Central Government Castle, Dominatus — Vanguard Residence.
Inside the temple.
A new table now stands at the center of the room, replacing the previous one that has been removed after being cracked by Light.
Johan sits calmly in his chair, his back straight, both hands resting lightly on the armrests. His head lowers slightly, his eyes closed for a brief moment.
Across from him, Light sits in a relaxed posture, one leg crossed over the other, his body slightly sunk into the chair.
A faint breeze slips in through the high window. The long curtains sway gently, brushing softly against one another.
Johan lifts his head, drawing a long breath before exhaling slowly.
He opens his eyes, his gaze immediately settling on Light.
"I have already dispatched them," he says flatly.
Light raises an eyebrow, intrigued.
"And the battles between individuals begin from this moment onward."
Light leans back further, his fingers loosely interlocked on his lap. "Will you personally observe them one by one, or how do you intend to proceed?" he asks lightly.
Johan shakes his head. "No. I have also sent several observers. Pigeons will arrive here in succession," he continues. "They will bring the latest reports."
Light looks out for a moment, then returns his gaze to Johan.
"I am curious."
"Hm?" Johan leans back slightly.
"You have already sent the dead you revived to face the rebels," Light says slowly. "Then how do you know where they are?" he adds.
Johan props his face on one hand, a faint smile forming on his lips.
"It is simple."
He straightens his posture, his eyes sharpening.
"The rebels… are puppets I once controlled."
Light does not respond immediately.
"I know their identities. I know their habits. I know their weaknesses," Johan continues calmly.
He tilts his head slightly.
"It is only natural that I know where they are now."
Light smiles faintly. "Heh. Impressive."
He crosses his legs more comfortably.
"How did you come this far?"
Johan glances briefly at the ceiling.
"We are in the chamber of an organization formed in the previous generation," he says quietly.
He looks back at Light.
"Vanguard."
Light remains silent, observing.
"Three of the four members from the previous generation are already dead," Johan continues. "They are part of the first and middle waves that I revived."
Light raises his brow, increasingly interested.
"Additionally… there is also Covenant."
Johan exhales shortly.
"Two members. Both have already been revived… and have died once again."
Light smiles faintly. "Interesting."
"Three of the four Vanguard… and both Covenant members of this generation…" he pauses, staring straight ahead. "They rebelled and broke free from my control."
Light lets out a soft laugh. "Heh… so the ones you chose… became your enemies, is that it?"
Johan exhales slowly. His eyes go momentarily empty.
"A mistake," he replies.
"I should have killed them first," he continues quietly. "Like the fourth member of Vanguard."
Light looks up at the ceiling.
"I see." The faint smile remains.
"My first encounter with you leaves no doubt—you are someone worthy of admiration. And naturally, those you choose would be extremely dangerous," Light says.
He looks back at Johan.
"And you said experience never lies?"
"I will be looking forward to the spectacle. The chosen ones… and the dead you revived to fight them, hm? Remarkable."
—
In front of the grand gates of the Kingdom of Gaelvorn, Rose stands still.
Several seconds pass since her feet touch the ground.
Olivia steps down behind her, followed by Aunt Anne. Both carry large bags in their hands. They stand at Rose's sides, aligned with her, facing the towering royal gates before them.
"It is truly beautiful," Aunt Anne murmurs.
The wind blows gently.
"This is my first time seeing a kingdom in person," Olivia says, glancing toward Rose.
Rose's hair, now longer, sways softly, brushing against her cheeks. The dress she wears falls neatly, yet it cannot conceal how thin her body has become.
Her deep grief has shaped her so.
Her eyes are empty.
Dark circles beneath them are clearly visible.
She stares ahead blankly.
Olivia exhales softly.
"Come, Rose… your father must be waiting for you inside," she says gently.
Rose does not respond immediately.
The wind blows again.
Olivia's grip on her bag tightens slightly.
"Perhaps… he simply does not know how to face you," Olivia continues softly. "He is shaken as well…"
She nods faintly.
KREEEEEEEK—
The royal gates slowly open as they approach.
The long creak echoes.
They step inside.
TOK… TOK… TOK…
Their footsteps echo across the wide stone floor.
A grand hall greets them.
A high ceiling.
Massive pillars rising upward.
Walls carved with symmetrical patterns.
A polished floor reflecting light from tall windows.
Olivia and Aunt Anne slow down, their eyes moving in every direction.
"This… is also my first time entering a royal palace," Aunt Anne says quietly.
Olivia nods slightly. "The same for me…"
Rose remains silent, continuing to walk.
They follow.
A long corridor stretches ahead.
Servants move quickly, carrying documents.
Soldiers stand at corners, speaking in low voices.
Footsteps continue to echo.
TOK… TOK… TOK…
They ascend the stairs.
One floor.
Two floors.
Three floors.
Without pause.
Until they finally arrive at a quieter corridor.
Higher.
At the far end—
A large door.
The door to the King of Gaelvorn's chamber.
Olivia stops, staring at it.
"We have arrived, Rose…" she says softly. "Shall I open it, or…"
Rose shakes her head.
She steps forward.
Slowly.
Her hand rises.
It touches the door handle.
Cold.
She turns it.
CLICK—
The door opens slowly.
KREEEKK—
—THUD—
Two bags fall from Aunt Anne's hands.
"Oh…"
Her expression changes.
Her gaze fixes inside the room.
"…How could this be."
Olivia looks inside as well.
Her brows furrow.
The room—
The curtains are left open.
One window is slightly ajar.
WHUUSH—
The wind flows freely inside.
The curtains sway.
Back and forth.
No one is there.
"Where has he gone…" Olivia murmurs. "…Why has it become like this."
Bookshelves are full.
Some are tilted.
Some have fallen.
A thin layer of dust is visible.
As if abandoned for a long time.
Rose stands at the doorway.
Not moving.
Her head lowers.
Her hair covers her face.
Her lips tremble.
Her hands slowly clench.
She walks toward the desk.
Covered in papers.
In disarray.
Some scattered on the floor.
KRESHH—
The wind shifts several sheets.
Her hand touches the surface of the desk.
Dust.
She pulls her hand away.
Then opens a drawer.
CLICK.
Empty.
Second drawer.
CLICK.
Disordered papers.
Third drawer.
CLICK.
No message.
No sign.
Nothing.
Her hand stops.
Hanging.
Her breath tightens.
Krieger is not there.
Once again.
Gone.
Olivia steps closer.
Aunt Anne as well.
They stand on both sides of Rose.
Then embrace her.
Gently.
Warmly.
Rose's body trembles.
Tears begin to fall.
One drop.
Two drops.
Then more.
"Is losing my brother and my close friend not enough…" her voice breaks.
Her sobs escape.
Unrestrained.
"Why do these trials keep falling upon me…"
She bites her lip.
"Where is my father…"