Everyone waited anxiously in the living room.
The war was finally over. The Serolf Empire had sent troops to the Kingdom of Montclairs to claim its territory, and since they emerged victorious, the kingdom would now fall under Serolf's rule. The surviving enemy soldiers had been captured and imprisoned.
The empire was slowly returning to normal. Though many homes and buildings lay in ruins, the fear that once gripped the people was gone. Citizens helped one another, determined to hasten the empire's recovery.
Everything was returning to peace—everything, except for the emperor.
"Will he be all right?" Jinny asked nervously.
She had heard the news: Matias was dying. Guilt weighed heavily on her heart for leaving him in the middle of the war.
"The Emperor Emeritus said he has a way to save him," Thane replied.
"Will he survive? I hope he won't die…" Jinny covered her face with both hands and began to sob.
Thane gently patted her back. "Let us pray for his fate," he murmured.
The brothers exchanged uneasy glances. They were not close to Matias, but he was still their brother, and concern flickered in their eyes. Ran clenched his fists; seeing Jinny cry for Matias made jealousy burn within him.
The door suddenly opened. The Head Butler entered, bowed, and announced solemnly:
"The Empress Mother requests your presence in His Majesty's chamber."
They followed him in silence. Inside, they found their parents and older siblings gathered around Matias' unconscious body. His skin was covered in dark marks from the curse, his face pale and drawn. He looked so fragile—like a man with only moments left in this world.
"Mother…" Maikell stepped forward, his voice low and steady as his eyes shifted from her to his brother. "How is he?"
Kaye's tears fell once more; her eyes were swollen and red from endless weeping.
Mikhail pulled her into his arms, answering on her behalf. "He won't last long…"
At those words, Jinny's knees buckled, and she collapsed to the floor, sobbing uncontrollably. The brothers lowered their heads in sorrow. Arash's tears flowed freely as Froilan tried to comfort him, though his own cheeks were wet with grief.
The chamber doors opened again. Charmagne entered, followed by Beatrice, who looked pale and exhausted, her eyes shadowed with dark circles from sleepless nights.
"No need to despair," Charmagne declared. "I've completed the spell to open the portal to another world."
"Is it certain?" Kaye asked desperately. "Will he truly survive—and remain alive in our world?"
"Yes," Charmagne assured her. Then he turned to Kurtis. "You've done it successfully before, right?"
Kurtis nodded. "Yes. But it took us months to find each other because our souls ended up in new bodies, each living in different places. If we send Matias through the portal, his soul will transmigrate into a body we don't even know. We'll have to search for him in that world."
"I'm fine with that," Mikhail said firmly. "If this is the only way to save his life, then I'll search every corner of that world for him—just as I once searched for his mother."
Kaye clung to Mikhail, her tears flowing anew.
"Very well," Charmagne said. "If you're all prepared, I will begin the ritual. Time is running out. If he dies here, there will be no second chance."
They summoned the servants, who carefully carried Matias to the garden.
"You should say your goodbyes now," Charmagne told them softly.
Kaye and her husbands looked at their grown-up sons and daughter, their eyes heavy with sorrow.
"It's too bad we only had such a short time together," Kyle said.
"Perhaps too short," Froilan added, "but we are still grateful to see you again. Thank you for coming. I know there will be no next time, that we will never meet again. If Matias wakes, please tell him that we'll be all right. He doesn't need to worry about us—we will protect the Serolf Empire with everything we have."
Kyle smiled and nodded, then embraced his son in farewell.
Kiko also stepped forward. "I'm glad I got the chance to meet you, even if it was in such a barbaric place," he said with a smile.
Froilan smiled back and patted Kiko's shoulder. "Take care of Mom."
Kiko nodded.
"It's a shame we didn't get the chance to share true bonding moments as a whole family," Haru said to Arash. His voice cracked with regret. "Please forgive me for leaving you again."
Arash's gaze hardened, though his voice was steady. "I never expected much from you. But at the very least, discipline your youngest son properly. He's lucky he's my brother—otherwise I'd have fed him to the sharks long ago for his terrible behavior." He smirked at Harusheen.
"Huh?! Who's the one with terrible behavior?" Harusheen snapped. "You're far worse than me! You almost killed me, remember? Don't forget that I saved your kingdom and helped you win against your enemies!"
Arash chuckled, ruffling his younger brother's hair. "I'm glad I got the chance to meet you. Listen to Father—and stop being so weird."
Harusheen smirked back. "Who are you calling weird? Anyway… take care of yourself."
Arash smiled faintly, and Haru pulled both sons into an embrace. They grimaced at first, embarrassed, but the moment lingered with unspoken affection.
Nearby, Hajee bid farewell to his sister Beatrice.
"Thanks for helping us, even though I ran away and didn't fully trust you back then. You know I had my reasons, right?" he said.
Beatrice smirked. "I know. I'm also amazed by your talent in negotiations. You really are my brother."
Hajee chuckled, and the two shook hands.
Then Mikhail approached Beatrice. She bowed to him, and he regarded her with a serious expression. "From this day, you are the Empress Regnant of the empire. I entrust everything to you. I know you will rule wisely."
Beatrice's eyes widened in disbelief. "I… I-I'm the Empress Regnant?"
Kurtis smiled warmly. "Congratulations. I am proud of you."
"B-But… I don't think I can manage the empire. I'm not as strong as Matias," she whispered, her voice trembling.
"You're wrong," Kurtis said firmly. "You are strong. You are a great mage. You ruled the Tower with wisdom, dignity, and intellect. Your love for your family and your people makes you powerful. Today, I also grant you the title of Grandmaster of the Magic Tower."
Beatrice covered her mouth, overwhelmed. She was now ruler not only of the Tower—but of the entire empire. "Will I really be able to rule it well?" she murmured.
Arash and Froilan took her hands.
"You don't have to worry," Froilan said gently. "We are here for you. You can be certain that Firenzan and Targaryen will always stand by your side."
"He's right," Arash added. "We won't abandon you. Besides, we already have our own kingdoms to rule. You're the only daughter left in the Serolf Empire, so you have no choice but to accept the title."
Beatrice smiled through her tears. "Thank you."
She dropped to her knees and bowed before her father and Mikhail. "I, Beatrice Grimaldi, humbly accept the title of Empress Regnant of the Serolf Empire."
Applause filled the garden.
Kaye stepped forward, embracing Beatrice, Arash, and Froilan tightly. "I will miss you, my children. I'm sorry we didn't have more time together. I pray that one day, we'll meet again—under better and brighter circumstances."
The three nodded, tears streaming silently down their faces.
"All right, time's up," Charmagne interrupted gently. "Forgive me, but we must hurry."
He raised his hands, and the portal began to open.
Kaye looked back once more at her children. She smiled softly before stepping into the portal, holding Jinny's hand.
Jinny breathed a sigh of relief—at last, she would return to their original world.
Troy pouted as he followed, regret lingering in his eyes; he hadn't gotten the chance to visit his family. Rein patted Raon's back, trying to comfort him over what had happened to his eldest son. Tristan wiped away his tears as he entered the portal, his heart aching over the loss of his daughter—but still, there was solace in knowing they had avenged her by killing Velnias.
One by one, the others followed. Shin had heard from a knight that his family was safe, so he no longer needed to worry. Benjamin trailed behind in silence, listening as Cedie spoke.
"Chester said he met my tribe," Cedie murmured.
Kurtis, Kyle, and Haru waved to their children before stepping through. Maikell and his brothers glanced back at their older siblings.
"We're grateful we had the chance to meet you," they said, bowing deeply before disappearing into the portal.
Warren paused, his gaze drifting toward the trees. He knew Hikari was there. A small smile touched his lips—he was proud of him; he had become a strong and respected chief of the Crimson Blood.
TJ's eyes followed his father, Timothy, as he stepped through the portal. A flicker of suspicion stirred within him—there was more to his father's past than he had ever known.
At last, only Mikhail remained. He cradled his son, Matias, in his arms.
"Please take care," Charmagne said.
"I will," Mikhail replied. "And thank you—for protecting my son when I could not. I owe you more than I can ever repay. And now, I ask one last favor: protect those three. They are the last who carry Serolfian blood."
Charmagne's gaze was steady. "Do not worry. As long as I draw breath, I will protect them—even if it costs me my life."
Mikhail smirked faintly. "As if you could die." With that, he stepped into the portal.
And then, they were gone.
Charmagne turned to the others. "All right, everyone. Let's head back to the palace. There is much we must discuss." Without waiting for the portal to close—knowing it would seal itself within seconds—he led the way.
The three who remained followed without looking back. To glance at the portal now would only deepen their sorrow. They had to move forward, to face the reality awaiting them.
Just as the portal began to close, Arthur darted forward and leapt inside.
"Hehe! I've always wanted to see what the other world looks like!" he laughed—though his excitement quickly faded into drowsiness as the strange energy of the portal pulled him in.
The portal shimmered one last time… then vanished.
And with it, the journey in the Serolf Empire came to an end.
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End of Season 3