Alira instinctively turned toward the mansion, a sharp unease twisting in her chest.
'Why am I feeling uneasy?'
In that moment, Ronovan appeared, carrying Clementine in his arms. He quickly ordered Rodeo and Rosaria to assist him.
Ronovan laid Clementine down gently.
"What happened?" Rosaria asked.
"Things are getting out of hand. I crossed blades with one of the Four."
"The Four?" Rodeo echoed.
"The Four Honored Subordinates… Lady Seraphine's most loyal servants."
"Is that true?" Alira cut in sharply.
"Not only that—I managed to escape only because something rumbling beneath us diverted his attention. I caught a glimpse… it looked like someone was fighting one of them."
"What do you mean?" Rosalina stepped closer, demanding an explanation.
"I mean, there are two of the Four here."
"Whatever the case, now isn't the time for war! In a crisis like this, shouldn't we fight back?!" Alira snapped, her voice rising with frustration.
She had studied Lady Seraphine her entire life. She knew that woman commanded four unwavering subordinates, each possessing power on par with the cursed witch Caroline.
'This is disastrous.'
"Does this suggest that she has finally chosen to become involved in the war? I mean, why now?" Rodeo muttered.
"More importantly, I'm going to find Terasvari!" Alira cut him off. "That old hag must've sensed something earlier!"
Without offering further explanation, Alira grabbed her bag of equipment and stormed off.
From afar, Ronovan watched her back. "Do you think she's hiding something from us?"
Rosaria tilted her head, puzzled. "What makes you think that?"
"I don't know… it just feels like she's building a wall so no one can see her true purpose."
"That's just her temperament. You don't need to overthink it," Rodeo replied.
Ronovan turned his gaze to Clementine's unconscious body, sitting beside her with a troubled expression.
Wake up, Fenrir… why haven't you come to your senses yet…
========
Fenrir found himself in a strange room. All around him, screens projected Ronovan's face.
A woman sat in front of him, sipping tea.
"Welcome… Fenrir."
"You? Are you… Clementine?"
Clementine smiled, setting her teacup down. "More precisely, I am Clementine's consciousness. Because Clementine no longer exists in this world. Her soul… who knows where it went."
"Tch… That woman resurrected me only to throw me into a body overflowing with power I can't control—and then she disappears?!" Fenrir spat.
"That was her purpose. And now, that purpose has been fulfilled."
"Whatever. Once I regain control, I'll move my soul into another body—this time, a male. As it happens, I've already seen one that's quite… enticing."
Fenrir smirked with satisfaction. But Clementine suddenly burst into wild laughter. Her laughter filled the room, grating in Fenrir's ears.
"You raped Yujin… and now you want to inhabit the body of a man who resembles her?"
"Damn it—what the hell do you mean, bitch?! How do you know about Yujin?!"
Clementine rose and walked toward him. Suddenly, chains coiled around Fenrir's body, forcing him to his knees.
She pressed her foot against his thigh, pinning him down.
"Bastard. Did you really think I couldn't read your thoughts? Remember—we now share the same body. If you dared to look a little deeper into your own memories, eventually you will also see my memories. you'd see… the man you're so fixated on as a vessel is—"
Fenrir's eyes widened in horror as suppressed memories surged violently into his mind.
"…your own son."
Cold sweat drenched Fenrir's face. Shock rendered him speechless, his head bowing low.
Clementine shoved his head further down with her heel.
"Disgusting bastard. You'll rot in this body forever."
Her laughter rang sharp and cruel. "Unable to wield your power. Unable to control mine. This is the punishment you deserve, Fenrir."
"You… bitch…" Fenrir stammered.
"At the very least, you'll live the rest of your life trapped in a woman's body—the same kind of woman you abused and degraded all your life. I can't wait to watch it unfold. Such a pity Clem herself won't see it."
"…"
"Take this chance to repent… khekhekhe… and maybe mend your relationship with your son, Bandi."
"…"
"Beg forgiveness of all of your victims. Crawl and grovel before Yujin."
Clementine kicked him onto his back. Fenrir's expression was pitiful—exactly what she wanted to see.
"Well, then…" She waved her hand mockingly. "Enjoy yourself, loser."
---------
"Hello, Bandi."
"Where… where is this?" Bandi muttered in confusion, staring at the figure of Clementine standing before him. Just moments ago, he remembered being in the mansion beside Lumino's lifeless body.
"Clementine…"
Before him stood Clementine, but with a face he had never seen before.
"It's been a while…" she said softly.
"Clementine—you! You finally showed yourself. You summoned Fenrir, then disappeared. Where have you been? Why would you do that in the middle of a war…?"
Bandi rambled on, hoping Clementine would respond, hoping she would at least acknowledge him.
"You know… I truly despise you, Clementine. My heart aches every time I see you. I don't even know how to return the humiliation you gave me. I… I really want to defeat you, to destroy you, until you finally admit defeat and beg me for forgiveness."
Clementine only smiled at him in silence.
"You're still the same… but I don't even know anymore whether what I'm doing is right, or if it's just my selfishness. I don't know… I'm lost… Tell me, Clementine, what am I supposed to do?"
Clementine stepped closer and gently patted his head. "I'm sorry, but I have to go first."
Bandi looked at her, his eyes glistening.
"I'm sorry for always being so harsh with you. I admit it was just out of jealousy—you got Ronovan's attention without even trying. You took him from me. I hated you for it. But… not anymore."
"Clementine…" Bandi's voice was barely a whisper. "Why does this sound like a farewell?"
"Because it is… I'm sorry, Bandi."
"Heh… After all this time, you finally admit it. But then, I should admit something too." Bandi took hold of the hand she had rested on his head.
"The truth is… I wanted your recognition. I wanted to prove myself, to make you praise me. I wanted to protect you—that's why I made that deal with Caroline. I only… I only wanted you to be safe."
"I know. I saw it all."
Bandi's eyes widened in shock. Clementine's gaze softened, filled with a quiet sorrow that mirrored his own.
"I also know that I was blind all this time, never realizing it. I know just how deeply you loved me."
Bandi's face flushed red and he quickly turned away. "So… you've figured it out."
"I'm sorry… because I can't return those feelings."
Bandi fell silent. He felt the urge to cry, but instead, he lifted his head and met her eyes with quiet determination.
"I know… you don't have to return them. I also know who you truly love, and I accept that I can't compete with him."
"I think you misunderstand."
"No… I'm sure of it. You love him—Lumino. To me, it's painfully obvious."
"That's not how I see it. To me, he's a savior. Besides… there's no place for me in his heart. I lost before the battle even began."
Bandi thought about it, but seeing her face, he couldn't bring himself to press further.
"So this really is farewell… Lead the vampires and werewolves well, Bandi. Blame everything on me if you must. That would be the best way to win their trust."
"…"
"I am a sinful woman. But I never intended to stay wicked until the end. Apart from the ritual with Fenrir, I also completed another ritual. Once the war is official declared over, it will activate."
"What did you do?"
"You'll see soon enough."
Her body began to fade, slowly dissolving into shimmering bubbles.
"Oh, and Bandi… I hope you'll take care of my little brother."
"You… have a brother?"
"Only a half-brother, but still… please, take care of Rodeo."
And then she vanished completely, leaving Bandi's eyes brimming with tears.
"Goodbye… Clementine."
…
'Wait… Rodeo is her brother?!'
At last, Bandi realized the similarities: both temperamental, both burdened with uncontrollable power.
'Damn it… how could I have missed that?'
Bandi awkwardly scratched his head.
===
Bandi returned to reality. The scene around him remained unchanged. Slowly, he placed a hand on Kael's shoulder.
"Stand up, my friend… Don't drown in despair. The war is over. We won. Clementine's side has fallen."
But Kael didn't move. He just stared blankly at Lumino's lifeless body.
'Huft… fine!'
"How about you, Claudius?" Bandi asked. "Do you still want to follow Ronovan?"
Claudius stood with a dazed expression, then slowly nodded.
"Why do you both look so gloomy?"
Both Claudius and Bandi turned at the voice.
There stood Lullaby, as if nothing had happened. "By the way, I thought I heard Clementine's voice just now—"
Claudius immediately rushed forward and embraced her, tears welling as if to confirm she was truly alive.
"How is this possible?" Bandi muttered in disbelief.
Then Clementine's earlier words echoed in his mind:
"I'm a sinful woman. But I never intended to stay wicked until the end. Apart from the ritual with Fenrir, I also completed another ritual. Once the war is official declared over, it will activate."
'Clementine… you…'
"Now that I think about it, Clementine did carve strange symbols on our bodies yesterday. I thought it was just some kind of strengthening charm," Claudius said, eyes misty.
"That must be what brought you back, my love," he added, voice trembling.
'That means… all the vampires who perished in this war will be brought back to life…'
Outside, Derelia and Orcha's voices rang out, bickering.
"What happened to the mansion?! Orcha, old man, do you know anything?"
"I'm as confused as you are… It looks like a shipwreck slammed through this place."
"Wait—isn't that Bandi!" Derelia shouted upon spotting him.
But then her gaze shifted to Lumino's still body. Her knees gave way as she dropped to the floor.
"My lord… my lord Lumino…"
Her trembling hands reached for him—but Kael slapped them away harshly. His eyes, cold and terrifying, glared at her.
"Seeing you here… reminds me. Wasn't I already dead once?" Orcha said quietly to Kael.
"Enough, both of you. You've lost. Now calm yourselves and follow me," Bandi cut in firmly.
"…My lord…" Derelia rose slowly, tears streaming down her face.
They prepared to leave the mansion. From the corner of his eye, Bandi glanced at Kael.
"What about you, Kael?" he asked. "Will you come with us?"
"…"
"Then I'll leave you here. Once again… thank you." Bandi bowed respectfully.
Only Kael and Lumino remained in the room. Kael sat in silence, holding Lumino's wrist as if hoping to feel a pulse. But there was none.
"Lumino…"