Previously~
Vincent turned, striding toward the dragon. The beast lowered its body instinctively, its massive form glinting like glass under the afternoon light. With a light leap, Vincent mounted Pinky's back.
He glanced over his shoulder one last time.
Theodore stood with the twins in his arms. Amelia and Edward had joined them, with Raphael and Theobald waving from behind, eyes still gleaming with hope.
Vincent raised a hand and shouted,
"Until next time!"
WHOOSH!
With a single beat of her radiant wings, Pinky soared into the sky, carrying Vincent back toward Duskrane County — and the uncertain future waiting for him.
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Wind brushed against his skin as he looked down at the world below.
The setting sun cast a reddish glow across his face. Vincent was lost in thought, the pink dragon beneath him flying at speeds few could even comprehend.
His eyes closed. A tear slipped from the corner of his left eye.
He clenched his wrists as a memory surged through him—
A woman lay lifeless on the cold floor.
Her brown skin stained with blood.
Her hair disheveled.
Her purple eyes, empty.
The eighteen-year-old Vincent held her in his arms, screaming—
His grief echoing across realms.
BONK!
He bonked himself back to reality. His lifeless gaze drifted to the pink dragon beneath him.
"Pinky…" he hesitated, "Where is Viole?"
Pinky flinched. A sharp sigh escaped between her canines.
"Forgive me, master," she said. "My husband returned a few hours ago." She gulped.
"He said he would visit you personally and offer his findings."
Vincent nodded. "Alright. Take us to the Dragon Realm."
The dragon replied, "As you wish, master."
The space before them cracked open—
A distorted shimmer of black and purple appeared.
FWOOSH!
The dragon soared through the rift and entered a new realm.
Jagged cliffs stretched across the landscape. A distant waterfall thundered as mist curled around the rocks. Pinky darted through the air, making sharp turns before stopping before the massive waterfall.
THUD!
Vincent jumped off the dragon's back and walked toward a patch of bushes. A faintly glowing magic square hovered in the air.
THUMP!
A folded set of clothes dropped from the square.
"Put these on before coming in," Vincent said, motioning to the dragon.
Pinky bowed low. "Thank you for your gifts, master."
Vincent flicked his hand dismissively. "It's just my mom's old tracksuit."
A shimmer lit Pinky's eyes, tears pooling.
"To think Master would offer such a treasure to a servant like me…"
'Aah, here we go again.'
Vincent ignored the theatrics and strode toward the waterfall.
FLICK!
With a flick of his hand, the curtain of water parted, revealing the entrance to a cavern. He stepped inside.
STEP. STEP.
The flames of mounted torches lit his path. At the end of the corridor stood a familiar figure—
A tall man, violet hair cascading to his waist.
His skin was a shade deeper than brown, and the only thing he wore was a white pair of boxers with pink gridlines.
"Viole!" Vincent's voice echoed.
"I greet my master." the man kneeled.
Vincent tapped his shoulder.
"Rise."
The man straightened up. With a slight nod he trailed towards an alcove.
CREAK!
A stone brick locked itself inside as the alcove tore itself apart. A door appeared in front of the duo.
Viole opened the door and the two entered the room dimly lit by a candle resting atop a wooden table.
Viole pulled out a chair for Vincent at the end of the table. Then sat the chair adjacent to him. He pulled out a piece of parchment, a red seal pressed against it.
"May I enter, master?" A woman who stood just outside the door asked. Her pink braid reached her ankles. Pale skin pressed against the tunic Vincent gave her. The loose shirt clung to her figure while a purple pajama gripped around her ankles.
"Enter."
The lady entered the room sitting opposite to Viole who smirked at her. His bare chest painted by streaks of golden light, the candle shone at him.
The two stared at each other. Smiling mischievously.
"EHEM!" Vincent coughed, ending the silence.
Viole flinched back to his senses. He removed the wax seal with his claws.
A map sprawled across the table, small marks dotting various parts of the vast continent.
Vincent massaged his chin, muttering,
"So there are only three?"
Viole looked up.
"No, my liege. They are merely the keys."
He continued,
"Only they can call forth their legion."
Vincent narrowed his eyes.
"After so many years… don't they need a master?"
"They feed and grow on their master's mana, my liege," Viole replied.
CHOMP!
The men turned to Pinky.
Pinky, who hadn't understood a single word of the conversation, had decided that munching on jerky and admiring Viole's bare-chested torso was probably the best way to pass the time.
With a sigh, Viole turned back to Vincent.
"I apologize for her unsightly behavior, master."
Vincent's gaze returned to the map.
"It's okay. Let me treat you to a feast later."
Pinky spat out her jerky.
"Really?" Eyes glimmering with hope, she opened her mouth to speak again—only for a hand to reach out and stop her.
"Just wait a bit, my snugglebug."
Pinky retreated, the next strip of jerky already halfway into her mouth.
Redirecting his eyes, Viole pointed to a cross on the map.
"Shall I visit the site myself?"
"No, I shall see them myself…" a flash of sorrow passed over his face… "After all, they are a gift from The Allmother."
"Yes my liege."
Vincent glanced at the map once more.
"I need to build my ether pool," He closed his eyes for some time before opening them. "Tell Ben to search for any cracks he can find."
Viole facepalmed. "Master, that lazy lizard of a dragon wouldn't move an inch until he is threatened…"
Vincent interjected, "Viole do you not want your couple vacation?"
Viole blinked. "Now that I think about it, he isn't such a bad choice. He just needs to be… scared." Viole stammered.
"Tell him to do his best. Best according to my standards."
Both Vincent and Viole snickered.
Vincent straightened his shirt, "Ok, let's go."
"Go where?" Viole tilted his head.
"Here. Wear some clothes," Vincent said, handing a few pieces of tunic to Viole.
Then he turned to Pinky. "Here, Pinky."
He handed her some as well.
"Where?" Viole let out a confused grunt.
"To the feast, and…" Vincent glanced at the pair. "Don't take too long changing clothes."
CREAK!
He stepped out of the room, the parchment rolled up in his palm.
—A few moments later—
Viole emerged wearing a loose white tunic and brown pants.
Pinky stepped in next, a flowing frock with frills brushing her heels.
"Good."
Vincent stored the map into a glowing magic square.
A crack warped the space nearby. A void pulsing with black energy opened before them.
"Let's go."
Vincent stepped into the void, followed by Pinky and Viole.
The scenery shifted—now a cliff overlooking a small settlement.
THUD!
They descended, making their way toward an inn labeled:
GLOWMHAVEN INN
CREAK!
The party entered. Vincent strode to the cashier.
CLANG!
He placed a silver coin on the counter. "Deluxe."
The cashier examined the coin, then inserted it into a rectangular machine with a slit and ramp on his side.
DING!
A hologram flickered to life above the machine.
[1000 Zels]
The cashier nodded and motioned to a nearby waitress.
"Noble sirs and madam," she said brightly, "please allow me to escort you."
"Hmm."
The group followed her up a staircase to the first floor.
She unlocked a door with a brass key and gestured inside.
"Please rest here."
As they entered, she reached for a wooden tab from a steel rack nearby.
"Please choose your—"
Before she could finish, Vincent raised his hand.
"Tell them to prepare a Duskrane Special."
She blinked.
"But tha—"
"I won't repeat myself," he cut her off.
The waitress bowed deeply, then exited the room in haste.
Location – Rugard Palace, Leonhart Duchy
A dusty office dimly lit by a flickering oil lamp sat buried beneath mountains of scrolls and parchment. The air was heavy with the scent of old ink and burning wax. Papers rustled in the silence, disturbed only by the heavy breathing of a furious man.
WHAM!
The sudden thunder of fist against wood echoed through the chamber.
"That damned emperor! Is he truly nothing more than the church's puppet?!"
Alexander roared, his gauntlet-shod hand smashing into the thick mahogany desk, splitting the corner clean off.
Across from him stood Seradin, ever calm in the storm. The noble aide's chestnut hair was tied back with care, his hazel eyes focused on a parchment that trembled slightly between his fingers.
"It seems," Seradin began, voice level, "the church has made its move. And they intend to erase us from the board."
He rolled the document, glancing at Alexander with a knowing look.
Alexander's eyes gleamed with fury, veins bulging at his temple.
"Seradin…" he growled. "Should anything happen to Edward, I will tear the emperor down with my own hands."
Seradin sighed through his nose, lowering the scroll with a grim nod.
"Please, my lord. Worry not. Duke Tigranclaw is stronger than any calamity they might conjure… and he is not alone. Theodore is with him."
Alexander paced for a moment, his heavy boots thudding against the stone floor.
"Should I send the hounds?" Seradin asked quietly, catching the shift in his master's demeanor.
Alexander paused.
"No… not yet. Send them to ???? ."
Seradin gave a short bow, the flicker of concern crossing his face. "As you command."
With that, he turned and left the study, the door shutting behind him with a soft click.
Left alone, Alexander exhaled and collapsed into the worn leather chair behind him. His eyes flickered toward the fireplace, its flames struggling against the draft.
"Should I ask Henry for help?" he muttered to no one in particular, fingers tapping the armrest in thought.
Location – Felgris Palace, Tigranclaw Duchy
Outside, snow dusted the rooftops of Felgris. Inside, within a tall-windowed study that overlooked the duchy's quiet courtyard, silence reigned—save for the faint crackle of the hearth.
Edward stood before the window, one hand resting against the cold glass. His gaze swept across his lands, his mind burdened with worry.
Behind him, Theodore finished sealing a scroll, the wax still warm as he handed it off to a courier outside the study.
"My lord," Theodore said, folding his hands behind his back, "I fear the emperor is no longer his own man. The church pulls his strings now."
Edward didn't turn. His voice came soft but cold.
"And what makes you think that?"
Theodore stepped forward. "He dares issue orders that tear apart two of the four Pillars of the Empire—Leonhart and Tigranclaw. Either the emperor has lost his mind… or his spine."
Edward finally turned, eyes sharp.
"Not only that," he said, walking slowly toward the map laid out on his desk, "he's left Duskrane county completely exposed. It's his sister's home. His own sister."
His hand clenched into a fist.
"Send word to my father-in-law. Ask him to begin quiet preparations."
Then, after a long pause—
"Make sure Amelia doesn't see the letter."
Theodore raised a brow. "Not even the duchess, my lord?"
Edward nodded grimly.
"Yes. This isn't something she needs to worry about. Not yet."
Theodore looked unconvinced.
"With respect, that may not be wise for your relationship."
Edward sat heavily in his chair, voice laced with pain.
"That's better than watching her march willingly to her death."
"As you command."
Theodore bowed, but as he reached the door, he froze.
There stood Amelia—his duchess—carrying a tray of food. Her soft features twisted in disbelief. A single tremble in her hand betrayed her composure.
Edward's eyes widened.
"Leave us," he said sharply.
Theodore silently nodded and exited, leaving husband and wife alone.
"Edward…" Amelia's voice cracked. "Never did I imagine a day would come… where you'd keep secrets from me."
He rose and approached her, gently taking the tray from her hands and placing it aside. His fingers wrapped around hers.
"Darling, I didn't want this. I can't risk losing you."
She blinked away the tears forming at the edges of her eyes. "We promised to protect each other. I'm not a fragile doll to be kept in a glass case."
"I know," Edward whispered, his voice breaking. "I have to protect my family. Even if it means keeping you in the dark."
She cupped his face, resting her forehead against his. "We will protect them. Together."
He pulled her into a hug. "I'm sorry, darling."
She swayed, eyes fluttering. "I—" Her knees buckled before she could finish.
Amelia lost consciousness in his arms. A magic circle glowing faintly in Edward's hand disappeared in thin air.
Carefully, he carried her to the master bedroom, placing her upon the bed. The maids rushed over.
"Tell her…" Edward's voice cracked. "Tell her I'm sorry."
He turned and walked out.
In the hallway stood Raphael, his eldest son, eyes wide with concern. The boy clenched his fists as Edward crouched before him.
"I'm trusting you, Raphael," Edward said. "Delphine, Evangeline, and your mother—keep them safe. Protect them with everything you've got."
"I will, Father," Raphael nodded, determined. "I won't let anything happen to them!"
Edward smiled faintly, brushing his son's hair back before rising.
"Theodore!" he called.
The man appeared without delay.
"Everything is ready, my lord."
Edward gave a final glance back at the bedroom door—then nodded.
"Let's begin."