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Valyrian Base…
The silence that cloaked the base wasn't one of peace—
It was the silence that follows an explosion.
And every eye in the base was fixed on Peter with a gaze that could not be mistaken.
"That's the one who killed his closest friend."
"I heard him say it was his brother or something like that!"
"Look at him… doesn't even look sorry."
No whisper spared his ears.
No glare showed him mercy.
It was as if the whole world had passed judgment—without giving him the chance to speak.
As if no one saw his pain. Or worse… they didn't care to.
In his room, he sat with the door closed, swallowed by a world of darkness.
His head rested between his knees, his hands trembling.
"I killed Nereus…"
The words echoed in his chest like a rusted bell, heavy and unrelenting.
That friend… no, that brother—
The father figure when the mother was gone.
The one who raised him, believed in him, stood by him when the rest of the world turned away.
And now Peter had committed the same sin again.
As he had killed his mother…
Now, he had killed Nereus.
He had no choice.
But did that make it hurt less?
Regret ran deeper than words could reach—
It was devouring him alive.
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Elsewhere in the base,
Markus had just returned—accompanied by Commander Darius Kane.
He walked alone toward his quarters.
But even in solitude, the whispers slithered around him:
"He was trying to protect the monster."
"Some say he looks like it… in a way…"
But for the first time in his life…
Markus had no strength to respond.
No sarcasm, no threats, no mocking grin.
Only silence.
He opened the door to his room slowly,
Like a man trying to outrun a ghost that never stops chasing.
But the soldiers behind him froze—
A dark silhouette loomed just past the corridor.
Commander Darius Kane stood with arms folded, his cold eyes burning with restrained fury.
One soldier immediately straightened, saluting:
"Sir!"
Darius spoke with a tone that cut through the air:
"All of Markus's crimes have been pardoned by direct order. He is now one of my men.
If I hear anyone mocking him or alluding to anything—
I'll cut out their tongue myself."
Silence.
The shock was visible in every face.
Fear crept into their limbs like frost in winter.
They bowed quickly.
"Yes, sir!"
With a motion of his hand, he dismissed them.
And once the echo of their footsteps faded, he spoke quietly:
"You can come out now.
I know you've been dying to see him."
From behind the wall, slowly… cautiously…
Ravena stepped forward.
Her dark hair flowed over her shoulders, and in her eyes shimmered a flicker of worry.
Her father's voice was firm:
"You entered the men's barracks without permission.
And now you're sneaking into someone's room."
She turned her head indifferently, replying:
"I don't consider them men…
Maybe just… Markus."
His brow furrowed—clearly displeased by her answer.
"He's in a terrible state right now.
I wouldn't advise getting close."
She looked at the closed door.
Her gaze carried sorrow and a vulnerable tenderness…
But she quickly masked it, pretending to be indifferent as she turned to leave.
"I was just trying to be nice, that's all."
She walked away.
And Darius… exhaled deeply.
Muttering under his breath as he shook his head:
"Out of everyone… it had to be him?"
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Meanwhile, Lucas had returned with Gerald.
He hadn't spoken a word.
There was something broken in him… something no one had seen before.
And the moment his feet touched the ground of the base,
He went to the stables.
The very place that had once symbolized his humiliation…
And now?
He walked toward it like a man returning to his grave.
"What's the point of life without you…?"
That question burned in his eyes.
But before he could reach the doors, Gerald's heavy hand landed on his shoulder.
Lucas turned to him—
His face pale, his eyes as bleak as a winter sky.
Gerald spoke firmly:
"Sleep inside.
Mika will guide you."
Then turned and walked away without another word.
Lucas didn't care.
Didn't protest.
He opened the stable doors… and stepped in quietly…
Like a walking corpse.
⸻
On the other side of the world…
Sera rode alongside Ilarious in his carriage, on their way to his palace.
Not a word had passed her lips the entire ride.
Ilarious spoke softly:
"I didn't know they moved the execution date up…"
But she didn't reply.
Her eyes were fixed on the carriage window—
As though staring silently at her own death.
He felt the urge to explain.
To justify.
To tell her why he wasn't there… why he didn't stop it.
But the words… betrayed him.
And this was not the moment.
⸻
When they arrived at the palace,
Lady Natalie was waiting—with Royal Knight Zan by her side.
She greeted him with a glowing smile:
"Lord Ilarious! Ah, how I missed you!"
He returned his usual charming smile:
"Lady Natalie… it's a pleasure to see you again.
Ah, so many things have happened—"
Natalie looked at Sera with disdainful superiority.
But Sera didn't look up.
She didn't speak.
She walked past them like a shadow, eyes fixed on the ground.
Until…
"Sera."
A voice called out for the first time.
Zan.
She turned.
Her eyes were… lifeless.
He handed her a small box and said:
"This… is from Lady Loren."
Her thoughts spun—
Loren?
The knight who used to oversee Nereus?
She took the box… and opened it slowly.
And then—
Her eyes widened.
She collapsed to her knees.
Tears burst from her like a flood, soaking the floor beneath her.
Inside the box—
Nereus's clothes.
His few belongings.
Some sketches he used to draw when alone.
Sera trembled.
She whispered his name through broken sobs:
"Nereus… Nereus…"
Zan stood silently,
His expression unreadable.
Natalie was stunned.
And something… something like pain flickered across her face—
But she masked it quickly.
As for Ilarious—
That smile of his…
Vanished again.
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