Chapter 303

Chapter 303

My meeting with Lark had drawn to a close as dawn approached.

As commanders of the western and southern fronts, we had our heated arguments but eventually came to moderate agreements.

"Ash."

But in the end, our conversation always came back to one personal topic: our brotherhood.

"Never forget. We are brothers."

Lark stared at me intently before nodding.

"Thats why I want to trust you."

"Feel free to trust me, brother."

With a slight smile, Lark added,

"And I want to trust Fernandez as well."

"..."

No matter how much I earnestly warned him about potentially going head-to-head with Fernandez, it was like talking to a wall.

"You two are both my precious siblings. I dont want the guardians of our empire, us, to be divided and at odds."

With a stern face, but seemingly resolute, Lark continued,

"If you genuinely wish for Duchess Bringars survival, Ill turn a blind eye. And if Fernandez wants the throne, Ill gladly step aside."

"..."

I was left speechless by his declaration.

Was he going this far just to keep the familial bond intact? This elder brother of mine.

"All I wish, Ash, my brother, is for us siblings to live in harmony and love."

"..."

"Thats... all I hope for."

Lark said, pushing his white hair back. I responded with a warm smile.

"Me too, brother."

Though it felt like an obligatory response, it was needed for family.

"Hopefully, misunderstandings are cleared, and once again, as siblings, as guardians, we can peacefully share our thoughts and decisions."

But that wont happen.

The Imperial Capital will be engulfed in the flames of a civil war, and the empire will be split in two. Theres no going back to the days when the four of us held guardians meetings.

However, much like when someone says "lets grab a meal" more as a way to check in rather than a genuine invitation,

I simply conveyed my wish.

Lark, sensing the sentiment, smiled bitterly, stood up, and donned his hood.

"Until next time, little brother."

He left, this time with a gentler embrace.

Lark strode away from my mansion with long strides.

Without venturing too far, I watched his retreating figure from the entrance of my mansion.

Given his height and stride, he quickly became distant.

"...Is he gone?"

After Lark was completely out of sight, Dusk Bringar peeked her head from the roof of the mansion.

"Is he really gone? Lark? Without drawing his sword, without causing an earthquake or uprooting buildings, just a little chat and he quietly left?"

Dusk Bringar looked down at me, disbelief evident on her face. I shrugged.

"Brotherly love is quite special to him."

Im dear to him, and so is Fernandez. He had no choice but to rush to the Imperial Capital right now.

The change of direction, given the magnitude of the crisis, came unexpectedly easily.

My meeting with Lark had come to a close more conveniently, thanks to his timely rebellion.

Thud!

Following Dusk Bringar on the rooftop, her knights descended one by one.

From the storage area in the backyard of my mansion, my heroic characters under my command had also gathered swiftly. I clicked my tongue.

"I didnt even call for them, and theyre all battle-ready..."

"When such a powerful figure openly displays his might in front of you, do you think your subordinates could just stand by?"

It seemed everyone was preparing to jump in should I face any danger.

All of my party members looked drenched in cold sweat. Observing these subordinates who resembled wet puppies, I chuckled softly.

With his immense strength, clearly beyond human bounds, Lark had exerted a pressure that was more intense than most boss monsters in the game. All of them had clearly felt the tension.

Dusk Bringar pointedly remarked on my mischievous, rogue-like upbringing. Seeing my hurt expression, she cleared her throat again, looking slightly awkward.

"So, it seems Ive forgotten. Please understand."

"Thats just mean... leaving me in suspense..."

As I grumbled, another question popped into my mind.

Moving to Dusk Bringars other side, I poked her opposite side with my elbow, making her jump.

"Stop that! Just ask verbally! Why the constant poking?"

"Its just a friendly gesture... Anyway, Ive been wondering."

It had been on my mind from the start.

"Why is Your Grace named Dusk Bringar?"

How could a persons name be Dusk Bringar?

I wasnt mocking... I genuinely wanted to know.

The young duchess before me bore the same name as one of her distant ancestors.

It was the name of the legendary Red Dragon, the guardian dragon of the Empire and the last Fire Dragon. Hundreds of years ago, this dragon married an emperor of the Empire and birthed the first Duke of Bringar. This dragons name was none other than Dusk Bringar.

She was the same dragon who stopped the world-turning serpent Jormungand and protected the Empire.

Dusk Bringar had inherited that very name. For what reason? Was it like being named Jupiter Junior?

"..."

At this, Dusk Bringar only looked up at me. Why was she looking at me like that? Had I asked something offensive?

"...Ash, youve earned the right."

"Excuse me? The right?"

What was she talking about? We were discussing names.

"Youve taken in my followers and, as promised, youve successfully fended off Lark and... his pursuit troops. Rejected by all other alliances and abandoned by the world, you welcomed us. Youve already won my faith."

"Well... Haha. Thank you for your kind words."

But why did the topic shift from a simple question about her name!

"...However, its not yet time."

"Excuse me?"

"I want to observe a bit longer to decide if you truly deserve to know the meaning behind my name."

Slowly removing her gaze from me, Dusk Bringar whispered softly.

"When the time is right, I will reveal the meaning of my name to you."

"Uh... Okay."

I hadnt expected such a weighty response to a light-hearted question.

Feeling a little awkward, I scratched the back of my head.

Seems like names hold deep meanings in this part of the world. They inscribed destinies in middle names and bore names with meanings too profound to share.

"Now, enough about names!"

Dusk Bringar, back to her playful demeanor, grinned, showing off her sharp teeth.

"You did great today, Ash. Ill trust your word even more from now on."

Seeing as Lark and the Imperial Armys First Division retreated without a fight, her biggest concern seemed to have been alleviated. She looked visibly relieved.

I returned her smile.

"Ill keep a close watch on the Western Front and the Imperial Capitals movements. You can relax and spend your winter here."

"Yes, thank you very much."

With a smile, Dusk Bringar bowed slightly in gratitude, then led her knights out of the mansion.

I watched her head north before turning my gaze westward. Lark had disappeared without a trace.

The world was now in turmoil.

All I could do was run desperately alongside a crumbling cliff.

***

"..."

Heading to the refugee camp outside the North Gate, Dusk Bringar was deep in thought.

In truth, she remembered very clearly.

The destined fate of the third prince of the Imperial family.

The curse-like prophecy that the Black Ever Tree had spoken to the emperor.

- Your third son will tear the Empire to shreds and bring about its downfall.

- Yet at the same time, your third son will ensure the Empires prosperity for all eternity.