With Regalo's appearance, the rooftop garden froze over in silence.
Everyone hastily bowed their heads, and even Endi followed suit to read the room.
Only Cain, with his legs crossed in arrogance, remained seated, unmoving.
"I'm here toooo!"
From behind Regalo, Marshal Moschino appeared with a cheerful grin.
"An uninvited guest, perhaps? But still… to let enemy forces slip in this easily—pathetic. What is the meaning of this disgrace?"
Regalo cast his gaze over the town below, shrouded by Azbal's colossal tree, and spat his words.
"Hmph. Then why don't you fight? If you command your men to throw their lives away, then you should be the first to risk your own on the battlefield!"
Rose seized Regalo by the collar and shouted.
Yet Regalo's stern expression did not waver; he remained unfazed.
"A king must never do such a thing. You understand nothing."
"You've been hiding in the throne room all this time, guarded by the Marshals! Even when my mother was ill, even when she died, you stayed there. Don't talk to me about what it means to be a king! You're pathetic!"
As Rose moved to grab him again, Moschino stepped in to mediate.
"Now, now, Prince Rose. His Majesty is still your father, you know. Let's not go too far."
He chuckled as he restrained Rose's arm.
Endi sensed the deep rift between the two, and understood its cause.
"So you still resent me for that. The soldiers who perished on the battlefield also had families. Their loved ones waited in vain, unable even to see them one last time. How could I, as king, leave the throne to see my wife?"
Regalo answered dispassionately. Rose lunged again—
But Endi stepped between them, locking eyes with the king.
"Um… I think that reasoning is wrong. I respect your consideration for those who couldn't be at their loved ones' side. But if your own family was suffering in front of you and you did nothing… that isn't just unworthy of a king—it's unworthy of being human!"
Though nervous, Endi declared his words with conviction.
Saizo and Kumashis turned pale. Moene and Jessica gasped.
Moschino glanced at Endi and smirked.
"Endi, was it? Bold of you to voice such an opinion. Still, a king has traditions that must be upheld! It's not your place to interfere!"
Regalo's words silenced him.
"So what are you even here for? You didn't just come to sneer at us, did you?" Rose demanded.
"You've grown complacent. I came to rouse you. One hour from now, we launch a full-scale assault on that ridiculous craft called Indra. The Old Doal Army will be annihilated to the last man!!" Regalo thundered.
"Hold on! That'll kill countless people! You know the terror of Azbal's power as well as I do!" Rose shouted back.
"Marshal Ponaparto and Marshal Valentino will lead the charge. That will minimize casualties. Besides, if it's to protect the nation, sacrifices are unavoidable. We cannot let Lamia be taken."
Leaving those words behind, Regalo strode away.
"Don't worry, I'll guard the palace!"
Moschino flashed a smile and followed him.
"Damn it! What should we do…!?" Rose clutched his head, his composure lost.
"We'll fight together," Endi said firmly. All eyes turned to him.
"Wasn't that the plan from the start?" Cain muttered, exasperated.
"Of course. Right before the deadline, we'd sneak aboard Indra, assassinate Azbal, and destroy its fuel chamber. That way, no one would have to die. But with a full assault… we'll all pay the price."
"No one would have to die? What naïveté. With that soft outlook, you'll protect nothing."
Cain sneered.
"You're right. But I can't bear to see any more people die for the sake of this kingdom."
Rose's pained expression tightened Jessica's and Moene's chests.
"There's no choice. We'll fight together! We'll protect this kingdom—and Lamia—no matter what!"
Endi clenched his fist, resolve burning in his eyes.
But at that very moment, an overwhelming drowsiness struck him, and he collapsed into sleep.
He wasn't alone.
One by one, the others began to stagger and fall, leaning against chairs and walls, or slumping to the floor in slumber.
"The sleeping pills in the sandwiches finally kicked in."
Lamia checked their breathing and whispered.
"I'm sorry, everyone. I just can't stand the thought of so many people suffering because of me. So I'll go alone. I'll offer the Old Doal Army a deal: if they harm no one, I'll cooperate with them."
She knelt beside Endi, sleeping on his back, and gently stroked his cheek.
"I'm sorry for dragging you into this. I'll be fine. Please… live your own life. When we were stranded, you carried me to the hospital. In Mildonia, you risked your life for me. You've always thought of me first… and that made me so happy."
Her tears fell onto his face.
Then she rose, wiped her eyes, and smiled.
"May you regain your memories and find happiness. Farewell."
With those words, Lamia left in silence.