[Grand Corridor, After the Void Fades]
Reyon's hand trembled.
The moment Alice's face mirrored that expression—the same look she wore right before her death in his previous life—something inside him cracked open.
Pain rushed in like a tidal wave.
His breath caught, his eyes widened, and he stumbled back from her.
His hand fell from her neck.
And without thinking, he dropped to his knees and pulled her into a desperate embrace.
"I'm sorry…" he whispered.
His arms tightened around her trembling frame.
"I'm sorry… I'm so… so sorry…"
Alice froze. Her heart thumped loudly in her chest. His warmth was real. The despair in his voice was raw.
Her face flushed bright red.
"W-What are you doing?!" she stammered, trying to squirm free. "D-Don't suddenly hug me like this, idiot!"
Reyon blinked and finally pulled back, realizing what he was doing.
His eyes now shimmered with clarity. "Ah… sorry, I didn't mean to—"
Alice turned her head away, brushing her fingers over her flushed cheeks.
"Hmph… next time, warn me at least…"
[Min Hee's Room – Nightfall]
Later, Reyon slowly opened the heavy door to his grandmother's room.
The air was cold. The fire crackled low in the hearth.
Min Hee lay resting in bed, her skin pale, her breath shallow.
Reyon stepped closer, and his legs weakened at the sight.
His grandmother—who had once towered like a mountain of strength the peak of magicians—now seemed so fragile, like the brittle flame of a candle nearing its end.
"Grandma…" he muttered, kneeling beside her bed and taking her wrinkled hands in his.
Tears gathered in his eyes.
"I'm sorry… Because of me, your health got worse."
Min Hee smiled faintly, lifting a frail hand to cup his cheek.
"I'm glad… I could use the last of my strength… for you."
Her voice was barely above a whisper.
"You already know, don't you? My time has come… So don't blame yourself."
Reyon squeezed her hand tighter.
He wanted to fight fate, to burn it away with his magic.
But no spell could defeat time.
No Vector could reverse the end of age.
("Even though we didn't spend long together… you trained me… gave me warmth I never had…")
The night passed as they talked quietly.
He told her stories from his journey in classers defeat of berth, thanking her again for leaving the elemental spear to protect him. She recounted tales from her youth the harship she faced along leywin.
And as dawn approached, she drifted into a deep, peaceful sleep.
[Castle Gates – Morning Departure]
A black carriage awaited Reyon and Alice outside.
Snow crunched beneath their boots as they climbed inside.
Alice sat opposite him, fixing the hem of her robe.
Reyon gazed out the frosted window, lost in thought.
"Why did Father and Aunt Evelyn leave the castle so suddenly?" he asked, not looking at her.
Alice shook her head.
"I don't know either. Just that… a delegate from the Kingdom of Elise came."
("Elise…?")
Reyon's fingers curled slightly.
('Could it be related to Julie…?')
He considered it—but shook the thought away.
Too many uncertainties ahead to be distracted now.
The road stretched endlessly through white fields.
Reyon's eyes remained fixed on the passing landscape.
Alice, meanwhile, peeked up from under her hood.
She kept stealing glances at him.
('Why… why did he hug me like that? His heartbeat was so fast…')
A flush returned to her cheeks.
She turned away, scolding herself quietly.
[Main Palace Hall]
The giant iron gates of the Phoenix Clan's main palace opened wide.
Snow melted as warm winds welcomed them back.
Evelyn was the first to greet them.
She strode forward and placed her hand on Reyon's head, gently ruffling his hair.
"You're back… and sane. Thank the heavens."
Reyon gave a small nod.
Edward stood behind her, arms folded but with a faint smile.
"You've recovered faster than expected."
Reyon stepped forward, brows slightly furrowed.
"What did the delegate from the Elise Kingdom say?"
Edward took a deep breath.
"She came on behalf of Julie."
Reyon's eyes narrowed, but he waited.
Edward continued, "She's already united the nobles under her rule. And since you granted her full authority over the Classers… she's been coronated as Queen of the Kingdom of Elise."
Reyon blinked.
"She… achieved her goal."
A soft smile formed on his lips.
He closed his eyes for a moment—relieved.
But across from him, Alice's gaze shifted.
She saw the smile.
And something in her chest twisted.
('Does… does he like her?')
Her fingers curled tightly into a fist by her side.
('They were together for quite some time… is that how he feels about her…?')
Reyon stepped toward Edward. His voice grew firm.
"Patriarch, I have something to say."
Edward raised a brow.
"What is it?"
"Please… hold a Marshal meeting. I'll share my thoughts there."
Edward frowned, arms crossing.
"Do you think Marshal meetings are some casual gathering? They can't be held just because you 'want' it."
Reyon didn't flinch.
"It's for the future of our clan. Please…"
A long silence stretched between them.
Edward sighed, then nodded.
"One week. Be prepared."
[One Week Later – Grand Hall]
The hall was silent as stone.
Four chairs—one for each Marshal—lined the dais beneath the Phoenix banner.
Marshal Derox sat first, impatient as always, legs tapping.
Cold sword, still recovering but present, nodded sternly.
Marshal Alrin sat quietly, observing with narrow eyes.
Evelyn, arms crossed, her sword laid across her lap, gave nothing away.
Edward entered last, taking the center seat of authority.
"Begin," he said.
Reyon stepped through the doors, robes billowing behind him.
He bowed once, respectfully.
"Thank you for gathering."
His eyes scanned the room.
"Patriarch… what do you think of the future of our clan?"
Edward narrowed his eyes. "Get to the point."
Reyon nodded. "Would we just allow the royal family—the Brooks—to keep using us?"
No one answered.
"We've tolerated them for centuries. Out of duty. Out of friendship. But our purpose was to guard the continent. Now that I've subdued the Berserker… there's no reason to be their shield."
Marshal Derox scoffed, slamming his fist on the armrest.
"Tch. Just say it. You want us to become the new rulers of the Brook Kingdom, don't you?"
Reyon turned to him, calm.
"No. Why would we rebel for such a… small kingdom?"
Everyone blinked. Shock replaced suspicion.
Reyon took a deep breath.
"We already have lands ten times larger. I propose something greater—"
He lifted his eyes, filled with resolve.
"Let us establish the Phoenix Empire—built upon the Dark Nation and the Horizon Forest."
The hall went silent.
Chairs scraped the floor as all four Marshals stood at once.
Even Edward rose, face pale with disbelief.
"You… what did you say?"
Reyon's voice did not waver.
"I said—let us found the Phoenix Empire."