Not far away from the royal palace, Esdeath's parents, Nyx Crimson and Charlotte Crimson, sat in a cold prison cell. They were waiting patiently, desperate for someone to come and bring them news of what was happening outside.
Every single second felt like it lasted an eternity. They had absolutely no idea what was going on—whether Esdeath and Lortell had been found guilty or proven innocent. Because of this terrible uncertainty, they hadn't been able to sleep at all the previous night.
By now, it was already evening time, and they were still in the dark. Although they had surely noticed the panic on the guards' faces and seen a lot of recent movement a few hours ago—almost like something had happened that required the army's power—no one had come to tell them anything. They didn't have very strong relationships with other nobles, so no one had come to visit them to offer condolences either.
They sat on the hard ground behind the prison bars, their heads resting in their palms, their faces full of stress.
But then, a knight slowly walked toward them. The sound of his heavy boots clicking on the stone echoed through the quiet hall.
Nyx and Charlotte lifted their heads slightly, confused by the sudden visitor. The knight walked right up to them, opened the gate of their jail room, and then stood there silently.
Nyx and Charlotte were confused for a moment because the knight didn't say a single word. But then, Nyx gathered his courage and walked forward, with Charlotte staying close behind him.
They took slow steps, feeling both nervous and alert, but the knight didn't do anything to stop them. He just stood there idly.
They walked out of their prison room. Only then did the knight's hand move. He pointed toward the back.
As Nyx and Charlotte followed where he was pointing, their eyes widened. There stood Esdeath, with a faint, gentle smile on her face.
"Esdeath!" Tears immediately welled up in Charlotte's eyes. She didn't wait a second longer; she rushed forward and hugged her daughter tightly.
Nyx followed close behind, wiping a tear from the corner of his eye as he smiled to himself.
"Everything is alright now," Esdeath said softly, hugging her mother back.
"Thank goodness! I was so worried," Charlotte cried out between sobs. "I told them you were innocent!" She continued to speak, kissing Esdeath over and over again on her cheeks and forehead.
She even checked Esdeath's body to make sure she wasn't hurt, but she found nothing. Esdeath had a new body now; even the old scars and the full-body tattoos were completely gone.
Nyx finally came up from behind and wrapped his arms around both Esdeath and Charlotte in a gentle, warm hug, saying nothing.
After they finally finished their long embrace, Nyx asked, "What happened to the trial? How was everything resolved?"
"Well, the situation turned out pretty different!" Esdeath said. She then began to explain what had happened at the courtroom. Of course, it wasn't the full truth.
Since most of the people at the royal palace were dead, very few people actually knew what really happened, and most of those who did were on Lortell's side. Ethan and his team knew, but they had fled to a different kingdom. So, the truth was now whatever Lortell and Queen Maddie decides to say.
That is why Esdeath told them a short, simplified version. She told them how the King didn't have any strong evidence, and how a demon attack had happened, followed by the revolutionary army launching a full-scale attack on the kingdom.
Charlotte's eyes widened in horror. "My poor daughter! Thank goodness you are safe!" She showered Esdeath with even more kisses.
"Enough kisses. Lortell is waiting outside. Are you going to make her wait?" Esdeath said with a small laugh.
"Ohh, I am so sorry!" Charlotte immediately stopped, feeling a bit embarrassed.
****
Esdeath led Nyx and Charlotte outside, where Lortell was waiting for them. Selene was there as well, standing faithfully by Lortell's side. They met and exchanged warm greetings. Both Nyx and Charlotte bowed their heads sincerely, thanking Lortell.
After the emotional reunion, they decided to go to a nearby restaurant. They desperately needed to eat something to release the stress from their minds, especially since they hadn't eaten anything for the past day and a half.
As they traveled through the streets, the scenes were shocking for the parents. The aftermath of the revolutionary army's battles was still clearly visible. There were a few protesters still holding signs and shouting.
Most of the small restaurants and shops were closed due to the chaos, and there was visible destruction of public property everywhere they looked. However, some high-valued restaurants were still open, catering to those who could afford them.
They ate a quiet meal at one of these places, the food bringing a small bit of comfort back into their lives. When they finished, Lortell arranged a sturdy carriage and twenty guards to escort them safely back to their home in Swann.
"Although the revolutionaries will take control of half of the kingdom, I don't think they will strip normal nobles of their status," Lortell explained as they prepared to leave. "Their main targets will be the corrupt or high-class nobles."
She looked at Esdeath's parents with reassuring eyes. "If anything does happen, just know that we are here. I don't think anyone will dare to attack you, knowing that you are related to me!" she added with confident smile.
Nyx nodded, feeling a weight lift off his shoulders. They exchanged a few more words, and then Charlotte hugged Esdeath and Selene tightly for the last time, not wanting to let go. Finally, they bid farewell and departed for Swann, watching the city fade into the distance.
***
A few days went by. The whole kingdom was in an uproar, but thankfully, the chaos soon died down. People from all over the world heard the news.
A trial on an Arch Duchess, with rulers of all powerful kingdoms as judges. Two Demon Lords attacking, a revolutionary army launching a full-scale invasion, and the Vanara tribe attacking—all in one single day.
It was truly shocking. It hadn't been long since the whole world was shaken by M. A. L. I. C. E.'s attack on the Dwarf Kingdom, and now even bigger news had come out.
Because of the aftermath of these huge events, the kingdom was split into two parts. The right side was now under the revolutionary's rule, announced as the "Empire of Republic." From now on, it would be governed by the four leaders of the revolution.
It promised to operate as a law-abiding empire where both nobles and commoners had equal rights—or at least, that was what they said.
The left side of the kingdom, however, was now under the Vanara tribe. It was called the "Vanara Occupied Anastasia Kingdom."
Of course, there were many people who still supported the previous ruler blindly. There were protests, and some even opened new groups, acting like a new revolutionary movement since the previous revolutionaries were now actually the leaders.
But the most controversial part was the 'Awekend Academy.' Specifically, the main branch was located in the territory now under the Vanara tribe, so the continuation of the academy was a huge topic of discussion.
Thankfully, Mourya announced that he had no problem with the academy. If possible, the academy would restart in less than a month. He also didn't try to destroy the sculptures or the church of the Goddess Seraphine, although dozens of new temples of Lord Hanuman were being built in various places.
Unlike the Empire of Republic, which had its gates open for trade and partnerships with other kingdoms, the Vanara Occupied Anastasia had its gates closed for the moment.
They didn't want to go out and interact with other kingdoms until they stabilized the situation completely. Even for entry or exit, special permission was needed.
This was because, unlike the people of the republic who actually lived there their whole lives, the Vanara tribes were seen as outsiders. They needed time to shift their homes and settle in. Their population was very low compared to the vast amount of territory they had conquered.
The Republic faced the same issues; they were busy writing many constitutions and laws for the future smooth function of the republic to make sure it promoted equality and justice. In simple words, they were both in the early stages of becoming a kingdom.
Many people had lost their lives, and many had lost their status. Some nobles were stripped of their titles, but strangely, no one said anything bad about Lortell.
Actually, both Mourya and Vesilisa were sending letters to invite Lortell to join their sides. Having an S-rank warrior on your team was something any kingdom would want desperately.
The Republic needed it most; none of their four leaders were S-rank. They needed an S-rank on their side to feel safe. While Mourya himself was an S-rank, if Lortell joined his side, they would have two S-ranks. Their status in the world would be on the same level as the Awekend Kingdom, who also had two S-ranks.
In a way, she was just too lucky. She had gone from being a suspected criminal to a golden bird that both sides wanted.
But when it came to luck, there was one person who surpassed even her, and that was Maruti.