"So you were alive all this time, huh? Who knew."
It took a lot of convincing just to confirm his identity.
Thankfully, all the information he told him aligned with what the Imperial Army had debriefed. Especially about the informant's information.
There was no reason for him to lie about his identity. For that reason, Bellion had to give him the benefit of the doubt.
"Have the others been found?"
"Yeah, you're the last one. No wonder General Locke was panicking."
"What about General Constantine?"
"She seemed out of it. So I decided to let her go."
"I see."
Brandon raised his head, meeting Bellion's gaze.
"How long have I been gone for?"
"Seven hours. For the others, they appeared all over the city. It didn't take long to find them since they had trackers before the operation started."
"Oh."
Things were starting to click.
There really was a delay with his teleportation, in comparison to the others.
"Don't worry. I've received all the reports of what went down. Evelyn Cessna is currently being treated as we speak. You can ask your sister for details regarding that. The Imperial Army will soon conduct a raid on the blackmarket. You've done your part.
Good work, Young Cadet."
Bellion flashed him a salute.
"You have made your country proud. I hope to see you in the academy soon. We need more soldiers like you."
"Understood."
Brandon nodded his head in response. He planned on visiting Evelyn soon. However, now that he remembered, what happened to his injuries?
They seemed to have disappeared the moment he teleported.
"You're free to go now. But do something about your appearance...."
Bellion gave him a disgusted frown.
"I can sense the ominous mana coming from you...."
"Nothing I can do about that. Seems I'm stuck in this form for now."
"Form?"
"Elemental Assimilation."
"Oh? No wonder your hair changed. I saw you some time ago when I visited the academy."
"Really?"
"Yeah, the festival, to be precise."
"So.... you saw.... That?"
"That... yes I did."
A gentlemen's agreement.
To not speak any of whatever Reinhard had done during the talent's show.
"He's a couple years too young to match the likes of me."
"You?"
"That kid must've gotten the idea from me."
"....."
No.
"Don't do it—"
"How much does a chimney cost?"
"Please, don't do this to me—"
"Nothing, it's on the house. Haha!"
Bellion smacked his thigh and started bursting out laughing.
He was even worse than Reinhard.
At least Reinhard had never laughed at his own jokes.
But this old fart....
"Haha!"
Brandon could only play along.
"Another one. What did—"
"Thank you. Goodbye."
Clank—!
Brandon had to leave before things got worse.
Making his way outside the interrogation hall, a peculiar figure stood by the window with his arms crossed.
"Yo."
It was Raven.
"Yo."
Brandon waved back.
"What do you plan on doing after this?"
Raven asked.
Amelia turned her head slightly. There, she could see Brandon who picked Aurelia up.
"Brandon~ Brandon~! What did you do? You made Mama sad."
"Really? Did you help Mama feel better?"
"Un! I did...!"
"Haha. Good job, Aurelia."
"Hehe~"
"Can you help me unpack this, Aurelia? I'll go see Mama."
"Aaang.... Oh! Ice cream!?"
"That's right. We're having a celebration. My mom and sister are coming too."
"Ice cream~ Ice cream~"
Aurelia took the bag and ran towards the table, completely engrossed by the ice cream.
Brandon nodded his head and walked towards Amelia.
Seeing the memories, all Brandon had felt towards Amelia was gratitude.
She had taken his burdens upon herself, even starting a mercenary group to fight against Wraithbounds in his place. In particular, Jin's burdens, and as Ciel herself.
They may have not been the same person, but Amelia was still Amelia.
And to sacrifice her own part of the memories, just to give it all back to Jin, even blindly following him henceforth...
"Amelia."
He didn't know how to approach her anymore.
Kill her...?
He had those thoughts before.
But knowing where her abilities came from...
Yeah, he had realized where her connection to the Sovereign came from.
It was because of him. Or rather, Jin.
But to be precise, Raven.
He had no idea what to call him anymore.
They were all the same person. And that person was him as well.
"...."
However, Amelia remained silent as she buried herself in her arms, hugging her legs.
"I'm back."
".....You could've died."
"But I'm here. I'm right beside you, and I'm not going anywhere."
All of a sudden, Amelia embraced him, burying herself in his chest.
Brandon was startled for a brief second, but returned her embrace and gently caressed her hair.
"I'm sorry. I was so useless."
Amelia spoke, her voice cracking.
"No. You've done way more than you think."
"You're just saying that. But we both know—"
"No. I know more than you think."
"...."
Amelia remained silent at that.
However, she soon pulled away upon realizing something.
"Wait, your injuries."
"I'm healed."
Amelia scanned his body. Currently, he was wearing a long black sweater. He had to change since his blazer was all torn after all.
"How? You were—"
"Shh...."
Brandon put a finger on her mouth, shushing her.
"I'm here. I'm alive. That's all that matters."
"Okay.... I'm so glad you're safe."
She embraced him once again, pushing him down on the couch as he continued caressing her hair.
She seemed really clingy today.
Brandon looked to the side.
"Aurelia can see us."
"She's busy with her ice cream. Let me stay like this for a while."
"Okay."
Silence filled the room. The two stayed still. Amelia on top of him, as he continued gently caressing the back of her head.
It was peaceful.
The warmth was peaceful, pushing all his thoughts aside as he focused on the girl on top of him.
They had only snapped out of their thoughts when the door was knocked.
To— Tok.
"Ah."
"Looks like they're here."