While Erwin navigated the complexities of the Grand Tournament, he found himself on a quiet, unfamiliar street. The bustling energy of the magical world was distant here; instead, the air was thick with the savory scent of roasting meat and spices. He approached a small, unassuming shop front, the windows fogged from the kitchen's steam. Above the door, a simple sign read: The Roujiamo Stall.
Erwin stepped inside. The shop was empty save for a man behind the counter, idly polishing a surface that already looked spotless. The man looked up, his expression shifting from boredom to utter shock.
"Welcome..." the owner began, but his voice trailed off as he recognized the visitor.
Erwin smiled faintly, taking a seat at the counter. "Not going to welcome me properly?"
The owner—Kun—wiped his hands on his apron and approached, his eyes wide. "I didn't expect you here. I sensed your presence, of course, but seeing you in the flesh... it's been ten years, hasn't it? Living a quiet life suits me."
"I noticed," Erwin replied, glancing around the cozy interior. "It's a peaceful existence. Make me something to eat. I'm starving."
Kun nodded, the shock fading into practiced professionalism. "A roujiamo? Can you handle it?"
Erwin chuckled. "I used to love them. I hope yours are still authentic."
"Don't insult my kitchen," Kun retorted with a grin, retreating to the back. The rhythmic thud of a cleaver chopping meat echoed through the shop, followed shortly by the aroma of fresh bread and savory filling.
A moment later, Kun returned with a steaming roujiamo and a bowl of egg drop soup. Erwin took a bite, savoring the complex flavors.
"Not bad," Erwin admitted.
"Only 'not bad'?" Kun scoffed, leaning against the counter. "I've had ten years to perfect the recipe. It's excellent."
Erwin ate in silence for a moment, truly savoring the meal. Kun didn't press him for conversation, instead picking up a rag to meticulously wipe down the counter again.
Just as Erwin finished his soup, the bell above the door chimed. A customer stepped in, looking around eagerly.
"Boss, one roujiamo, please!" the customer called out.
Kun set the rag down, his expression turning regretful. "I'm sorry, but we're out of ingredients. We're closing down effective immediately."
The customer blinked, stunned. "Closing down? But business is good! I've been eating here for years!"
"I know, and I appreciate it," Kun said, his voice gentle but firm. "But circumstances have changed. I can't keep the shop running anymore."
The customer sighed, shoulders slumping. "That's a real shame. Well... good luck, then."
"You too," Kun said softly as the customer turned and left.
Once the door shut, Erwin finished the last bite of his roujiamo. He set the wrapper down and looked at the shop owner.
"You could have kept the shop open, you know," Erwin said quietly.
Kun shook his head, picking up the rag again to wipe the counter where the customer had stood. "No point in leaving loose ends. Life is always imperfect, Erwin. I've experienced enough of humanity to be content."
Erwin studied him. "You've become so much like them. Do you resent me for this?"
"Resent you?" Kun paused, considering it. "No. This was my fate. I experienced human life, I felt its comforts and its disappointments. It was enough."
"If everything goes well," Erwin promised, "if I survive this, I'll let you live a human life again. You could open a new shop. Maybe even get married, have a family."
Kun let out a dry, humorless chuckle. "We've known each other too long for you to lie to me. You coming here means you weren't confident, doesn't it? You're going all in."
Erwin nodded slowly. "I wasn't confident. That's why I came. Even seeing you now, I'm still not certain. But... there are always exceptions."
Kun looked at Erwin, a rare spark of hope in his eyes. "You've made many backup plans. Perhaps, just perhaps, I might get to open another shop after all."
Erwin offered a small, genuine smile.
Erwin stepped out of the shop into the cool street air. He reached up and pulled down the metal shutter, the heavy metal clattering as it sealed the entrance. The shop was empty now, a silent witness to a long chapter closing.
He glanced at the building one last time, then turned and walked away. Everything was in place, except for the final component. The blood of a true god.
Erwin flipped his hand over. An object materialized in his palm: the Death Mark he'd obtained earlier. As the mark appeared, a chilling sensation swept over him, a wave of cold dread seeking to freeze his very soul. But before the aura could touch him, a flash of starlight surrounded Erwin, acting as a shield and banishing the cold.
A swirling vortex of shadows appeared beside him. Little Black stepped out, his form sleek and predatory. Erwin tossed the mark to him. The serpent opened his mouth, a flicker of divine power flowing through him as he swallowed the mark whole.
"Go," Erwin commanded.
Little Black nodded, turned, and vanished back into the vortex.
Erwin raised a hand and pressed a finger to his temple. It was time to wake their guest.
As his finger touched his brow, Ravenclaw—who had been in deep slumber—slowly stirred. She stretched, her spectral form shimmering, and floated out from between his eyebrows.
"Hmm? Young Erwin? Where are we?" Ravenclaw asked, her voice echoing slightly in his mind.
Erwin lowered his hand. "Your Majesty, you slept for quite a while. We're in Britain. Tomorrow is the final stage of the Tournament."
Ravenclaw nodded, her expression unreadable. "I see. I suppose I have been sleeping quite a bit lately."
She said it casually, but there was a weight to her words that Erwin chose to ignore. Ravenclaw was brilliant—if she'd seen through his plans, she wouldn't speak of them aloud. That was simply her nature.
"Your Majesty," Erwin said, "your timing is perfect. You can still attend the final match tomorrow. Shall we head back?"
Ravenclaw nodded. "Yes, I'm curious to see who will win the inter-school competition. Before I fell asleep, it seemed the British practitioners and Hogwarts held a significant advantage. Has that changed?"
Erwin chuckled. "Now, of course, it's the same."
As he spoke, Erwin turned on the spot, vanishing with a sharp crack of Apparition.
He returned to the camp under the cover of darkness. It was silent, the tents bathed in soft moonlight as everyone rested. Erwin slipped back into his own tent, offered a quiet greeting to Ravenclaw, and immediately lay down to sleep.
Once Erwin was asleep, Ravenclaw floated in the center of the tent, her form translucent. She looked down at him with a deep, searching gaze. Then, without a sound, she transformed into a streak of starlight and rushed toward the distant mountains.
She arrived quickly at a secluded clearing where a white jade dragon sculpture stood. Ravenclaw circled the sculpture, her eyes analyzing every detail. A thoughtful, brooding look settled on her face.
After a long moment, realization dawned. Her eyes widened slightly.
"So that's how it is," she whispered to the empty air. "This is his plan? No wonder he sealed me inside the crown..."