The long night ended, and dawn rose over the skies of Valeralc.
The ruins of the castle town, still scarred by battle, lay in silence, while the bonds of comrades lit a new hope.
Between the royal palace and Panis Town, there stood a military detention center.
Within it, a cold chamber known as the Gas Room.
A massive fixture, like a water-shower nozzle, hung from the ceiling, designed to release a mist of poison gas.
A cruel room, built for executing prisoners in one sweep.
Inside, nearly two hundred men—soldiers of the Old Doal Army and members of the Nova Family—were held.
They wore no shackles, yet with hope abandoned, their will to fight had long since vanished.
Huddled on the floor, their eyes were vacant.
None had slept. All were crushed beneath the weight of defeat.
"I heard Azbal was taken down…"
"They say Guild and Jackson are dead too."
"What's gonna happen to us now…?"
"Execution, obviously…"
Despair smothered the room. Death was all they awaited.
Then, the royal stewards filed in.
Three at the front carried a great pot and set it down.
Lamia and Alpha followed, holding a basket brimming with bread.
From the pot rose the rich aroma of beef stew, thick with chunks of meat and vegetables.
Warm, savory, mouthwatering.
The stewards ladled stew and handed out bread, one by one, to every prisoner.
Expecting execution, the men stared in disbelief.
But drawn by the smell, they began to eat.
"It's delicious… so good!"
For the first time in ages, joy returned to their faces.
"There's plenty more, so come back for seconds!"
Alpha's bright smile lit the heavy air.
"Been a while since you had a proper meal, eh? Looks like you lot weren't fed too well."
Clack, clack—the sound of footsteps echoed.
Willart Rose strode proudly into the chamber.
The prisoners froze, eyes fixed on him in tension.
"I've been in talks with the higher-ups since last night. Your fate has just been decided."
All swallowed hard. The warmth of the food vanished, replaced by dread.
"Effective immediately… a new unit has been established! Its name: the Nakatam Corps!
And you're all joining it!"
The men's minds went blank.
Not execution. Survival.
The turn was too sudden, too surreal.
Then Nova and Rabesta entered, standing at Rose's side.
"I'm Captain Nova. And beside me is Vice Captain Rabesta.
From today, we lead you."
Nova's face was solemn. Rabesta nodded without expression.
"Some of you might never want to touch a weapon again. That's fine. I'll find you work.
Out in the provinces, farms and fisheries are desperate for young hands."
But the Doal soldiers could not accept it so easily.
"Wait a second! We attacked the palace! You should be executing us!"
"Something's fishy… what's your game!?"
The room stirred—until Rose suddenly dropped to his knees, bowing his head deeply.
The prisoners fell silent.
"Hey—Prince, is that really proper?" muttered Nova, exasperated.
Rabesta simply stared, though shock rippled inside him.
"I know you've got plenty to say. But hear me out. I don't want any more bloodshed.
If we execute you here, all we do is sow more hatred, and spark another cycle of killing.
I want to end that chain of hate."
His voice was pained, but when he stood, it grew strong.
"I won't tell you to give up your grudges. But if you need to take revenge on Nakatam, then kill me.
Focus all your hatred for the nation on me alone. Come for my head if you must.
I'll neither run nor hide."
The prisoners' eyes filled with sorrow.
A prince bowing before the enemy—it was unprecedented.
And it moved them.
Most of the Old Doal troops had been driven not by hate, but by Azbal's fear.
None raised a blade against Rose.
"Is there anyone still unconvinced? Speak now!
If you're satisfied, then answer!"
Nova's commanding voice pressed down on the room.
"Yes, sir!!"
In unison, the remnants of the Old Doal Army and Nova Family responded.
Faces of many races—Doal, Pronto, and others—shone as though reborn.
They were ready to repay mercy with a new life.
"Your first mission starts now! Craftsmen from across the nation are on their way to the palace to help rebuild the town.
You'll join them. Clear the rubble first! Once you've eaten, get ready!"
With those words, Rose left the chamber.
"You really are a strange prince."
At the entrance, Esta awaited. She had seen everything.
"Esta! You were here?"
"If Jessica or Moene had seen you grovel like that, they'd lose their minds."
"Haha, maybe so. By the way, Esta… that body of Guild found yesterday. Was it your work?"
Rose's sharp gaze met hers. She answered coolly.
"…Yes. Problem?"
"I won't scold you. But if you kill too much as a kid, you won't grow into much of an adult."
Half-smiling, Rose warned her. Esta gave a tiny nod.
"…I'll keep that in mind."
"Good. Don't overdo it."
They left together with light words.
In Rose's castle chambers, Endi lay in bed.
After the food distribution, Lamia came to visit.
"Endi… I'm sorry. I acted on my own…"
She blamed herself for drugging the others to sleep and sneaking off to the Indra alone.
Nervous, she watched his face.
"I'm just glad you're safe."
He smiled gently.
He had his thoughts, but his comrades were alive, the battle was done.
That was enough.
Her chest warmed at his kindness.
"Hey! You holding up?"
"Endi, you look better."
Moene and Jessica entered with a basket of fruit.
"I'm fine! Don't worry! Sorry for collapsing yesterday and making everyone worry.
I was just tired from… everything."
Endi laughed brightly—but it was forced.
The names Yudra and the Remsophia family had triggered visions—blood-soaked men and women, memories he couldn't place.
Who were they?
Did he kill them?
Who was he in the past?
The more he thought, the closer his head felt to bursting.
Fear shook his hands, gripped his chest.
"Endi? What's wrong?"
Lamia saw his pained face and asked softly.
"It's nothing. Where's Cain?"
"He's nowhere to be found."
"That man's impossible to pin down. Handsome though.
Of course, after you, Young Master."
Jessica and Moene teased.
Endi gazed out the window, worrying for the vanished Cain.
Meanwhile, in the throne room, Willart Regalo faced Moschino in solemn air.
"Welcoming the enemy into our ranks… I truly don't understand my son."
Regalo pressed his brow.
"I think it's fine. Preparing for the greater war ahead, adding men is wise."
Moschino's tone was easy, but Regalo narrowed his eyes.
"What do you mean?"
"Yesterday, the Fifth World War truly ended.
But the real battle begins now. That war was only the prologue."
His smile vanished, his eyes sharp.
"Your Majesty… you are the first monarch in history to defy the gods.
From here on, the path before you is one of carnage.
Are you prepared?"
Regalo's face did not change.
No words, but his gaze burned with resolve—to confront even gods if they threatened Nakatam.
On a hill in Panis Town, Cain stood alone.
The wind tousled his hair as he looked down at the palace, his face a mix of cruelty and sorrow.
"So… the cursed black blood stirs again, Endi.
The day your memories return may be near."
Murmuring to himself, he let the wind carry him.