two people before."
Ryo shrugged proudly. "Well, at least my helmet and goggles didn't go to waste. Protected my head, and the goggles turned into some kind of divine sniper scope. Only problem? The moment Mr. Grim's powers left me… the goggles vanished."
He rubbed his temples dramatically, letting out a sigh of disbelief. "Gone. Poof. Like a magician's bad breakup trick."
Mr. Grim, speaking from behind them in his usual composed tone. "I placed them in your coat pocket. I am no thief."
Ryo blinked and quickly checked his trench coat pocket. Sure enough, the goggles were there, neatly tucked away…
…Now feeling relieved. "Oh hey! There they are! Man, you really are the classiest spooky guy I've ever met."
He reached down, grabbed the dusty parachute bag lying near the entrance, and tossed it onto the carpet.
Ryo smirked playfully. "You know… we could still skydive later before returning to the city for fun."
Amina and Aladdin said in unison, alarmed. "NO, THANK YOU!"
Ryo snickered, clearly enjoying their reactions.
With that, the carpet drifted forward, gliding smoothly through the dark halls of the pyramid one last time. Behind them, Mr. Grim remained at the heart of the chamber—still, silent, and eternal.
And then… sunlight.
They emerged from the shadows and were greeted by the open sky once again. The fresh desert air filled their lungs. The dark clouds had passed. And for the first time in what felt like forever—they could finally breathe easy.
Inside the chamber, Mr. Grim raised his skeletal hand, and ancient magic sparked all around him. The ground began to rumble. The black pyramid started sinking slowly, stone by stone, as if the earth itself was swallowing it whole.
The three of them were startled.
"Whoa!" Ryo yelped, and Aladdin quickly urged the magic carpet to rise higher. They hovered to a safe distance, watching from above as the entire structure began to descend.
The cursed pyramid kept sinking, deeper and deeper into the sand, until only the very tip remained… and then that too vanished below the surface.
The sand shifted like a wave, covering the hole. Within moments, the ground was smooth again, as if the pyramid had never been there—no cracks, no rubble. It looked like nothing had happened at all.
Just endless sand, calm and undisturbed.
Ryo exhaled with a small smile, arms crossed as he looked over the now-flattened desert. "Well... I guess that's that. Pyramid's all gone."
Up front, Aladdin guided the magic carpet with ease, glancing back over his shoulder with a grin. "Let's return to the city. Sir. Lady Amina."
The carpet soared into the sky, rising higher and higher until they pierced through the clouds like a ship sailing into an ocean of white.
Amina threw her arms up, fists clenched in excitement. "Finally! I can finally go home! It feels like it's been forever!"
GRRRRUMBLE… Ryo's stomach made an awful growling noise.
Aladdin chuckled. "Sounds like someone's about to collapse from hunger."
Amina laughed too, turning to him. "That wasn't just hunger—that was a cry for help!"
Ryo blushed, rubbing his stomach with a sheepish grin. "Okay, okay… that's embarrassing. But seriously, I'm starving…"
Amina leaned closer with a teasing grin.
"Don't worry, Ryo. As a reward for saving the kingdom—and you know, the whole world—me, a beautiful girl, and Shahira, another even more beautiful girl, will personally spoon-feed you our best specialties!"
Ryo narrowed his eyes, his face turning red. "Can I at least eat by myself like a normal person…?"
He sighed, muttering to himself. "I'm about to be fed by waifus… as if I've stepped into an Arabian fantasy dating sim."
Then he raised a hand, glancing at the two. "And besides—I didn't save this kingdom alone..."
He pointed to Aladdin. "Right, Aladdin?"
Aladdin, still piloting the carpet, quickly turned his head and put on an innocent face. "Hmm? I have no idea what you're talking about, sir."
Ryo leaned forward in disbelief. "Are you serious?! Don't pretend like you didn't do anything!"
After a while of smooth flying through the skies, Aladdin glanced back over his shoulder. "We're descending now."
The magic carpet dipped beneath the clouds, and as the thick mist cleared—there it was.
The golden domes, the grand towers, and sunlit streets of Al-Munira.
Amina gasped with joy, her eyes sparkling. "We're home…"
Aladdin's smile softened as he steered the carpet closer. "It feels like a dream..."
As they glided over the rooftops, something unexpected happened.
Cheers. Loud, echoing cheers began to rise from the streets.
The people below had spotted them. They were pointing, waving, calling out with smiles and tears in their eyes. Children jumped excitedly. Adults clapped. A few threw flower petals into the air.
It was a celebration.
The heroes of the kingdom had returned.
Ryo leaned over the edge of the carpet, eyes wide as he watched the crowd. "What's going on…?"
And then—
"Ryo!!"
"It's him!!"
"The hero!! RYO!!"
Voices rang out from every direction, calling his name like he was a legendary hero returned from a myth.
Ryo blinked, utterly panicking. "HUH?! WHY?!
Amina smirked, nudging his arm. "Oh? Looks like you're getting a grand hero's welcome, Mr. Hero!"
Ryo looked overwhelmed. "WHAT! I DIDN'T ASK FOR THIS!—I mean, come on, at least give Aladdin the same treatment!"
Aladdin quickly looked away, waving a hand dismissively. "But I didn't do anything, sir…"
Ryo's eye twitched as he stared at him. "Hey… don't throw all the spotlight on me!"
Aladdin just whistled innocently and kept piloting the carpet, pretending he couldn't hear anything. He then steered the magic carpet toward the grand palace.
As they reached the skies above the Grand Palace, they saw them, at the palace courtyard—
King Malik. Queen Zafira. And Shahira.
They stood with the palace maids, attendants, guards, and other staff gathered behind them, all having returned after the dark clouds cleared. Their eyes were lifted skyward, cheering and clapping as the carpet descended, like a divine chariot from the heavens.
Shahira's eyes widened in joy as she spotted her best friend above.
"AMINAAAA!!" she cried out, waving both hands with tearful happiness.
Amina's breath caught. Her vision blurred with tears as her lips trembled into a smile.
"SHAHIRAAAA!!" she shouted back, her voice cracking with emotion.
Aladdin landed the carpet softly at the courtyard. The moment it touched the ground, Amina leapt off without hesitation, her slippers pattering against the marble floor as Shahira sprinted toward her.
The two girls collided into each other's arms, tears pouring down their cheeks as they held each other tightly.
"THANK GOD… AMINA… I'M SO HAPPY YOU'RE HOME!" Shahira sobbed, her voice raw with relief.
"YEAH… I WAS SO SCARED…" Amina choked out, clinging tighter. Her heart pounded with emotion she could no longer contain.
They cried freely—no shame, no fear. Only overwhelming love and relief.
Still hugging Amina, Shahira peeked over her shoulder and spotted Ryo, standing nearby with his hands stuffed in his trench coat pockets, watching quietly.
Her eyes welled with gratitude.
"Ryo… thank you for… bringing Amina home." Her voice trembled with emotion.
Ryo gave a soft, awkward smile, rubbing the back of his head.
"Aw, don't mention it. I mean… that's why I was hired. Though… I wasn't expecting the whole immortal villain-fighting thing…" he muttered with a nervous laugh.
Before Ryo could even say another word, the royal couple stepped forward.
Queen Zafira gently took Amina from Shahira's embrace and pulled her into her own arms—no formality, no titles—just pure motherly instinct. She held her like a mother clinging to her long-lost daughter.
"I'm so glad you're back home, Amina… my sweetheart…" the Queen whispered with teary eyes, her voice shaking.
Amina stood still, stunned.
The Queen had never called her that before. Not 'palace staff.' Not 'attendant.' Just… sweetheart.
And then King Malik joined them, wrapping both his arms around Amina and the Queen. His powerful voice cracked with emotion.
"We were so worried about you, Amina. You're safe now… that's all that matters."
Amina's breath hitched, she didn't know what to say.
For years she had served them loyally as a royal attendant. She had always kept her distance, always bowed, always obeyed. But now…
Their arms felt like home. Like the embrace of parents she never had. The love in their voices, the warmth in their touch—it was something she had only dreamed of.
And now… it was real.
Tears spilled from her eyes as she slowly lifted her arms and hugged them both back. "I'm home…"
For the first time in her life… She wasn't just someone's attendant.
She was family.
The King gently pulled back from the hug while the Queen still held Amina close, her hands gently stroking Amina's hair as if to reassure herself that this wasn't a dream. King Malik turned and walked over to where Ryo and Aladdin stood by the carpet.
His expression was firm, but his eyes shimmered with deep gratitude.
"Thank you," he said, voice steady. "Both of you… for bringing Amina home."
Ryo gave the King a wink and casually shot him a finger gun.
"No problem, Your Majesty. Just your friendly neighborhood trench coat guy."
Aladdin blinked, then turned to Ryo with a playful grin.
"But sir… isn't it strange that a detective is doing the saving instead of just, you know… solving cases?"
Ryo smirked and shrugged with an over-the-top display of sarcasm.
"Oh yeah, totally normal! Just your average Tuesday, right?" he said, his voice dripping with mock excitement.
"You know—saving the king's personal attendant from an evil immortal guy who's been holding onto a grudge for, what, centuries? Because clearly, that's the best way to handle things!"
He threw both hands up in the air, acting like he'd just solved the world's biggest mystery.
"But nooooo, instead of, you know, moving on with his life, he had to summon the so-called Ancient Jinn, make a dumb wish, and try to wipe out the kingdom with a whole bunch of loud, screaming spirits, just to scream, 'I'm still mad at you!'"
He rolled his eyes, shaking his head. "I mean, seriously. Therapy. It exists…
The King raised a brow, clearly intrigued—and maybe a little taken aback by Ryo's sarcasm, unsure of how to respond.
"Tell me everything. What exactly happened with Malakar… and the Celestial Compass?"
Ryo scratched his head and launched into it.
"Well, long story short: Malakar got launched into the Gate of Malevolent Spirits along with his evil compass. Gate's sealed now. No more soul-warping. No more psycho sorcery. Done deal."
The King's eyes widened.
Ryo continued casually.
"Oh, and that whole 'Ancient Jinn is a terrifying evil entity' thing? Total myth. He's actually just a grim reaper doing his afterlife job—but Malakar hijacked him with his revenge-fueled wish and messed up everything. It was Mr. Grim who helped me out."
"Wait, the Jinn helped you?" the King asked in shock.
Ryo crossed his arms. "Yep. Also, he gave me superpowers."
The King blinked. "You… had powers?"
Ryo smirked. "Yeah! Temporary, but I made 'em count. Punched Malakar in his skull. He'll be feeling that for centuries."
The King stood frozen. And then—
His hands slowly rose to his temples… and stayed there. His face twitched. His breath hitched. And then—
"HhhhhHHHHHHHHHH—"
Steam practically shot out of the sides of his head, like his royal brain had just short-circuited from the most absurd revelation he'd ever heard from the detective.
Aladdin stepped back a little, concerned. "Sir… maybe you should stop now…"
Ryo snickered, stuffing his hands into his coat pockets with a sly grin.
"Why? Just doing some classic detective revelation stuff. You know—like at the end of a mystery, but with more magical death gates and the angry fossil boy."
Ryo tilted his head in curiosity.
"So, uh… King? Why exactly am I being hailed like some grand hero by the entire city? I thought stuff like the Celestial Compass was supposed to be top secret?"
King Malik chuckled and placed a hand on Ryo's shoulder.
"That was the plan, yes. But now that the dark clouds have cleared and the threat is over, I decided it was time for my people to know the truth. Your actions deserve recognition, especially since so many others couldn't take on the task—you were the one who pieced everything together and saved us all."
Ryo immediately pointed at Aladdin standing beside him. "But I'm not the one who did everything alo—"
He stopped mid-sentence. Aladdin was gone.
Ryo blinked and scanned the area, then spotted him—several paces away, standing stiffly among the palace guards like he'd been there the whole time. Aladdin gave a crisp salute.
"I'm just the pilot, sir! Captain of Carpet Airlines!"
He added with a shrug, clearly not wanting to deal with the hassle of taking credit for something so grand.
Ryo's jaw dropped. "WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS TO ME, ALADDIN?!"
Before he could escape the attention, Shahira stepped forward and raised her voice with royal flair.
"EVERYONE! LET US CELEBRATE AND SHOW OUR GRATITUDE TO THE HERO OF OUR KINGDOM—DETECTIVE RYO!"
"WAIT—WHAT?!" Ryo shouted, panic rising.
The palace courtyard exploded in a flurry of activity. Maids tossed rose petals into the air, covering him in a shower of red and pink. Trumpets blared from the guards in celebration.
Queen Zafira approached with a warm smile and her eyes closed in pure amusement.
"Now, Mr. Detective, let's go have some fun, shall we?"
Ryo tried to protest again, hands half-raised. "Like I said... Aladdin helped m—"
"We need to show the hero what we got!" Aladdin shouted mid-laugh as he threw rose petals directly at Ryo's face.
"ARE YOU STILL GONNA DENY IT, ALADDIN?!" Ryo shouted, half-choking on petals.
Then Amina twirled towards him, her dress spinning as she landed in a graceful pose. She stretched her hand out toward Ryo with an elegant grin.
"Ryo, allow us to introduce you to the grandest celebration of gratitude this kingdom has ever thrown—for our beloved hero, Detective Ryo!"
She winked. "And we're doing it the royal way… Arabian Nights style!"
"HUH?!" Ryo's eyes widened like saucers.
Before he could take a single step back, Shahira and Amina grabbed both his arms with unstoppable energy. "Let's go, Hero!" they sang in unison.
"WAIT—NO—STOP—!" Ryo flailed as they dragged him down the golden-carpeted entrance of the palace.
The grand palace doors creaked open with golden shimmer, and instantly—a roaring wave of applause and cheers hit Ryo like a sandstorm.
Inside, the palace was crowded with nobles in fancy clothes, royal staff, and the walls sparkled with candlelight reflecting off silk banners. The air smelled of rosewater. As soon as Ryo stepped in, rose petals fell from the indoor balconies above, showering him like a royal blessing.
"HUHHH—" was all Ryo managed to utter, absolutely speechless as everyone clapped and chanted his name.
He stood stiff, his eyes wide, looking completely out of place as the crowd chanted.
"Hero of Al-Munira! Hero of Al-Munira!"
Amina leaned in with a grin, standing on one side of him. "Ryo, we still need to get ready for your grand celebration."
Shahira on his other side, giggled. "Yup! Starting with your royal look."
Without waiting for approval, Shahira pulled a regal golden robe from an attendant's tray and gently placed it around Ryo's shoulders. The embroidery shimmered with silver thread and sapphire gems that caught the light.
Amina carefully placed a turban of royal blue atop his head, laced with a peacock feather and a ruby centerpiece.
Before Ryo could even process the look, five noble children ran up to him with big smiles and placed an extravagant necklace made of sparkling diamonds around his neck.
"W-Woah…!" Ryo gasped, eyes twitching.
Amina and Shahira giggled and gracefully bowed. "We'll go change now—make sure to act royal, Ryo!"
And with a wink, they slipped away.
Queen Zafira approached with a serene smile and extended her hand. "This way, Mr. Detective. The Sultan's Grand Hall awaits."
She guided him through hallways until they reached the golden double doors of the hall. Inside, it was even more crowded—dancers twirled beneath a huge crystal chandelier, guests chatted, and music played in the background. Golden silk curtains hung from the ceiling, glowing softly like flowing dunes.
At the far end, King Malik sat cross-legged atop a jeweled cushion, raising his hand.
"Come, Mr. Detective. Sit beside me."
Ryo, awkward and unsure, gave a wobbly smile as he walked over. "Uhh… okay…"
He sat down beside the king, and immediately, stunning palace maids in flowing silks arrived, carrying trays of glorious food: saffron rice, roasted lamb, sweet pastries, honey-dipped fruits, and silver pitchers of sparkling juice.
As the platters landed, Ryo's stomach let out a thunderous growl.
King Malik laughed heartily. "Dig in, Mr. Detective! You've earned every bite."
Just then, gasps swept the room as Amina and Shahira entered the hall.
Their appearances were straight out of a dream—clad in lavish Arabian princess attire, their flowing dresses sparkled like stars under the candlelight.
Amina wore a soft turquoise gown with golden sashes and coin bracelets that chimed with every step. Shahira wore a deep violet outfit with crescent moons and star patterns embroidered on it. Both of them had veils hanging from their jeweled tiaras, their hair beautifully braided.
Their smiles were brighter than the chandelier.
Shahira marched forward with a playful pout. "Father! Let us feed Ryo!"
Ryo nearly choked. "H-Huh?! Wait—hold up!"
King Malik, now sweating nervously, raised a hand. "But—but as Sultan, it is tradition that I sit next to the hero!"
Amina crossed her arms with a sassy huff. "Obviously, the hero here deserves harem king treatment!"
Ryo laughed nervously. "Harem king, huh… That's definitely… not… terrifying at all."
King Malik sighed in defeat and gave up his seat. "Fine, fine… you win…" He then joined the table with his noble guests and his wife, not far from Ryo and the girls.
Then, Amina flopped down beside Ryo on his right and Shahira gracefully slid in on the left, both way too close for comfort.
Shahira scooped a steaming spoon of saffron rice, Amina picked up a fluffy honey pastry.
Together, they leaned in with bright eyes. "Ryo, say 'Ahhhh~'!"
Ryo turned beet red. "One at a time!!" he blurted out, squirming between the two princesses…
And after a while of being fed—spoon after spoon, pastry after pastry—by two drop-dead gorgeous princesses, Ryo leaned back on the cushioned seat, his arms limp and his face flushed from the sheer amount of royal-grade food.
He was stuffed. Beyond stuffed. Beyond human capacity.
Then—King Malik, surrounded by his noble guests, suddenly stood and raised his hand high, silencing the music with a single regal clap.
"Let the Gift-Giving Ceremony begin!"
The entire grand hall erupted into cheers and applause again.
Ryo blinked in confusion. "Gift?" he mumbled, his brain a bit foggy from the food.
"I mean, I prefer cash... though I already got a fat check just from complimenting the king's wife's beauty..."
Queen Zafira, sitting next to her husband, sipped calmly from a jewel-encrusted goblet and chuckled in delight as her eyes narrowed with amusement.
"How about another $70,000 for the rest of the payment? You have no say in this."
Before Ryo could process what was happening, the queen casually pulled out her diamond-studded smartphone, tapped a few glowing runes on the screen—and with a sweet ding!, the transfer was done.
Ryo glanced at his phone... and almost dropped it.
His hands shook. His eyes went wide. His jaw unhinged.
Where once there had been an almost empty balance due to a lack of clients, now sat a number with more zeroes than he'd ever seen. The former broke detective was now incomprehensibly rich.
Before he could fully process the sudden rush of wealth, Shahira and Amina each took one of his arms and gently pulled him up.
Now standing between the two glittering princesses, each holding onto him like he was the harem protagonist of a royal romance, Ryo looked like a man caught between heaven and disbelief.
Shahira leaned close with a teasing smile. "Oh Ryo, this is not the time to turn anything away. As the foreign hero of this kingdom, you deserve all the rewards you get."
Amina nodded, her eyes gleaming. "Exactly. Come on, handsome protagonist. Let's go receive your treasure."
"BRING IN THE GIFTS!" King Malik's voice echoed like a divine command.
The grand hall doors burst open.
A dozen royal attendants marched in— Each wore beautiful silk clothes, with golden sashes and jeweled cuffs. They carried large, fancy chests, velvet-covered trays, and sparkling treasures that looked like they belonged in a museum, not on a gift table.
As they reached Ryo, they dropped to one knee in perfect unison—one foot forward, one knee down, heads bowed low—as though presenting the finest tribute to a visiting emperor.
They held the gifts upward with both hands:
A sword carved from meteorite steel.
A rare silk-feather cloak.
Stacks of gold coins.
Perfume bottles made of crystal and filled with scents from the farthest sands.
Even a golden statue of Ryo himself—already made.
"Wha… wha…!" Ryo stammered, overwhelmed, his brain spiraling.
King Malik spread his arms, a proud smile across his face. "This is all for you, Mr. Heroic Detective!"
Ryo scanned the treasure before him, taking in the trays, and sparkling relics…
He let out a long, tired sigh, rubbing his temples as the princesses laughed beside him.
"…How am I gonna stash all these in my tiny office…?"
The hall exploded in laughter. Music returned, louder and grander than ever, echoing through the halls of the palace.
Tonight, the Kingdom of Al-Munira celebrated its foreign hero—not just as a detective… but as royalty.
But as the chaotic celebration raged on, Ryo leaned closer to Shahira and Amina—both still latched onto his arms like proud champions displaying their trophy.
Ryo raised his hands gently. "Shahira, Amina… I need to get some air."
Amina squinted at him playfully. "Not enjoying your harem moment?"
Ryo let out a nervous laugh. "No no, it's not that—I just need a breather before I explode."
Shahira pouted a little, her voice tinged with playful disappointment.
"Alright… but after your break, meet us at the courtyard, okay? We're having a grand nighttime festival in about two hours."
Ryo froze. "There's more?" He let out a long, theatrical sigh. "Oh well… sure, I'll be there."
He gently slipped away from the two beauties, giving them a little wave as he head toward the exit. As he walked through the grand hall, noble guests called out cheerfully.
"Thank you for saving the kingdom!"
"You're so lucky! Two princesses, one on each arm!"
"Can I shake the hand that punched the evil sorcerer?!"
He chuckled and exchanged a few handshakes, patting a few kids on the head as they rushed forward for a closer look at the hero. Finally, after a moment, he pushed open the doors and stepped out into the quiet.
The doors closed behind him.
Ryo exhaled deeply, stretching out his arms. "Phew… finally got some alone time."
He wandered through the quiet hallways until he reached the palace's outdoor garden, a tranquil space bathed in the soft silver glow of moonlight. A breeze rustled through the flowers and leaves, offering peace at last.
But then—he paused.
There, beneath the moonlight, sat someone alone in the garden. A man in a wheelchair, his frame thinner, one foot missing. His back was turned, but the presence felt familiar, carrying something deeper… darker.
He was staring silently at the moon.
Ryo's eyes narrowed slightly.
It was Prince Jamil… Freed from the prison hospital.
He approached and stopped beside the prince, a small grin forming on his face. "Hey, Prince… finally free from that prison hospital, huh?"
Prince Jamil let out a tired, irritated sigh, then slowly turned his head, his gaze landing coldly on Ryo. His voice was low, bitter.
"Sucks to see you again… Foreigner..."