After everyone had memorized the map to some degree, they discussed the positioning of the knights and the organization during battle, focusing on how the reinforcements could enter the multi-entranced tower quickly and effectively. 

They decided on the number of personnel needed to secure the tower entrances and planned for nearby soldiers stationed in the east to cooperate swiftly with their members.

As the sun began to set, the conversation drew to a close.

“I’ll take full responsibility and burn the map,” Carson announced.

“Thank you. I trust only you with this,” Ketlan responded, rising from his seat first. The others followed suit, standing up.

“Lord Lucion,” Ketlan called out before he exited.

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“This won’t be easy.”

“I’ll manage, please don’t worry about me.”

“I stand beside you, so have no fear, no matter what unfolds.”

“…!”

Lucion was surprised by Ketlan’s sudden intense gaze, reminiscent of the way he had looked at him back in as Hamel.

“I look forward to tomorrow,” Ketlan added with a sly smile, adjusting his worn cloak.

‘Tomorrow will be the raid on the tower, or rather, the day of Twilo Sprikado’s execution.’ 

Lucion nodded, recognizing Ketlan’s well-prepared plan for the execution.

If Bethel were present, she would have been overjoyed by this arrangement.

[Lucion…!] Russell shouted, startled as he looked at Lucion.

“L-Lord Lucion?” Ketlan also called out, equally taken aback.

The others followed suit, calling his name, with Kran’s voice ringing loudest.

Kran gasped, hand over mouth in shock.

“Ah, I must have been a bit tired,” Lucion said with a casual smile, wiping away the blood from his nose.

[See? You said you didn’t need to go on a pilgrimage! Is this really okay?] Russell shouted, 

while Carson immediately pulled a handkerchief from his pocket and handed it to Lucion.

“Are your wounds still not healed?” Heint asked, concern etched on his face.

Lucion shook his head. “I’m truly fine. My nose is occasionally sensitive like this. I apologize for causing worry, Your Majesty, right before tomorrow’s operation.”

“No need to apologize, I’m just concerned for your well-being,” Ketlan replied, his tone carrying more worry than Lucion had anticipated, leaving him slightly unsettled.

“I’m sorry,” Carson murmured, bowing slightly, his light navy hair falling softly over his shoulder.

Observing this, Heint rolled his eyes and patted his neck.

“Why apologize, brother? We’ve safely arrived in Central. Tomorrow’s operation will proceed smoothly.”

“Indeed,” Carson replied calmly, but a hint of guilt lingered in his eyes.

“I hope I haven’t taken up too much of your time meeting with you all. I’ll take my leave now. Lord Lucion, make sure to get plenty of rest tonight.”

“See you tomorrow. Lucion, get some good rest.”

With that, Ketlan left the room with Heint.

Carson, Lucion, and Kran all bowed respectfully as Ketlan left.

“I suppose I should head off as well,” Kran suggested, glancing at Lucion, hoping to give him space to rest.

However, Carson halted him. “If you have the time, why not join us for dinner?”

“Dinner?” Kran inquired, glancing back at Lucion. Catching the encouraging look in Lucion’s eyes, he nodded enthusiastically.

“Then please excuse me!”

* * *

“Are you really alright?” Kran asked, for what felt like the umpteenth time.

Lucion, his mouth filled with ice cream that Hume had preserved from melting using his ice powers, nodded.

After finishing the ice cream, Hume spoke up, “I’m worried about tomorrow’s operation.”

“That’s my point. You did ensure he rested, didn’t you?”

“I can assure you. Young master has definitely rested this time.”

Hume promptly reassured Kran.

‘They’re having quite the fun over there.’

Lucion glanced at Ratta, absorbed in her bowl of rice without looking up, before scooping another spoonful of ice cream.

“But I can’t shake off my worries,” Kran persisted.

“What’s troubling you?” Lucion replied nonchalantly to Kran, who always seemed to be fretting about something.

“What if your identities are exposed? I’ll do my best to assist, but I won’t be able to stay by your side throughout the entire operation.”

[I share that concern, too.] Bethel nodded in agreement.

Given the circumstances, there were far too many uncertainties.

Lucion stayed silent, lightly tapping his spoon against the bowl as he let out a deep sigh.

‘What should I do if that happens…?’

* * *

Meanwhile, Russell roamed the mansion while waiting for Bethel, who had set out to scout around the magic tower, and he peered into Lucion’s room.

Their gazes locked.

Lucion swiftly shut his eyes, but Russell playfully tapped his forehead, saying, [Why are you still awake? Planning to become a night owl?]

Rubbing his forehead, Lucion looked at Russell.

Suddenly, thoughts of the man with the cursed mark on his face from his time as Lee Haram crossed his mind.

His face hadn’t changed.

They said that ghosts appeared at the age they died.

He looked to be in his mid-30s at most.

After seeing himself as Lee Haram, did Teacher pass away?

[Lucion?]

“I’m just worried about all sorts of things for tomorrow.”

[Well, you have every right to be. But no matter how much you worry, you can’t change the situation, so just get some sleep. That’s what matters.]

“Teacher…”

[What?]

When Lucion looked at Russell, he found himself unable to voice his thoughts.

How did he meet his end?

When and how did he pass away?

It wasn’t something he could straightforwardly ask.

“Are you alright…?”

[Rather… I’m the one who should be asking. Are you alright, Lucion?]

Russell seized the opportunity to ask.

Could Lucion truly accept the fact that he had died dozens of times?

He was still struggling so hard not to die now.

Since that day, they hadn’t brought up the topic, which made Russell feel a strange dryness in his mouth.

“I can endure because I haven’t truly grasped the concept of death. But you’re different from me, aren’t you, Teacher?”

Lucion expressed concern for Russell without showing any regard for his own well-being.

[As long as you don’t face death again, that’s all that matters to me.]

Russell gently closed Lucion’s eyes, unable to meet his gaze at that moment.

He felt too sorry for Lucion.

Incredibly sorry.

He wished they had crossed paths sooner.

[The memories I’ve regained are mostly fragmented, and I don’t even know why you died, so I can’t help you at all.]

“Please don’t say that. I…”

[I understand. Just get some rest. You can’t afford to collapse from exhaustion.]

Russell spoke in a playful tone, lightly laughing.

Despite Russell’s attempt to put on a cheerful facade, Lucion couldn’t help but smile back.

“Alright. I’ll try to get some sleep now.”

Lucion carefully pulled up the blanket to avoid waking Ratta.

[Okay.]

* * *

The carriage halted near the central plaza in the capital.

As the crowd noticed the fox emblem of Cronia on the carriage, whispers of excitement filled the air.

The presence of Cronia indicated that the saint, Lucion Cronia, was also present.

Anticipation gleamed in the eyes of the onlookers.

—Ah! Ratta knows where this is! This is the place where everyone celebrated when Lucion became a saint!

Ratta, her tail wagging excitedly at the edge of the shadow, gazed up at Lucion.

His hair was styled high, similar to Russell’s, but there was a distinct sparkle that made Ratta smile bashfully.

—Lucion, everyone will love you again this time. Ratta knows it. So don’t worry!

[…Phew.]

“Ha…”

Though for different reasons, Bethel and Lucion let out similar sighs.

Carson’s brow twitched.

“If it weren’t for the king’s orders, I wouldn’t have brought you here.”

The central plaza was already bustling with people.

“It’s fine. I’ve been taking some medication, so I’m managing.”

[You’re lying. If you’re not okay, it’s not like something bad will happen if you say so.]

Russell felt an overwhelming urge to flick Lucion’s forehead at that moment.

“I really am fine. I’m much better than before. Look! I’m only trembling slightly.”

Lucion proudly displayed his slightly shaking hand, as if to demonstrate his progress.

Previously, his tremors had been so severe that they resembled a serious condition, but now they were like merely a mild shiver caused by the cold.

How far he had come.

[Might not be the best choice.]

Bethel, noticing the guilt quickly appearing on Carson’s face, patted Lucion’s head and spoke.

‘Why?’

Lucion wanted to ask Bethel the reason, but Carson’s stiff expression answered for him.

‘It seems it’s still not at a level worth bragging about.’

Lucion felt a bit awkward. He had secretly hoped for some praise.

“I see. You’ve improved compared to before.”

Carson forced a smile before turning his gaze towards the window, feeling suffocated, needing to avert his eyes to endure the moment.

The day Lucion was kidnapped was already more than ten years ago.

Scared of the people he loved so much, scared of the idea of being in a group of people.

The phrases he once confidently proclaimed as “It’s fine even if people are intimidating” had transformed into blades that pierced his heart.

“Brother.”

“Yes, Lucion.”

“Look at me closely.”

As Lucion grasped the door handle, Carson and Bethel flinched in surprise.

“I’ve stopped running away now. So how about you also start to let go a little?”

With a confident smile directed at Carson, Lucion opened the door himself.

“Wowwwww!”

Cheering erupted around them.

Lucion shut his eyes against the glaring sunlight, his heart pounding audibly in his ears.

Drawing in a deep breath as if emerging from underwater, he opened his eyes.

He looked ahead.

The weight that had felt so heavy, like he was drowning in the sea, and the bubbling sound that had tormented him quickly faded away.

He saw countless faces filled with their own smiles.

From beneath the carriage, Hume extended his hand.

Taking it, Lucion stepped down.

“Are you okay?” Hume whispered softly.

[If it’s too overwhelming, just focus straight ahead like before. No, wait—Bethel and I will lead the way, so concentrate on us.]

[Of course, Lord Lucion. We’ll be right there, keeping watch over you from the front.]

Bethel smiled warmly at Lucion, agreeing with Russell.

With those two at his side, how could he not be fine?

If only they could clasp hands and walk forward together.

“I’m holding up. To some extent, at least.”

Lucion replied, reflecting on how the maids had been bustling to prepare him since dawn.

He could simply sit still, but he couldn’t imagine how hard they were working.

Despite that, their bright smiles never faded.

“Today is a very important day! Even if the main character isn’t the young master, we’ll make sure everyone only sees him!”

“Absolutely! Our young master is exceptional! Oh, and this is between us—let’s keep it from the first young master and the lady. It might upset them if they found out.”

“Young master, it’ll be hot outside, so can we tie your hair up high? It’s not for any selfish reasons, I promise! We just got some beautiful hair accessories this time. If you decline, we’ll respect your decision… but please, allow us to style your hair.”

Lucion understood now.

The gentle touches of the maids were undoubtedly genuine.

The soft red ribbon they had meticulously selected for his hair danced in the breeze.

‘They’ve put in so much effort to make me look presentable; would it be right to frown?’

For the maids who had taken such care to dress him up, and for Russell and Bethel who were smiling at him, Lucion lifted the corners of his lips.

—Lucion really shines the brightest! Ratta loves your sparkle, it’s just so wonderful!

With sparkling eyes, Ratta looked at Lucion and spun around joyfully.

The resounding cheers from both sides were overwhelming. Lucion’s palms grew sweaty, his heart raced, and his chest felt slightly constricted, but he exhaled and waved lightly.

Like what he had told Carson, he no longer wanted to run away.

“…”

As he watched Lucion, Carson’s eyes began to flicker with emotion.

“Father. I may forever be a fugitive in Lucion’s eyes.”

Fugitive.

He had labeled himself as such to Novio.

But Lucion had urged him not to run away.

Carson stepped down from the carriage.

“Shall we go, brother?”

Lucion spoke as if he were calm, though he still trembled.

“How… are you feeling today?”

Carson finally asked the question he should have asked a long time ago.

It was such a simple question.

Why hadn’t he said it when Lucion was suffering so much?

“I feel good. How about you, brother?”

“It’s… truly wonderful,” Carson replied with a smile in his eyes, feeling as if a weight had lifted from his chest.

“Let’s go.”

Carson took the first step forward.

With each step Lucion and Carson took, the cheers grew louder.

“Wowwww…!”

They climbed the stairs and took their seats.

The relentless cheering ceased, replaced by the presence of one person.

The sun of the Empire and its sole ruler, Ketlan Tesla, appeared as he crossed the central plaza.

He was escorted by the 8th Order of the Knights’ captain, and Ketlan did not say a word or smile.

The atmosphere changed.

It became so heavy.

All heads bowed towards him. Enveloped in reverence, none dared to avert their gaze.

The clinking of the knight captain’s armor muffled the sound of Ketlan’s footsteps, yet it seemed as though they reverberated in their ears.

Ketlan settled into his designated spot in the plaza.

“Today, this place is reserved for the execution of the empire’s traitors.”

Surveying the assembly, Ketlan raised his voice without delay.

“Bring forth the traitor, Twilo Sprikado!”