Alice's contemptuous gaze swept across the Spirit Eyes on Reigun Seth's corpse. Its dim, lifeless glow was nothing more than trash in her eyes.
Just like its owner—useless garbage.
From within the Millennium Ring, Elra's voice rang out: "Alice, I think it's time we recovered the Millennium Items."
Seeing Alice's disdain, Elra even worried she might consider reclaiming the Items from Reigun beneath her dignity.
"Don't use that anxious tone, Elra. I can still tell what matters most—I'm not some willful child. But I want to know something."
"What is it?"
"You abandoned your host of ten years simply because she had no further value, didn't you?"
"Does that question really matter, Alice?"
"If it was only because she lost her worth, then I must consider—when I too have no value, will you abandon me as well?"
"…."
After a pause, Elra's mature voice returned. "Because she walked in darkness too long—so long she lost all sense of morality within it. Such a host, whose human emotions were incomplete, could not satisfy me."
"Even her emotions were incomplete?" Alice smiled knowingly. "What a high-sounding excuse, Elra. It sounds more like a reason you invented to please me."
Still smiling, Alice bent down and picked up the fallen Millennium Eye and Millennium Rod. Even through touch alone, she felt the dense darkness within, and the resentment seeping from them.
"The Millennium Items are truly incredible artifacts. Half a year ago, I wouldn't even have believed such irrational tools could exist in this world."
"There are many things ordinary people cannot comprehend. But with the Items in hand, Alice, you no longer belong among ordinary folk."
"No—I'm still the same ordinary Alice Carlos."
She drew the Rod and Eye close to the Millennium Ring on her chest. The Ring trembled like a starved beast, its central golden eye flaring with interwoven light and darkness as it absorbed the other two Items whole.
"At least until our agreement is fulfilled, we remain allies. But for now, I must remain that ordinary Alice—remember that, Elra."
"With such terrifying power, yet insisting on playing the role of a normal girl… If I were your younger sister, Alice, I would fear you deeply."
"Don't be ridiculous. My little sister loves me dearly—always has, always will."
Reigun Seth's body was discovered before dusk by the city guard—its presence too obvious to miss outside the walls. With his death, the Livorden upheaval was finally declared over.
Both great nations treated the affair with utmost caution. The Varian Empire claimed it had been solely the Slint family's will, disavowing imperial intent to break the continent's peace. Livorden, meanwhile, though most nobles wished to maintain peace, had the iron-willed Lord Kaiser demand reparations and an international apology, treating the Slints as war criminals.
Thus, the Kingdom of Livorden stood on the moral high ground. The Axet Republic and several smaller states all voiced support.
After all, if Varian were not held to account, other nations would fear their capitals becoming the next victims. Not every kingdom could conjure miracles through Shadow Games and sacred light.
Pressed by international pressure, the Empire granted Livorden immense reparations. The exact sum remained secret, but by all accounts it was astronomical.
Though duelists defending the capital had suffered wounds and spirit overdraw, the greatest casualties had come from the first bombardment—a blast that destroyed the mansion and killed many family envoys outright.
Livorden's outward miracle victory carried an inner cost only the nation itself knew.
Lord Kaiser first ordered new lodgings in the capital for exhausted duelists to rest. The annual family report was postponed a week.
A week of peace followed, filled with New Year festivities—so calm it almost made Aisha doubt the war had ever happened. The only real change was Ren's unmasked pursuit of Miles, raising Aisha's vigilance to another level.
'You can't stay naive anymore, Aisha Carlos!'
Another odd change: Alice and Ilon, childhood friends, seemed to have fallen into a cold war. Though their rooms were side by side, they ignored each other for a whole week. Whatever secret lay between them, neither Aisha nor Ren could pry it out.
Time passed swiftly, and the annual reports began. All family envoys were summoned to the palace.
In the grand royal hall, upon the throne sat the Old King Kaiser. After a week's rest since summoning Exodia, his complexion had improved. Below him, all eyes turned to the center—where Aisha fidgeted nervously.
"Mr. Miles, what is happening?"
With no one else to confide in, she leaned on Miles for comfort.
"If you ask me, this is like the reward phase after clearing a dungeon. But what exactly, I don't know either."
Of course, as a transmigrant, Miles had even less experience with such formalities.
"Aisha Yuna Carlos."
"Y-Yes!"
The Old King spoke solemnly: "For your valor in defending the capital and saving the kingdom, by my authority, I grant you the title of Royal Duel Knight."
"...Royal Duel Knight?"
...
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