The tremors had stopped, but the cries and fear of the residents in the city of Aurelia remained unchanged. The city watch continued to help civilians, while the nobles were left in confusion—unsure of who had won the battle, or if it had even ended. Emotions ran high in every corner. Some wept, some rejoiced, some slept soundly, and some simply didn't care. Yet all of them lived in the same city.
Lord Merlion tried to rally his forces to continue the war, but after seeing his army flee from the battlefield and receiving no news from the Frings estate, he hesitated and held back. He wanted to attack, especially with his daughter still out there, but he feared that doing so might only increase the risk of losing her.
'Tsk, Kesca, what have you done?' Lord Merlion thought bitterly. 'You should have stuck to the plan. I really hope the Frings don't kill you, you pig-headed child,' he fumed.
"Tell everyone to go back to the camp," Lord Merlion whispered to Thane. Thane nodded and relayed the order to the troops.
As everyone made their way back to camp, Thane felt both disappointed and angry, knowing they had lost this time and uncertain about the fate of his cousin and her team.
'You should have listened to your father,' he thought. 'Damn it. I hope you're still alive, Kesca.'
At the Frings estate, everyone was celebrating their victory, tending to the wounded, and dealing with the defeated. Some enemies were killed, while others who survived were tied up—most now cursed, unable to use magic for the time being. Kesca and her troops were among the captured, their weapons confiscated and their magic sealed. She sat, bound and frustrated, anger and irritation swirling inside her as she realized she had no idea what to do next.
'It's all my fault. If I had just followed my father's plan!' she thought bitterly.
But—
She remembered how her attacks had vanished in an instant, still confused about how, why, and who had done it.
'Tsk, who has the power to absorb that attack so easily?' she wondered, her mind racing as she tried to piece it together.
"Kesca!"
A familiar voice jolted Kesca from her troubled thoughts. She looked up and saw a face she recognized—one that made her heart skip with fear.
"Last time we saw each other, I was in your home, being cared for by your family. Now you're attacking me in my own home," Lord Frings said as he walked toward her.
"There's no party here, dear," he smiled, pinching Kesca's cheeks.
He looked at her—not with madness, but with a strange, unsettling desire.
"You were so beautiful back then, when you were so young," Frings said maniacally. "Sadly, I'm not into you anymore. I just need you alive to gain some advantage against your father."
He stood up and faced his men. "My soldiers, good job! However, this fight is far from over! The other troops will be here shortly, and tomorrow, we're going to end the Merlion family!" he shouted.
"Oh!" his soldiers roared in response.
The celebration was in full swing. Everyone was hyped over the victory, and even Lord Frings seemed elated, knowing they were winning. Suddenly, his butler appeared, voice urgent.
"Milord!"
"What?"
"A message from the Lord of Sylvaris."
The celebration froze as Lord Frings hurried inside his mansion to read the message. His eyes widened as he finished, and he glanced at Mergoth, who was equally surprised but clueless.
"Mergoth!"
"Yes, milord?"
"Call all the troops and retreat immediately."
"And you," he said, turning to his butler, "write to the House of Merlion and all the houses to be ready. Also, tell the city watch to neutralize the damage!"
"Yes, milord."
The two men rushed off to fulfill their orders. Frings, however, remained in the room, anger and worry flickering in his eyes.
'What if we end this tonight? No, Slade might know what really happened. But what if we pay him? No, he's rich...' Frings paced, mind racing.
'Where is Dante!'
Northern Riverdale
The air was thick with smoke; the ground was torn and steaming, scarred by the recent battle. Dante woke slowly, staring up at the pale sky. Across from him, the battlefield was barren and still. He stood, wincing at his injuries, and realized the war was finally over. He picked up his sword and began to walk, each step heavy with pain and guilt.
He stopped and looked at the sky.
'Yes, it's the right thing to do,' he murmured, continuing forward.
But as he limped along, a storm of memories flooded his mind.
'I am loyal to him. He gave me everything,' Dante thought, recalling all the times Lord Frings had shown him kindness—helping him destroy the family that betrayed him, the family of his wife, giving his daughter a safe place to stay.
His expression shifted, sadness welling in his eyes. He remembered Lord Frings saving him from the horrors of war, offering food and shelter, making him a knight. He remembered conquering a dungeon, nearly dying, but surviving. He remembered meeting the love of his life, the happiness he'd never known before. She had been his home, and he hers. Together, they brought a daughter into the world and became a family.
Dante smiled through his tears, reliving every joy and sorrow. At last, he saw his daughter's face—her smile, her laughter, her running toward him.
He was happy, even as tears streamed down his cheeks. He looked at his claymore, then at the sky, and whispered,
"Papa did what you asked. Goodbye, Clea."
Clea sat by the window in the orphanage, staring outside. She hadn't slept all night, too shaken by everything that had happened. Around her, the other children huddled close, still scared from the earlier explosions. Her eyes were filled with fear and sadness as she whispered to herself,
'Please be careful, Papa. I hope you're safe, Xiolan.'
In the inn, Gerard and the others waited patiently for Rethrus. The couple held each other's hands tightly. Gerard paced nervously while Xiaolan sat, her eyes wide with fear.
"Come on, where is he?" Gerard muttered.
"I hope Rethrus is okay," Mrs. Hilda said, being comforted by her husband.
Xiaolan trembled. 'Rethrus, where are you? No—'
Suddenly, there was a knock at the door. Everyone inside froze—shocked, excited, and scared all at once.
"Who—who is it?" Gerard called out, moving toward the door.
From behind it came a deep, heavy breath, as if the person was out of breath.
"It's me, Rethrus. Open up, Gerard."
Their eyes widened, and the fear drained from their faces.
Gerard opened the door, and they were surprised by what they saw.
Rethrus stood there, wounded and gasping for air.
"Are you okay?" Gerard asked, concern etched on his face.
Mrs. Hilda rushed forward. "Rethrus, are you alright?"
"I'm fine," Rethrus answered, trying to sound steady.
He then asked Gerard, "Where are my things? Please get the healing potion and mana potion the nobles gave me."
Gerard handed over the potions. "Wow, you really have a lot of backups."
Rethrus drank the potions, but the healing process made him cry out in pain, startling everyone—Xiaolan even hid behind Gerard.
"Argh, that hurts! At least I have a little mana now," Rethrus thought grimly.
He looked around at the people gathered, then smiled when his eyes met Xiaolan's. He stood up.
"Let's go," he said firmly.
"Wait, you're leaving already?" Mrs. Hilda asked.
"Where to?" Mr. Eddie inquired.
"Out of here," Rethrus replied.
"But the city barrier is still up. Just wait a few hours," Mrs. Hilda suggested.
"I'm sorry, but some people are after us. We can't put you two in danger," Rethrus said, his eyes full of care.
"Alright, but be careful on the way," Mr. Eddie cautioned.
The three prepared their things, ready to leave early in the morning. Rethrus carried Xiaolan on his back, while a tiny shadow arm held his bag. He slung a satchel across his body. Gerard was ready as well.
Rethrus looked up at the sky. There was no sun yet, but the light was growing brighter. He glanced at Xiaolan, then at Gerard, and finally back toward the inn, where Mrs. Hilda was crying in her husband's arms. Rethrus smiled softly.
"Thank you for everything," he said, bowing his head in gratitude.
Suddenly, the couple hugged him and Xiaolan, surprising them both.
"Come back, okay?" Mrs. Hilda said warmly.
"You're always welcome here, Rethrus," Mr. Eddie added. "Even in a short time, we really grew to like having you around."
Rethrus hugged them back, and Xiaolan smiled as she joined the embrace.
"I promise I'll be back," Rethrus said.
Gerard watched, a bit confused, until Rethrus's tiny shadow hand grabbed him and pulled him into the hug as well.
After the hug, they all returned to their original composure.
Rethrus looked at Gerard and Xiaolan.
"Let's go?"
"Okay!